THURSDAY
A Mini Garden Gift
Celebrate Mother’s Day with an afternoon of gardening. Dig into the soil, plant some flowers, and enjoy the spring weather. This event is great for kids ages 3-12 and their families.
At the Orleans Street Branch. 4:00p.m., free. Prattlibrary.org
For Someone Special
Make the perfect gift for Mom, Grandma, or another inspiring person in your life. Create a beautiful card that shows how much you care.
At the Canton Branch. 4:00p.m., free. Prattlibrary.org
Dollar$ and Cents
Money can be confusing! Why do the smaller coins have more value than some of the bigger ones? Come learn about numbers and the concept of money through games and fun activities.
At the Walbrook Branch. 4:00-5:00p.m., free. Prattlibrary.org
FRIDAY
Animal Care Expo
Join the Aquarium and take a behind-the-scenes look at its animal hospital, learn how they care for the 20,000 animals and see a real life animal exam! This is a great activity for kids who want to learn more about the fascinating world of veterinary medicine. Children must be over 8 years old to attend.
At the Baltimore National Aquarium. 3:00-5:00 p.m. $65 ticket. aqua.or
Mini Museum Exhibit
See what dinosaurs looked like when they roamed the earth and learn about other prehistoric creatures in this special 3-D printed exhibition.
At the Forest Park Branch. 6:00p.m., free. Prattlibrary.org
Big Truck Day
Kids will love this interactive, educational outdoor event during which they’ll have the chance to explore (and climb on) emergency vehicles, trucks, and more, courtesy of Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works.
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 9a.m.—1p.m., free.
Civic Works Amazing Race
Test your teamwork skills at the First Annual Civic Works Amazing Race. Participants will spend the day competing, laughing, bonding with friends and coworkers. Compete in three different categories that help to improve the Baltimore community, and celebrate the completion with Baltimore’s Biggest Outdoor Happy Hour.
1pm at Clifton Mansion.
SATURDAY
Waterfront Art Festival
Enjoy visual art while surrounded by scenery that’s equally beautiful! This waterfront fest features painting, sculpture, jewelry-making, photography and more, as well as workshops, live art demonstrations and festival standards like music, food and kids’ activities.
Free. At Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
Calvert Arts Festival
The best thing about the Calvert Arts Festival: its adorable logo, featuring crisscrossed paintbrushes dipped in a glass of wine and mug of beer, respectively. Doesn’t that just sum up summer arts festivals so perfectly? At this one, enjoy your drink of choice while admiring the juried artisan show, with everything from fiber and ceramics to painted glass and woodworking on display.
Tickets: $15. At All Saints Episcopal Church in Sunderland.
Karma Fest
Get in touch with your inner self at KarmaFest’s special U N I T Y festival, featuring live music, drumming, dancing, spirituality workshops, lectures and discussions, yoga and more than 150 vendors offering everything from crafts to crystals. Plus, all food is vegan or vegetarian—perfect for this weekend of guilt-free self-indulgence.
Tickets: $20. May 13-14 at Oregon Ridge Park (Hunt Valley).
Mother’s Day Market
Mother’s Day celebrations are in full bloom at Cylburn Arboretum’s annual Market Day weekend. The celebration offers a huge selection of plants from hanging baskets to herbs, as well as garden- and nature-themed crafts and gifts. Grab something for Mom or just celebrate yourself.
Free. At the Cylburn Arboretum Association.
Maryland Half Marathon & 5K
Want to make your workout feel even more worth it? Join thousands of your fellow fitness enthusiasts for the Maryland Half Marathon & 5K. Whether you’re running, walking or simply corralling your little ones in the Kids Fun Race, all proceeds benefit The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center—so no matter your time, you’re making serious strides.
Registration: $75 for half-marathon, $40 for 5K. At Maple Lawn (Fulton).
The Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage
Join The Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage for a tour of Baltimore County’s Oella, a historic village originally established for textile mill workers and their families. Past-minded pilgrims can learn about the village’s rich cultural history (tours include stops at the old mill, the Benjamin Banneker Park and Museum, the Alhambra Historic House and more), as well as admire the architecture of its stone homes and log cabins, all while supporting the village’s future—proceeds from the pilgrimage benefit informative signage along the Trolley Trail, including Oella’s Entrance Garden and Cemetery.
Tickets: $30-$40. In the Town of Oella.
SUNDAY
Baltimore Farmers’ Market and Bazaar
Maryland’s only producer-only market is the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day. Pick out your leading lady’s favorite foods, or pick out some dazzling jewelry from a local vendor. Perfect for the whole family, the farmers’ market is a great place to find the perfect gift for Mom.
Free. April 23-Dec 17 under the Jones Fall Expressway.
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Explore beautiful Bethesda and see some fabulous art by 130 of the nation’s best artists. Wander and enjoy the sunshine, or stop to listen to live entertainment. Try out Bethesda’s incredible restaurants, and leave the day with some new additions to your art collection.
Free. May 13-14 at Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle.
