August marks the last sweet stretch of summertime, so be sure to complete your summer bucket list in Howard County!
Upgrade your August with outdoor adventures and exploration of the best events to fill your Maryland summer. Enjoy ongoing festivals featuring arts, music, and movies throughout the month.
Sunflowers are in full bloom, providing the perfect backdrop for your summer photo memories. Since pick-your-own season is here, it’s the perfect time to visit a local farm or farmers’ markets, or try farm-to-table feasting at diverse restaurants during Howard County Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks.
Keep reading for more you won't want to miss this August around Howard County, located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Signature Events
Howard County Fair (West Friendship), August 2nd to 9th, 2025: Thrill yourself and your family with summer fun at the Howard County Fair! In addition to rides and treats, you can find a square dance demonstration, interactive activities for kids, and live entertainment daily!
Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Weeks, August 11th - 24th: Get ready to savor the flavors of summer during Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Weeks! From August 11th to August 24th, enjoy amazing dining experiences, special menus, and unique craft beverages across Howard County.
Additional Events
There's always something happening in Howard County!
Catch live shows and and music in Columbia, Maryland’s Live Performance Capital. Plus find family-friendly events, festivals, outdoor movies, and more all on the events calendar.
Summer Block Party (August 1st): Stop by The Plaza at The Mall in Columbia for music, food and drink samples, and a festive summer celebration!
Weekend Butterfly Walk (August 9th): Join The Howard County Conservancy for an educational nature walk and learn about native butterflies and other pollinators while taking in the beautiful scenery.
Enchanted Forest 70th Anniversary Celebration at Clark’s Elioak Farm (August 9th & 10th): Join in community merriment and magic for the 70th anniversary of this beloved Maryland treasure! Re-experience the Enchanted Forest at the restored location at Clark’s Elioak Farm while enjoying family-friendly celebrations.
Sensory Friendly Sunday at Robinson Nature Center (August 10th): Let your imagination explore with interactive self-paced activities throughout the Robinson Nature Center, all designed to be sensory friendly.
Special Summer Open Days at the Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum (August 12th): Watch as history comes to life with interactive fun in Historic Ellicott City, perfect for little ones to learn and play.
Girls Night Out - Bookish and Bold (August 14th): Gather your book club and best bookish buddies for a night of literary themed fun, shopping, and giveaways at Savage Mill!
Duckhorn Returns Wine Dinner at The Elkridge Furnace Inn and Garden House (August 21st): Celebrate elegance in a historical inn with an evening featuring the world-renowned wines of Duckhorn Vineyards. Their finest wines, perfectly paired with a curated menu from Chef Dan at The Elkridge Furnace Inn.
90’s Throwback Party with “Be Kind & Rewind” at Turf Valley Resort (August 22nd): Travel back in time with this high-energy musical performance filled with all your favorite 90’s hits blasting through Turf Valley Resort.
Saturday Night Fever at Toby’s Dinner Theatre (August 22nd - November 2nd): Get ready for a dazzling show filled with disco, platform boots, white suits, and true style! Get your tickets now for dinner and a show at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland.
Outdoor Movies: Check out our blog to find out where you can catch some of your favorite films showing at outdoor summer movie nights in Howard County!
Find details about these events and more great activities in Howard County on the events calendar.
Farmers' Markets in Howard County
Outdoor Adventures
Find farm fresh produce and locally made goods at the variety of Farmers' Markets in and around Howard County. This makes for the perfect summer day trip and is a great way to connect with the community.
You can also find many local restaurants that offer fresh farm-to-table dining with locally sourced fruits and vegetables! From August 11th - 24th explore a variety of delicious custom menus as part of Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Weeks!
Take advantage of the warm weather and kick back with a cool beer at one of the many breweries or taprooms in Howard County. Explore the HowardOnTap Craft Brew Trail for a great list of where to start!
If you're feeling a need to stretch your feet, enjoy exploring the trails at the Howard County Conservancy or picnicking in a local park. Combine your park trip with delicious dining at a local restaurant to complete your experience. Another great stop for gorgeous natural beauty is the sunflower fields in Howard County! They'll be in full bloom this August and make for the perfect family trip or romantic adventure.
Add some extra adrenaline to your summer with Terrapin Adventures where you can experience soaring through the air, defying gravity, and testing your skills in their Aerial Adventure Park! They also offer fantastic summer activities perfect for anyone craving adventure.
Howard County Recreation & Parks' Summer Concert Series
Live Concerts & Performances
If you're looking for rocking beats and outdoor music then Howard County is the place to be! Check out Columbia, Maryland's Live Performance Capital for loads of free concerts, performances, events and more! At the stunning Columbia Lakefront you can enjoy a variety of live performances and musical events as part of Lakefront Live, organized by The Columbia Association.
For mainstream music concerts, be sure to get your tickets to upcoming shows at the legendary Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Toby's Dinner Theatre offers delicious dining alongside incredible live performances, and this summer you can catch the magical music of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid" until August 17th, and boogie with “Saturday Night Fever” coming August 22nd to November 2nd, 2025.
Family Friendly Fun
Howard County is the perfect family day trip, and has so many great places to take your kids!
Your family will love exploring the farms of Howard County and getting an inside peek into farm life in Maryland. Visit Clark's Elioak Farm & Mary's Land Farm for petting zoos and interactive kids events all summer long. Breezy Hill Alpaca offers tours where you can see their menagerie of alpacas as well as exotic chickens, peacocks, sheep, and goats.
For a you-pick experience, be sure to make a trip to Larriland Farm, where your kids can get the freshest fruit around with a first hand experience.
From August 2nd to 9th families can enjoy the Howard County Fair, where kids 12 and under get FREE admission! This beloved annual event has loads of kid-friendly activities and so many ways to make unforgettable family memories at the fairgrounds.
If a summer storm sweeps by and you need something indoors, check out the variety of museums in Howard County, or make plans to visit DoodleHATCH for an interactive art experience and amusement perfect for all ages.
Travelling to Howard County in August
Make Howard County your destination for your last summer adventure this August!
On your exploration of Howard County, be sure to stop by Ellicott City Main Street and explore the historic shops and sights. Don't miss the adventures available in Downtown Columbia, including the lively Columbia Lakefront and the always exciting Merriweather District!
August is a great time to take advantage of summer freedom and experience everything Howard County has to offer. With so much to do, make it a weekend trip and stay overnight at one of our wonderful partner hotels.
For more exciting ways to make the most of your stay be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter!
