Homeschool & family fun in Baltimore

A family-friendly Halloween celebration with safe trick-or-treating, costume contests, games, live entertainment and animal visits.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026; Fri, Oct 30, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Weekends: Oct 23–25 and Oct 30–31, 2026
• Time: Daytime; check the zoo page
• Price: See the zoo's page for tickets
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The zoo's October news release gives dates but not hours or ticket prices. Check the zoo's page.

A free community lantern parade with a festival, a kids and family costume contest, and the parade. Festival at 4 p.m.; costume contest registration at 3:30 and contest at 4; parade line-up 6:30 p.m. and parade at 7 p.m. at the Pulaski Monument.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026, 4–9 p.m.
• Time: 4–9 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A candy-free Halloween event with a spooky nature trail, seasonal crafts and creepy games, free face painting, two night hikes (6 p.m. when it is still light and 6:30 p.m. in the dark; no strollers) and photos at the decorated mansion. Every visitor gets a glowstick. Tickets are valid only for the date purchased.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Thu Oct 29 and Fri Oct 30, 2026, 5–7:30 p.m.
• Time: 5–7:30 p.m.
• Price: $5 in advance (plus fees); $10 at the door if available; ages 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ No candy is given out at this event.

An afternoon of Halloween fun with photo ops, inflatables, a costume contest and food trucks, held in the Bowl behind 3001 East Drive.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026, 1–4 p.m.
• Time: 1–4 p.m.
• Price: $3 per person or $6 for a family of 4
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Three-session classes for homeschoolers. Earth Explorers for grades 6–12 is Nov 4, 11 and 18 at the Animal Care and Rescue Center (grades 6–8 10 a.m.–noon, grades 9–12 1–3 p.m.). Earth Explorers for grades K–5 is Dec 2, 9 and 16, 10:15–11:15 a.m., at the main Aquarium building. Both are drop-off, indoors and outdoors, and you must sign up for the whole series.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 4, 2026; Wed, Nov 11, 2026; Wed, Nov 18, 2026; Wed, Dec 2, 2026; Wed, Dec 9, 2026; Wed, Dec 16, 2026

• When: Nov 4, 11, 18 (grades 6–12); Dec 2, 9, 16 (grades K–5)
• Time: Grades 6–8 10 a.m.–noon; grades 9–12 1–3 p.m.; K–5 10:15–11:15 a.m.
• Price: $60 per student (grades 6–12); $30 per student (grades K–5)
• Ages: Grades K–12
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Spring classes include Squid Lab (Mar 23, 2027, $15) and a Fort McHenry class (Apr 14, 2027, $20); see the page.

Family learning days for pre-K through high school homeschoolers. Learning stations are open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. each day, with a self-guided Aquarium tour. January 12–14 is "Super Senses" and March 9–11 is "Beach Treasures." Capacity is 150 students a day. Each reservation includes one free adult chaperone for each group of up to five students.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Jan 12, 2027; Wed, Jan 13, 2027; Thu, Jan 14, 2027; Tue, Mar 9, 2027; Wed, Mar 10, 2027; Thu, Mar 11, 2027

• When: Jan 12–14 and Mar 9–11, 2027, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: $15 per student per day for Maryland homeschoolers; $42.95 out of state; extra adults $34.95
• Ages: Pre-K to grade 12
• Booking: Email the reservation team listed on the education page.

The museum offers Homeschool Days for small homeschool groups and individual families, with workshops, tours and storytimes included in your ticket. The next is Thursday, Feb 25, 2027, then June 3, 2027. Past Homeschool Day activities have included a LEGO motion workshop, locomotive tours and a Civil War train tour. Maryland students get free or reduced pricing as a State Aided Educational Institution.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Feb 25, 2027

• When: Thu Feb 25, 2027 (also June 3, 2027)
• Time: Workshops start 10:30 a.m.
• Price: Free or reduced for Maryland students; see the Student Group Guide
• Ages: Pre-K and up (activities listed by grade)
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page says registration is coming soon, and the activity list shown may be from the earlier Homeschool Day. Check before you plan.

Maryland homeschool groups (age 5 through grade 12) can join the grant-funded Free Field Trip Program. Students are admitted free on field trips from Sept 8, 2026 through Feb 26, 2027. A homeschool group can visit up to three times per academic year, and no more than 15 homeschool groups can visit on one date. Check the field trip calendar for open dates.

• When: Field trips Sept 8, 2026–Feb 26, 2027 (see the calendar)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for students (Maryland homeschool groups)
• Ages: Age 5 to grade 12
• Booking: Choose a date on the zoo's field trip calendar and use the homeschool request form.
• Proof of homeschool: Maryland homeschool group

⚠️ The page does not say what adult chaperones pay; check the field trip FAQ.

Self-guided play on three floors plus a workshop just for homeschoolers. Each day has two identical workshop sessions, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; register for one. These are not drop-off programs, so an adult stays with each child. Groups of 15 or more can book a 3-hour field trip.

• When: Spring 2027 dates not yet posted
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $15 per person (includes all-day admission and one workshop); members $7.50
• Ages: Children with an adult
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Spring 2027 Homeschool Day dates and workshops are listed as "coming soon." Check the page for dates.

The center runs two homeschool enrichment sessions a year, fall and winter, with hands-on STEM classes, planetarium shows and IMAX films. Exhibit admission is included with registration. Programs are age-specific, and registered students attend without a parent in the class. Homeschool co-ops can also book a field trip with the opportunities guide.

• When: Winter session dates not seen; fall ran Sept 22–Oct 2
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on the page (some programs add a $5 lab fee)
• Ages: Age-specific, by program
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The fall 2026 session is over and the page does not yet show winter dates or prices. Check the schedule.

A free storytime for babies and toddlers (birth to 2) with a favorite adult, with playtime afterward. All abilities are welcome. Pratt Library cards are free for anyone who lives or owns property in Maryland.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026; Fri, Nov 6, 2026; Fri, Nov 13, 2026; Fri, Nov 20, 2026; Fri, Dec 4, 2026; Fri, Dec 11, 2026; Fri, Dec 18, 2026; Fri, Jan 8, 2027; Fri, Jan 15, 2027

• When: Fridays 11 a.m., Oct 30–Jan 15 (selected dates)
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Birth–2
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Dates listed are those shown on the library calendar; no session Nov 27 or Dec 25.

Admission is always free. Drop-in Art Making: Creative Harvest runs Sat Nov 7 and Nov 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Family Day: Friends and Food is Sat Nov 14, 1–4 p.m. (RSVP). Hours: Wed 10–5, Thu 1–8, Fri 10–2, Sun 12–5; closed Mon, Tue and Sat except for events.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 7, 2026; Sat, Nov 14, 2026; Sat, Nov 21, 2026

• When: Always free; Nov 7, 14 and 21 family events
• Time: Nov 7 and 21 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Nov 14 1–4 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The museum is closed Oct 24 and on Thanksgiving.

General admission is always free. Free Family Sundays is a weekly art program every Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Joseph Education Center Studio, designed for families with children ages 6 to 9.

• When: Free admission; Sundays 2–5 p.m. for the family program
• Time: Family program Sundays 2–5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Family program ages 6–9
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Check the Plan Your Visit page for current hours.

The park grounds, visitor center and movie are free. The Historic Zone around the star fort needs an entrance pass of $15 per adult age 16 and older. The park does not take cash.

• When: Daily
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Grounds, visitor center and film free; $15 per adult 16+ for the star fort
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Check the NPS page for hours.

A holiday market at West Shore Park with 70+ vendors, a historic carousel and Ferris wheel, and Santa at the Visitor Center. Weekdays, the outdoor area and the first two weekends are free to enter; weekend tent admission may cost extra. Closed Nov 23–25 and 30, Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 25.

• When: Nov 21–Dec 27, 2026
• Time: Noon–8 p.m. (2025 hours; 2026 hours not posted)
• Price: Free on weekdays and the first two weekends; weekend tent admission may cost extra
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page shows last year's hours and says full 2026 details come in November.

A block of 34th Street in Hampden lit with elaborate holiday displays. The street lights on Saturday, Nov 28 at 6 p.m. and runs until New Year's Day. Lights go on at dark and off around 10 p.m., midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The street is blocked to cars most nights.

• When: Nov 28, 2026–Jan 1, 2027
• Time: Dusk to 10 p.m. (midnight Fri and Sat)
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A volunteer-built holiday train garden with vignettes of Highlandtown landmarks. Free to view.

• When: Sat Nov 28, 2026–Jan 1, 2027
• Time: Check the train garden site for hours
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The listing page says to check the train garden website for hours.

The holiday season kickoff with caroling, food and good cheer, and fireworks to cap the evening.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 3, 2026

• When: Thu Dec 3, 2026, 5–8 p.m.
• Time: 5–8 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A neighborhood holiday parade with marching bands, floats and performers through Hampden and Medfield.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Dec 6, 2026

• When: Sun Dec 6, 2026, 1–4 p.m.
• Time: 1–4 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on the FAQ page
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The FAQ page says the route and parking details are on the site.