Fridays in October (6, 13, 20, 27), 7 – 9 p.m
Walking Ghost Tours in Mount Airy
Guided walking tour participants will learn about Mount Airy’s mysterious, tragic and spooky past, and hear some stories coming from beyond the grave. Tours begin at the Mount Airy Museum, 1 N. Main Street, and continue around the railyard, up and down Main Street, and conclude at the Mount Airy Train Station and Museum. The walk, which takes about 1.5 hours, is moderately strenuous, and not wheelchair-accessible. It is also not recommended for small children. Tickets are $18 per person.
For those who have difficulty walking, or would rather ride this route, there are also four shuttle bus tours leaving from the Mt. Airy Senior Center. Bus tours will be held on Oct. 13 and 14. There will be two tours per night at 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
Proceeds from these tours will support new artifacts and exhibits for the Mount Airy Museum, with a portion going towards the Flat Iron Building Preservation and Restoration Fund. Visit HistoricalSocietyOfMountAiryMD.org for more information and tickets.
Mount Airy Museum, 1 N. Main St., Learn more at HistoricalSocietyOfMountAiryMD.org.
weekends in october & tuesday, October 31
Corn Maze
The Corn Maze runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Oct. 31.
Also open on Tuesday Oct. 31 for Halloween. Hours: Friday 6 – 10 p.m., Saturday 2 – 10 p.m., Sunday noon – 6 p.m. Cash only, age 4 and under are free, 5 – 15 is $5, 16 and over is $10. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing.
Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster. Information: CarrollCountyAgCenter.com
Oct. 7-8
Carroll County Rotary Clubs Oktoberfest
Oct. 7: Noon – 8 p.m., Oct. 8: Noon – 5 p.m.
Don’t miss this fun-filled day full of family-friendly activities, as well as authentic German foods, beers, and music. Festivities will include a “Roll Out the Barrel” Ceremony to be performed by local dignitaries, a Lederhosen and Dirndl Contest, Polka Dance contest, and a Chicken Dance Contest, with live entertainment all day. Entry is free for those wearing authentic German attire, general admission is $10 per person and children 10 and under enter for free.
Carroll County Ag Center – Shipley Arena, Westminster. Learn more at CarrollOktoberfest.com.
various dates
Black American Film Festival
Oct. 7: Noon – 8 p.m., Oct. 8: Noon – 5 p.m.
Don’t miss this fun-filled day full of family-friendly activities, as well as authentic German foods, beers, and music. Festivities will include a “Roll Out the Barrel” Ceremony to be performed by local dignitaries, a Lederhosen and Dirndl Contest, Polka Dance contest, and a Chicken Dance Contest, with live entertainment all day. Entry is free for those wearing authentic German attire, general admission is $10 per person and children 10 and under enter for free. Oct. 5 Dark City Beneath the Beat ,Oct. 12 The Watermelon Woman, Oct. 19 Nope</em strong>
Carroll Arts Center, Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org.
Oct. 7
Westminster Fire Department’s 200 Year of Service Celebration Parade and Antique Fire Muster
10 a.m. Join the Westminster Fire Department for a fire muster to help commemorate 200 years of service to the Westminster community. A parade will be held at 10 a.m. starting at Pennsylvania Avenue and Monroe Street. Following the parade, all antique fire apparatus will be parked at the Westminster Fire Department and surrounding parking lots for viewing. Many activities will be happening for all to enjoy, including games, music, and multiple food trucks.
Downtown Westminster. Learn more at WestminsterMd.gov.
Oct. 7
Music on the Main – New Windsor
New Windsor’s annual open air street festival, features a beer and wine garden, live bands, local foods, arts and crafts vendors, activities for families and children, and more.
1 – 7 p.m. New Windsor Museum. Learn more at NewWindsorMd.gov.
Oct. 13
Drag Queen Screem BINGO
Enjoy a night of fabulous fun and entertainment at Drag BINGO. In addition to performances and BINGO games, there will be a range of food and beverages available for purchase. Tickets $35.
5:30 – 10 p.m. Reese Volunteer Fire Company, Finksburg. Learn more at ReeseVFC.org.com
Oct. 14
Westminster Oyster Stroll
Shop, slurp and stroll through Downtown Westminster at this annual festival featuring local oyster farmers, live music, delicious food and a lot of fun for the whole family. This event is designed to raise awareness about Chesapeake Bay farm-raised oysters and highlights how Westminster is working to restore wild oysters back into the Bay by working with environmental partners to create new oyster reefs from recycled oyster shells and concrete reef balls. All proceeds benefit the Coastal Conservation Association and Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Tickets $15.
Downtown Westminster Noon – 4 p.m. Learn more at WestminsterMd.gov.
Oct. 14
Fall Harvest Celebration
Enjoy fun, fall-themed kids activities, artisan demos, entertainment, delicious food and more. Admission is free.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyFarmMuseum.org.
Oct. 14
Piney Run Park Festival
Join us for the annual Fall Festival at Piney Run Park for live entertainment, crafts vendors, wagon rides, lots of hands-on crafts and activities, and apple pies, apple dumplings and assorted baked goods at the Piney Run Council Bake Table.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m Piney Run Park and Nature Center, Eldersburg. Learn more at CarrollCountyMd.gov
Oct. 17
Box Lunch Talk: Telling Isaiah’s Story
Hosted by the Historical Society of Carroll County, Mary Ann Ashcraft follows the journey of Carroll County native Isaiah Lightner from Union Bridge to Civil War battlefields, to an Indian reservation, and finally to a farm along Nebraska’s Platte River. Years of research and interactions with Lightner descendants have uncovered the twists and turns in Lightner’s life. $3 for HSCC members, $7 for non-members.
Noon – 1 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, Westminster. Learn more at hsccmd.org.
Oct. 21
Sykesville’s Fall Fun Festival
A community event that features crafts, games, demonstrations, food vendors, and live entertainment. The event is free to attend. The Downtown Sykesville Connection is partnered with Friendship Baptist Church, which hosts complementary activities at Millard Cooper Park on the same day.
Noon – 4 p.m. Sykesville Main Street. Learn more at DowntownSykesville.com.
Oct. 21
Downtown Halloween Party
Calling all ghouls, goblins, pirates and princesses to participate in a Spooky Saturday. Parents and children alike can delight in a variety of activities including games, crafts, and live entertainment from Mr. Jon on the Locust Lane Stage from 3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. and again from 5:15 p.m.-6 p.m. Don’t forget to stop by the City’s information tent to enjoy a free donut hole and cup of apple juice.
3 – 6 p.m. Downtown Westminster, Locust Lane. Learn more at WestminsterMd.gov.
Oct. 21
Military Benefit Cash BINGO
Join the Deer Park Lions Club for this cash BINGO that will benefit American Warriors Care Package Project and Carroll County Veterans Independence Project. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., kitchen opens at 6 p.m. and games start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $23 in advance and $25 at the door. Bring two cans of food a Carroll Food Sunday drive and get a free card.
5:30 p.m. Gamber Fire Hall.
Oct. 21
Paranormal Investigation
Join the Historical Society of Carroll County and the Mid-Atlantic Paranormal Project (MAPP) as they investigate Cockey’s Tavern and the never before investigated Sherman-Fisher-Shellman house. Learn the fascinating history of the buildings and explore with professional paranormal investigators two of Westminster’s oldest buildings. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear appropriate shoes and please keep in mind the buildings will be dark during the investigation. Tickets are $40
6 – 9 p.m. Downtown Westminster. Information: hsccmd.org.
Oct. 25
Ghosts of Carroll County with Storyteller Pat Hahn
at Hahn, Carroll County Public Library librarian and storyteller, has been engaging audiences with ghost tales for more than 20 years. Many stories she shares of tormented souls lurking in Carroll County are from the book Ghosts and Legends of Carroll County, Maryland by Jesse Glass, Jr. After entertaining with spooky stories, Pat will present highlights from the Westminster Ghost Walk. Registration required.
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Eldersburg Branch Library. Learn more at library.carr.org.
Oct. 28
Maryland Crabcake Festival
Celebrate everything crab cake and Maryland with 100.7 The Bay and WJZ-TV. Food provided by some of Maryland’s finest crab cake restaurants along with food trucks and artisan vendors. Enjoy live music from The Reagan Years and The Amish Outlaws. Celebrity judges select the winner of Maryland’s Best Crab Cake for 2023. All ages and kid-friendly.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyFarmMuseum.org.
Oct. 28
Trick or Treat on Main Street
Children are invited to trick-or-treat at all the businesses on Main Street. There will be crafts and other activities for everyone.
3 – 5 p.m. Downtown Sykesville. Learn more at Downtown Sykesville.com.
Nov. 4
Mount Airy CROP Hunger Walk
Join local churches and community members for the walk at Watkins Park. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 609 Center St., Mt. Airy with a walk around Watkins Park starting at 9 a.m. Donations can also be made online with 25% of all funds raised remaining in our community to support the assistance programs of Mt. Airy NET.
9 – 11 a.m. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 609 Center St., Mt. Airy. Register onsite or at: Crophungerwalk.org.
Nov. 4
Sykesville Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy unlimited sampling of over 50 beers, live music, food trucks, and artisans in beautiful historic Sykesville.
Noon – 4 p.m. Downtown Sykesville. Information: DowntownSykesville.com.
Nov. 4
Fall Dance featuring Eclipse – a Journey tribute band
Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company is hosting fall dance featuring the band Eclipse, the ultimate Journey tribute band. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music will play from 7 – 11 p.m.
$25 per ticket/donation. For tickets or more information contact 410-259-0888.
7 – 11 p.m. Coppermine Panther Plex. Learn more at HampsteadVFD.org.
Nov. 18
Christkindl Markt
Kick off the holidays with this German-style Christmas Mart. Food and drinks will be available to purchase, along with a variety of hand-crafted and unique gifts from vendors in the Grist Mill and Tannery. The gift shop will be open for holiday shopping as will the blacksmith and woodworking shops. A portion of the historic Homestead will be decorated and open.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Union Mills Homestead, Westminster. Learn more at UnionMills.org.
Nov. 18
Coolest Mile on Main
Bring the whole family for the fun run and enjoy hot cider, cocoa and treats. The event is rain or shine and no pets are allowed.
10 a.m. Freedom Park, Sykesville. Learn more at CarrollCountyAgCenter.com.
Nov. 19
Great Westminster Train Show
Deer Park Lions holds this event featuring large operating train display sponsored by The Baltimore American Flyer Club. Refreshments provided by the Deer Park Lions Club Admission is $5 for adults, children under 12 are free.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyAgCenter.com.
Fri., Nov. 24
Carroll County Festival of Trees
The 17th Annual Carroll County Festival of Trees kicks off the holiday season to benefit The Shepherd’s Staff. Featuring a silent auction with virtual and buy now options, live music, artisan gifts, a photo booth and raffles. Additional hours: Sat. Nov. 25: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun, Nov. 26: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.For more information: Learn more at ShepStaff.org .
Nov. 25
10th Annual Sykesville Holiday Marketplace
Shop over 180 carefully selected vendors and find a variety of handmade crafts.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Shipley Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster. Learn more at SykesvilleHolidayMarketplace.com .
Nov. 25
Miracle on Main Street
Don’t miss the annual Holiday Electric Parade down Main Street followed immediately by the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Locust Lane. Follow Santa to the Westminster Family Fitness Center located at 11 Longwell Avenue for Santa’s Treat, a free children’s event filled with games, crafts, face painting and visits with Santa.
5 – 8 p.m. Downtown Westminster. Learn more at WestminsterMd.gov.
