MARYLAND — The budget doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker when looking for family and friend outings in Maryland.
We’ve rounded up 16 free events for your upcoming calendar, including the Rio season opener May 2.
Kick off summer at Rio’s season opener, featuring the official opening of the carousel and paddleboats, a two-day artisan market and family-friendly activities along the boardwalk. Browse 50+ local vendors on Grand Corner Avenue May 2–3, then head to the lakefront for interactive experiences, kids activities and live entertainment.
Other upcoming events in Maryland that don’t charge an admission fee include:
April 28 - The Bay Winds Band Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 300 W Maple Rd., Linthicum Heights
April 30 - Free Weekly Music Bingo, 8 p.m., All American Steakhouse, 8450 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
May 2 - Vendor Members Group & the Markets Of Crafts Galore, 9 a.m., Timonium United Methodist Church, 2300 Pot Spring Rd, Timonium
May 2 - Live Arts Maryland Presents Timeless Brilliance, 7:30 p.m., Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis
May 2 - Laurel Board Of Trade 45th Annual Laurel Main Street Festival, 10 a.m. Main Street, Laurel, Maryland
May 2 - Free Comic Book Day at Third Eye 2026, 9 a.m., 4744 Cherry Hill Rd., College Park
May 2 - Bowie High Community Day 2026, 1 p.m., 15200 Annapolis Rd., Bowie
May 2 - VisArts’ 14th Annual Rockville Arts Festival, 10 a.m., VisArts, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville
May 2 - Rio Season Opener, 11 a.m., Rio Gaithersburg, 231 Rio Blvd., Gaithersburg
May 2 - Hike Community Day, 11 a.m., REI Rockville, 910 Rose Ave., North Bethesda
May 3 - First Sunday Arts Festival, 11 a.m., 53 West St., Annapolis
May 6 - Grassroots Trivia Night, 7 p.m., The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Pl., Columbia
May 7 - Wine Village in Baltimore 2026, 3 p.m., West Shore Park, 401 Light St., Baltimore
May 9 - Children’s Bike Rodeo hosted by Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department & Scouting America, 10 a.m., Dunloggin Middle School, 9129 Northfield Rd., Ellicott City
May 14 - Howard County Veterans Monument Opening and Dedication, 11 a.m., Bailey Park, 10271 Wincopin Cir., Columbia
May 16 - Celebrate Relay For Life, 4 p.m., Athletic and Fitness Center, 5500 Dragon Pl., Columbia
Are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!
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