Suddenly, it feels like the height of summer—and your coworkers and friends are on vacation while you’re stuck at home. But don’t worry. There are plenty of activities in Howard County to make you feel like you’re on vacation, from concerts and outdoor movies to a drag brunch.
Restaurant and Craft Beverage Week
Daily until August 25
Take a culinary tour of Howard County and discover a new local favorite while restaurant hopping during Restaurant Week. More than 50 restaurants participate, offering special menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Specials include a meal at Taco Joint in the Clarksville Commons Shopping Center for $20, served with birria fries, a cucumber mojito and a sweet tres leches cake for dessert. Offshore on the Columbia Lakefront offers a two-course lunch for $22 or a three-course dinner for $45.
If you are looking for a specific dish or restaurant, you can browse online brochures that list participating restaurants and their specialties. Reservations are not required but are recommended.
Thirty Seconds to Mars concert
18:30 Thursday
After enjoying a new dish during Restaurant Week, head to the Merriweather Post Pavilion to see Thirty Seconds To Mars on their Seasons World Tour.
In 1998, brothers Jared and Shannon Leto formed their band and have since sold millions of records and toured all over the world. This year they are on tour with KennyHoopla, Poppy and AFI.
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m. Single tickets start at $35.30.
50+ coffee meetings
Friday, 8-10am
If you are over 50 and currently retired or thinking about retiring, come join This Point Forward, an organization that connects people to the next phase of their lives, for their monthly coffee meetup.
Come to Cafe Columbia and enjoy a free cup of coffee, tea or juice. Meet people who have left the corporate world, changed careers, gone back to school and are exploring other options in life. The event requires free registration and ends the Friday before the meeting.
Ghost tour of Old Ellicott City’s Main Street
20:30 Saturday
Get scared as you search for ghosts and learn about the people who once lived – and may still live – in Old Ellicott City.
In 1772, the three brothers John, Andrew and Joseph Ellicott founded Ellicott City. Do the residents from over 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 begins at the Howard County Welcome Center on Main Street.
Swing dancing at the Savage Summer Concert Series
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Swing and sway to the sounds of the Patuxent Jazz Band at Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage at the 2024 Savage Summer Concert Series. The evening is dedicated to swing dancing, and if you’re new to the style, join us at 5:30 p.m. for free lessons from Gottaswing.
This free evening features food from Beltway Bistro and ice cream from Tasty Toucan. No registration is required for the event.
Y2K Drag Brunch
Sunday, 12–2pm
Cap off the weekend by stepping back in time to the year 2000 and enjoying a drag brunch full of fun and food from local restaurants. The Lost Ark Distilling Co. in Columbia is hosting the event, which will be full of pop songs, sparkly outfits, and unforgettable performances. You can even come in your best retro Y2K outfit.
You can bring in outside food, but not outside alcohol. Tickets are $28.52 and include admission to the show and a welcome cocktail. Be sure to purchase all of your group’s tickets in the same name so you can sit together.
Seating begins at 11am and the show starts at 12pm.
Outdoor film evening “Mamma Mia!”
Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Come to Clarksville Commons and sing and dance at an outdoor screening of the star-studded film “Mamma Mia! The Movie.”
Whether it’s your first time or your 100th, groove to the classic “Dancing Queen” as you dance in the summer air. All ages are welcome and registration is not required, but chairs and blankets are appreciated.
