The summer heat has finally eased up, and a pre-holiday autumn glow has swept over Charm City. You can smell it on the crisp morning air, taste it in a rich apple cider, and hear it in leaves crunching underfoot. Whether you’re looking for some family fun, a new neighborhood to explore with friends, or just want to take in the fresh fall foliage, check out these events to ring in the season right.
FALL FESTIVALS
OCT. 11-13: SUGARLOAF CRAFT FESTIVAL
Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd. Timonium-Lutherville, MD 21093. $8-$10.
Meet the artists at this craft festival dedicated to hand-made works, featuring everything from ceramics and metal-work to fine paintings. Hundreds of exhibitors will show off their wares to the soundtrack of live music, and there will be plenty of tasty local food and activities for kids.
OCT. 12: CANTON FALL FESTIVAL
Patterson Park. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
For downtown Baltimoreans who need an escape, get lost in Patterson Park during this second-annual day of fall festivities. There will be live music, food trucks, beverage gardens, and kids activities, as well as an enticing Moscow Mule drink package.
OCT. 12-13: FELLS POINT FUN FESTIVAL
Broadway & Thames Sts. Times vary. Free.
Celebrate the historic beauty of Fells Point framed by an autumn explosion of colorful leaves. Enjoy dozens of drink options, shopping at local retailers, and two live music stages—one of which will be headlined by alt-rockers Gin Blossoms.
OCT. 18-20: FALL MARYLAND HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
Maryland State Fair Grounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium, MD 21093. Free-$9.
Whether you’re just looking to spruce up your home’s decor with some fall flair, or you’re preparing for a total renovation, browse 300 home improvement exhibitions at this can’t-miss home and garden show.
OCT. 26-27: FALL FESTIVAL AT RYE STREET TAVERN
Rye Street Tavern, 13 Rye St. Free.
The Port Covington restaurant is transforming its waterfront into a fall wonderland complete with hay bales, lawn games, live music, and plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers to go around. Parents can sip whiskey cocktails from the outdoor bar while watching their little ones paint their own sugar pumpkins.
TO NOV. 3: FALL FUN FESTIVAL AT GAVER FARM
Gaver Farm, 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy.
Enjoy the scenic drive to this Mount Airy farm, which offers daily seasonal activities including a petting zoo, giant slides, jumping pillows, and a massive corn maze. Before heading home, don’t forget to stop by the farm’s onsite market for pre-picked squash and gourds, jams, honeys, preserves, candles, and lots of signature baked goods.
SEASONAL SIPPING
OCT 11: BALTIMORE HARD CIDER AND DOUGHNUT FEST
The Point in Fells, 1738 Thames St. Baltimore. $17-$28.
Indulge in the sweet and boozy celebration of your favorite fall flavors on the cobblestone streets of Fells Point. Check out premium hard ciders from five bars and restaurants, and choose pairings from more than 2,000 donuts
OCT. 12 & 19: CRUSH 19
Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Monkton. Sat. 12-5 p.m. Free-$15.
Head to Boordy Vineyards for the perfect boozy fall picnic featuring live music by the likes of Nellie’s Echo and The Crawdaddies, eats from Lib’s Grill and Keyes Creamery, and, of course, delicious wines. Be sure to swing by a few of the educational tastings to hear all about the the process of how Boordy’s grapes eventually end up in your glass.
OCT. 19: OKTOBEARFEST
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl. 12-4 p.m. $29-69.
Do you love animals? What about drinks? Why not both? Stroll around the Maryland Zoo’s annual fundraiser to sip more than 70 seasonal brews while you enjoy food and music amongst your new furry friends.
OCT. 19: HARVEST AT THE HILL FESTIVAL
Manor Hill Brewing, 4411 Manor Ln., Ellicott City, MD 21042. 1-5 p.m. Free-$30.
Tour this beautiful 54-acre working farm in Howard County with live music, harvest games, and home-brewed beers from Manor Hill Brewing. Plus, there will be a full-blown food truck rally set against the backdrop of the farm’s hop yard.
OCT. 19: OKTOBERFEST LIVE!
Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Place. 3-7 p.m. $30-40. Gorge on bratwurst and pretzels, do the chicken dance, and sample more than 125 craft beers at an Oktoberfest celebration that promises to knock your lederhosen off.
OCT. 25: PUMPKINS ON THE GREEN
Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 7-11 p.m. $150. Join this community nature center for an “un-gala”—a blue-jean affair with music, wine tasting, and plenty of nature to go around. All proceeds directly benefit Irvine’s environmental education programs.
NOV. 2: BALTIMORE CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 1:30-5 p.m. $40-55. Baltimore is no stranger to appreciating beers. Come support your favorite local breweries or discover new releases from the 50-plus vendors, sway to the live music, or soak up the suds with fare from local food trucks. A portion of each ticket supports not only the brewers, but also Strong City Baltimore’s various community initiatives.
NOV. 9: R. HOUSE HARVEST FESTIVAL
R. House, 301 W. 29 St. 12-5 p.m. Head to this Remington warehouse-turned-food hall for seasonal festivities like crafts, games, a petting zoo, and pony rides for the kids, as well as Harvest Punch and fall brews from Monument City Brewing Company. There will also be live music from local Americana group Rattlewood.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FARM ADVENTURES
OCT 12: FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL
2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd, Parkville, MD 21234 10-4PM. Free.
From hay rides to apple butter-making, Cromwell Valley Park hosts comforting fall activities for the whole family. Try your hand at earth-oven cooking (an ancient method that bakes, steams, and smokes food in the ground) and beekeeping, or just take in the fall scenery.
OCT. 12: PUMPKINFEST
Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 12-7 p.m. Free-$15.
Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin painting, and other fall festival staples alongside the devoted nature center staff.
OCT. 19 & 26: GREENSTREET GARDENS FLASHLIGHT MAZE
Greenstreet Gardens in Lothian, 302 West Bay Front Road Lothian, MD 20711. 7-10PM.
Can you wind your way out of a corn-maze? How about in the moonlight? Grab some friends to take on this year’s Harry Potter-themed challenge with flashlights in hand.
OCT. 20: WHITELOCK HARVEST FESTIVAL
Whitelock Community Farm, 930 Whitelock St. 12-4 p.m. Free.
Join Reservoir Hill’s community farm for its annual cookout and fall celebration, which features a health and wellness fair, live music, and plenty of family fun.
NOV. 2: THE BLACK HARVEST: CHERRY HILL
Cherry Hill Urban Community Garden, 900 Cherry Hill Rd. 12-4 p.m. Free. Nonprofits Blue Water Baltimore and TreeBaltimore are partnering with Cherry Hill’s community farm to host a tree giveaway which will also include food, live music, and live poetry.
TO NOV. 3: RODGERS’ FARM AND MAZE
1818 Greenspring Valley Rd., Stevenson, MD 21153. Free-$10. With a petting zoo, hayrides, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, and other attractions, this would seem like a pretty typical fall-themed farm festival. But don’t miss the hedge maze that has a different theme each year. This year’s inspiration? Emojis.
TO NOV. 3: SHARP’S AT WATERFORD
4003 Jennings Chapel Rd., Brookeville, MD 20833. Free-$11. Here’s your chance to explore this 530-acre Howard County farm—which hosts open days and special fall events with outdoor activities like hayrides, campfires, nature trails, and an expansive corn maze throughout November 3.
TO NOV. 3: CLARK’S ELIOAK FARM
10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Free-$8.
As if beautiful pastures with a petting zoo, hayrides, and organic produce isn’t enough, this farm just outside of Ellicott City also features an Enchanted Train and Enchanted Forest to keep the kids captivated by the magic of the season.