2024 Downtown Columbia Maker Faire
Welcome to the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness in Howard County!
Welcome to the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness in Howard County!
County Executive Calvin Ball, in partnership with the Inner Arbor Trust, is thrilled to invite you to the 3rd annual AAPI Festival, celebrating the vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Howard County and beyond.
Join us in the heart of Downtown Columbia, for a FREE celebration filled with fun, entertainment, and cultural enrichment for the whole family! Here's what you can look forward to:
Join us for a FREE celebration of the music of John Williams, as performed by the phenomenal Maryland Winds!
The iconic scores of your favorite movies come to life on the Chrysalis stage at beautiful Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods for this FREE, family-friendly event!
Enjoy a free concert at the Chrysalis and food trucks with friends and family before walking over to the Lakefront for fireworks and other festivities.
Music from Nelly's Echo, Sherwin Thwaites, and Damon Foreman & the Blue Funk. The concert starts at 11:30 a.m. Food trucks from Blowfish Poke, Mochi Mochi, and Bullhead Pit Beef.
Enjoy FREE concerts presented by the Inner Arbor Trust all spring, summer, and fall.
Join County Executive Calvin Ball, the Howard County AAPI Commission, and the Inner Arbor Trust for the second annual AAPI Festival!
The AAPI Festival is a celebration throughout Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Join us for cultural performances on the Chrysalis stage, vendors representing this dynamic community, and food vendors celebrating culture through food.
The Inner Arbor Trust, in partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, is excited to present Celebrate Springtime, the first in the free 2023 Chrysalis Kids series!
Celebrate Springtime is part of the BSO's Tiny Tots Music Box concerts, designed to develop musicality, creativity, coordination, and literacy for children ages 6 months - 3 years. We hope you can join us for this musical celebration of the season!
123 Andrés (pronounced uno, dos, tres Andrés) are Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning teaching artists who get kids and families excited about learning and moving together in Spanish and English! Families sing, dance, and sound out with Andrés and Christina as they compose an eclectic mix of sounds from all corners of Latin America.
The Columbia Big Band returns to the Chrysalis Cabaret for a wonderful night of swing music!
Join Columbia Big Band for a fantastic night of swing music. This concert is part of the Chrysalis Cabaret Series in partnership with Columbia Bands, Inc.
Tickets are FREE thanks to the generosity of our donors. We greatly appreciate your donations which allow us to provide these free programs.
Cash bar for beverages available for purchase. The event takes place at the Chrysalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7:00 p.m.
Please RSVP by registering here. Registration is FREE, and ensures that you get information about any updates or changes
Fourth of July is an all day event in Columbia!
From 11 am - 5 pm, The Chrysalis will host:
Here’s To the Night
O’Malley’s March
Oasis Island Band
Military Spouses’ Band
RSVP and find more information here!
And when we’re done, the celebration continues at the Lakefront, with music, food trucks, and FIREWORKS!
Join THE Lisa Mathews for a FREE Chrysalis Kids DJ event and dance extravaganza!
Lisa Mathews, is the lead singer of Grammy-nominated Baltimore kids rock band Milkshake and creator and host of Young at Heart, WTMD’s Saturday morning radio show for families. She also visits countless area schools as a teaching artist with A4L and Wolf Trap Institute. Join her on the Chrysalis lawn for an hour of kid-friendly music and fun as she spins her favorite tunes during her Shake it Up Dance Jam!
Join the Dan + Claudia Zanes for a FREE Chrysalis Kids Concert!
“The family-music genre’s most outspoken and eloquent advocate,” -Time Magazine
Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and Haitian American music therapist/Jazz vocalist, Claudia Zanes take their audiences of all ages on a journey through Dan’s songbook of folk and blues songs. Dan and Claudia Zanes share their love of forgotten classics and new creations with audiences around the world. National Public Radio claims they are, “The Gold Standard in kid’s music.” His critically acclaimed music has been featured on Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO Family, and Sprout. With Dan’s songs and Claudia’s vocals, they invite their audiences to dance and sing along in a joyful, homespun, musical celebration of 21st-century social music.
The Chrysalis Kids Series is presented in partnership with Howard County Recreation and Parks.
Find out more about Dan & Claudia’s Sensory Friendly Programming here.
Drama Learning Center's TYA program brings its second production to Chrysalis Kids! Inspired by music made famous by The Beatles, Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure hits the stage. Meet the Beat Bugs – five insect pals who explore the world and pick up life lessons along the way in this new musical, based on the Netflix animated series that incorporates songs of that famous band. Walter, Buzz, Jay, Crick, and Kumi embark on a mission to save Strawberry Fields from being taken over by a stink bug with other plans for it. Some of the songs from the iconic catalog that appears in the show include “All You Need Is Love,” “Come Together,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground and the performance starts at 5:00 p.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
Mr. Jon & Friends is Parents’ Choice Award-winning music for kids and their families.
This energetic family music is all about fun, movement, and laughter! Mr. Jon & Friends makes music for kids and their families that inspire fun, laughter, and dancing. Sometimes with a band, sometimes as a duo, and sometimes solo, the music of Mr. Jon & Friends is sure to bring a smile to your face!
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground and the performance starts at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
This event is presented in partnership with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks.
https://www.mrjonmusic.com/
Milkshake! returns to Chrysalis Kids!
Milkshake is a band on a mission: to create great rock music for kids. This dynamo of local children's music opened the Chrysalis Kids Series last year, and they are back with their energizing music!
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground and the performance starts at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
http://www.milkshakemusic.com/
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, sponsored by ReThink Water, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
A five-time Parents’ Choice Award winner, Barry is a pioneer in the world of music for children. He has recorded and shared his songs, poems, stories, and books with audiences throughout the world and has performed at The White House, The Smithsonian, and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He gives concerts and author visits in schools and performing art centers from Washington DC to Fairbanks, Alaska and was given a Special Library Recognition Award for his “ability to communicate with and excite children to read.” Barry’s songs are featured in television shows, feature films, and dozens of TV ads throughout the world. His books and poems have been translated into other languages and his songs have been recorded and performed by singers and musicians internationally. He has written songs for Sesame Street and The Weekly Reader and starred in a television show for children that won two Emmy awards.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground and the performance starts at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
This event is presented in partnership with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks.
http://barrylou.com/
The critically acclaimed Sonia De Los Santos Trio comes to the Chrysalis with their beautiful Spanish and English language family music.
Sonia De Los Santos was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, and sings in English and Spanish, playing guitar, mandolin and jarana. With her own multicultural band, she shares songs from her celebrated album, Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island(Parents' Choice Foundation Gold Award Winner), which is a collection of songs that reflect her experiences growing up in Mexico, moving to another country, learning about other cultures and in the process, feeling closer to her own heritage. This unique concert is filled with original songs, Latin American party tunes and new bilingual versions of American classics. De Los Santos has been hailed by Billboard as "one of the Latin children's music artists you should know," and her music has been featured on NBC's Visiones, Sirius XM's Kids Place Liveand WXPN's Kids Corner, among others.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the performance starts at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
https://www.soniadelossantosmusic.com/
The critically acclaimed Uncle Devin Duo comes to the Chrysalis with their special brand of percussion based foot stomping children's music. The Uncle Devin Show is an interactive musical experience for children that use percussion instruments to cultivate their minds - a dynamic cross between DC's Trouble Funk and Schoolhouse.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the performance starts at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
This event is part of Chrysalis Kids, sponsored by ReThink Water, our spring, summer, and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
Free tickets available here
Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-5, Monday 10-3
The FantasyWood Festival hosted by ManneqArt and Circus Siren Pod is a magical 3 day experience being held in Columbia, Maryland over Memorial Day Weekend 2019. Come join us for a walk in the woods with surprises around each corner. Meet mermaids, fairies, watch live knights duel and even see a live unicorn!
Join members of the Columbia Concert Band for their children's concert Columbia Concert Band's Musical Journey: A Musical Instrument Presentation for Children on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m. The event features an instrument petting zoo and instrument family small ensembles: woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The program includes Along the Santa Fe Trail, Yankee Doodle, Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song, Blue Ridge Reel, and Africa.
Open to all ages, recommended ages 5-13.
GATES OPEN AT 2:00 PM, so please come play with Imagination Playground in the Park before the concert!
This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 5-13, but all ages welcome.
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 2-5, additional activities for older children.
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
Celebrate the last days of summer with music and a movie! Kick off the evening at the Chrysalis with a performance and activities by Bash the Trash, a group that builds and performs with musical instruments made from recycled materials. Then parade over to Merriweather Movie Nights to sing along with a screening of The Greatest Showman at 7:00 p.m.
Chrysalis gates open at 4 p.m. Merriweather Movie Nights ticketing is separate.
This is a free event, however, all attendees must have a free ticket. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
This event is presented in partnership with the Howard County Library System and is sponsored by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 2-5, additional activities for older children.
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
The grandsons, Jr., is the kids band version of DC-area roots rock superstars, The Grandsons. Kids and their parents will dig the upbeat mix of rock, swing, New Orleans R&B, country, and Latin music we call Americana. Over the past 25 years performing as The Grandsons, the band has noticed that many of their songs resonate with the younger crowd. As the grandsons, Jr., they combine new material learned especially for the younger set, with Grandsons tunes that have always been popular with the kids. Gates open at 9 a.m. for playtime in the Park and the performance starts at 10 a.m.
This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol).
This event is co-presented with Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks
A long time ago and not so very far away....Learn the ways of the Jedi with Panniken Moonjumper, a true Master of Intergalactic fun and adventure. During this engaging program by veteran family entertainer David Engel your little Jedi Warriors, Princesses and Darth Vaders will be delighted by comic antics, exciting physical challenges, magical mayhem, light saber lessons and a visit from his furry alien sidekick. Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars character. Gates open at 2 p.m. for playtime in the Park and the performance starts at 3 p.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 4+ This event co-presented with the Columbia Association, Inc. and Columbia Festival of the Arts.
oin an ensemble of professional dancers as they creep, crawl, weave, fly, spin, sting, and hatch a captivating cast of creatures to life! BUGGED! will transport viewers into the hungry bullfrog’s fly-filled bog, a busy, buzzing beehive, the chrysalis of the contemplative caterpillar, and the web of the bella Tarantella, just to name a few. Gates open at 9 a.m. for playtime in the Park and the performance starts at 10 a.m.
This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 4+
Thanks to Kinetics Dance Theater and ManneqArt! for collaborating on this event.
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 2-5, additional activities for older children.
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested age 2-5, additional activities for older children.
Thanks to Village Green / Town2 blog for sponsoring this event.
Join Grammy-nominated local children's band Milkshake as they kick off Chrysalis Kids, a new series of free children's events in Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods from April through September.
Gates open at 9 a.m. so join us to play in the Park with Imagination Playground before Milkshake takes the stage at 10 a.m. This event is free, however, all attendees need a ticket to attend. Parking will be assigned via email 48 hours before the event. Food and beverage available for purchase. Picnics also welcome (no glass or alcohol). Suggested for all ages.