Essex Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

Join Baltimore's largest pet-friendly festival, BARCStoberfest, celebrating its 21st year! This vibrant event in Patterson Park supports the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). Participate in the "Ready, Set, SNIFF!" 5K run or the fun Half-Mile Pet Parade, and...

Celebrate the autumn season at Weber's Farm Fall Harvest Days! This family-friendly festival offers a delightful array of activities, including hayrides, a barrel train, and a fun spooky walk. Enjoy live music on weekends, explore the farm animals, and savor...

Celebrate Urban Wildlife Conservation Day with a free, family-friendly event at Masonville Cove. Immerse yourself in nature with activities like kayaking, a BioBlitz, nature crafts, and opportunities to see live animals. Explore guided nature walks, fishing, and birding while discovering...

Join the Glen Burnie Library for a festive Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event! Families can enjoy a safe and fun way to collect treats from creatively decorated car trunks. It's a perfect opportunity for kids to show off their costumes and get...

Get lost in the fun at the Beachmont Corn Maze! This expansive maze offers a unique outdoor adventure with wide, accessible paths perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. It's a great way to spend an autumn afternoon with family and friends,...

Step into a world of spooky fun at Monster Mini Golf in Columbia, MD. This indoor attraction features an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course with animated monsters and lively music. Beyond the greens, explore a vibrant arcade with classic and...

Bridgeway Community Church hosts CandyFest, a free Halloween-alternative event offering a safe and fun environment for families. Attendees can enjoy a generous amount of free candy, including options for those with allergies. The event also features a variety of games,...

Get ready to be lost in the magic of the Maryland Corn Maze at Maryland Sunrise Farm! For 2025, they're transforming the fields into 'The Land of Oz' with a wicked twist. Navigate an expansive 8-acre corn maze, featuring interactive...

Embrace the autumn season at Brad's Farm Market's Fall Fun events. They offer a delightful corn maze adventure and scenic hayrides, perfect for family outings. Visitors can also pick their own pumpkins, adding a classic fall activity to their visit....

Experience the vibrant Old Bowie Celebrates Festival, a lively event showcasing arts, heritage, and culture. Enjoy continuous live music on multiple stages, captivating street performers, and a dedicated kids' zone with crafts and face painting. Browse a juried art show,...

Sykesville invites families to a delightful Trick or Treat on Main Street event. Children can don their favorite costumes and embark on a Halloween adventure, collecting treats from participating Main Street merchants. This community-focused event ensures a safe and sweet...

Six Flags America transforms into a festive fall wonderland for Kids Boo Fest, a family-friendly daytime event. Attendees can enjoy a dedicated Trick-or-Treat Trail, meet costumed characters, and delight in live shows like the 'Monster Mash Bash' and 'Wolfie's Howl-O-Ween...

Set your Halloween spirits soaring at this unique event where trick-or-treating meets aviation history. Families can enjoy an evening of collecting treats among vintage aircraft, participating in spooky games, and engaging in festive crafts. Attendees are encouraged to wear their...

Experience a unique Halloween celebration at the National Capital Trolley Museum with Trolley-ween. This family-friendly event features spook-tacular streetcars, offering a festive and memorable way to enjoy the holiday. Advanced general admission tickets are required.

Discover the autumn charm at Larriland Farm with pick-your-own apples and red raspberries. Enjoy festive weekends featuring hayrides through decorated woods, challenging straw and Sudex mazes, and the 'Boo Barn' for little ones. Indulge in delicious apple fritters and live...

Join the North Hills community for their 24th Annual Fall Festival and Halloween Parade! This vibrant event features a lively parade, followed by a festival with music, crafts, games, and a bounce house. Neighbors can also participate in a fun...

Bring the little ones dressed in their favorite costumes to Brown's Orchards for a delightful trick-or-treat experience. Staff members, also in costume, will be handing out treats at various stations throughout the market, including Produce, Gift Baskets, Deli, Bakery, Cafe,...

Experience the vibrant NoMa PumpkinPalooza, a beloved fall festival hosted by the NoMa Business Improvement District. This event transforms Alethia Tanner Park into a festive hub with live entertainment, delicious food, and a popular "pick-your-own" pumpkin patch, celebrating the spirit...

Filasky's Produce offers a quintessential fall farm experience. Visitors can pick their own pumpkins, wander through a child-friendly soybean maze, and enjoy scenic hayrides. Evening events include nighttime hayrides with bonfires, and the farm is a popular spot for birthday...

Families can enjoy a spooktacular evening at the Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event on Bethesda Row. Children can collect treats from local shops and restaurants, receive a glow stick, and meet costumed characters. Attendees are entered to win a $100 gift...

Get ready for a wild Halloween night! Boo at the Zoo transforms the Smithsonian's National Zoo into a festive Halloween wonderland. Explore the zoo after dark, collect treats from numerous stations, and enjoy spooky decorations and live entertainment. It's a...

Ward 7's 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Extravaganza offers a safe and secure Halloween celebration for families. This community event prioritizes children's safety while fostering unity among families, schools, and neighbors. It's a fun-filled alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

All ages can enjoy the Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Wheaton Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park. Riders receive a special card to spot seasonal items like pumpkins and ghosts along the decorated tracks. The train stations, 'Día de...

Unleash your creativity at this Halloween Candle Holder Workshop. Participants will decorate their own metal candle holder with spooky, Halloween-themed designs. All necessary materials and an LED candle are included, making it a perfect, hassle-free craft for both kids and...

Embrace the spooky spirit with the Spooky Season PokeFair, a Halloween-themed Pokémon event. Attendees can dive into Pokémon trivia, compete in trading card and video game tournaments, and embark on a Halloween scavenger hunt. The event also features a vibrant...

Get ready to groove and giggle at this family-friendly Halloween and Día de los Muertos dance party! Held at the unique Dupont Underground, the event promises an afternoon filled with music, laughter, and excitement. Enjoy a cascade of bubbles, a...

Join Jennie the Cat on a delightful Halloween adventure as she navigates the idea of being a 'scary cat.' This heartwarming show features cuddly puppets, audience interaction, and original music. Discover new friends and spectacular tricks, including skateboarding, shadow puppetry,...

Join the Rosslyn BID for a spooktacular Howl-O-Ween event at Gateway Park. This dog-friendly evening features a lively atmosphere with pet-themed vendors, a bar for pet parents, and the highly anticipated annual dog costume contest. It's the perfect opportunity for...

Celebrate autumn at the Rosslyn Fall Fest, a free event packed with seasonal delights. Enjoy local brews, live music from Rock Creek Kings and Blair's West, and fun pumpkin decorating activities. Indulge in delicious food truck offerings and seasonal treats,...

Join the vibrant Germantown October Fest for a day of community celebration. Kick off the festivities with a Spooky Dance Party Contest, featuring costume judging and a chance to win prizes. Enjoy live music from headliners Nine Days, browse the...

Celebrate Halloween at Water Park with a festive trick-or-treat event on October 31st, featuring candy, face painting, and pumpkin painting. Explore the Fall Pumpkin Patch from mid-October to early November, and enjoy live music on select dates. Seasonal food and...

Gather 'round the campfire for a 'Spooky Animals Campfire' event at Gulf Branch Nature Center. This family-friendly program offers an evening of old-fashioned fun with engaging activities, including stories, games, and songs. Enjoy complimentary S'mores as you connect with nature...

Gather for a delightful session of family-friendly Halloween stories at the Aurora Hills Center. This event is perfect for all ages, offering a chance to enjoy classic spooky tales in a welcoming atmosphere.

Discover a fall wonderland at Green Meadows Farm's pumpkin patch. Wander through fields to find the perfect pumpkin (included with admission in October). Delight in interacting with over 150 animals, cheering on pig races, and enjoying complimentary feed for the...

Bring your costumed canine companions to historic Old Town Alexandria for a delightful trick-or-treat adventure. Local boutiques will be handing out goodies to your four-legged friends. It's a free event, making it a perfect way to celebrate Halloween with your...

Join the Arlington Trunk or Treat for a festive family event where children can trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks. This walk-through experience offers timed entry slots to ensure a smooth flow, with a special Sensory Hour available for a more...

Join the Arlington 2nd Ward for a festive Halloween party! This community event is open to everyone, offering an evening of seasonal fun and neighborly connection. It's a perfect opportunity for families and individuals to come together and celebrate the...

Get ready for a spooktacular evening at the Old Firehouse's Festival of Frights and Trunk or Treat! This family-friendly event promises a night filled with live music, engaging games, thrilling contests, and an abundance of candy. Families are invited to...