Crisp air, stunning foliage, spooky decorations, creative costumes—whatever you like best about the season, there are so many ways to make the most of autumn’s bounty in the Baltimore area. Just beware of disappointing your trick-or-treaters: Take the time to verify the events listed!
9th Annual Harbor Harvest Enjoy this free kids’ festival with activities like the IKEA Urban Pumpkin Patch, petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin decorating, pony rides, fall crafts, food trucks and live entertainment. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 22 at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor. waterfrontpartnership.org.
Fell’s Point Fun Festival Bring the whole family to Fell’s Point for craft vendors, live music and any kind of food you could want. Free. Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Fell’s Point at Broadway and Thames Street. fellspointfest.net
Baltimore Jazz Fest Hear the best of local jazz talent, as well as great food and drink vendors, at this daylong festival in Druid Hill Park. Free. 12-8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Druid Hill Park. baltimorejazzfest.com
15th Annual Pigtown Festival Head to Washington Boulevard for live music, great food, local craft artisans and, of course, the live pig races. Free. 12-7 p.m. Oct. 8 on the 700-900 block of Washington Boulevard. pigtownmainstreet.org
OctoBEARfest This may sound like an adults-only event, but non-beer sampling tickets are available for the kids that include not only the festival, but an all-day pass to the zoo. Fun for everyone! Sampling tickets: $50, Non-sampling tickets: $25. 12-4 p.m. Oct. 22 at Waterfowl Lake Pavilion of the Maryland Zoo. marylandzoo.org
Mount Vernon Ghost Tour Admire the architecture while costumed tour guides regale you with the haunted lore of this historic neighborhood. Tickets: $13 for adults, $10 for children. Sats. through October, starting outside Belvedere Hotel. baltimoreghosttours.com.
Bennett’s Curse Haunted Attractions You might need to sleep with the lights on after touring the haunted houses at Bennett’s Curse. (Ages 10 and up.) Tickets: $35. Weekends (and some Thursdays) through Nov. 12 at Bennett’s Curse. bennettscurse.com.
ZooBOOO! Trick-or-treating, costume contests, carnival games, crafts, music and food. Free with admission. Oct. 28-30 at the Maryland. marylandzoo.org.
17th Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival
Spend the Saturday before Halloween with Creative Alliance for all the Halloween-themed goodness you could want—lantern building, live music, hayrides, kid costume contests, sugar skull-making and, of course, the great lantern parade! Free. 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Patterson Park. creativealliance.org.
AVAM’s Fall Halloween Celebration
AVAM is celebrating Halloween a few days early with free admission, an all-ages lantern-making workshop and an outdoor showing of “Young Frankenstein” on Federal Hill. Don’t miss out! Free. 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at American Visionary Arts Museum. avam.org
Fall-O-Ween Family Festival Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy not-so-scary family-friendly programs! Make your own ghost sound cup, prepare cinnamon bats with McCormick and sing along with Mr. Gabe. Free with admission. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Port Discovery Children’s Museum. portdiscovery.org.
Tour of Westminster Burying Ground and Catacombs Continuous tours of the Hall, Catacombs and Burying Grounds where Edgar Allen Poe is buried. Tickets: $5 for adults, $3 for kids. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Fayette & Greene Streets. westminsterhall.org.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Corn Maze at Maryland Sunrise Farm Get lost (but not for too long) in an eight-acre corn maze with additional activities like log cabin building, a hay jump, corn hole, pedal carts and weekly entertainment. Weekends through Oct. 30 at Maryland Sunrise Farm in Gambrills. mdsunrisefarm.com.
Greenstreet Gardens Fall Festival Enjoy the seasonal family activities like hayrides, jumping pillows, tire tower, corn maze, underground slide and corn box. Weekends through Oct. 30 in Lothian. greenstreetgardens.com.
Maryland Renaissance Festival Did you know jousting is Maryland’s state sport? Now you can show your state pride by watching it live at the Maryland Renaissance Fair, along with other medieval-themed activities, food and vendors. Tickets: $19-24 for adults, $8-10 for kids 7-15. Through Oct. 23 in Crownsville. rennfest.com
Special Historic Hauntings Ghost Walk Explore some of Annapolis’ most well-known haunts, including a rare opportunity to tour the spooky William Paca House at night. Tickets: $18 for adults, $10 for children. Fridays and Saturdays through October at Historic Annapolis Museum. annapolistours.com.
Halloween Happening A family night of witches, ghosts, and goblins, the Haunted Barn and hayrides. Tickets: $15, free for kids under 6. Fridays and weekends Oct. 14-30 at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville. halloweenhappening.com.
Halloween Pet Parade Get your pets in the Halloween spirit and compete for a variety of costume prizes. Free. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Historic Hancock’s Resolution. historichancocksresolution.org.
Fall Fun at Valley View Farms Enjoy the straw maze, free haunted house and weekend face painting (for a donation). Free. Daily through October at Valley View Farms in Cocketsville. valleyviewfarms.com.
PumpkinFest Celebrate all things autumn with this fun festival, featuring food, live music, magic shows and seasonal staples like hayrides, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling and sack races. Tickets: $15 for ages 2 and up. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Irvine Nature Center. explorenature.org
Fall Harvest Festival A weekend of family fun with pony rides, music, family games, crafts, earth oven cooking, food, 4-H animals, demonstrations, storytelling, beekeeping and archery, among other activities. Suggested donation of $5. Oct. 8-9 at Willow Grove Farm in Cromwell Valley Park. cromwellvalleypark.org.
Cockeysville Fall Festival Enjoy a day of live music, games, moonbounces, free balloon animals, raffles, great food and local vendors—all to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Cranbrook Shopping Center in Cockeysville. cockeysvillefallfestival.com.
7th Annual Family Fall Festival Get in the Halloween mood with scarecrow making, pumpkin decorating, face painting, clowns, costume contests (with prizes!), scary stories, trick-or-treating, music, food and drinks. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Veteran’s Park in Dundalk. dundalkusa.org.
Haunted House at Valley View Farms Take a spooky walk through the free haunted house, then visit the Halloween Village display and check out the Halloween Shop. Daily through October at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville. valleyviewfarms.com.
Kim’s Krypt Haunted Mill Dare to enter this intense haunted house with actors and animatronics—open rain or shine. Tickets: $14 and up. Weekends through October, including Halloween Monday, at Kim’s Krypt in Essex. kimskrypt.com.
Zombie Horde Scavenger Hunt Try to escape zombies and ghosts as you collect items at stations along the trail. As a bonus, there’s candy for all participants and prizes for the quickest “survivor.” Bring a flashlight and fast shoes. Tickets: $10, registration required. 7-9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Lake Roland. lakeroland.org.
Ghosts of Miners Past Oregon Ridge was once an active mining town. On this spooky hike, you will encounter unsettled souls who still roam the ridge 150 years later. Hikes every 10 minutes. Tickets: $10, registration required. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville. oregonridgenaturecenter.org.
Trick or Treat Trail Trek Join a costumed naturalist for a treat and then a trek to the graveyard. Costumes encouraged. (Recommended for ages 2-12.) Tickets: $4 per child. 1-2 p.m. Oct. 30 at Willow Grove Nature Center in Cromwell Valley Park. cromwellvalleypark.org.
Tricks and Treats at Oregon Ridge Dress up in your best costume and stroll through the woods and meadow for tricks, sweet treats and animal encounters. Don’t forget to bring a bag for all the goodies! Tickets: $5. 1-2 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville. oregonridgenaturecenter.org.
Fall Fun Festival Get in the autumnal mood with a corn maze, hayrides, a 15-acre pumpkin patch, and more than 45 different games and activities. Tickets: $7.50. Open daily through October at Gaver Farm in Mt. Airy. gaverfarm.com.
Mount Airy Fall Festival An old fashioned fall festival with events, food, drink and arts and crafts vendors. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Mt. Airy Carnival Grounds. mtairylions.com.
Fall Harvest Days Join the Carroll County Farm Museum for a weekend festival of a parade, car show, artisan demonstration, costume contest, make-your-own-scarecrow, pumpkin painting, food, crafts and more. Free. Oct. 15-at Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster. ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/farmmus.
No Trick, Just Treat on Main Street Evening of family fun and trick-or-treating on the Sykesville Main Street. Free. 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27 on Main Street in Sykesville. sykesvillemainstreet.com.
We Are Batty About Halloween Come in costume for a morning of crazy critters, scary crafts and spooky snacks. (Recommended for ages 3-12.) Tickets: $10, registration required. 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Piney Run Nature Center in Sykesville. pineyrunpark.org.
Tiny Tots Halloween Party Get your young ones in the Halloween mood by meeting some of the creepy, crawly animals that live there, eating Halloween-themed snacks and playing Halloween games. Don’t forget your costume! Tickets: $10, registration required. 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at Bear Branch Nature Center, Westminster. ccgovernment.carr.org.
Fall Festival Don’t miss out on any pumpkin picking, hayrides, apples or corn maze. Weekends through October at Brad’s Produce in Churchville. bradsproduce.com.
Pumpkin Fest Make time for pumpkin picking, a child-friendly corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, games and a wagon train ride for kids under 6 past the scary (but fun!) graveyard. Free. Weekends through October at Hawks Hill Creamery in Highland Heights Farm. hawkshillcreamery.com.
Pumpkin Party Carve and decorate pumpkins, make a pumpkin craft, tie-dye pumpkin shirts, play pumpkin games and sample pumpkin treats. Tickets: $10, registration required. 2:30-4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon. otterpointcreek.org.
Legends of the Fog Try to escape three different creepy attractions—all without being too scared! Tickets: $10-15. Fridays and weekends through October in Aberdeen. legendsofthefog.com.
Halloween Hike & Campfire Hike through the woods to discover the creatures of Halloween, then enjoy music and roasted marshmallows by the campfire. Tickets: $5. 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon. otterpointcreek.org.
Haunted Lock House Decked out in its spooky best, the museum welcomes visitors to take creepy evening tours and enjoy sweet treats. 7-9 p.m. Oct. at Susquehanna Museum in Havre de Grace. thelockhousemuseum.org.
Tales and Treats Enjoy spooky stories, a lantern-lit walk around the grounds and tasty treats. Free, but donation suggested. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Steppingstone Farm Museum in Havre de Grace. steppingstonemuseum.org.
Heather L. Hurd 5K and Trick or Treat Walk Join Harford Community College for a fun event that benefits a scholarship program and includes children’s activities before and after the run. Registration: $15 for kids, $25 for adults. 9 a.m. Oct. 29 at Harford Community College in Bel Air. harford.edu/heather.
Fall Festival at Larriland Farm Visit the straw maze and Boo Barn, a not-too-scary haunted house for ages 4-6. Pick pumpkins and produce, and enjoy hayrides on the weekends. Daily through October at Larriland Farmin Lisbon. pickyourown.com.
Fall Season at Sharp’s Enjoy a free hayride to 10 acres of field-grown pumpkins and pick out the perfect one. Feed the farm animals, make a scarecrow and explore the seven-acre corn maze. Weekends through Nov. 8 at Sharp’s at Waterford Farm in Brookeville. sharpfarm.com.
Community Fall Festival Featuring kids’ games, entertainment, pumpkin painting, face painting, scarecrow making, crafts, beer and wine garden, baked goods and dinner. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City. facebook.com/ChurchoftheResurrectionStPaulFallFestival.
Oakland Mills Fall Festival Catch live music for all ages, children’s crafts, festival food and craft vendors at this daylong festival, held rain or shine. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Oakland Mills Village Center in Columbia. oaklandmills.org.
Fall Festival It doesn’t get better than hayrides, bluegrass music, craftspeople and pony rides, not to mention old-fashioned skill demonstrations like blacksmithing and chair caning. Tickets: $10. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 2 at Howard County Conservancy in Woodstock. hcconservancy.org.
Historic Savage Mill Ghost Tours A costumed guide leads you through Savage Mills’ historic past and paranormal present. (Not recommended for children under 8.) Tickets: $12. Fridays and Saturdays through November at Historic Savage Mill in Savage. savagemill.com.
The Haunted Experience at Rockburn Branch Park Take a spooky hayride followed by ghost stories. (Not recommended for children under 7.) Tickets: $10. Oct. 22-23, 28-29 at Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge. howardcountymd.gov.
Halloween Kiddie Hayride Family-friendly daytime hayride and walk through the woods and fields, passing characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales in child-friendly costumes who will hand out candy and treats. Tickets: $5. Oct. 23 & 30 at Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum in West Friendship. farmheritage.org
HallowRead This book festival and mini-con is perfect for authors and fans of paranormal, urban fantasy, steam punk and horror. Featuring ghost tours, readings, performances, haunted ruins and outdoor movie screening. Tickets: $15-75. Oct. 21-23 at Havre de Grace Decoy Museum in Havre de Grace. hallowread.com.
Fall Spooktacular Crafts, treats, games and fall refreshments, with or without costumes. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. 3-4:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at North Laurel Community Center in Laurel. howardcountymd.gov.
Trick or Treat Among the Trees Trick or treat in costume along the nature center trail, where each stop offers a fun, live interpretation of fall nature happenings and wholesome, delicious treats. Round out the evening inside with cider and donuts. (Recommended for kids 5 and up.) Tickets: $10 for kids, $5 for adults. Oct. 22 at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.htm.
Trick-IN-Treat for Tots Grab the littlest ones for this stroller-friendly trick-or-treating adventure through the nature center exhibits and along paved trails, and collect healthy treats at each stop. Tickets: $10 for kids, $5 for adults. 10-11:15 a.m. Oct. 30 at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.htm.
Halloween One-Mile Fun Run/Walk Dress in your favorite costume for a walk or run that includes fun circuits like crab walks and mummy kicks. Goody bags, ribbons and refreshments for all, as well as Halloween crafts to make and take home. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers, registration required. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Cooksville. howardcountymd.gov.
Trick or Treating at Historic Sites Come by the Firehouse Museum and the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin on Halloween afternoon, dressed up as your favorite Howard County historical person. Free. 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 in Historic Ellicott City. howardcountymd.gov.
Halloween Weekend at Clark’s Elioak Farm Make the most of your weekend with costume parades, rides, face painting, rope maze, a pumpkin patch, fresh local cider and more. Tickets: $6. Oct. 29-30 at Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott City. clarklandfarm.com.