WHEATON, Md.— Fall is a time of growth and renewal at Montgomery Parks. October provides many opportunities for fun and rejuvenation with several classes to learn about or expand your gardening knowledge at Brookside Gardens, a laugh-out-loud comedy show about growing older, a climb-a-tree program for people 55+, and several fall harvests. In celebration of Halloween, there are the seasonal Eye Spy Trains and Not So Spooky Skates for the kids.
Montgomery Parks’ October events highlights include:
Halloween Eye Spy Trains run at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks on weekends in October. Purchase your tickets here for a spine-tingling good time!
Better with Age Comedy Special | October 1 | 12:30–2 p.m.
Fairland Recreational Park, 3928 Greencastle Road, Fairland
Feel like getting old is no laughing matter? This comedy show might change your mind and tickle that funny bone. Comedians from Silver Spring’s Improbable Comedy will cover topics about the trials and tribulations that come with aging, family, friendships, relationships and more! Snacks will be available for purchase from Money Muscle BBQ or bring your own. Ages 55 and older. Free.
Harvest Festival | October 5 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood
A day full of hands-on activities with traditional crafts, live music and storytelling, historic games, farm equipment exhibitions and demonstrations. Meet heritage farm animals, visit craft demonstrators, and take a hayride. Food and refreshments available for purchase. All ages. $20 per car (cash only).
Sunday Serenade | October 6 and 13 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda
End the weekend and start your week off right by relaxing on the lawn and enjoying live music. All ages. Free.
- October 6, Marsha and the Positrons (Kids)
- October 13, The Gayle Harrod Band (Blues)
Fall Harvest Family Day | October 12 | 11 a.m. –3 p.m.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
Churn butter, fill a harvest basket, decorate a cardboard pumpkin and other hands-on activities. Learn all the ways that a 19th-century farm works. All ages. Free (includes admission to Woodlawn Museum).
History Hour – The Voices of Woodlawn Manor: A 200-Year-Old Cultural Site | October 17 | 6 –7 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Christian Murgia, education program manager at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, will delve into the history of the property as a location in continuous use since its founding over 200 years ago. The dynamic site has been a boarding school, a Quaker plantation with an enslaved population, and is currently a Montgomery Parks historical site. Arrive early and take a self-guided tour of the Josiah Henson Museum. Refreshments provided. Ages 13 and older. Purchase tickets. $5 per person.
Not So Spooky Skate | October 25 | 4:30 –6:30 p.m. (Cabin John); 5:30 –7:30 p.m. (Wheaton)
Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville
Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Celebrate Halloween trick-or-treating at the skating rink, participate in the costume contest and make some Halloween-themed crafts. Ages 3–12. $12 per child (includes skate rental).
Foodie Fridays: See the Future–Young Farmers in Montgomery County | October 25 | 6:30 –8:30 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Envision the future of agriculture in Montgomery County with young growers who are reimagining the food system, featuring educator, filmmaker, and community activist Falani Spivey. The registration fee includes light refreshments, one alcoholic beverage (21 and older), and a ticket to Josiah Henson Museum ($5 value, redeemable during regular museum hours). Ages 18 and older. Purchase tickets. $15 per person.
Grow your green thumb at Brookside Gardens:
- Botanical Creatures in Comics | October 5 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Ages 8-12. Registration required. $10 per person. - Living Field Lab: Creative Garden Rooms & Hardscaping | October 9 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older.Registration required. $25 per person. - Native Specialist Bees (Virtual) | October 10 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $15 per person. - Botany Basics | October 19 and 26 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Ages 9–12. Registration required. $7 per person. - Dealing with Deer and Other Mammal Pests in Your Garden | October 24 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $15 per person. - Junior Gardeners | October 25 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Ages 3–5. Registration required. $7 per person. - Chrysanthemum Tour | October 24 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $12 per person. - Heaven is a Garden: Serenity by Design | October 29 | 7–8:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free. - Glory of Fall Garden Tour | October 29 and 31 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $12 per person.
Parks Academy Series classes:
- Nordic Walking | October 1–29 (Tuesdays) | 6–7 p.m.
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park, 12001 Skylark Road, Clarksburg
Ages 18 and older. Five weekly classes-$50 per person. Registration required; no walk-ins. - Canopy Connection | October 9 | 9 a.m. –12 p.m.
Washington Square Neighborhood Park, 17800 Amity Drive, Gaithersburg
Ages 55 and older. Registration required. $50 per person.
Programs for 55+:
- Socials for 55+: Exploring Watercolor and Neopastels | October 4 | 3–4:30 p.m.
North Four Corners Local Park, 315 University Boulevard, Silver Spring
Registration required. $25 per person.
- 55+ Nature Book Club – Book Review | October 15 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring
Registration required. Free.
- Socials for 55+: Gourd Homes for Bird-friendly Crafting | October 21 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood
Registration required. $8 per person. (Part of Birdability Week)
- Socials for 55+: The Art of Bird Carving | October 24 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Viers Mill Local Park, 4425 Garrett Park Road, Wheaton
Registration required. $8 per person. (Part of Birdability Week)
Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following events taking place in parks during the month of October:
Yappy Hour (October 10) @ Elm Street Urban Park
Learn to Inline Skate and Try Hockey (October 20) @ Dewey Local Park
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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