40+ Free Fall Events in Howard County, Maryland (2026)
Looking for free fall events in Howard County, Maryland? From Columbia to Ellicott City, Clarksville, Laurel, Elkridge, and beyond, this county is packed with family-friendly festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, and community celebrations that will not cost a thing. Whether you are searching for things to do in Howard County this fall with kids, friends, or on your own, this is our 2026 guide to the best free activities of the season.
We are a Howard County family, and we update this list from official county, park, library, and venue calendars — then we go to as many of these as we can. Details can shift with weather and staffing, so use the event name links (they open in a new tab) to confirm the latest from the organizer before you head out. Last verified: September 2026.
Downtown Columbia Events
Movie Nights in the Park – Sept 18, 25, Oct 2 + 9
📍 Color Burst Park, 6221 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia
🗓 September 18, 25, October 2 + 9
Say farewell to summer with cozy fall movie nights at Color Burst Park. Free pre-movie games, trivia, and music, plus complimentary popcorn and candy before showtime. Movies start at sundown. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets — this is one of our favorite no-cost Friday nights in Columbia.
🎬 Super Mario Galaxy – Sept 18
🎬 Moana (2026 live action) – Sept 25
🎬 The Wizard of Oz (Merriweather Teen Council Take Over) – Oct 2
🎬 Toy Story 5 – Oct 9
Food Truck Wednesdays – Wednesdays thru late October
📍 Merriweather Row Plaza, 10480 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
🗓 Wednesdays, through late October
Food trucks return to Merriweather Row Plaza every Wednesday. Try something new or grab a favorite comfort dish. Food is for purchase; browsing the plaza is free.
Diwali & Garba Celebration – Oct 24
📍 Color Burst Park, 6221 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia
🗓 Saturday, October 24
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with the Indian Cultural Association. Enjoy free entertainment with music, dance, and garba, plus shopping, food, henna, and more. Free admission and free parking.
Spook-tacular – Oct 30
📍 Color Burst Park, 6221 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia
🗓 Friday, October 30
The Merriweather District’s 6th annual Halloween celebration. Expect a group costume contest (winners get a prize pack valued at over $250), a trick-or-treat trail at participating merchants, a pumpkin hay maze, pumpkin decorating, games, glitter tattoos, and free goodie bags for the first 1,200 attendees. RSVP on the event page.
Howard County Pride Festival – Oct 11
📍 Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
🗓 Sunday, October 11
A free, inclusive, and welcoming celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with music, vendors, and family fun in the park. Free tickets are listed on Eventbrite — grab them so organizers can plan, then just show up.
Howard County Hispanic Heritage Festival – Oct 17
📍 Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
🗓 Saturday, October 17
Join County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights & Equity, the La Alianza Latina Commission, and Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods for a free, family-friendly celebration of Latino and Hispanic culture: live music, vendors, food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Downtown Columbia Maker Faire – Oct 25
📍 Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
🗓 Sunday, October 25
The Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth. A family-friendly showcase of invention and creativity with workshops, demonstrations, and presentations on painting, sculpting, robotics, digital art, and more. Admission is free, but register for tickets online.
Howard County Veterans Day Parade & Celebration – Nov 8
📍 Downtown Columbia
🗓 Sunday, November 8
Celebrate Howard County’s veterans at the 12th annual parade through Downtown Columbia, followed by a ceremony. Free to watch and cheer — we always make a point of lining the route.
Clarksville Events
Friday Music: The Big Laird Band – Sept 18
📍 Clarksville Commons, 12230 Clarksville Pike
🗓 Friday, September 18
Start your weekend with high-energy rock from the ’70s through today. Free and all are welcome — have dinner on a restaurant patio or bring a blanket and picnic on the plaza.
Friday Music: Jack-A-Roses Band – Sept 25
📍 Clarksville Commons, 12230 Clarksville Pike
🗓 Friday, September 25
It’s the last concert of the season. An almost-acoustic take on Grateful Dead classics with dreamy jams and smooth harmonies. Free, all welcome.
Farmers Market – Saturdays
📍 Clarksville Commons, 12230 Clarksville Pike
🗓 Saturdays
Browse local vendors with fresh produce, bread, olives, mushrooms, and handmade goods. Free to attend.
Free Sunday Outdoor Yoga – Sundays thru Oct 11
📍 Clarksville Commons, 12230 Clarksville Pike
🗓 Sundays, through October 11
A free outdoor yoga class every Sunday morning, open to all experience levels. Bring a mat (and blocks if you have them). Weather permitting.
CHILL ACT Expo – Oct 24
📍 The Gathering Place, 6120 Day Long Dr, Clarksville
🗓 Saturday, October 24
America’s largest neurodiversity kids’ activity expo, with free admission for the whole family — sensory-friendly activities, vendors, and resources. Register on the expo site so you have your free ticket ready at the door.
Wheels Plus Meals Food Truck Nights – Thursdays
📍 Linden Linthicum UMC, 12101 Linden Linthicum Ln, Clarksville
🗓 Thursdays through late October
A rotating lineup of food trucks at Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church. Grab dinner and let the kids run around. Food is for purchase; entry is free.
Ellicott City Events
Main Street Music Festival – Sept 19
📍 Main Street, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, September 19
A full day of free family-friendly music on Main Street. Live music at Lot D, The Wine Bin, Tiber Park, and participating businesses (including Georgia Grace Cafe, La Palapa, and Manor Hill Tavern), plus artisan vendors and food trucks throughout the festival. The Kelly Bell Band headlines the Main Stage at Lot D.
Patapsco Literary Festival – Sept 26
📍 Main Street, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, September 26
An all-day celebration of literature in and around Main Street: dozens of author talks, panel discussions, and featured readings, ending with live music. Attendance is free, and a free trolley circulates between parking lots.
Old Ellicott City Flea – Sept 27
📍 Old Mill Cafe, Old Ellicott City
🗓 Sunday, September 27
25 to 40+ local vendors selling men’s and women’s vintage clothing, hand-sewn items, jewelry, vinyl records, handmade cosmetics, and local art — often with live music.
PHG Fall Family Day on the Trolley Trail – Nov 1
📍 Lot A, behind The Trolley Stop, Old Ellicott City
🗓 Sunday, November 1
Hands-on family activities with Patapsco Heritage Greenway: stream bug finds, a fall nature craft to take home, and a scavenger hunt along the Trolley Trail. Free; register each person (kids under 18 need a parent or guardian). Park in Lot A behind the Trolley Stop Restaurant; the Old Ellicott City trolley runs free between lots. Bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and leave pets at home.
Autumn LEGO Train Garden – Oct 3 thru Nov 1
📍 B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave
🗓 October 3 – November 1 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Visit the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum for a new “spooktacular” display. Ghosts, ghouls, wizards, and witches can celebrate the season with the LEGO Autumn Train Garden, on view during regular museum hours. Museum admission is free.
Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main – Oct 3
📍 Main Street, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, October 3
Calling all Harry Potter fans — wizards, witches, and Muggles return to Main Street in Historic Ellicott City. The Ellicott City Partnership has the 2026 date on the calendar; full activity details are still being posted, but expect themed activities, magical treats, and surprises up and down Main Street. Check the official listing before you go so you do not miss new add-ons.
Weekend Concerts at Little Market Cafe – thru October
📍 Little Market Cafe, 3731 Hamilton Street
🗓 Fridays–Sundays through October
Free local music on the Courtyard at Tonge Row. The 2026 season runs April through October with Friday and Saturday evening shows plus weekend afternoon sets. Two fall dates we are watching: the Gayle Harrod Band (blues, soul, and R&B) on Oct 10 and ANTIHERO on Oct 24.
Vintage Baseball Doubleheader – Oct 10
📍 The Inn at Mt. Ida, 3691 Sarahs Ln, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, October 10
Step back in time for two spirited 19th-century base ball games celebrating America’s 250th birthday, hosted by Maryland History Tours and HoCo250 at The Inn at Mt. Ida. Free to attend (register on Eventbrite; food available for purchase).
Trick or Treat on Main Street – Oct 31
📍 Main Street, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, October 31
Come in costume and trick-or-treat at the shops and restaurants along Main Street in Historic Ellicott City.
Fido Field Trips – Ongoing
🗓 Usually two Sundays a month
Rescue Small Miracles lets you make a difference in a shelter dog’s life with this free program. Take a shelter dog out for the day — a walk through a local park, a Starbucks pup cup run, or cozy couch snuggles. Volunteers must be 18+ (kids can participate with an adult in control of the dog). Fill out a volunteer application and email fidofieldtripssm@gmail.com to sign up.
Howard County Recreation & Parks Events
Robinson Nature Center Anniversary Open House – Sept 20
📍 Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia
🗓 Sunday, September 20
Celebrate the Robinson Nature Center’s 15th birthday. See what’s new — two outdoor pavilions, the interactive Chesapeake Challenge game, and more. Take part in a community art project, meet live animals, and catch an outdoor puppet show or planetarium show. The event is free; limited parking on-site with a complimentary off-site shuttle.
Public Star Party – Sept 19
📍 Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd, Marriottsville
🗓 Saturday, September 19 (evening; weather permitting)
Join the Howard Astronomical League for a free public star party at Alpha Ridge Park. Peek at planets, stars, and deep-sky objects through members’ telescopes and the observatory’s big screen. No registration needed; kids’ activities included; leave pets at home. Star parties run monthly through November — check howardastro.org for dates and weather updates.
Comic Book Exchange – Sept 24
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia
🗓 Thursday, September 24
Bring your favorite comics to exchange and discuss with fellow fans. Free event, all ages.
Salsa Sensations – Sept 30 + Oct 14
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia
🗓 Wednesdays, September 30 + October 14
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin dance. All experience levels welcome; salsa instruction is followed by open dancing, with snacks and water provided. Free.
Historic Waverly Mansion Fall Open House – Oct 4
📍 Waverly Mansion, Marriottsville
🗓 Saturday, October 4
Experience the history and beauty of Waverly Mansion in Marriottsville, built in the mid-1700s. Free for the public; registration is encouraged on the county event page.
Public Archaeology Dig Day at Historic Blandair – Oct 10
📍 Blandair Regional Park North, 5685 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia
🗓 Saturday, October 10
Learn about the history of the Historic Blandair Plantation: tour the property and participate in fieldwork side by side with park archaeologists. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Sitting at the Feet of Our Elders – Oct 10
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia
🗓 Saturday, October 10
An afternoon of intergenerational storytelling — hear first-hand experiences from community elders and history makers. Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Free; preregistration recommended.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration – Oct 12
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia
🗓 Monday, October 12
A free all-ages celebration at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center.
Marvel Movie Madness – Oct 17
📍 Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia
🗓 Saturday, October 17
A free all-ages Marvel movie night at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center.
Howard County’s Great Outdoors Initiative – Oct 1 thru 31
🗓 October 1–31
Challenge yourself to at least 15 minutes of outdoor activity every day in October. Sign up and download your daily log for a chance to win prizes. Free registration, all ages, all around the county.
Gary J. Arthur Community Center 20th Anniversary Open House – Nov 7
📍 Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville
🗓 Saturday, November 7
Celebrate 20 years of the Gary J. Arthur Community Center with tours, program demonstrations, special promotions — and a piece of anniversary cake.
City of Laurel Events
Spooktacular – Oct 23
📍 Robert J. DiPietro Community Center, 7901 Cypress St, Laurel
🗓 Friday, October 23
Grab your costume and a bag for goodies and head to the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center’s decked-out Halloween Hall. Take treats to go. This event is free and open to all ages.
Elkridge Events
Food Truck Fridays at Elkridge VFD – Fridays thru Oct 30
📍 Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department, 5700 Rowanberry Dr, Elkridge
🗓 Fridays through October 30
Dinner with the hometown heroes. The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department hosts food trucks every Friday evening (rain or shine). Free to attend; pay only for your food.
2nd Annual Trunk or Treat – Oct 24
📍 6095 Marshalee Drive, Elkridge
🗓 Saturday, October 24
A free neighborhood trunk-or-treat in Elkridge, presented by Michelle Hybner, Realtor. Come in costume and hop from trunk to trunk.
More Free Fun Around Howard County
Jazz in the Garden with High Caliber – Oct 3
📍 Howard County Conservancy, Mt. Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Rd, Woodstock
🗓 Saturday, October 3
Free jazz on an autumn afternoon at the Howard County Conservancy. Bring a blanket and settle into the garden at Mt. Pleasant.
Maryland Alpaca & Fleece Festival – Nov 14 + 15
📍 Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship
🗓 Saturday, November 14 + Sunday, November 15
The best fall fiber festival on the East Coast. Meet live alpacas, watch fiber-arts demonstrations, and browse handmade goods and unique yarns. Free admission and free parking.
Halloween Stories & Costume Parade – Oct 31
📍 HCLS Savage Branch, 9525 Durness Ln, Laurel
🗓 Saturday, October 31
Halloween stories at the Savage Branch, then show off costumes in a parade around the library. Free; tickets are handed out shortly before each session.
Pumpkin Palooza – Nov 21
📍 HCLS Miller Branch, 9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City
🗓 Saturday, November 21
Games, activities, crafts, and food trucks at the Miller Branch — plus bring your pumpkins, gourds, and jack-o’-lanterns to be composted at Alpha Ridge Landfill. Free.
Howard County TotSwap – Nov 12 thru 16
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 on public sale days (no ticket needed): Friday, Nov 13; Saturday, Nov 14; Sunday, Nov 15 Discount Day; and Monday, Nov 16 Dollar Dash (adults only due to limited capacity).
📍 Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship
Free Community Flu Shots
The Howard County Health Department offers free flu shots at community clinics across the county — no appointment needed, everyone welcome (ages 6 months and up). Walk-up clinics run from early October through late November, including a clinic at the HCLS East Columbia Branch on Oct 24 and an HCLS branch clinic on Nov 9. See the full schedule on the county’s flu page. It is not the most exciting fall “event,” but a skipped flu can wipe out a weekend of festivals.
Elsewhere in Maryland – Free National Parks Days
U.S. residents can enjoy free entrance to National Park Service sites that normally charge a fee — including 18 sites in Maryland — on these remaining 2026 dates:
• Tuesday, October 27 (Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday — new for 2026)
• Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
Note: National Public Lands Day is not a nationwide fee-free entrance day in 2026. Only the entrance fee is waived; camping, tours, and timed-entry reservations can still cost extra. Confirm on the National Park Service fee-free page before you go.
Also worth knowing: Howard County Library System classes and storytimes are free at every branch, almost every day — check hclibrary.org/events for the full calendar.
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!
