Family Events in Howard County — Columbia & Ellicott City
Howard County consistently ranks among the best places to raise a family in the U.S., and the event calendar reflects it. Columbia's lakefront concerts, Ellicott City's historic Main Street activities, and the county's library and recreation center network offer something every weekend. Many events are free and designed with young families in mind.
Tue, Sep 1· Varies by date
Escape Beetlejuice - Escape Room Experience
📍 Laurel’s House of Horror
A 45-minute escape room puzzle game inspired by the movie Beetlejuice. Solve puzzles in a themed room to escape before time runs out.
Tue, Sep 1· Various times
Escape Beetlejuice
📍 Laurel’s House of Horror
45-minute escape room experience with puzzles inspired by the movie Beetlejuice.
Fri, Sep 11
Unearthing Foundations, Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibition
📍 Montpelier Arts Center
A celebration of Latinx and Hispanic artists in the DMV area exploring how personal and cultural heritage influences the future.
Wed, Sep 16· 10:30am-1:00pm, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Summer - The Donna Summer Musical
📍 Toby's Dinner Theatre
A dinner theatre production celebrating the life and music of Donna Summer with a full meal and live performance.
Sat, Sep 19· 10am-5pm
Pumpkin Patch Open
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
The petting farm and pumpkin patch are open with food vendors offering kettle corn, lemonade, hot dogs, and pizza. Activities include petting farm animals and pumpkin selection.
Wed, Sep 23· 10:30am-12:30pm / 6:00pm-8:30pm
Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Summer - The Donna Summer Musical
📍 Toby's Dinner Theatre
A dinner theatre production celebrating the life and music of Donna Summer. Enjoy live musical theatre with dinner service at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia.
Thu, Oct 1· 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Laurel Farmer's Market
📍 378 Main St, Laurel
Weekly farmers market held every Thursday in downtown Laurel through October.
Thu, Oct 1· During mall hours
HGTV Open House
📍 The Mall in Columbia
A family-friendly HGTV-inspired experience at The Mall in Columbia featuring home and garden activities, photo opportunities, and lawn games.
Fri, Oct 2· 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Public Roller Skating
📍 Roller Skate Arena (Supreme Sports Club)
Weekly public roller skating sessions at the Roller Skate Arena with rentals and skate aids available.
Sat, Oct 3· 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
5th Annual Family Fall Fest
📍 VFW Post 160
VFW Auxiliary Post 160 hosts their 5th annual Family Fall Fest featuring a chili cook-off, bake sale, craft fair, and children's activities.
Sat, Oct 3· 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The McFadden~Garcia Band
📍 Little Market Cafe
An evening with the award-winning McFadden~Garcia Band featuring 3-part vocal harmonies and original and popular music.
Sat, Oct 3· 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Oakland Mills Fall Festival
📍 Oakland Mills Village
A free fall festival featuring live entertainment, craft vendors, food, and a children's area at Oakland Mills Village.
Sat, Oct 3· 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
All Together Now (All Ages)
📍 Howard County Library System - Central Branch
A 30-minute interactive class for all ages with an adult featuring songs, stories, rhymes, and activities to build early literacy and social skills.
Sat, Oct 3· 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Savage Ukes (8 & up, teens & adults welcome!)
📍 Howard County Library System Savage
A 60-minute ukulele class for ages 8 and up at the Howard County Library System Savage branch.
Sat, Oct 3· 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Youth Fishing Rodeo
📍 Burba Lake Recreation Area
A free fishing event for children ages 3-15 at Burba Lake Recreation Area featuring face painting and activities.
Sat, Oct 3· 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
All Together Now (Families)
📍 Howard County Library System Savage
A 30-minute interactive program for infants through age 5 with adults at Howard County Library System Savage branch.
Sat, Oct 3· 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Draft Horses & Draft Beers at Manor Hill
📍 Manor Hill Farm
A family-friendly day of food, fun, and philanthropy featuring draft horses and craft beers at Manor Hill Farm.
Sat, Oct 3· 1:00 PM
Game of Pets Event
📍 Barnes & Noble - Ellicott City
Mega-bestselling author Aaron Blabey, creator of The Bad Guys, hosts a book event featuring his new series about an 11-year-old kid and a talking axolotl.
Sat, Oct 3· 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Public Roller Skating
📍 Roller Skate Arena at Supreme Sports Club
Weekly public roller skating sessions at the Roller Skate Arena with rentals and skate aids available.
Sat, Oct 3· 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monarch Migration - Butterfly Exchange (ages 7 and up)
📍 Howard County Library System - Central Branch
Learn about Monarch butterfly migration and decorate a life-sized butterfly to be exchanged with students in Mexico.
Sat, Oct 3· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Garden Buddies
📍 Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville
Adult volunteers instruct teens on how to care for flowers and produce at the Catonsville Branch Community Garden.
Sat, Oct 3· 10:00am
Grip With Grace × Busboys and Poets Presents: The Morning After
📍 Busboys and Poets - Columbia
A brunch gathering event presented by Grip With Grace and Busboys and Poets at the Hyattsville location. Enjoy food, community, and conversation over brunch.
Sat, Oct 3· 11:00 AM
Saturday Morning Storytime!
📍 Barnes & Noble - Ellicott City
Join Barnes & Noble for their weekly Saturday morning storytime at 11:00 AM.
Sat, Oct 3· 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Get Ready for Kindergarten: Early Literacy Workshop
📍 Prince George's County Memorial Library System - Laurel Branch
A workshop presented by a first-grade teacher to help families and rising kindergarten students prepare for school success through foundational academics and phonics.
Sat, Oct 3· 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Dinosaur Park Open House
📍 Dinosaur Park
Free monthly fossil hunting program at Dinosaur Park in Laurel, Maryland.
Sat, Oct 3· 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Home Depot Kids Workshop
📍 Home Depot Columbia
Free hands-on building workshop for kids ages 5-12. Kids build a wooden project and get to keep it, plus earn a pin and certificate.
Sat, Oct 3· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 3· 10am-2pm
Saturday Brunch
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Enjoy incredible brunch offerings and lunch selections from 10am to 2pm every Saturday and Sunday.
Sat, Oct 3· 10am-2pm
Weekend Brunch
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Saturday and Sunday brunch service featuring incredible brunch offerings with lunch selection also available.
Sun, Oct 4· 5:00pm
Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: Summer - The Donna Summer Musical
📍 Toby's Dinner Theatre
An evening dinner theatre production featuring the musical Summer celebrating the life and music of Donna Summer, with dining included at the venue.
Mon, Oct 5· 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
A-Z Come Play With Me
📍 Family Advocacy Program Center
Interactive playgroup activities for families with children ages 0-5 to develop social, cognitive, and motor skills.
Wed, Oct 7· 5pm onwards
Burger Night
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Build your own Black Angus Burger for $10 with fries included, or enjoy the weekly $10 chef special burger.
Sat, Oct 10· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 10· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lowe's Build and Grow Kids Workshop
📍 Lowe's Columbia
Free building clinic for kids at Lowe's. Kids build a wooden project with guided instructions and get to keep their creation.
Sun, Oct 11· 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Michaels Kids Club
📍 Michaels Columbia
Free in-store kids crafting event at Michaels. Kids create a themed craft project. All supplies included.
Sat, Oct 17· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Mon, Oct 19· Saturdays 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
"Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities" Exhibit Showcase — All Ages
📍 Howard County Recreation & Parks
Exhibit showcase event
Sat, Oct 24· 11am & 2pm
Halloween Costume Parades
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
Families dressed in Halloween costumes participate in parades held twice daily at the pumpkin patch. A festive Halloween tradition at the farm.
Sat, Oct 24· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Oct 31· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 7· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 7
Pumpkin Chucking Weekend
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
Families use a special catapult to launch pumpkins across the farm in this 20-year tradition. Bring your own pumpkin or use one of the farm's pumpkins to compete.
Sat, Nov 7· 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Home Depot Kids Workshop
📍 Home Depot Columbia
Free hands-on building workshop for kids ages 5-12. Kids build a wooden project and get to keep it, plus earn a pin and certificate.
Sun, Nov 8· 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Michaels Kids Club
📍 Michaels Columbia
Free in-store kids crafting event at Michaels. Kids create a themed craft project. All supplies included.
Sat, Nov 14· Saturday 4:00pm-8:00pm
"Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities" Exhibit Showcase — All Ages
📍 Howard County Recreation & Parks
Exhibit showcase event at Robinson Nature Center for all ages
Sat, Nov 14· 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lowe's Build and Grow Kids Workshop
📍 Lowe's Columbia
Free building clinic for kids at Lowe's. Kids build a wooden project with guided instructions and get to keep their creation.
Sat, Nov 14· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 21· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Sat, Nov 28· 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Barnes & Noble Saturday Storytime
📍 Barnes & Noble Ellicott City
Free weekly storytime for kids at Barnes & Noble. Stories, activities, and a love of reading — every Saturday at 11am.
Thu, Jul 22· 5:30pm-late
Riley Green: That's Just Me Tour
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Country music concert featuring Riley Green with special guests Muscadine Bloodline, Jake Worthington, and Hannah McFarland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What family events happen in Howard County?▼
Explore Other Areas
Never miss a Baltimore family event
Get the best events delivered to your inbox every week — curated by AI, reviewed by parents.
Subscribe Free