Things to do in October 2025 in Howard County
Pumpkin picking, fresh fall air, ghost hunting excursions, and Halloween events await you this October in Howard County, Maryland. HoCo is filled with seasonal activities that will check everything off your fall bucket list, all conveniently located near Baltimore and Washington D.C.
It’s the perfect season to explore the legends and mysteries of Haunted HoCo, as well as family-friendly Halloween activities in Ellicott City, Columbia, Elkridge, and beyond!
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly adventures or a spooky date night, there’s October events in Howard County for you.
Featured October Events in Howard County:
October is the perfect season to make memories in Howard County, and with so many events to fill the month you’ll never be bored. The Howard County events calendar is filled with fun fall activities perfect for families and day trips. Mark your calendars now for these exciting events coming up in October!
October 3rd, 2025: Movie Nights in the Park at Color Burst Park (Columbia, Maryland)
Meet in the Merriweather District for mischievous fun with a free outdoor movie in Color Burst Park. On October 3rd enjoy, “Lilo and Stitch!” (2025, PG). Bring your chairs and blankets for family-friendly fun, plus enjoy free popcorn courtesy of the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center.
Wizarding Weekend in Historic Ellicott City
October 4th & 5th, 2025: Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main Street (Ellicott City, Maryland)
Visit Historic Ellicott City to explore enchanted shops, enter a costume contest, and enjoy whimsical activities for witches and wizards of all ages! Take your picture at photo ops throughout town, taste wizarding treats from Sweet Cascades Chocolatier, sample Butterbeer at Little Market Cafe, and catch a free movie night (Oct 4th, 2025 at 7PM) of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” at The Wine Bin. Find all the mysteries and magic in Historic Ellicott City!
October 4th, 2025: Wanderland Craft Beverage Festival (Columbia, Maryland)
Experience a craft beverage festival like no other in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Fill your day with sips, snacks, and fall magic as you explore the regions of Maryland on a sensory adventure.
October 4th, 2025: Hispanic Heritage Festival (Columbia, Maryland)
Dance, sing, and celebrate rich cultures at the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Color Burst Park! Celebrate with music, live entertainment, performances, food, artisans, exhibitors, and more.
October 4th, 2025: Howard County Fall Festival (4+ Years) (North Laurel, Maryland)
Come enjoy an afternoon full of music, games, entertainment, light refreshments, and more at North Laurel Community Center. This outdoor, family-friendly event has something for everyone. Online pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
October 9th, 2025: Pumpkins on Parade Floral Workshop at Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City, Maryland)
Create a beautiful pumpkin floral arrangement with Raimondi’s Florist at Turf Valley Resort. Your ticket includes a complimentary mimosa and delicious charcuterie boards to snack on during the workshop.
October 10th, 2025: Movie Nights in the Park at Color Burst Park (Columbia, Maryland)
Don’t miss another Howard County movie night, with “How to Train Your Dragon” (2025, PG) playing in Color Burst Park. Perfect for a night out in the Merriweather District with your family!
October 18th, 2025: Color Columbia Plein Air Paint Out (Columbia, Maryland)
Enjoy a beautiful fall day walking around Lake Kittamaqundi and Wilde Lake where you can view 50+ artists painting and drawing the scenic fall landscapes and waterscapes. Bring your family and friends for a fun outing where you witness live art being created!
October 19th, 2025: Fall Pops Concert with Columbia Orchestra (Columbia, Maryland)
Enjoy the perfect FREE activity with your family this October at a Fall Pops Concert with the Columbia Orchestra at the Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Enjoy classic pop tunes, plus food trucks on site and concessions sold by the park.
October 23rd, 2025: Cabinet of Curiosities Girls Night Out in Savage Mill (Savage, Maryland)
Step into the curious and fantastical at Savage Mill on October 23rd from 4–8PM for another legendary Girls Night Out event. Find tarot card readings, exclusive attic ghost tours, special offers from shops, bingo, wine tastings, and mysteries around every corner.
October 25th, 2025: Celebration of the Arts in Howard County (Columbia, Maryland)
Support the arts in Howard County with a fun-filled evening of art and entertainment featuring culinary delights courtesy of local restaurants, a fine art auction of local artwork, and incredible performances at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.
Howard County PRIDE Festival
❗️Please note: Howard County PRIDE Festival has been RESCHEDULED to October 26th, 2025. (Columbia, Maryland)
Howard County PRIDE is back at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. This year’s Howard County Pride Festival will include live performances by dancers, musicians, artists, and aerialists. Join in this free, family-friendly celebration of community where you’ll enjoy a day filled with vendors, food, games, and so much more!
Halloween trick-or-treating on Historic Ellicott City Main Street
Haunted HoCo is back with ghost walks, scary stories, seasonal shows, Halloween events, costume contests and more! Here are a few Halloween themed activities for you to enjoy this October.
October 24th, 2025 - Halloween Spook-tacular at Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District: Don't miss an exciting costume contest, trick-or-treat trail at merchants, plus live music and more festive Halloween fun!
October 25th & 26th, 2025 - Halloween Costume Parade at Clark's Elioak Farm: Enjoy the annual Halloween Costume Parade Celebrations! Strut your costumes through the farm as you join in these special Halloween parades on the farm.
October 30th, 2025 - Belmont Blockbuster Series The Nightmare Before Christmas: Come in costume to celebrate the spooky season with the beloved seasonal classic of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993, PG) playing under the stars at dusk. Enjoy the movie in the formal gardens located behind the Belmont Historic Park & Manor.
October 31st, 2025 - Trick or Treat on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City: Experience trick-or-treating in one of Howard County's historic towns with your besties and your kids! Shops and boutiques will give out lots of free candy and chocolates and the streets will be filled with incredible costumes for the full trick-or-treating experience.
Be sure to check out more Halloween and trick-or-treating events in Howard County featured on the Haunted HoCo page.
More to Explore this October:
Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Hispanic community with a festival filled with color, dancing, music, performances, and traditional fashions. On October 4th, 2025 join the community in Color Burst Park in the Merriweather District for the Hispanic Heritage Festival / Festival de La Herencia Hispana.
Another great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is by dining at Howard County’s delicious restaurants with Hispanic cuisines. Try La Palapa in Historic Ellicott City, Taco Joint in The Common Kitchen in Clarksville, or Lime and Salt Taco Bar in Columbia.
Apple picking at Larriland Farm
Fall Farm Fun
Peak pumpkin picking season is here, so head down to Howard County’s farms for the best fall farm experiences around! On your visit to a local pumpkin patch, don’t forget to make friends with some barnyard animals and get a fall photo in the haystacks.
Pumpkin patches in Howard County, Maryland, have everything you’re looking for to make fall memories. Catch a hayride out to the pumpkins, or get lost in a corn maze with your friends. Find friendly farm animals, exciting events for families, fall snacks and more. The farms and markets in Howard County have a little bit of everything, and are sure to make your pumpkin picking dreams come true.
Let’s not forget about apple season! The trees are ready for harvesting and your home baked fall treats deserve the freshest local apples around! Plan a trip to a Farmers’ Market and get the first pick of farm fresh produce while enjoying entertainment and shopping at vendors. Pick your own crisp harvest at Larriland Farm or stop by a local cafe for hot apple cider.
Sweet Elizabeth Jane in Historic Ellicott City
Local HoCo Gift Shopping
While you’re exploring Howard County on your fall getaway through Maryland this October, be sure to gather gifts to prepare for holiday shopping.
Howard County has modern boutiques, unique gift shops, and thrift stores perfect for finding hidden treasures. From Maple Lawn to The Mall in Columbia, no matter where you shop in Howard County you can use the Local HoCo Open Rewards app to earn cash back rewards. Download the Local HoCo Open Rewards app to start saving while you shop. Supporting local businesses has never been more rewarding!
Fall Foliage at Wilde Lake
Fall Foliage and Where to Stay on your Fall Getaway
According to the Explore Fall Foliage Map for 2025, the peak time to see the brightest fall leaves in Howard County will be from October 27th to November 7th. Plan ahead now to maximize your fall getaway and capture your best fall photos!
You don’t have to travel far from Baltimore and D.C. to find fall colors in Maryland! Howard County is known for it’s gorgeous parks and nature trails where you can enjoy fall foliage. Centennial Park is known to light up during the fall season, perfect for a walk around the lake to enjoy the stunning reflections of the leaves in the lake. Take a scenic drive through the Maryland countryside in the fresh fall air, or plan a lakeside fall picnic at Lake Elkhorn.
Turf Valley Resort Golf Greens
Make the most of this fall when you enjoy a gorgeous and memorable staycation right here in Howard County. Turf Valley Resort is a great option for accommodations where you can enjoy the changing leaves throughout the gorgeous golf greens, and take advantage of the luxury spa treatments available at the Turf Valley Spa!
Don’t miss a walk through Downtown Columbia where you can catch the fall foliage changing in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, and around the Kittamaqundi Lakefront. A stay at the Merriweather Lakehouse is perfect to enjoy the scenic serenity on your fall getaway in Howard County.
No matter where you go or stay in Howard County, you’re sure to have your breath taken away by the beautiful scenery on your fall getaway this October!
