Costumes out, everybody! This is one of the busiest Halloween weekends of the year around here, with a hometown parade in Crofton, trunk-or-treats in Bowie and Odenton, and the very last weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Here's what we found, local towns first. Times and prices come from each organizer's page, so give the link a quick check before you head out.
Bowie
- Trunk or Treat: Halloween Fun for All - The Bowie Police Department's annual trunk-or-treat, with prizes for best costume and most creative car. Fri Oct 23, 6:30-8 PM · Bowie City Hall, 15901 Fred Robinson Way · Free · City of Bowie
- Scream Under the Stars: "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" - An outdoor screening with a food truck. Adults 18+ only. Fri Oct 23, 6-9 PM (movie at 7) · Belair Mansion lawn, 12207 Tulip Grove Dr · Free · City of Bowie
- Boo-wie Fest at Belair Stable - Pumpkin decorating, fall crafts, a photo station and a treat walk through the shed rows. Sat Oct 24, 12-4 PM · Belair Stable, 2835 Belair Dr · Free · City of Bowie
- Halloween on Ice Party - Skating, a costume contest, music, door prizes and treat bags for kids in costume. Sat Oct 24, 1-2:45 PM · Bowie Ice Arena, 3330 Northview Dr · Free with a costume or canned good (otherwise $8 residents / $10 non-residents; skate rental $3) · City of Bowie
- MacKID & Baysox Trunk of Treat - DJ, performers, the Baysox Kid Park inflatables, rain or shine under the concourse. Sat Oct 24, 3-6 PM · Prince George's Stadium, 4101 Crain Hwy · Free ticket required · Event listing
Crofton
- Kiwanis Halloween Parade & Party - Crofton's hometown Halloween tradition from the Kiwanis Club of Crofton and the Crofton Civic Association. Sign up for the costume contest by 10 AM at Prince of Peace Church (judging 10-10:50 AM). The parade steps off from Crofton Country Club at 11 AM and travels down Crofton Parkway to Duke of Kent Drive; kids can join at the tail of the parade. Winners are announced at the Town Hall backyard after-party with make-and-take crafts and light refreshments. If it rains, the parade is cancelled and a virtual costume contest is held. Sat Oct 24, judging 10 AM, parade 11 AM · Crofton Country Club to Town Hall · Free · Crofton Civic Association · Kiwanis Club of Crofton
Gambrills
- Waugh Chapel Towne Centre's Family Fall Festival - Balloon art, live music, pumpkin decorating and face painting, right after the Crofton parade. While supplies last. Sat Oct 24, 12-2 PM · South Main Chapel Way, 1417 S. Main Chapel Way · Free, no ticket needed · Waugh Chapel · Eventbrite
Odenton
- Trunk or Treat at Odenton Masonic Lodge - Trunk-or-treating, costumes and photo ops, hosted by Odenton Masonic Lodge No. 209. Sat Oct 24, 5 PM · 1201 Stehlik Dr · Cost not listed, check the listing · Patch
Annapolis area
- Maryland Renaissance Festival: final weekend - The 50th season wraps up with jousting, feasting, crafts and street performers. Sat-Sun Oct 24-25, 10 AM-7 PM · Crownsville · Adults (16-61) $31, kids 7-15 $17, 6 and under free with a ticket (plus tax and fees) · rennfest.com · Tickets
- PorchFest Annapolis - 30+ local acoustic acts on 10+ front porches. Stroll from house to house. Sat Oct 24, 11 AM-3 PM (rain date Sun Oct 25) · Murray Hill neighborhood · Free · City of Annapolis
- Haunted Harbour Day - Center-wide trick-or-treating, a kids' costume contest (11:30 AM), balloon artist and pumpkin decorating. Sat Oct 24, 10 AM-12:30 PM · Annapolis Harbour Center, 2512 A Solomons Island Rd · Free · Annapolis Harbour Center
- Brigade of Midshipmen March (Navy Homecoming) - The Brigade marches from Gate I up Main St., around Church Circle, and along College Ave., Bladen St. and Rowe Blvd. to the stadium before Navy hosts North Texas (kickoff 3:30 PM). Sat Oct 24, 2:20 PM · Downtown Annapolis · Free to watch (game tickets separate). Heads up: parking is restricted 11 AM-3 PM on Randall St. and Main St., with rolling closures from 2:20 PM · Patch road closures · What's Up? Media
Baltimore
- Great Baltimore Lantern Parade - Glowing puppets, stilt walkers and lit-up bikes in one of the city's most beloved nights. Sat Oct 24, festival 4 PM, parade 7 PM · Patterson Park, near the Pulaski Monument (2806 Eastern Ave.) · Cost not listed in the listing · The Banner
- Doors Open Baltimore - 52 buildings, some usually closed to the public, open their doors, with a kids' passport to stamp. Sat Oct 24, 10 AM-5 PM · Citywide · Free · The Banner
- BARCStoberfest - Pet parade, pet costume contest, beer garden, vendors and kids' activities for the BARCS shelter. Sat Oct 24, 10 AM-2 PM · Patterson Park Pagoda · Free ($50 fundraising minimum for the 5K/walk) · The Banner
- "The M.A.K.A.D.O" at Theatre Project - A rewritten, satirical take on "The Mikado." Grown-up humor. Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 2:30 PM · 45 W. Preston St. · $35 · The Banner
Washington, DC
- Turnstile at the Washington Monument - The Baltimore hardcore band plays a free show on the National Mall. Sat Oct 24, 3 PM · Sylvan Theater · Free, donations encouraged · 51st
- Hill Family Biking Halloween Ride - A four-mile costumed ride on Capitol Hill ending with live music and a costume contest at Eastern Market Metro plaza. Sat Oct 24, 3:30-6 PM · Starts at Lincoln Park · Free · 51st
- Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration - Costumed dogs on the Hillwood grounds. Sat Oct 24, 4-6 PM · Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW · $13 ($8 members) · 51st
- Carnegie Science Open House - Touch a meteorite and build a spectrometer. Sat Oct 24, 1-4 PM · 5241 Broad Branch Rd. NW · Free · 51st
- Sofar So Spooky - A Halloween-themed secret-lineup concert. Fri Oct 23, 8 PM · Living Room DC, 3169 Mt Pleasant St. NW · $31 · 51st
- Eastern Market Pottery Student Sale - Handmade ceramics and live wheel demos. Sun Oct 25, 10 AM-4 PM · 225 7th St. SE · Free · 51st
Our team's picks
- Kiwanis Halloween Parade, Crofton (Sat 11 AM). Our hometown parade down Crofton Parkway. Get to Prince of Peace Church by 10 for costume judging.
- Waugh Chapel Fall Festival, Gambrills (Sat 12-2 PM). It starts right after the parade, so you can do both in one morning.
- Maryland Renaissance Festival finale (Sat-Sun). Last chance until next year.
- Great Baltimore Lantern Parade (Sat 7 PM). Worth the drive if you've never seen it.
Have a great weekend! From The Scott Smolen Team at RE/MAX Leading Edge: helping Anne Arundel and Fort Meade buyers and sellers since 1999 with no-pressure, local advice in Odenton, Crofton, Gambrills, Severn and Piney Orchard. That's The Smolen Standard: rooted in tradition, focused on the future. scottsmolen.com | Call or text 301-651-1261