40+ Free Fall Events in Howard County Maryland
Looking for free fall events in Howard County, Maryland? From Columbia to Ellicott City, Clarksville, and beyond, the area is full of family-friendly festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, and community celebrations that won’t cost a thing. Whether you’re searching for things to do in Howard County this fall with kids, friends, or on your own, this guide highlights the best free activities happening throughout the season.
Columbia Association Events
The Columbia Association is a non-profit that manages the planned community of Columbia and hosts a multitude of free events throughout the year.
Family Fun Morning – Sept 6
Held from 10 am to 12 pm. Kids will love free crafts, games, and activities by the lake.
📍 Columbia Lakefront
Weekly Outdoor Community Yoga – Mondays in September
Bring your mat for community yoga at 6 pm. Classes are suitable for all levels. In case of rain, class moves indoors to the barn.
📍 The Barn at Wilde Lake
Weekend Wind Down Outdoor Concert – Sept 14
Ease into your Sunday with a smooth jazz performance by Kim Maiden from 10 am to 12 pm.
📍 Columbia Lakefront
Day of Dance – Sept 20
Experience global culture through live music and dance. Food trucks will also be on-site offering a range of global cuisines. The event will conclude with a headline performance by NYC’s international sabar music group, Aba Diop & the Yermande Family. The event runs from 2 pm to 8:30 pm.
📍 Columbia Lakefront
Red Cross Blood – Sept 26
While it is not the most fun event in the world, giving blood saves lives and only takes about an hour of your time. Plus, donors receive a $15 gift card as a thank you! Register in advance for a time slot between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. 👉 Register here
📍 Columbia Gym
Around the World Storytime: Drop-in Series – Oct 24-Nov 21
This free drop-in storytime series highlights a different country every Friday from 10 am to 10:45 am. Geared towards ages 3 through 5, children will learn about culture through stories, music and dance. Pre-registration required at the link above.
📍 Columbia Art Center
Art Exhibition: Art from the Soldier – Nov 6- 26
Columbia Association presents Art from the Soldier, an exhibit featuring art from military veterans, curated by Pamela Wilde. There will be an opening reception on November 8th from 1 to 3 pm. The Columbia Art Center gallery is open Monday through Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm.
📍 Columbia Art Center
Columbia Village Center Events
River Hill Village Center Halloween Treat Street – Oct 16
📍 River Hill Village Center
🗓 October 16, 6-8 pm
Watch a magic show, create some spooky crafts, and trick-or-treat throughout the village center. Magic show times will be at 6:15 pm, 7:15 pm, and 8 pm.
Kings Contrivance Village Center Halloween Treat Street – Oct 24
📍 Kings Contrivance Village Center
🗓 October 24, 5-7 pm
Enjoy a show with Daisy the Clown plus trick-or-treat throughout the village center. Show times will be at 5 pm, 5:45 pm, and 6:30 pm.
Hickory Ridge Village Center Halloween Treat Street – Oct 29
📍 Hickory Ridge Village Center
🗓 October 29, 5:30-7 pm
Watch a magic show, with Mr. Dave and trick-or-treat throughout the village center. Magic show times will be at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Hickory Ridge Village Center Winter Wonderland – Nov 29
📍 Hickory Ridge Village Center
🗓 November 29, 1-4 pm
Enjoy free entertainment, holiday characters, and more to welcome in the holiday season!
Downtown Columbia Events
Good Kid-izens Children’s Business Fair – Sept 6
📍 Color Burst Park
🗓 September 6, 10 am–12 pm
Support 12 kid-run businesses plus enjoy family activities.
Merriweather Teen Night Back to School Carnival – Sept 12
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
🗓 September 12, 5–9 pm
DJ, lawn games, henna art, glitter tattoos, giveaways, and more.
Movie Nights in the Park – Sept 19 + 26
📍 Color Burst Park
🗓 September 19 & 26, 6–9 pm
Games and music start at 6 pm, followed by movies at 7:15 pm.
🎬 Moana 2 on Sept 19
🎬 Dogman on Sept 26
Clarksville Events
Friday Night Concerts at Clarksville Commons – Thru Sept 27
📍 Clarksville Commons Plaza
🗓 Fridays in September, 6–8:30 pm
Enjoy rotating live music groups. Bring a chair and grab dinner from nearby restaurants.
St. Louis Concert Series – Sept 21
📍 Clarksville Commons Plaza
🗓 September 21, 4 pm
A patriotic country band formed by active-duty military will perform. In case of rain, concert will move to St. Louis Church nearby.
Ellicott City Events
Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main – Oct 3-4
Calling all Harry Potter fans! You won’t want to miss the magical fall weekend when a world of spells, potions, and pure imagination lets loose on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City! This enchanting celebration brings wizards, witches, and Muggles alike together for a weekend filled with themed activities, live entertainment, costume contests, and magical surprises tucked around every corner of Main Street. Families can shop whimsical vendor booths, sip on butterbeer-inspired drinks at Little Market Café, enjoy themed desserts at Sweet Cascades, and snap photos with costumed characters that make you feel like you’ve stepped right into your favorite storybook.
Whether your kids are die-hard fantasy fans or just love a fun day out, this free event is a chance to explore Ellicott City in a whole new light. Saturday’s festivities culminate with a Harry Potter outdoor movie showing at The Wine Bin (scroll down for more details). There is also a scavenger hunt with a $5 fee. All proceeds benefit teh Maryland Chapter of the National Federation for the Blind.
Fido Field Trips – Oct 5, 19 + On-Going
Rescue Small Miracles allows you to make a difference in a shelter dog’s life with this free program. Whether you are considering adopting a dog, do not have a lifestyle that allows you to commit full-time, or want to help out the rescue, this volunteer opportunity lets you take a shelter dog out for the day. Whether it’s a walk through a local park, a Starbucks pup cup run, or some cozy couch snuggles, it gives the pups a much-needed break from the kennel and helps them show off their true personalities outside the shelter.
Field trips are usually scheduled two Sundays a month from 9 am to 12 pm so the dogs can be back in time for open adoption hours. Volunteers must be age 18 or older. Kids are allowed to participate, but an adult age 18+ must be in control of the dog at all times. Keep an eye on the Rescue Small Miracles Facebook page for future dates.
👉 Fill out a volunteer application here and email fidofieldtripssm@gmail.com to sign up
Weekend Concerts at Little Market Café – Thru Oct 31
📍 Little Market Café
Enjoy local bands and musicians in historic Ellicott City. Here is the full schedule. Check the website above for changes and inclement weather updates.
- Dan Ingham Duo Friday, Sept 5 | 6-8 pm
- Work In Progress Saturday, Sept 6 | 6-8 pm
- Gary & The Groove Sunday, Sept 7 | 12-3 pm
- Tears for Devere Friday, Sept 12 | 6-8 pm
- John DuRant Sr. Saturday, Sept 13 | 12-2 pm
- Coyote Trail Saturday, Sept 13 | 6-8pm
- The Soul Magnets Sunday, Sept 14 | 12-3 pm
- Richard Walton Group Friday, Sept 19 | 6-8 pm
- Liz Fixen & Friends Jazz in the Garden Sunday, Sept 21 | 12-3 pm
- The Wafflers Friday, Sept 26 | 6-8 pm
- Wingin It Sunday, Sept 28 | 12-3 pm
- VOX 88 Friday, Oct 3 | 6-8 pm
- Strings Attached Saturday, Oct 4 | 12-2 pm
- Automatic Slim Sensational Band Saturday, October 4 | 6-8 pm
- Gayle Harrod Band Sunday, Oct 5 | 12-3 pm
- Work In Progress Friday, Oct 31 | 6-8 pm
Outdoor Movies at The Wine Bin
📍 The Wine Bin
🗓 September 6 & October 4
Catch The Dark Knight (Sept 6) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Oct 4). Bring chairs and arrive early for free popcorn and live music.
Howard County Recreation & Parks Events
Teen Night – Sept 5
📍 Roger Carter Community Center
🗓 September 5, 5–8 pm
Free event for ages 11–17 featuring video games, karaoke, crafts, laser tag, and food.
Grandparents’ Day Celebration – Sept 6
📍 Harriett Tubman Center
🗓 September 6, 1–3 pm
Celebrate with crafts, history, and photo ops.
Tubman Tailgate – Sept 7
📍 Harriett Tubman Center
🗓 September 7, 12–4:30 pm
Bring a picnic for this Ravens vs. Commanders football watch party.
Monthly Public Star Party – Sept 13, Oct 4, Nov 1
📍 Alpha Ridge Park
🗓 September 13, October 4, November 1
Join the Howard Astronomical League for guided stargazing.
Sensations: Hispanic Heritage Celebration – Sept 17, Oct 1 + 15
📍 Harriett Tubman Center
🗓 September 17, October 1, October 15 | 7–9:30 pm
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dance, and food.
Belmont Blockbuster Outdoor Movies – Sept 18, Oct 30
📍 Belmont Manor & Historic Park
🗓 September 18 & October 30, 7 pm
Outdoor movies under the stars: Lilo & Stitch (Sept 18) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct 30). Costumes encouraged!
Comic Book Exchange – Sept 25
📍 Harriett Tubman Center
🗓 September 25, 4–7 pm
Bring your favorite comics to exchange and discuss with fellow fans.
Howard County TotSwap – Nov 6 thru Nov 10
Save big and shop sustainably at this massive event at the Howard County Fairgrounds! You’ll find girls’ clothing (Preemie–Juniors), boys’ clothing (Preemie–20), shoes, maternity wear, baby gear and furniture. Plus, toys, books, crafts, sports gear and seasonal items!
Top brands include Abercrombie, Adidas, Under Armour, Nike, GAP, Athleta, PINK, American Eagle, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, and more!
Free admission to the public sale dates below or purchase a VIP Pass to shop early on November 6th.
• Fri, Nov 7: 9am–7pm
• Sat, Nov 8: 9am–5pm
• Sun, Nov 9: (𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆!): 10am–4pm (No ticket needed)
• Mon, Nov 10: (𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗵): 9am–10am **𝘕𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺
📍 Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship
Free Community Flu Shots – Oct 2 thru Nov 16
The Howard County Health Department is offering FREE flu shots beginning in October. While this is not a fun event, having the flu could certainly put a damper on fall festivities so it is a convenient way to get protected!
Elsewhere in Maryland – Free National Parks Days
📍 All U.S. National Parks
🗓 September 27 (National Public Lands Day) & November 11 (Veterans Day)
Enjoy free entrance to all national parks — including 18 sites in Maryland.
More Free Fall Fun Coming Soon
🍁 This list will keep growing as new events are announced. Check back often for updates, and let’s make this fall season one to remember in Howard County!
Which activity will your family try first? Share your experiences in the comments below!
