Community Events »
| Name | Contact Info | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| "Wings of Fancy" Live Butterfly Exhibition |
Brookside Gardens South Conservatory
1500 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, Md. 301-962-1453 | Butterflies fly freely in a colorful garden of flowering nectar plants. Observe exotic Asian and Central and South American butterflies, and native species. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 3-Sept. 21. $5; ages 3-12, $4; 2 and younger, free. Groups require appointments. |
| 10th Annual Comcast Outdoor Film Festival |
10701 Rockville Pike
Between the Music Center at Strathmore and American Speech-Hearing-Language Association North Bethesda, Md 301-838-4544 | Ten consecutive nights, Aug. 15-24. Benefits the National Institutes of Health's children's charities. Movies start at dusk; food available at 6:30 p.m. |
| 117th Takoma Park Independence Day Celebration |
7611 Piney Branch Rd. Takoma Park, Md. 301-270-6876 | Parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4 at Ethan Allen and Carroll avenues and continues past City Hall to Maple and Sherman avenues. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Jordan Field, next to Takoma Park Middle School. Fireworks begin at dark. |
| 27th Annual Strawberry Festival |
Sandy Spring Museum
17901 Bentley Rd. Sandy Spring, Md. 301-774-0022 | Includes games, historical demonstrations, crafts, performances, animals, strawberries and other food. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7. $2; $1, kids; $5, families. |
| Antique and Classic Car Show |
Rockville Civic Center Park
603 Edmonston Dr. Rockville, Md. 240-314-5022 | More than 400 antique and classic automobiles displayed. Registration and fee required for show cars. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18. |
| Arab American Heritage Month |
Rockville,
Md.
240-777-2524 | A celebration of the culture, history and language of Arab countries and Arab Americans, sponsored by the Office of the County Executive and the Office of Community Outreach. |
| Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration |
101 Monroe St. Rockville, Md. 240-777-2524 | Events, sponsored by the county executive's office, are at locations throughout the county. |
| Bethesda Fine Arts Festival |
Auburn and Norfolk avenues Bethesda, Md. 301-215-6660 | The free event features about 130 artists. May 10-11. |
| Bethesda Literary Festival April 18-20 |
Various locations downtown. Bethesda, Md. 301-215-6660 | A festival celebrating the literary arts. |
| Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne |
East Diamond and Summit avenues Gaithersburg, Md. 301-258-6350 jlimmer@gaithersburgmd.gov | Taste of Gaithersburg, entertainment, arts and crafts, children's activities and food. Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 21. |
| D.C. Transit Day |
1313 Bonifant Rd. Colesville, Md. 301-384-6088 301-384-6352 | Recall electric street railway days in Washington. View rare film of streetcars operating around the city. National Capital Trolley Museum. Free. |
| Discover Strathmore |
Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, Md. 301-581-5100 | Art demonstrations, interactive displays, performances and entertainment for the entire family. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 17. |
| Festival of Lights |
9900 Stoneybrook Dr. Kensington, Md. 301-587-0144 | More than 450,000 colored lights illuminate the grounds of the Washington Mormon Temple and Visitors Center. Decorated Christmas trees and nearly 100 creche sets from around the world will be on display inside. Regional music groups perform holiday music at 7 and 8 p.m. daily. Free. |
| Gaithersburg Fabulous 4th Celebration |
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
16 Chestnut St. Gaithersburg, Md. 301-258-6350 | Concert at 6 p.m., fireworks at dusk July 4. |
| Gaithersburg St. Patrick's Day Parade |
Washingtonian Center at Grand Corner Avenue Gaithersburg, Md. 301-258-6350 | Starts at Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue, proceeds down Grand Corner and finishes at Washingtonian Boulevard. Free parking at Rio and Washingtonian garages. |
| Garden of Lights |
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, Md. 301-962-1453 | An outdoor winter walk, featuring more than 700,000 colored lights in displays, including a persimmon tree, a kaleidoscope caterpillar walkway, a train display and an animated flying cardinal. Warm yourself inside the visitors center. Hours: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 28-Jan. 4, except Dec. 24-25. $15-$20 per vehicle. |
| Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show |
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
16 Chestnut St. Gaithersburg, Md. 301-299-8213 wmohr@erols.com | Educational exhibition of minerals, fossils and gemstones, with sales by dealers. |
| Germantown Oktoberfest |
Ridge Road Recreational Park,
Routes 355 and 27 Germantown, Md. 240-777-8003 | German and American food, live entertainment and fireworks. Hours: 11 a.m.-dark Oct. 4. Free. Parking, $5. |
| Happy Birthday, Montgomery County |
103 W. Montgomery Ave. Rockville, Md. 301-340-2825 | A celebration of the county's 231st birthday, with attractions for all ages, including crafts, talks, living history demonstrations, exhibitions and activities. The event is Sept. 7. |
| Harvest Festival |
Agricultural History Farm Park
18400 Muncaster Rd. Derwood, Md. 301-924-4141 | This annual celebration of Montgomery County agriculture includes antique farm machinery, agricultural craft displays, a sheepdog demonstration and activities for children; 11a.m.- 4 p.m., Oct. 4-5. Free, $5 parking fee. |
| Hispanic Heritage Month |
Rockville,
Md.
240-777-2525 240-777-2500 | Events sponsored by the Office of the County Executive and Montgomery County Public Libraries are planned throughout the county to celebrate Hispanic culture, Sept 15-Oct.15. |
| Hometown Holidays |
Rockville Town Center Rockville, Md. 240-314-5022 | Concerts, Taste of Rockville, children's activities, a parade and a market, May 24-26. |
| Juneteenth Celebration |
Germantown,
Md
240-777-2500 | This event is sponsored by the Office of the County Executive and the Office of Community Outreach to commemorate June 19, 1865, the date many slaves learned that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. This year it takes place June 19. Free. |
| Landon School's Azalea Garden Festival |
6101 Wilson Lane Bethesda, Md. 301-320-1060 | A family event with shows, concerts, antiques and other shopping, children's games and food. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2-4. |
| Lunar New Year Celebration |
Lake Forest Mall
701 Russell Ave. Gaithersburg, Md. 301-840-5840 | Live weekend entertainment and educational displays celebrating the culture and heritage of Asian Americans. Free. |
| Magical Montgomery Cultural Festival |
Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive Silver Spring, Md. 301-565-3805 | Showcases Montgomery County arts, humanities and cultural organizations through music, arts, crafts, demonstrations, dance and theatrical performances. Hours: 1-7 p.m. Sept. 27. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations |
Various locations Rockville, Md. | |
| Maryland Emancipation Day |
Oakley Cabin
3610 Brookeville Rd. Brookeville, Md. 301-563-3400 | This celebration of the freeing of Maryland's slaves features guided tours on the Underground Rail Trail, reenactors and living history demonstrations at Oakley Cabin. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1. |
| Montgomery County Farm Tour & Harvest Sale |
North Montgomery County,
Md.
301-590-2823 | Tours of farms throughout the county. Includes hayrides, pony rides, music, petting zoos and demonstrations of farm life. Fruits and vegetables will be sold. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 26 and 27. |
| Montgomery Village Fourth of July Parade |
Apple Ridge Ballfield
20101 Swallow Point Rd. Montgomery Village, Md. 301-948-0110, Ext. 338 | Events include a 5K run at 7 a.m. and a parade at 9 a.m. Features a carnival, moon bounce and entertainment. Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. July 4. |
| NIH and AFI Silver Science in the Cinema |
AFI Silver Theatre
8633 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, Md. 301-402-2470 | The series, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, features films with medical science themes. Films begin at 7 p.m. on six consecutive Wednesdays, July 9-Aug. 13. Free. |
| Oktoberfest at the Kentlands |
Kentlands Village Green Gaithersburg, Md. 301-258-6350 | German music, arts, crafts and food. Oct. 12. Free. |
| Potomac Hunt Races |
Partnership and River roads Seneca, Md. 301-428-8316 sugarboss4@aol.com | The steeplechase racing event will be May 18 on the Bittersweet Field at the Kiplinger estate. The proceeds benefit Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Open at 11 a.m. Races are 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. |
| Rockville Independence Day Celebration |
Montgomery College
51 Mannakee St. Rockville, Md. 240-314-5022 | Event includes concerts and fireworks. Hours: 6:30-10 p.m. July 4. Free. |
| Rockville Memorial Day Parade |
Courthouse Square and Rockville Town Center Rockville, Md. 240-314-5022 | The parade begins after the Memorial Day ceremony and includes drill teams, marching bands, majorettes and community floats. 9 a.m.- noon May 26. |
| Rockville Ride and Stride |
Rockville Town Center
West Montgomery and Maryland Ave. Rockville, Md. 240-314-8119 240-314-8620 | Walk or ride through neighborhoods and parks. Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 25. Registration by May 9, $25, adults; $15, ages 12 and younger; Registration by May 23: $35, adults; $25, ages 12 and younger. Day-of registration; $45, adults; $30, ages 12 and younger. Registration on date of event begins at 7 a.m. |
| Silver Spring Jazz Festival |
Fenton Street and Elsworth Drive Silver Spring, Md. 301-565-7300 | New Orleans-style caravan of local high school jazz bands performing on floats driven through downtown Silver Spring. A trophy is awarded for the best band. Professional jazz musicians perform. Hours: 2-10:30 p.m. Sept. 13; headliner goes on at 9 p.m. Free. |
| Taste of Bethesda |
Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray avenues Bethesda, Md. 301-215-6660 info@bethesda.org | Events include live entertainment, food samples and children's activities. Hours: 11 a.m-4 p.m. Oct. 4. |
| Taste of Wheaton |
Grandview Avenue Wheaton, Md. 240-777-8115 | The free event features foods from around the world, children's activities and music 11a.m-5 p.m. May 18. |
| Thanksgiving Parade |
Georgia and Sligo avenues to Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive Silver Spring, Md. 301-565-7300 | Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving parade. Begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 22. Free. |
| Winter Lights Festival |
Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Rd. Gaithersburg, Md. 301-258-6350 parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov | A 3.5-mile drive-through light show with 380 illuminated displays. Hours: 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 28, 29 and Dec. 5-Jan. 3. Fees. |
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