WHEATON, Md. – Join Montgomery Parks for an afternoon of fun, music, and entertainment at the third annual Sligo Creek Fest. The event will feature musical performers on three stages, as well as nature activities, kids’ activities, and a variety of local food and brewery options.
What: Sligo Creek Fest
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Sligo Creek Parkway between University Boulevard and Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring
Details: Sligo Creek Parkway will close at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 to allow set up for the event.
Three stages will feature musical acts, including the eclectic soul sounds of Dupont Brass and the rock-and-roll vibes of Capital Effect. Family favorites Rocknoceros and Culture Queen will be performing on the children’s stage. Throughout the festival, visitors may encounter roving entertainers including hula hoopers, stilt walkers, living statues, and Double Dutch jump ropers. There will also be fun activities like inflatable archery and soccer.
“Sligo Creek Fest shows what’s possible when we reimagine open spaces as places for connection, creativity, and community,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “Over the past three years, the festival has grown from a new idea into a vibrant must-attend community tradition that gets people together, interacting and having fun in nature.”
Other activities:
- Tree climbing for kids, led by Montgomery Parks arborists
- Electrofishing techniques to collect fish for identification in freshwater streams with Montgomery Parks’ natural resources specialists
- Montgomery Parks’ mobile nature center, Nature on Wheels
- Biking basics for kids by Roots to Rocks
Transportation:
Visitors are encouraged to walk or bike to Sligo Creek Fest using the many trails that connect to the area. Detailed directions on parking, trails, and public transportation are available on the Sligo Creek Fest plan your visit page.
Montgomery Parks Foundation is sponsoring two free bike valet stations on Sligo Creek Parkway, one near University Boulevard and one near Dennis Avenue. Trained attendants will securely park and monitor bikes while residents enjoy the festival.
Visitors are welcome to bring blankets or chairs and food, but outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
The event is ADA accessible. If you need additional accommodation, contact our Program Access office.
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 Accessibility for more information.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 416 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
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