Columbia Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

42 family-friendly fall activities in Columbia and nearby

Illustration of a witch in a pointed hat reading a book in an orange armchair beside pumpkins, a lamp and black cats (Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees)

Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees

Oct 24 – Oct 25

Columbia $

Nature-themed Halloween stations and activities for all ages.

CandyFest

Sat, Oct 31

Columbia Free

Family-friendly Halloween alternative featuring games, inflatables, music, and treats.

Illustration of two small costumed children and a witch among pumpkins, hay bales and autumn trees on a sunny lawn (Oakland Mills Association Fall Festival)

Oakland Mills Association Fall Festival

Sat, Oct 3

Columbia Free

Features a live performance showcase by School of Rock Columbia.

Illustration of costumed figures near striped booths and pumpkin displays on a grassy town square with orange autumn trees (Clark's Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival)

Clark's Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival

Sep 19 – Nov 8

Ellicott City $

Features petting farm animals, Enchanted Forest attractions, and hayrides.

BARCStoberfest

Sat, Oct 24

Baltimore 17 mi

Baltimore's largest pet-friendly festival benefiting the BARCS animal shelter.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with orange pumpkins, a red wheelbarrow, a wooden farm stand and two scarecrow figures (Butler's Orchard 46th Annual Pumpkin Festival)

Butler's Orchard 46th Annual Pumpkin Festival

Sep 19 – Nov 1

Germantown 19 mi

Features hayrides, jump pads, corn mazes, and pick-your-own pumpkins.

Illustration of a Halloween parade on a town street at dusk with a giant smiling pumpkin float and costumed children (The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Festival)

The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Festival

Sat, Oct 24

Baltimore 17 mi Free

Glowing community lantern parade and Dia de Los Muertos celebration.

Tails on the Rails

Sun, Oct 25

Baltimore 13 mi $$

The only time of year dogs can ride the Mile One Express.

ZooBOO! at The Maryland Zoo

Oct 2 – Oct 31

Baltimore 14 mi

Fall festival featuring trick-or-treating, costume contests, and an inflatable corn maze.

Illustration of a sunny autumn lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a small tent, a witch and costumed children under orange trees (Monster Mini Golf Columbia)

Monster Mini Golf Columbia

Jessup $

Indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf featuring animated monsters and black lights

Howard County Truck or Treat

Sat, Oct 10

Cooksville 11 mi $

Trick-or-treat from decorated trucks and emergency vehicles.

Illustration of two costumed trick or treaters with candy buckets on a dusk street of glowing houses and carved pumpkins (Trick or Treat on Main Street)

Trick or Treat on Main Street

Sun, Oct 25

Sykesville 13 mi

Community trick-or-treating with local merchants and Sykesville Police.

Illustration of a small Ferris wheel, striped tents and a decorated booth with pumpkins on a grassy fairground in autumn (Larriland Farm Fall Festivities)

Larriland Farm Fall Festivities

Sep 12 – Nov 1

Woodbine 15 mi $

Family-owned pick-your-own farm featuring seasonal crops, hayrides, and mazes.

Illustration of clay figures in costumes mingling among striped market tents and pumpkin displays under orange autumn trees (Italian Heritage Fall Festival)

Italian Heritage Fall Festival

Sat, Oct 17

Towson 19 mi Free

Century-old Italian Heritage Month celebration featuring food vendors and live music.

ArBOOretum

Oct 29 – Oct 30

Baltimore 15 mi $

A candy-free family Halloween celebration featuring night hikes and spooky trails.

Illustration of two costumed figures in a festive autumn street at dusk with pumpkins, string lights and a glowing bonfire (Fall Festival at Serenity Ridge Nature Preserve)

Fall Festival at Serenity Ridge Nature Preserve

Sat, Oct 17

Windsor Mill 9 mi Free

Annual autumn gathering featuring live music, food vendors, and nature exploration.

Illustration of two small ghosts and a witch with a black cat carrying pumpkin buckets on a street of cozy houses at dusk (Organic Canvas™ 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Paint + STEM + Sip)

Organic Canvas™ 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Paint + STEM + Sip

Sat, Oct 17

Mount Rainier 19 mi $

Features pumpkin carving, painting, a STEM station, and mocktails for kids.

Illustration of a child in a witch costume holding a pumpkin bucket on a leafy sidewalk lined with glowing houses at dusk (Family Flights and Frights: Trick-or-Treat at the Museum)

Family Flights and Frights: Trick-or-Treat at the Museum

Sat, Oct 24

College Park 16 mi $

Trick-or-treat among museum aircraft with games, crafts, and experiments.

Illustration of costumed figures mingling among striped festival booths, pumpkins, and orange autumn trees at dusk (Lantern Night at The Fire Museum of Maryland)

Lantern Night at The Fire Museum of Maryland

Sat, Oct 24

Lutherville 20 mi

See fire apparatus lit by kerosene lanterns alongside period reenactors.

Illustration of cars with open trunks decorated with pumpkins and balloons, with a child figure beside an orange car at dusk (ALA Liberty Unit 122 Trunk or Treat)

ALA Liberty Unit 122 Trunk or Treat

Sat, Oct 31

Owings Mills 14 mi Free

Family trunk-or-treat featuring games, candy, prizes, and costumes.

October Harvest Fest

Fri, Oct 30

Baltimore 15 mi Free

Church trunk-or-treat featuring dancing, games, candy, and on-site vendors.

CandyFEST

Fri, Oct 30

Owings Mills 16 mi Free

Family-friendly Halloween alternative featuring games, prizes, music, and candy.

Pumpkin Painting

Sat, Oct 10

North Bethesda 17 mi Free

Includes pumpkin decorating and a same-day complimentary brunch voucher for kids.

Illustration of small costumed figures and a witch playing on a sunny lawn with pumpkins, hay bales, a tent and orange trees (Spooky Halloween Mini Golf)

Spooky Halloween Mini Golf

Sat, Oct 24

Gaithersburg 18 mi $

18 holes of mini golf plus face painting, crafts, and candy

Illustration of tiny clay musicians playing on a hay stage among pumpkins, bunting and striped booths in autumn (Spooky Season PokeFair: The Shadow Ball)

Spooky Season PokeFair: The Shadow Ball

Oct 24 – Oct 25

Gaithersburg 19 mi Free

A two-day Pokémon-themed Halloween celebration featuring tournaments, vendors, and cosplay.

Illustration of a row of cars with open trunks decorated for Halloween at sunset with balloons, pumpkins and costumed kids (2nd Annual Trunk or Treat)

2nd Annual Trunk or Treat

Sat, Oct 24

Elkridge Free

Community trunk-or-treat featuring Kona Ice, treat bags, and giveaways.

Illustration of a red tractor pulling a wooden wagon of small costumed figures past pumpkins and autumn trees near a red barn (Fall Fun and Bluegrass with Dave Zelonka)

Fall Fun and Bluegrass with Dave Zelonka

Fri, Oct 2

Elkridge 8 mi Free

Live bluegrass music by Dave Zelonka with hayrides, BBQ, and fall activities.

Illustration of a town square fall festival with striped pumpkin booths, costumed figures, and orange autumn trees (Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat 2026)

Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat 2026

Sat, Oct 24

Baltimore 14 mi Free

Community event featuring trunk-or-treating, inflatable games, and complimentary food.

Mommy & Me Pumpkin Party

Sat, Sep 26

Baltimore 15 mi $$

Guided cake decorating session for pairs to design pumpkin-themed cakes.

Illustration of a Halloween craft scene with clay kids, a friendly ghost, bats and glowing pumpkins under party bunting (Harvest Bash at Paintbox Kids & Home)

Harvest Bash at Paintbox Kids & Home

Fri, Sep 25

Baltimore 17 mi $

Fall celebration featuring crafts, snacks, and live music from Common Tone.

Illustration of costumed clay children and a witch playing among pumpkins, hay bales and tents on an autumn lawn (Kids’ Club Workshop – Spooky Pumpkin Decorating)

Kids’ Club Workshop – Spooky Pumpkin Decorating

Sun, Oct 4

Severna Park 19 mi $

Drop-in crafting session with spiders, bats, glitter, and googly eyes.

Illustration of clay figures walking past striped market stalls and pumpkins on a paved square with orange autumn trees (Hidden Gemz Family Food Tour: NYC Halloween Edition)

Hidden Gemz Family Food Tour: NYC Halloween Edition

Sat, Oct 17

Baltimore 14 mi $$

Family-friendly day trip from Baltimore to NYC with surprise stops

Trolleyween Weekend

Sat, Oct 24

Colesville 12 mi

Unlimited historic streetcar rides and a themed scavenger hunt with prizes.

Main Street Fall Festival

Sat, Oct 10

Sykesville 13 mi Free

Celebrates global harvest traditions with cultural demonstrations, live performers, and crafts.

Pumpkin Palooza

Sat, Oct 31

Alexandria 29 mi $$

Family fall celebration featuring pumpkin decorating, crafts, face painting, and games.

Haunted Trip

Fri, Oct 16

McLean 25 mi $$$

Haunted evening journey exclusively for 5th through 8th graders.

Illustration of a fall festival street with big pumpkins in front, striped booths, and small figures under orange trees (School of Rock Columbia's Halloween Party & Jam!)

School of Rock Columbia's Halloween Party & Jam!

Columbia Free

Rockin' Halloween party with costume contest and live music.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (Howard County Pumpkin Palooza)

Howard County Pumpkin Palooza

Ellicott City Free

Compost your pumpkins and reduce landfill waste

Illustration of two tiny figures on a gravel path among golden cornstalks and pumpkins, with a red flag at sunset (Maryland Corn Maze at Maryland Sunrise Farm)

Maryland Corn Maze at Maryland Sunrise Farm

Gambrills 14 mi $$

8-acre corn maze with interactive QR code challenges

Illustration of cars with open trunks decorated as tiny haunted houses with pumpkins and costumed kids at dusk (Glen Burnie Halloween Trunk-or-Treat)

Glen Burnie Halloween Trunk-or-Treat

Glen Burnie 14 mi Free

Community trunk-or-treat event at the library

Halloween Eye Spy Trains

Bethesda 19 mi $

Halloween Eye Spy train ride with themed stations

Illustration of clay figures walking past striped market stalls and pumpkins on a paved square with orange autumn trees (North Hills Fall Festival and Halloween Parade)

North Hills Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Silver Spring 17 mi Free

24th Annual community Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Fri16Oct Haunted TripMcLean

Sat17Oct Italian Heritage Fall FestivalTowson

Sat17Oct Fall Festival at Serenity Ridge Nature PreserveWindsor Mill

Sat17Oct Organic Canvas™ 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Paint + STEM + SipMount Rainier

Sat17Oct Hidden Gemz Family Food Tour: NYC Halloween EditionBaltimore

thru1Nov Larriland Farm Fall FestivitiesWoodbine

Other Halloween categories in Columbia

Illustration of a Halloween gathering at dusk with a smiling ghost, costumed figures, glowing jack-o'-lanterns and lights

ColumbiaHalloween Food, Drink, and Parties25 parties & tastings

Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and black cats under a full moon at dusk

ColumbiaHaunted Experiences8 haunted attractions

Illustration of a pumpkin character and a ghost performing on a lit stage with red curtains before a crowd at night

ColumbiaHalloween Movies, Theater, and Entertainment6 shows & screenings

Illustration of a Halloween town at night with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon

ColumbiaUnique Halloween Events19 unique events

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Columbia

Columbia and its surrounding towns host nearly two dozen family-friendly Halloween celebrations. From the immersive experiences at Butler's Orchard Fall Festival to the free neighborhood gatherings like Bethesda Row Trick or Treat, there are numerous ways to celebrate. If you're seeking outdoor adventures or downtown festivities, this guide helps you find the perfect Halloween event for your family.

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Halloween Events Near Me

42 family-friendly fall activities in Columbia and nearby

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Other Halloween categories in Columbia

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Columbia

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!