Saturday, October 22
Downtown Westminster Halloween Party
Check out this spooky Saturday! Little ghouls and goblins come calling as downtown businesses and street vendors open up to trick-or-treaters. Parents and children alike can also delight in a variety of crafts, games, live entertainment, and a haunted house.
3 p.m.–6 p.m. At Locust Lane off Main Street, Westminster. Learn more at www.westminstermd.gov.
Friday, October 28
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Part of the Carroll County Arts Council’s Scary-Tale Endings film series. Let’s do the Time Warp … again! When Brad and Janet’s (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) car breaks down, they take shelter at the mansion of the bizarre Dr. Frank-n-Furter (Tim Curry). Don those outlandish costumes and join us for the annual screening of this cult classic. Fans with the best costumes will be rewarded with special prizes. A limited number of special pre-packaged audience interaction kits will be on sale for $5. The kits contain all the props you need to “prop”erly interact with the movie, and a card explaining when to use them. Reserve yours in advance or buy it at the door. No outside props allowed. Tickets $15-$20.
10 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Learn more at www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
Saturday, October 29
Trick or Treat on Main Street, Sykesville
Main Street merchants partner with the Sykesville Police, the town of Sykesville, and Downtown Sykesville Connection to make sure everyone is safe, sound, and has a sweet time in Sykesville.
5-7 p.m. Main Street, Sykesville. Visit www.downtownsykesville.com for more information.
October 1– October 2
Carroll County Rotary Clubs Oktoberfest
Check out this family-friendly event that features authentic-style 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. Children’s activities include face painting, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, magic shows, balloon sculptors, and many games. Free admission for those arriving in authentic German attire; general admission is $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Children 10 and younger get in free. Save $2 with a donation of five nonperishable food items for the Westminster Rescue Mission.
Sat: Noon-8 p.m.; Sun: Noon-5 p.m. Carroll County Ag Center, Shipley Arena, 706 Agricultural Center Drive, Westminster.
October 1
Music on the Main, New Windsor
Check out New Windsor’s annual open-air street festival, featuring a beer and wine garden, live bands, local foods, arts & crafts vendors, activities for families and children.
1 p.m.-7 p.m. New Windsor Historic Main Street, New Windsor. Visit www.facebook.com/MusicontheMain for more information.
October 8
Piney Run Park Fall Festival
Join us at Piney Run Park for the second annual Fall Festival featuring many talented craft vendors, food vendors, live music and entertainment, a quilt and gift baskets raffle and crafts and activities for everyone including pumpkin painting and scarecrow making. The festival itself is free and there will be some free activities, but park entrance fees apply the day of the event.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Piney Run Park, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville.
October 8
Westminster Oyster Stroll
The Westminster Oyster Stroll Festival is far more than oysters, music, food, and fun for the community. It is an event designed to raise awareness about the importance of oyster aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay. Attendees will have a chance to meet oyster farmers, and taste the varying flavors of oysters from throughout the region. This event directly supports CCA Maryland’s Living Reef Action Campaign. Tickets range from $10-$175. No charge for kids 12 and younger.
Noon-4 p.m. Historic Downtown Westminster, 15 E. Main St., Westminster. Visit www.ccamd.org/oysterstroll/.
October 8
Sykesville Cinema presents Monsters, Inc.
Check out this family-friendly event that features a 16-foot inflatable movie screen and a powerful audio and video system with quality-run movie performances under the stars. Each show begins around dusk, with pre-show activities starting an hour before. The event is free to attend. The Snack Shack will be open and serving hot dogs, ice cream, nachos, popcorn, soda, water, and more. Please bring cash for the Snack Shack. Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected for Carroll County Food Sunday.
8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Millard Cooper Park, 7282 Cooper Drive, Sykesville, Westminster. Check Facebook closer to the event date for more information: www.facebook.com/Sykesvilleparksandrecreation.
October 19
IGNITE Carroll
Presented by the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council, IGNITE Carroll is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea — and the guts to get on stage and share it with the crowd. The IGNITE concept puts multiple speakers in front of an audience with only 5 minutes to speak on a topic with a PowerPoint presentation that auto-advances every 15 seconds. It is their chance to “enlighten” the audience about their passions! But they have to make it quick! This year the CTIC is also proud to donate 20% of the revenue from the event to the Maryland STEM Festival. A 5 p.m. reception with light food is included with ticket. Cash/credit bar will be available.
6 p.m.-7 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Learn more at www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
October 22
Sykesville Main Street Fall Fun Festival
The Main Street Fall Fun Festival is back!
The Festival features crafts, games, demonstrations, food vendors, and live entertainment. No pets allowed.
Noon-4 p.m. Main Street, Sykesville. Visit www.downtownsykesville.com for more information.
October 22
MAGIC Capture the Flag 13
MAGIC’s Capture the Flag is an entry-level ethical hacking competition for students in grades 8-12. It’s completely beginner-friendly, so if you love puzzles, solving challenges, or playing games online, then the CTF is for you! Participants will work to solve as many puzzles as they can before time runs out. The first-, second-, and third-place team members will win Amazon gift cards. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. and the competition begins at noon. Prizes will be awarded directly after.
11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster. MAGIC, The Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory, creates the space for technology innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive. A nonprofit organization located in Westminster, MAGIC provides hands-on technology and entrepreneurial education experiences for varying age groups, creates tech innovation projects, and leverages the advantages of the Westminster fiber network. Check out some of their kid- and family-friendly events coming up this fall, and learn more at www.magicinc.org.
November 4 – November 5
“Christmas in the Country” Bazaar
Event features crafts, pinecone and gift baskets, wreaths and food. Free to attend.
Sat: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sun: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oakland United Methodist Church Hall, 5971 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg.
November 4 – November 6
Good Game Fest
Hours vary per day. This three-day festival is packed with both console and tabletop tournaments and free play, an extensive retro arcade, and panels on mental health and well-being in the world of gaming, VR experiences, a vendor village, and much more. Console tournament games include Fortnite, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. We will also hold a Pokemon TCG tabletop tournament, with a $125K prize sponsored by Laughing Coffin. Cost is $25 for a day pass ticket, $45 for all three days, or $75 for a VIP package, including event T-shirt and other giveaways. A separate Midnight Madness ticket is available for Friday night, an 18-and-over after-festival event with extra games, including Halo and Call of Duty, and a cash bar.
Best Western Westminster, 451 WMC Drive, Westminster.
November 10 – November 12
48th Annual Mistletoe Mart
Artisans from all around will be featuring pottery, jewelry, wood crafts, stained glass, home and garden decor, textiles, baskets, tinware and more.
Thurs & Fri: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Church of the Ascension, 23 N. Court Street, Westminster.
November 12
Sykesville Craft Beer Festival
Breweries, live music, food trucks, and artisans in beautiful historic Sykesville. No pets allowed. Event is rain or shine. Free shuttle service picking up at Freedom Park and Sykesville Middle School, looping through the nearby “Park and Ride” and taking you to the beautiful Main Street. Tickets $45 in advance or $50 at the door.
Noon-4 p.m. Sykesville Main Street, 7547 Main St., Sykesville. Learn more and view participating breweries and vendors, at www.downtownsykesville.com/events.
November 19
Christkindlmarkt
Don’t miss this German-style Christmas Mart. The Shrivers, who founded Union Mills, were grandsons of German immigrants and were leaders in the German-speaking community in Piedmont, Maryland. The Christkindlmarkt event is held in recognition of our site and the surrounding community. Food and drinks along with gifts will be available for purchase. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season at Union Mills.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. Learn more at www.unionmills.org.
November 19
Coolest Mile on Main, Sykesville
Get a healthy start to the holiday season in this family-friendly event. Race starts at Sykesville Middle School with a lap around the parking lot — then a fast downhill to end on Main Street. Register online at www.thesykesvillecoolest mileonmain.itsyourrace.com or register at Tri Sport Junction, 7568 B Main St., Sykesville. There is no race day registration. Register by Nov. 1 to be guaranteed a shirt; online registration closes Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. Medals for all runners and prizes for overall male and female 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Main Street, Sykesville. Learn more at www.downtownsykesville.com.
November 26
Miracle on Main, Westminster
Get festive with this annual holiday celebration in downtown Westminster. Events include the Holiday Electric Parade at 5 p.m. and the annual Tree Lighting immediately follows the parade at Locust Lane. Santa’s Treat follows the Tree Lighting at the Westminster Family Fitness Center, located at 11 Longwell Ave. There will be crafts, games, free face painting and a visit with Santa. Event free to attend.
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Main Street, Westminster. Learn more at www.westminstermd.gov.
November 26
Ninth Annual Sykesville Holiday Marketplace
Shop over 180 carefully selected vendors and find a variety of handmade crafts. No fee to attend; event is rain or shine. In addition to shopping, win prizes from raffles, visit with Santa, visit with reptiles, free face painting, and food and drink for sale. For more details and a full list of vendors.
9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Carroll County Ag Center, Shipley Arena, 706 Agricultural Center Drive, Westminster. For more details and a full list of vendors, visit www.SykesvilleHolidayMarketplace.com.
