9th Annual Harbor Harvest Enjoy this free kids’ festival with activities like the IKEA Urban Pumpkin Patch, hay rides, 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.
Fells Point Fun Festival Bring the whole family to Fells Point for craft vendors, live music and any kind of food you could want. Free. Oct. 7-8 in Fells Point at Broadway and Thames Street. fellspointfest.net
16th Annual Pigtown Festival Don’t be deceived by the name. This vibrant community on Washington Boulevard offers live music, great food, local craft artisans and, of course, the live pig races. Free. 12-7 p.m. Oct. 14 on the 700-900 block of Washington Boulevard. pigtownmainstreet.org
OktoBEARfest This may sound like an adults-only event, but non-beer sampling tickets are available for the kids and include not only the festival, but an all-day pass to the zoo. Fun for everyone! Sampling tickets: $45-55; VIP sampling tickets: $65 (limited quantities); Non-sampling tickets: $25. 12-4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Waterfowl Lake Pavilion of the Maryland Zoo. marylandzoo.org
Mount Vernon Ghost Walk Admire the architecture while costumed tour guides regale you with the haunted lore of this historic neighborhood. Tickets: $13 adv. purchase/$15 at the door (exact change/cash ONLY). Friday 10/6 and all Saturdays through October, starting outside Belvedere Hotel at 1 Chase St. baltimoreghosttours.com.
Bennett’s Curse Haunted Attractions: The Ultimate Fear Experience 2017 Yikes! You might need to sleep with the lights on after touring the famous haunted houses at Bennett’s Curse. (Ages 10+) Tickets: $35-60. Weekends, some Thursdays, and of course, Halloween, through Nov. 5 at Bennett’s Curse. bennettscurse.com.
ZooBOOO! Trick-or-treating, costume contests, carnival games, crafts, music and food. Free with admission. Oct. 27-29, 10a.m.-4p.m. at Waterfowl Lake 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-making, live music, hayrides, kid costume contests, zumba, sugar skull-making, yoga and, of course, the great lantern parade! Free. 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Patterson Park. creativealliance.org.
AVAM’s Free Fall Halloween Celebration
Join AVAM for some fun pre-Halloween festivities with free museum admission, an all-ages lantern-making “lumin-eerie” workshop and a special showing of “Young Frankenstein.” Don’t miss out! Free. 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at American Visionary Arts Museum. avam.org
Annual Halloween Tour of Westminster Burying Ground and Catacombs Continuous tours of the Hall, Catacombs and the notable Burying Grounds of Edgar Allen Poe. A thirty-year tradition continues! 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. Tickets: $13/adults, $6 for kids 3-12; 2 and under, free. Weekends through Oct. 29 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. 2930 a.m.-5 p.m. 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, human chess game, food and vendors. Tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for kids 7-15, children 7 and under, free. Through Oct. 22 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: $22 for adults, $14 for children 3-11, 2 and under, free. Fridays and Saturdays through October at Historic Annapolis Museum. annapolistours.com.
Animal Appreciation Day & Pet Parade Get your pets in the Halloween spirit and compete for a variety of costume prizes. Free. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29 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 Cockeysville. 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. 21 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. 14 (rain date: 10/15) at Willow Grove Farm in Cromwell Valley Park. cromwellvalleypark.org.
9th Annual 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. 28 at Cranbrook Shopping Center in Cockeysville. cockeysvillefallfestival.com.
9th 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. 28 (rain date: 10/29, same time) 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.
Haunted Halloween Hike Encounter spooky creatures as you hike along in a quest to solve a Halloween mystery. Bring along your flashlight and treat bag to this somewhat scary event. Costumes are welcome! Saturday, Oct. 21st, 6:30 – 8:30pm (Rain date: Oct. 22rd) at Lake Roland. Ages 5-12, Tickets: $7 per person ($5 members). Registration required. lakeroland.org.
Trick or Treat Trail Trek Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Spooky Stories Campfire and S’mores Swap terrifying tales around a campfire and then enjoy a sweet treat. Come prepared with a (not too) scary story to share! 1-2 p.m. Oct. 30; Ages 8+. $3 members/$5 non-members at Willow Grove Nature Center in Cromwell Valley Park. cromwellvalleypark.org.
Tricks and Treats on The 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. Saturday, October 28; 10 – 11:30 a.m. 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: $7.75-11. 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. 7 at Mt. Airy Carnival Grounds. mtairylions.com.
Fall Harvest Celebration 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. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14 at Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster. ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/farmmus.
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.
Creepy Crawlies In honor of Halloween, discover all that is creepy and crawly! Spend time in the woods and by the water searching for strange creatures. Create your own to take home! $3/person. 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Oct. 29. otterpointcreek.org
Legends of the Fog Try to escape three different creepy attractions—all without being too scared! Tickets: $10-15, and $30 for daily fast passes. 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: $7. 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 21 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. A collaborative event with Havre de Grace museums and historic sites 7-9 p.m. Oct.29 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. 5-8p.m. Oct. 30 at Steppingstone Farm Museum in Havre de Grace. steppingstonemuseum.org.
Heather L. Hurd 5K Spooktacular Help us scare away distracted driving. 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. 9a.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 Farm in 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. 10a.m.-5p.m. Weekends through Nov. 5 at Sharp’s at Waterford Farm in Brookeville. sharpfarm.com.
Community Fall Festival Featuring entertainment, kid’s games, face painting, scarecrow making, moon bounce, crafts, silent auction, second hand treasures, beer/wine garden, baked goods, and delicious food. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7 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. 7 at The Other Barn at Oakland Mills 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/car. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1 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. Reservations required. Fridays and Saturdays through November at Historic Savage Mill in Savage. 8 p.m. 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 (cash only), ages 7+. 7-10p.m. Oct. 27 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. For children 12 and under. Tickets: $5. 1-3p.m. Oct. 22 & 29 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. 20-21, 11a.m.-10p.m. at Roger Carter Center in Ellicott City. hallowread.com.
Howling Halloween Hullabaloo This guided trick-or-treating adventure takes you through the Robinson Nature Center and along portions of its paved and wooded trails. Each stop offers fun, live interpretation on topics ranging from creepy, crawly critters to constellations, to howling and hooting creatures. Tickets: $10 for kids 5+, $5 for adults. Register by calling 410-313-0400 (no online registration). Various time slots available. Oct. 28 at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.htm.
Trick-or-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 2-6 years; children under 2 are free, $5 for adults. 10-11:15 a.m. Register by calling 410-313-0400 (no online registration). Various time slots available. Oct. 29 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: $15. Registration required. 9a.m. Oct. 28 at Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Cooksville. howardcountymd.gov.
Halloween Costumes Parades 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 10a.m.-5:30p.m. at Elioak Farm in Ellicott City. clarklandfarm.com.
Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons Open for more than 30 years, the Haunted Dungeons combine spooks and scares with some true-to-life harrowing history. The one- to two-hour walking tour leads thrill seekers through haunted woods and ex-military bunkers, with every chamber of the dungeon boasting a new boo or two. Tickets: $15. 6-11p.m. (or until capacity). All ages, not recommended for very young children. Fort Howard. haunteddungeons.com
Valley of the Haunted Just because this spooky camp is put on by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County doesn’t mean it’s not totally terrifying. Built around the disturbing story of a madwoman named Mary and a deranged butcher, the trail is full of plenty of guts and gore—definitely not for the faint of heart. But don’t worry: Valley of the Haunted also offers not-so-scary “Little Haunts Sundays,” featuring trick-or-treating, games, crafts, hay rides, pumpkin painting, costume contests and more. Weekends in October beginning Oct.13. 7-10p.m. Tickets: $12 and up ($20 at the gate). Little Haunt at Camp Hidden Valley, Oct. 15, 22 and 29. 2-5p.m. Tickets: $5. White Hall. valleyofthehaunted.com
Cox’s Point Haunted Mansion Creepiness ensues at the Cox’s Point Mansion, one of Maryland’s oldest haunted attractions. The spot capitalizes on its antique spook-power with features like the “horror-vator,” a creepy elevator that takes horror lovers from haunt to haunt. Even the location is a little eerie: The Mansion is surrounded by water on three sides, making it feel like you’re stuck on a sinister island. Not recommended for young children. Tickets: $10, every 13th person is free! Weekends beginning Oct 13, 7-11p.m. in Essex. coxspoint.org