Things to Do in Howard County — Columbia & Ellicott City
Howard County punches above its suburban reputation: Merriweather and the Columbia lakefront draw real touring acts, Ellicott City's historic Main Street is a walkable run of bars, restaurants, and shops, and Clarksville has quietly become a dining destination. Plenty of free outdoor concerts in summer, and a brewery scene that keeps growing.
The next 42 events, 12 free. Ranked highest: Howard County Free Concert and Drone Show at Columbia Lakefront, Dinosaur Park Open House and Cranksgiving 2026 at North Laurel Community Center / Plaza at the Mall.
Thu, Nov 5· 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Star Wars Unlimited
📍 Historic Savage Mill
Open Star Wars Unlimited card game event with demo and starter decks available at Historic Savage Mill.
Thu, Nov 5· 6:30pm
THE END OF AMERICA'S MIDDLE EAST | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation
📍 Busboys and Poets - Columbia
An author/book event featuring discussion on America's Middle East policy. This presentation is part of Busboys and Poets' Books series.
Thu, Nov 5· 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Belmont Manor & Historic Park Open House
📍 Belmont Manor & Historic Park
A free, family-friendly open house celebrating America's 250th anniversary at the historic colonial manor and gardens.
Thu, Nov 5· 8:00pm
Thursday Night Open Mic hosted by Lady Brion
📍 Busboys and Poets - Columbia
Weekly poetry reading and open mic night hosted by Lady Brion at the Columbia location. An opportunity for poets and performers to share their work.
Thu, Nov 5· Evening
Wine Thursday
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Enjoy 50% off any bottle of wine at Victoria Gastro Pub every Thursday evening, the perfect way to treat yourself before the weekend.
Thu, Nov 5· Ongoing enrollment
Family Swim
📍 Goldfish Swim School — Columbia
Family swimming program for all ages to enjoy water activities together
Thu, Nov 5· 6:30pm-8:30pm
Mahjong at Sapwood!
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
Learn and play mahjong with fellow players at the brewery, from private lessons to lively group games with no experience needed.
Fri, Nov 6· 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Get Active: Yoga for Families
📍 Prince George's County Memorial Library System - Laurel Branch
A fun yoga class for children ages 6-10 and their caregivers led by instructor Genevieve at the Laurel Branch library.
Fri, Nov 6· 10:30am-12:30pm / 6:00pm-8:00pm
Toby's Dinner Theatre Presents: White Christmas
📍 Toby's Dinner Theatre
A festive dinner theatre production of the beloved holiday musical White Christmas with full meal service.
Fri, Nov 6· 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Public Roller Skating
📍 Roller Skate Arena (Supreme Sports Club)
Public skating sessions at the Roller Skate Arena with rentals and skate aids available for all skill levels.
Sat, Nov 7· 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
November's Finger-Paint Party at sweetFrog Laurel
📍 sweetFrog Laurel
A creative finger-painting event at sweetFrog where kids paint Thing 1 and Thing 2, followed by frozen yogurt treats.
Sat, Nov 7· 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
STEM Fest: Signaling the Future
📍 National Cryptologic Museum
The 12th Annual STEM Fest features hands-on exhibits and activities exploring science, technology, engineering, and math for the whole family.
Sat, Nov 7
Pumpkin Chucking Weekend
📍 Clark's Elioak Farm
A 20-year farm tradition where families use a special catapult to launch pumpkins across the property. Bring your own pumpkin or use one from the farm to see how far it will travel.
Sat, Nov 7· 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Vin Etching
📍 HCPD Southern District Station
Free VIN etching event for auto theft prevention where vehicle owners can have their identification numbers engraved on glass.
Sat, Nov 7· 10:00-14:00
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Enjoy Victoria Gastro Pub's incredible brunch offerings and lunch selection every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Sat, Nov 7· 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Public Roller Skating
📍 Roller Skate Arena (Supreme Sports Club)
Weekly public roller skating sessions at the Roller Skate Arena with rentals and skate aids available.
Sat, Nov 7· 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Howard County Free Concert and Drone Show
📍 Columbia Lakefront
Free family-friendly concert and drone show celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA featuring live music and 800 drones creating images in the sky.
Sat, Nov 7· 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cranksgiving 2026
📍 North Laurel Community Center / Plaza at the Mall
A community cycling event where participants collect food donations for those in need while raising awareness of bikable pathways.
Sat, Nov 7· 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Gary J. Arthur Community Center 20th Anniversary Open House
📍 Gary J. Arthur Community Center
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Gary J. Arthur Community Center with tours, activities, and special membership promotions.
Sat, Nov 7· 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Dinosaur Park Open House
📍 Dinosaur Park
Free monthly fossil hunting program at Dinosaur Park where families can search for fossils on the surface ground.
Sun, Nov 8· 14:00-Close
Sunday Happy Hour
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Join the bar after brunch for $5 happy hour from 2pm to close with select apps, draft beers, wines, and signature cocktails.
Sun, Nov 8· Morning
Miles for Mimosas - Running & Brunch Club
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
A fun weekend run club that rewards participants with mimosas at Victoria Gastro Pub, combining fitness with brunch.
Sun, Nov 8· 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Public Roller Skating
📍 Roller Skate Arena (Supreme Sports Club)
Weekly public roller skating sessions at the Roller Skate Arena with rentals and skate aids available.
Sun, Nov 8· 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Toys for Tots Donation Drive
📍 Merriweather District Lakefront
Drop off new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at the Columbia Association Lakefront following the Veterans Day Parade.
Tue, Nov 10· Evening
Tini Tuesday
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Signature martinis are 50% off every Tuesday at Victoria Gastro Pub, available in both the dining room and bar.
Tue, Nov 10· 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday Trivia
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
Weekly trivia night featuring teams competing for prizes while enjoying tacos and craft beer.
Tue, Nov 10· 6:00pm
FREEDOM'S DAUGHTERS | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation
📍 Busboys and Poets - Columbia
An author/book event presentation as part of Busboys and Poets' Books series. This event focuses on the book 'Freedom's Daughters'.
Wed, Nov 11· 17:00-Close
Burger Night
📍 Victoria Gastro Pub
Every Wednesday after 5pm, build your own Black Angus burger for $10 with fries or enjoy the weekly $10 chef special burger.
Sat, Nov 14
Moroccan Cuisine Experience
📍 Mary's Land Farm
An exploration of Moroccan cuisine shaped by centuries of Berber, Arab, French, and Spanish influence, featuring colorful, generous, and deeply layered flavors brought to life through aromatic spices.
Sat, Nov 14
Moroccan Cuisine Workshop
📍 Mary's Land Farm
A culinary workshop showcasing Moroccan cuisine's colorful and layered flavors shaped by centuries of cultural influence. Chef leads participants through the preparation of authentic Moroccan dishes.
Sat, Nov 14
Moroccan Cuisine Cooking Class
📍 Mary's Land Farm
Chef Alba shares the layered flavors of Moroccan cuisine shaped by Berber, Arab, French, and Spanish influences. An immersive cooking class celebrating centuries of culinary tradition through spices a
Sat, Nov 14· Saturday 4:00pm-8:00pm
"Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities" Exhibit Showcase — All Ages
📍 Howard County Recreation & Parks
Exhibit showcase event at Robinson Nature Center for all ages
Tue, Nov 17· 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday Trivia
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
Weekly trivia night featuring teams competing for prizes while enjoying tacos and craft beer.
Wed, Nov 18· 5:30pm-7:30pm
Crafts and Drafts!
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
A cozy social craft night where fiber artists gather to work on knitting, crochet, crossstitch and other projects while enjoying craft beer.
Tue, Nov 24· 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday Trivia
📍 Sapwood Cellars Brewery
Weekly trivia night featuring teams competing for prizes while enjoying tacos and craft beer.
Tue, Dec 1· 19:00-22:00
Krampus Nightmare - Christmas Haunted House
📍 Laurel’s House of Horror
Holiday-themed haunted house experience running 7-10pm during the Christmas season. Presale tickets available at 50% off.
Fri, Jun 25· 5:30pm-show 7:00pm
Lizzy McAlpine: The Over Country Tour
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Lizzy McAlpine performs her Over Country Tour with support from Searows and Post Animal at this outdoor summer concert.
Fri, Jul 16· 6:00pm-show 7:30pm
Matchbox Twenty – 30
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Matchbox Twenty performs their 30-year anniversary tour with David Gray as support at this outdoor summer concert venue.
Wed, Jul 21· 5:30pm-show 7:00pm
Greta Van Fleet – Into The Beginning
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Greta Van Fleet performs their Into The Beginning tour with Portugal. The Man and Friko at this outdoor summer concert.
Thu, Jul 22· 5:30pm-show 7:00pm
Riley Green: That's Just Me Tour
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Riley Green performs his That's Just Me Tour with Muscadine Bloodline, Jake Worthington, and Hannah McFarland at this outdoor summer concert.
Fri, Jul 23· 7:00pm
Leon Bridges Presents: The Happiness Anytime Tour
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Leon Bridges performs his Happiness Anytime Tour with KOKOROKO at this outdoor summer concert. $1 of every ticket supports The Big Good charity supporting education and workforce development.
Thu, Sep 30· 6:00pm-show 7:30pm
Fontaines D.C.
📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion
Fontaines D.C. performs with Iceage as support at this outdoor summer concert venue in Columbia, Maryland.
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