The Maryland Renaissance Festival starts this weekend and kids are free! You’ll have extra money for that mac and cheese on a stick.
Fans of all things Renaissance (and all foods that can be served on a stick) are in luck this weekend, because the Maryland Renaissance Festival is back and kids are free! If that doesn’t do it for you, the Bowie Baysox has a touch-a-truck event, a game featuring the history of Negro League Baseball, AND a fireworks show all in one night. If you feel a bit overwhelmed just reading about these two big events around the Route One area, there is the usual roundup of live music and outdoor movies, plus some fun back-to-school parties to get the kids ready for their return on Monday. Whether you go with a low-key or action-packed weekend, it’s a great time to celebrate the last days of summer.
FRIDAY
Hyattsville Library Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and more at the Hyattsville Library.
When: 10:30-11 am
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Bear Square Summer Concert Series (all ages)
The splash pad at Bear Square is ready for splashing, and Friday is the perfect time to cool off while listening to some live music.
When: 5 pm
Where: Bear Square, Riverdale Park
Cost: FREE!
Xtreme Teens: Campfire Night (ages 10-17)
Learn how to start a campfire safely. Also, enjoy roasting marshmallows and hot dogs on the open fire!
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Langley Park Community Center
Cost: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID
Xtreme Teens: GEAR Plant Your Own Food (ages 10-17)
Teen girls will learn the skills on what makes up soil and what is needed to maintain the right nutritional balance for your plants to grow. They will learn the importance of sustainable, healthy and eco-friendly living, and finish with reflection.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center
Cost: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID
SATURDAY
Yoga in the Parks at Lake Artemesia (ages 13+)
Yoga in the Parks is a free yoga program where classes take place in the beautiful outdoors. Classes are scheduled for one hour and are designed for all fitness levels. Learn basic moves to strengthen your body and increase your flexibility.
When: 9:15-10:15 am
Where: Lake Artemesia, Berwyn Heights
Cost: FREE!
Hyattsville Library Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays in Spanish and English at the Hyattsville Library.
When: 10:30-11 am
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Maryland Renaissance Festival Kids’ Weekend (all ages)
The Maryland Renaissance Festival, a tradition for the entire family, begins its 46th season today and runs Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday through October 23rd for nine weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment and merriment in Crownsville, near Annapolis. To celebrate opening weekend, kids 15 and under are FREE with an adult ticket! The youngest RenFest fans can enjoy a special storytime in the grove at 11:30 am and 12 pm each day or a Fairy Caravan puppet show, also twice daily, at 12:30 pm and 3:45 pm, on the Gatehouse Stage.
When: 10 am to 7 pm
Where: 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis
Cost: Adult tickets (ages 16+) start at $24 and must be purchased online; kids ages 15 and under are free this weekend only
Mall at Prince George’s Back to School Get Together (all ages)
Stop by the Center Court to meet local families and businesses and get excited about the new school year. The fun will include notebook decorating and coloring with the Art Works Now team, music, and giveaways while supplies last. Bring school supplies to donate and get a chance to spin the prize wheel.
When: 12-2 pm
Where: Center Court at the Mall at Prince George’s
Cost: FREE!
Outdoor Archaeology Lab (ages 8+)
Join archaeologists to process real artifacts that were found in Mount Calvert park, including ancient Indigenous stone tools, colonial pottery, and tobacco pipes from an 18th century plantation. Participants will get their hands dirty while cleaning and identifying these amazing discoveries. For ages 8 and up with participating adult.
When: 1 to 3 pm
Where: Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $5 (register in advance)
Afternoon Aviators (ages 8-12)
August is all about Airmail! Way before there was Amazon and eBay, there was the official airmail system which started at the College Park Airfield. Kids can make their very own mailboxes so that the airmail pilots will know where to send our mail. This program is ideal for learners 8-12 years of age and is FREE with museum admission.
When: 1 pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission
Back-To-School Jam (all ages)
Join Hyattsville City Council members and staff for a Back-to-School Jam. Families can pick up donated school supplies (while supplies last) while enjoying good music, food and snacks, and family-friendly activities. The City is also asking for donated school supplies and volunteers to assist at the Back-To-School Jam. You can find donation drop off locations and the volunteer interest form at hyattsville.org/back2school.
When: 1 pm
Where: Hyatt Park, 3500 Hamilton Street, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Explore! Children’s Festival (all ages)
Head to Fort Totten for a free children’s festival featuring face painting, balloon twisting, magic shows, arts and crafts, sweet treats and snacks.
When: 1-3 pm
Where: 400 Galloway Place NE DC
Cost: FREE!
Bowie Baysox Touch-a-Truck and Fireworks (all ages)
The Baysox Minor League baseball team features a special event at most games, but there’s really a lot happening this Saturday to interest the whole family. Head over before the game for a huge touch-a-truck event featuring dozens of construction, excavation and emergency vehicles from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. During the game, the history of Negro League Baseball will be highlighted and fans will be able to meet former Negro League Players and see some special artifacts . Stick around after the game for a fireworks show. Wait, there’s more. The first 500 kids ages 13+ through the main stadium gates beginning at 5 pm will also receive a drawstring bag giveaway.
When: Touch-A-Truck at 4:30 and game time at 6:35 pm
Where: Bowie Baysox Stadium
Cost: General admission starts at $8 for kids and $10 for adults
From Calypso to Jazz, Soca to R&B, Pan Masters utilizes an outstanding musical repertoire that reflects the unique musical arrangements of several of its members to showcase their creativity and with the ultimate goal of enticing and pleasing any audience. Check them out at Joe’s this weekend.
When: 7 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mt. Rainier
Cost: Pay what you wish starting at $10
City of College Park Night at the Movies (all ages)
Enjoy a screening of Sing 2 under the stars College Park Woods Park. Activities start around 7 pm with games for kids and adults. The movie will be shown around 8 pm. Popcorn will be available. Admission and parking are free. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to sit outside on the grass. No pets, tents, or umbrellas.
When: 7 pm
Where: College Park Woods Park
Cost: FREE!
SUNDAY
Maryland Renaissance Festival Kids’ Weekend (all ages)
The Maryland Renaissance Festival, a tradition for the entire family, begins its 46th season today and runs Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday through October 23rd for nine weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment and merriment in Crownsville, near Annapolis. To celebrate opening weekend, kids 15 and under are FREE with an adult ticket! The youngest RenFest fans can enjoy a special storytime in the grove at 11:30 am and 12 pm each day or a Fairy Caravan puppet show, also twice daily, at 12:30 pm and 3:45 pm, on the Gatehouse Stage.
When: 10 am to 7 pm
Where: 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis
Cost: Adult tickets (ages 16+) start at $24 and must be purchased online; kids ages 15 and under are free this weekend only
Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor (all ages)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious restaurants at National Harbor, and meet at The Plaza’s big screen for a free screening of The Jungle Book (1967). National Harbor will be featuring family movies every Sunday for the rest of the summer, plus date night movies for grown-ups on Thursdays.
When: 6 pm
Where: The Plaza at National Harbor
Cost: FREE!
Sunday Sunset Concert in Bowie (all ages)
Enjoy a free Sunday evening concert performance by U.S. Navy Cruisers, an R&B and classic rock band. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks.
When: 7 pm
Where: Robert V. Setera Amphitheater at Allen Pond Park, Bowie
Cost: FREE!
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