Fall And Halloween Events Abound Around Town This Month

The lazy, hazy days of summer have faded away, replaced with crisp air, transforming foliage and all things pumpkin spice. Autumn is a favorite season for many people, and it brings countless opportunities to celebrate with fall festivals, harvest happenings and Halloween.

This October, there are plenty of events around town for kids, adults and even four-legged friends to enjoy. From trick-or-treating to getting lost in mazes, costume contests to sampling fall fare and more, there’s something for the whole family every weekend this month.

Homestead Gardens Fall Festival

Saturdays and Sundays through October 27, 10:00am-4:00pm

743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville

Each weekend at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, families can enjoy meeting barnyard animals, taking hayrides, picking out pumpkins, sampling seasonal food, escaping a hay maze, face painting, pony rides and more. Learn more and buy tickets at www.homesteadgardens.com.

Maryland Corn Maze

Select dates through November 3, hours vary

389 Gambrills Road, Gambrills

An annual tradition, the eight-acre corn maze boasts a Taylor Swift theme this year. Admission includes farmyard activities for kids, a petting zoo, photo opportunities, hayrides and more. Tickets and information can be found at www.mdcornmaze.com.

Children’s Theatre of Annapolis Fall Festival

Friday, October 4, 5:30pm-9:30pm

1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis

CTA’s annual fall festival will celebrate the season with a family-friendly haunted house, face painting, arts and crafts, food trucks, local vendors, live music and more. Tickets are required and can be purchased at www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.

Anne Arundel County Sheriff 5K Fall Festival

Sunday, October 6

Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds

The Chesapeake K9 Fund and the Anne Arundel County sheriff will host their annual 5K and Fall Festival, a pet- and family-friendly event that will include a foot race, vendors, face painting, K9 demonstrations, food trucks, live music and more. To learn more and register for the 5K, go to www.chesapeakek9fund.org.

Kinder Farm Park Fall Festival

Saturday, October 12, 10:00am-4:00pm

1001 Kinder Farm Park Road, Millersville

Hugely popular year after year, the Kinder Farm Fall Festival offers fun for all ages in the form of kids’ games, food trucks, craft vendors, a straw maze, a pumpkin patch, farmhouse tours, farm animals, hayrides and more. Tickets are required in advance and are available at www.kinderfarmpark.org.

Stem-O-Ween at the Severna Park Library

Wednesday, October 16, 6:00pm-7:00pm

45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park

Kids ages 6-10 are invited to watch demonstrations of STEM alchemy that can be done at home. Messy clothes or costumes that can get dirty are encouraged. Children can concoct a potion under the watchful eyes of the Mad Alchemists. Registration is not required, and more information can be found at www.aacpl.net/events.

GSPACC Shoptoberfest

Saturday, October 19, 11:00am-3:00pm

Park Plaza Shopping Center, Severna Park

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s free annual shop local festival featuring fall and Halloween flair will not only showcase local businesses but also offer activities for young and old including music, a photo booth, vendors, trick-or-treating and costume contests. Learn more at www.gspacc.com.

Annapolis Town Center Fall Fest

Saturday, October 19, 11:00am-2:00pm

1906 Towne Centre Boulevard, Annapolis

Families can enjoy all things fall at this free event featuring a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and decorating, witches brew arts and crafts station, face painting, a costume contest, photo opportunities, a DJ, street performers, food trucks and more. Canned food donations are encouraged to benefit the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Tickets are free but required and can be reserved at www.annapolistowncenter.com.

Fall Festival on Maryland Avenue

Sunday, October 20, 10:00am-5:00pm

Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

The Maryland Avenue and State Circle Association will host its annual fall festival in the heart of historic Annapolis, offering shopping, food trucks, music, entertainment, vendors and a Halloween pup parade. Learn more at www.mascma.com.

Hammond-Harwood House Pumpkin Walk

Friday, October 25, 4:00pm-6:00pm

19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis

Situated at a historic museum in the heart of downtown Annapolis, this annual pumpkin walk will be a celebration of the season with games, crafts, snacks, storytelling, face painting and a costume parade around the mansion. Tickets are available at www.hammondharwoodhouse.org/events.

Naval Academy Halloween Concert

Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26, times vary

USNA Chapel, 121 Blake Road, Annapolis

The United States Naval Academy’s annual Halloween concert blends music, lights, drama and dance to create an unforgettable production. The performance will showcase a variety of music genres and special effects in a concert celebrating the triumph of good over evil and All Saints’ Day. Go to www.usna.edu/music for tickets and parking information.

Howl-O-Ween Paw-ty

Saturday, October 26, 10:00am-1:00pm

411 Maxwell Frye Road, Millersville

Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control will host this rain-or-shine event, offering families the chance to meet adoptable pets, participate in a safe trick-or-treat trail, view educational demonstrations and get raffle tickets to benefit animals.

Spook-Tacular Story-Time

Saturday, October 26, 11:00am-noon

Broadneck and Severna Park libraries

Kids can come in their Halloween best to enjoy not-so-scary stories, activities and a costume parade at the Severna Park Library (ages birth to 5) or the Broadneck Library (ages birth to 10). Learn more at www.aacpl.net/events.

Trunk Or Treat at St. John the Evangelist

Saturday, October 26, 10:00am-noon

689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park

Families can enjoy a faith-based trick-or-treating experience and admire decorated car trunks at St. John the Evangelist. Kids can come dressed as their favorite saint or wear other family-friendly costumes, and not only load up on sweet treats but also partake in games, face painting, crafts, music and more. Learn more at www.stjohnsp.org/events.

Homestead Gardens Critter Crawl

Sunday, October 27, 2:00pm

743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville

Furry, feathered and scaly friends alike are invited to participate in Homestead Gardens’ Critter Crawl, a pet costume contest benefitting the Anne Arundel County SPCA. Winners will receive prizes and bragging rights as the most adorable or creative pets of the day. Registration is required in advance at www.homesteadgardens.com.

SPCC Halloween Spooktacular

Monday, October 28, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Severna Park Community Center

Free and open to all, this Halloween happening right in the heart of Severna Park will include trunk-or-treating, a Halloween movie, games, crafts, a spooky photo booth and more. Registration is not required, and more information can be found at www.spcommunitycenter.org/events.

Trick Or Treat At The Mall

Thursday, October 31, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Annapolis Mall

Kids can don their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat in a safe, indoor environment at the mall. Before collecting candy, children can decorate treat bags at Discoveries: the Library at the Mall. Find out more at www.aacpl.net/events.