Montgomery Parks Announces September Special Events and Programs

Montgomery Parks has a full lineup of special events in September, including festivals, free salsa lessons, happy hours, and yappy hours to bring your furry friends along. There are events for all ages and interests.

September Events in Montgomery Parks Include: 

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Celebration | September 3| 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Rd, Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860

This event is a commemoration of International Underground Railroad Month and the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth. Come visit the Woodlawn Museum and participate in a guided hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The hour-and-a-half hikes cover about two miles of natural surface, wooded trails. Advanced registration for the hike is recommended via ActiveMontgomery. Free children’s take-home activity guides are available at the Visitor Center throughout the day, as supplies last. Ages 7+. $8 (Woodlawn Museum admission included).

Fall Online Native Plant Sale at Maydale Nature Classroom | September 6 – 21
1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, Maryland 20905

Growing native plants encourages beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife in your community. Purchase native plants from Maydale Nature Classroom as part of a fundraising event, beginning on September 6, 2022, through September 21, 2022. Orders can be picked up in person on September 24, 2022. Visit Montgomery Parks’ Native Plant Sales webpagefor more details.

Acoustics and Ales | September 9 | 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park, 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown, Maryland 20874

Enjoy local craft beer, live music and eats at Montgomery Parks’ Acoustics and Ales outdoor happy hour. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase along with beer from True Respite Brewing and Landmade Brewing, and food from Rice Around the World and Salat Food Truck. Live music performance by Kevin Koa. All ages. Free.

Drag Queen Story Hour | September 10 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902

Drag Queen Story Hour is exactly what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Educational and fun for kids of all ages. Free.

Full Moon Walk | September 10 | 8– 9:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902

Explore gardens, streams and woods by the moonlight guided by Brookside Gardens’ staff.  Registration required. $25.

Yappy Hour | September 15 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Elm Street Park, 4600 Elm Street, Bethesda, Maryland 20815

Come to Yappy Hour with your pooch and share some drinks and smoke BBQ (available for purchase) with neighbors! Live music with Chasing Autumn. Free.

Salsa in the Park | September 15 | 5 – 8 p.m.
Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park, 8810 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901

Salsa in the Park is an evening of free food, live music and dancing. The event will feature live music from Latin music band La Colombopercutiva, an instructional dance lesson from Salsa with Silvia’s Yoii Moore, and food from Charlie’s Empanadas, Churros, Inc., and Clayboys Shave Ice. Community organizations will be at the event to answer questions and provide resources. There will be an ASL interpreter for dance instruction from 5 to 6 p.m. Free.

Public Lands Day Park Cleanup | September 24 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Black Hill Regional Park, 20930 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, Maryland 20841

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping to clean up Black Hill Regional Park. Registration required. Free.

Parks Ale Trail | September 24 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, Maryland 20855

Celebrate Oktoberfest with a scenic hike at Lake Needwood, live music, and beer and food available for purchase! Dogs welcome.  Free.

Signs of Nature: An American Sign Language Event | September 24 | 1 – 3 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20855

Several nature programs will be presented at this event, in ASL. Learn to make gourmet s’mores over a campfire, join a naturalist lead bird walk through the forest and more! Registration required. $7.

Fairy Tale Skate | September 30 | 2:15 – 4 p.m.
Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852

Skaters can dress up as their favorite character for a fun afternoon of skating. There will be a group lesson with some practice time. Afterward, skaters will be able to make princess crowns, superhero masks or another craft in the party room. Beginners welcome. Ages 4 – 8.  Registration required. $20.

Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following events taking place in parks during the month of September:

• Long Branch Festival: September 9 and 10 @ Flower Avenue Urban Park
• Parks Half Marathon: September 11 @ Rock Creek Regional Park
• Burtonsville Day: September 15 @ Columbia Local Park
• Friendship Picnic: September 18 @ Wheaton Regional Park
• Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival: September 25 @ Wheaton Regional Park

Visit the Fall 2022 Montgomery Parks Program Guide or the Montgomery Parks event calendar to view a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.