August marks the last few weeks 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 of summer in HoCo. 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, 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
Howard County Fair (West Friendship), August 3-10, 2024: 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 12th - 25th: Get ready to savor the flavors of summer during Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Weeks! From August 12th to August 25th, enjoy amazing dining experiences, special menus, and unique craft beverages across Howard County.
Major League Quadball Championship, Troy Hill Park, August 17th- 19th: Don't miss this action packed event featuring talented athletes from across North America competing in the exciting and unique sport of Quadball!
Additional Events
There's always something happening in Howard County! Find music, festivals, movies, and more all on the events calendar.
Ellicott City Paint It! Plein Air Exhibit (June 14th - August 14th): Check out beautiful paintings depicting the charm of Historic Ellicott City on display now at the Howard County Welcome Center until August 14th.
Shakespeare Beyond (August 1st): Enjoy a free performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream presented by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in the beautiful Rockburn Branch Park.
Fuego Latin Night (August 3rd): Visit The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill on August 3rd for lively music and celebration with a Latin flare.
Parker Matthews Performs (August 4th): Tony Locos Bar is the place to be for live music! Check out their website for upcoming events and performances.
Bach to Rock - Rock School Showcase (August 7th): Visit the beautiful Centennial Park great family friendly outdoor performance to close out the Summer Concert Series organized by Howard County Recreation & Parks.
Wonderful Wizard of Oz Literary Tea (August 18th): Gather at Elkridge Furnace Inn for a beautifully curated Wizard of Oz themed literary Tea with a delicious four course menu and tea pairings.
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!
Free Summer Super Smash Bros Video Game Tournaments: Every Friday at 8:30PM find a free super smash bros tournament at AxGard / Grounded in Historic Ellicott City. All are welcome!
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 12th - 25th 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.
For more active adventures, be sure to catch the Yoga in the Park series in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, held on Monday evening at 6:00PM at the Chrysalis. 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 "Jersey Boys" until September 1st.
Throughout the summer you can find open mic nights and other unique performances at Busboys & Poets, located in Downtown Columbia at the Merriweather District.
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 3rd to 10th 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 Breakout Games for a puzzle solving and team building escape room adventure.
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!
