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 March and April.
Wednesday: Remembering Rockville Before Urban Renewal
2 – 4 p.m. or 6 – 8 p.m.
The Historic Red Brick Courthouse, 29 Courthouse Square, Rockville
If you lived in Rockville in the 1960s or are curious about life in historic Rockville, Peerless Rockville invites you to the Historic Red Brick Courthouse to discuss the city’s history. The event is in celebration of the upcoming virtual history exhibit “Changing the Map: The Mid-City Project” about urban renewal and its effects on Rockville. There will be photographs, a slide show and refreshments. The event is free.
Friday through Sunday: Gaithersburg Film Festival
Films and events at various times
311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg
Promoting its designation as one of the country’s most diverse cities, Gaithersburg launches its inaugural film festival to showcase a variety of cultures, identities and perspectives. The feature film on Sunday will be Feast Your Ears: The Story of WHFS 102.3 FM. Each day will feature screenings of short and feature-length films as well as discussions with filmmakers at the Arts Barn. There are four time blocks across the weekend that each require a $22-$32 ticket. The films are recommended for age 18 and older.
Friday: Marina Lopes Discusses Please Yell At My Kids at Wonderland Books
7 – 8 p.m.
Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Ave., Bethesda
Journalist and author Marina Lopes will discuss her book Please Yell at My Kids, a collection of stories and practical advice about parenting from around the world. From Brazilian birthing parties to Danish babies sleeping outside, Lopes imagines how these practices can be integrated into the lives of Americans. The event is free.
Friday: Flo
8 p.m.
The Fillmore, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
You could think of this British R&B girl group as a Destiny’s Child or TLC for Gen Z. And while those groups and others like them are major influences for Flo, the trio has an updated, fresh sound that’s all its own. Catch the group’s concert at The Fillmore Silver Spring. Tickets start at $92.
Saturday: Pike Central Farm Market Opens for the Season
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
935 Prose St., North Bethesda
North Bethesda’s Pike Central Farm Market will run each Saturday through Nov. 23 beginning this Saturday, with an additional special Thanksgiving market on Nov. 25. The market features music, local winery and brewery tastings, activities for kids, chef demos and more. To learn about more Montgomery County farmers markets, check out this article.
Saturday and Sunday: The Spring Mid Atlantic Antique & Garden Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday
Aix La Chapelle Farm, 19130 Jerusalem Road, Poolesville
This weekend-long showcase presents more than 60 antique dealers from across the country at Aix La Chapelle farm. Vendors will offer items for sale including fine art, architectural items and historic American and European furniture. There will also be food trucks and drinks available for purchase. Entrance to the festival costs $12.
Saturday: Earth Day Celebration with Takoma Park
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, 15131 Anacostia Tributary Trail System, Silver Spring
Participants can check out an electric vehicle showcase and exhibitions from city departments and local environmental partners, and take a guided tree walk. There will also be snow cones, face painting, educational materials and arts activities. The event is free and family friendly.
Saturday: Earth Month Family Celebration
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton
Brookside Gardens presents a free hands-on event with activities for children including live music, mascots, yoga, plant exploration and an art project using botanical watercolors. Registration is encouraged.
Saturday: GreenFest 2025
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton
Montgomery County’s largest environmental festival occurs Saturday and the first 500 people to sign up at the link above will receive a gift. The festival will have electric car exhibits, vendors, music, games, activities for kids, face painting and more. Admission is free. More information can also be found on Facebook.
Saturday: Celebrating African Rhythms through Dance & Song
Noon – 4 p.m.
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park, 3610 Brookeville Road, Olney
Join this free annual dance workshop to learn about African rhymes and influences from West Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas. The event will be led by Martha Peterson of Cultural Moves Dance Ensemble, and there will be live drumming by Jumbe and Co. Additionally, there will be a cake walk to compete for desserts and tours of the 19th century Oakley Cabin. The event is open to all ages.
Saturday: MoCo LagerFest
Noon – 9 p.m.
15 Fulks Corner Ave., Gaithersburg
The third annual MoCo LagerFest partners with local breweries to offer nearly two dozen locally made lagers. Participants can snack on local food options including brick oven pizza and barbecue; listen to music from the Jon Watkins Band, Coldstream the Band and La Unica Band; and shop from a mini-market with local artisanal goods. Drinks and food vary in price, and beer tickets to be redeemed at the festival can be purchased upon arrival.
Saturday: C&O Canal City Nature Challenge
4 – 6 p.m.
C&O Canal National Park, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac
There will be an iNaturalist training and nature walk in Potomac as a part of the weekend-long City Nature Challenge in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Participants will learn how to use iNaturalist, an online social network to learn about nature and biodiversity, then walk and learn about the Potomac Gorge. Participants can join a group walk or explore independently and reconvene in the last 15 minutes to discuss discoveries. The event is free and open to all.
Sunday: Pike’s Peek
7:50 – 10 a.m.
Shady Grove Metro Station, 15903 Somerville Drive, Rockville
All ages are invited to participate in Pike’s Peek races. In addition to the 10K “PR Course” race, children can participate in the quarter-mile Kids Fun Run and toddlers in the 50-meter Toddler Trot. At the Rose Avenue finish area, runners can celebrate with food, music, exhibits and family activities. Tickets for the Toddler Trot and Kids Fun Run cost $21, and the Pike’s Peek 10K costs $53, $50 for Montgomery County Road Runners Club members.
Sunday: AWLMC Spring Yard Sale
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
12 Park Ave., Gaithersburg
Clean out your home, support the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWLMC) and shop for new items at the league’s spring yard sale. Donation drop-offs of clothes, electronics and household items will be accepted Friday and Saturday, as well as Sunday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. Shopping will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds from the event will support the league.
Sunday: Kensington Day of the Book Festival
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Howard Avenue
The 18th annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival will span three blocks on Howard Avenue between Armory and Montgomery avenues and include live music, guest speakers, cookbook demos, children’s events and poetry readings. Participants will have the opportunity to meet authors and poets including Montgomery College professor and translator Jona Colson, Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri and more. The event is free.
Sunday: Rockville Science Day
Noon – 5 p.m.
Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville
This free event introduces children and adults alike to STEM exploration, from building rockets to participating in coding challenges to learning about backyard wildlife. The schedule of events for the 34th rendition of this event includes rocket build sign-ups beginning at noon, opening ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m., rocket launches beginning at 3:30 p.m. and 50/50 raffle winner announcements at 4 p.m. Food for purchase also will be available.
— Stephanie Siegel Burke of Bethesda Magazine contributed to this report
Preview more events and things to do from our calendar here:
