Suddenly, it feels like peak summer — and your colleagues and friends are on vacation while you’re stuck at home. But don’t fret. There are plenty of activities in Howard County that’ll make it feel like you’re on vacation, from concerts and outdoor movies to a drag brunch.
Restaurant and craft beverages week
Every day until Aug. 25
Take yourself on a food tour of Howard County and find a new favorite local dish by restaurant hopping during restaurant week. More than 50 eateries are participating and have special menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Specials include a meal at Taco Joint in the Clarksville Commons Shopping Center for $20 that comes with birria fries, a cucumber mojito and a sweet tres leches cake for dessert. Offshore on the Columbia Lakefront offers a two-course lunch option for $22 or a three-course dinner option for $45.
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If you’re looking for a specific meal or restaurant you can flip through online booklets that list the participating restaurants and their specials. Reservations are not required, but are encouraged.
Thirty Seconds to Mars concert
6:30 p.m. Thursday
After enjoying a new meal during restaurant week, head over to Merriweather Post Pavilion to watch Thirty Seconds To Mars perform on their Seasons World Tour.
In 1998, brothers Jared and Shannon Leto formed their band and have since sold millions of records and toured across the world. This year, they’re touring with KennyHoopla, Poppy and AFI.
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. Single tickets are on sale starting at $35.30.
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50+ coffee meet-up
8-10 a.m. Friday
If you are 50+ and currently retired or thinking about retiring, join This Point Forward, an organization connecting people to the next phase of their lives, for their monthly coffee meetup.
Head to Cafe Columbia for a free cup of coffee, tea or juice and meet people who left the corporate world, changed careers, went back to school and are exploring life’s other options. The event requires free registration, which ends on Friday before the meet up.
Ghost tour of Old Ellicott City Main Street
8:30 p.m. Saturday
Get spooked searching for ghosts and learning about the people who once lived in Old Ellicott City — and who might still live there.
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In 1772, three brothers, John, Andrew and Joseph Ellicott, founded Ellicott City. Do the residents from more than 200 years ago still roam the streets at night?
Find out by joining Maryland History Tours for an informative and hair-raising evening. Tickets are $20 and the tour meets at the Howard County Welcome Center on Main Street.
Swing dance at Savage Summer Concert Series
5:30-8 p.m.
Swing and sway to the sounds of the Patuxent Jazz Band at the Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage for the 2024 Savage Summer Concert Series. The evening is meant for swing dancing, and if you’re new to the style, arrive at 5:30 p.m. for free lessons from Gottaswing.
The free evening will have food for purchase from Beltway Bistro and ice cream from Tasty Toucan. No registration is required for the event.
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Y2K drag brunch
Noon-2 p.m. Sunday
Close out the weekend by stepping back in time to the year 2000 and enjoying a drag brunch full of fun and food from local restaurants. Lost Ark Distilling Co. in Columbia is hosting the event that will be full of pop songs, sparkling outfits and unforgettable performances. You can even come dressed in your best throwback Y2K outfit.
Youcan bring in outside food, but no outside alcohol is permitted. Tickets are $28.52 and include entry to the show and one welcome co*cktail. Be sure to purchase all tickets in your party under the same name so you can be seated together.
Seating begins at 11 a.m. and the show starts at noon.
Outdoor “Mamma Mia!” movie night
8 p.m. Wednesday
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Come to the Clarksville Commons prepared to sing and dance along to an outdoor showing of the star-studded film “Mamma Mia! The Movie.”
If you’re seeing for the first time or the 100th, groove to the classic hit “Dancing Queen” while dancing in the summer air. All ages are welcome and no registration is required, but chairs and blankets are encouraged.
Abby Zimmardi
abby.zimmardi@thebaltimorebanner.com
Abby Zimmardi is a reporter covering Howard County for The Baltimore Banner. Zimmardi earned her master’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism in December 2022.
