August marks the last few weeks to check some items off your summertime bucket list! Upgrade summer from so-so to woah as you travel through HoCo. Festivals continue this month, featuring arts, music, and movies. Sunflowers are in bloom, perfect for capturing some photo-worthy moments. Since pick-your-own season is here, you'll want to enjoy farm-to-table feasting at our restaurants. Check out the events you won't want to miss around Howard County, located between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Signature Events
August 5-12, 2023 Howard County Fair (West Friendship) - Come to the 77th annual Howard County Fair! In addition to rides and treats, you can find a square dance demonstration, bicycle contest, and more.
August 19, 2023 Main Street Music Fest (Ellicott City) - Love music? Join a spectacular celebration of music, community, and culture!
Additional Events
August 1 - 20, 2023 The Pattern's Edge at HorseSpirit Arts Gallery (Savage) - Love art? Come to The Pattern's Edge where artists display their creativity and talent!
August 1 - 20, 2023 Escape to Margaritaville at Toby's Dinner Theater (Columbia) Get ready to sing along to Jimmy Buffett's iconic songs, and enjoy a delectable dinner theater experience. Watch the trailer below!
Escape to Margaritaville at Toby's Dinner Theater
August 1 - 20, 2023 Paint It! Plein Air Open Paint Gallery (Ellicott City) - An art gallery in the Welcome Center showcasing the talent of local artists displaying the vibrant town of Ellicott City.
August 1 - 25, 203 Painted with Light (Columbia) - Come on down to Columbia and experience the creativity of Chris Fowler with his film photography gallery.
August 1 - 31, 2023 4th Annual Sunflower Market at Mary's Land Farm (Clarksville) - Nothing makes life more rich and vibrant than a sunflower market! Join us for some live music, shopping, food, and family fun! Don't wait to buy your tickets as we were sold out last year.
August 1- 23, 2023 Knock on Wood Artwork at Artists' Gallery (Historic Ellicott City) - Featuring eco-friendly artists Gene Adcock, Ellen Corddry, and Dave McCann who were inspired by nature, landscape, and geometry come together to create jaw-dropping wood paintings.
August 3, 17, & 31, 2023 AMPED in the Park at Color Burst Park (Columbia) In partnership with Merriweather Arts and Culture Center and Columbia Festival of the Arts. On August 3rd, Emily Wolfe. August 17, Emmet Cohen. August 31, Better Off Dead. Visit merriweatherdistrict.com for additional free summer events, including Good Kidizen and the Summer Fit Series.
August 5, 2023 (Repeating on Saturdays) Yoga on the Green at Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City) - Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating morning session of yoga overlooking the green.
August 5, 2023 H3 Carnival: Hitech, How-To, Hands-On (Ellicott City) Miller Branch - Looking for hands-on activities? Join us and learn something new, make crafts, and experience new activities! This event includes more than 20 outdoor activities.
August 7, 2023 Bootcamp in the Park (Columbia) At Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods - Want to unleash your inner warrior? join us in joining CA's outdoor boot camp. A free fitness event at Chrysalis.
August 10, 2023 Girls' Night Out (Savage) - Looking for an excuse to go out with your friends? Come on down to Savage Mill for a girl's night out! Relax and unwind while shopping and enjoy a glass of wine!
August 12, 2023 Maryland Children's Environmental Film Festival (Ellicott City) - The inaugural year of Maryland's Children's Environmental Film Festival has arrived, brought to the Miller Branch Library through a grant from the Jane Goodall Institute! Bring your family to watch films made by kids, for kids!
Maryland Children's Environmental Film Festival
August 13 / 19, 2023 August Turf Sizzlers Stake (Laurel) - Multiple big races to watch. Stakes each have a purse of $100,000 and 2 others of $75,000. Catch the action at Laurel Park!
August 13, 2023 Savage Summer Concert Series (Savage) - Carroll Baldwin Hall, the Columbia Big Band, Columbia Concert Band, and Gottaswing present the free 2023 Savage Summer Concert Series!
August 14, 2023 Yoga in the Park (Columbia) - Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods - love outdoor activities? Join us in participating in our outdoor yoga class! Hosted by expert instructors that will teach you new abilities and skills.
August 19 - 20, 2023 DoodleHatch Festival (Columbia) - Join us and bring your Imagination with local artists, crafters, and art enthusiasts. Explore unique doodle artwork, DIY crafts, and more!
August 19, 2023 Comedy Night (Ellicott City) - Looking for a good laugh? Bring a friend and join us for Comedy Night down at Turf Valley.
Turf Valley Comedy Night
August 19, 2023 Crackin' Crab Feast (Laurel) Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park - Love eating crabs? Join us for a crab feast where you can eat all the Maryland blue crabs!
August 20, 2023 Farm to Table Tea at Elkridge Furnace Inn (Elkridge) - Classic and Creative presentations highlighting seasonal freshness and local sourcing.
August 23, 2023 Merriweather Movie Night: Teen Night Featuring Clueless (Columbia) - Looking to do something with the family? Come on down to Merriweather for a movie night!
With so much to do, you'll want to stay overnight at one of our partner hotels!
