When it comes to things to do each week, there’s no place quite like Montgomery County. The region is a hub for activities of all sorts, from art exhibits and theater to craft fairs, food festivals and inventive workshops. Yet with all the happenings across the area, it can be a challenge to figure out exactly which things to do. To get started, below are our top picks for the week, and here is an events calendar for May and June.
Wednesday and Thursday: Adult & Me Spring Sewing Class
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg
Kids and adults together can learn to sew aprons in this beginner-friendly sewing class. The instructor will teach sewing fundamentals including threading needles and stitching seams, and all materials are included in the course. Tickets cost $175 for residents of Gaithersburg and $180 for non-residents. The ticket price covers two sessions for one adult and one child age 8 or older.
Thursday: Annual Active Aging Expo
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg
Enjoy educational talks, preventative screenings, demonstrations and information and resources from nonprofits and businesses at the City of Gaithersburg’s Annual Active Aging Expo. The event is free. Registration is not required.
Thursday: Seth Kibel Live at The Urban Winery of Silver Spring
7 – 9 p.m.
The Urban Winery of Silver Spring, 2315 Stewart Ave., Silver Spring
The Urban Winery of Silver Spring regularly offers live music, and this Thursday night’s performance is by woodwind specialist Seth Kibel. The musician plays clarinet, flute and saxophone and has performed with bands featuring jazz, swing, klezmer music and more. Tickets cost $12.51.
Beginning Friday: Turning Tides: Action, Resilience, and the Mental Landscapes of Black and Brown Voices
Noon – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday
Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda
Gallery B’s upcoming exhibition, “Turning Tides: Action, Resilience, and the Mental Landscapes of Black and Brown Voices” will be open Fridays through Sundays in May, with an opening reception from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Black Art Today Foundation presents the free exhibition, with a goal of celebrating and empowering artists from the African Diaspora.
Saturday: Spring Artisan Market
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg
The Spring Artisan Market welcomes Washington, D.C.-area artists to the Gaithersburg Arts Barn to present their handmade items. Guests can meet the artists as well as purchase their art. Admission is free.
Saturday: Carousel Day
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo
Glen Echo Park is celebrating the opening of its 104-year-old Dentzel carousel for the summer season. The event features dance performances from groups including Step Afrika! and Adventure Theatre MTC Pre-Professional Performers, art projects, open galleries and studios and food options for purchase from Praline Cafe, a Timber Pizza food truck and Pacha Mama Juice Co. Entrance to the park and parking are free. Registration is encouraged. Carousel tickets cost $2 per ride or $5 all day. There is also a suggested donation of $10. View a full list of performances and activities at the link above.
Saturday: Sligo Creek Fest
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sligo-Dennis Avenue Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring
Let the kids climb trees and play yard games while you enjoy music and entertainment at the second annual Sligo Creek Fest sponsored by Montgomery Parks. The free, 1-mile street festival takes place on Sligo Creek Parkway. Other activities include hands-on activities and demonstrations from more than 15 Montgomery parks groups, roving entertainment and food and drink for sale. Check out the schedule of performers at the link above, and read about last year’s event here.
Saturday and Sunday: VISARTS Rockville Arts Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Square, 36 Maryland Ave., Rockville
The 13th annual rendition of this arts festival features work from 130 artists and artisans, a market, art demonstrations, a competition with chalk art and various food vendors. Find one-of-a-kind pieces of art, home decor, teas and much more, with proceeds supporting after-school arts programs and scholarships for camps and classes. For a full list of vendors, visit the link above.
Saturday and Sunday: Old Line Market
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday
Aix la Chapelle Farm, 19130 Jerusalem Road, Poolesville
This village-like market offers wares from more than 60 vendors. There will be vintage, garden and artisan goods in the agricultural building and at festival tents. Tickets cost $12, admission is free for kids under age 18, with food and drink options available for purchase. Food and drink vendors include Taproom, Salat Food Truck, Bomb Burger, Silver & Sons, Bacon On a Stick and That’s It.
Saturday and Sunday: Spring Makers Market
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Grand Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg
Eat, drink and shop your way through Rio’s Spring Makers Market. BurgerFi and True Food Kitchen will have drinks and bites, more than 50 local artisans will sell their goods and Locally Crafted Patch Bar will offer DIY custom tote bags with patches. Shoppers can receive their custom tote bag for free by spending at least $50 at one or more participating shops at Rio. Other special offers include a raffle to win a family date night package and a free macaron from Le Macaron French Pastries with a purchase of a box of six. Entry to the market is free.
Preview more events and things to do from our calendar here:
