The Deyewa Weekend Edit

Hey Deyewa families!

Fall activities are officially picking up around Maryland, and this weekend is PACKED. We have opening weekends, final weekends, fairs, festivals, sunflowers, a corn maze, cultural events, and quite a few FREE things to do.

I rounded up 16 family-friendly events happening around Maryland this weekend, so whether you want to spend all day at a farm or just need something easy and free for a few hours, hopefully you'll find something below. I feel like all my weekends are already booked from now through November lol.

Let’s get into it!

FEATURED THIS WEEK

Take a Weekend Trip to Nigeria...Without Leaving Maryland

Weekend in Nigeria by Chops by Rera

If you are looking for something a little different to do this weekend, check this out!

Weekend in Nigeria is more than a food pop-up. Chef Rera of Chops by Rera is bringing the flavors and energy of Nigeria to Maryland with an experience centered around authentic Nigerian food, culture, and good vibes.

Okay so I am a little biased because Chef Rera is my bestie and honestly one of the best chefs I have ever met. Come hungry and explore bold Nigerian flavors, whether they're foods your family already loves or something completely new.

🇳🇬 Make It a Passport Experience

One of the fun parts is the Weekend in Nigeria Passport. Guests can pick up a free passport, collect a stamp when they visit, and continue collecting stamps at future Weekend in Nigeria events to earn rewards.

What to Know Before You Go

📅 When: Saturday, September 12
⏰ Time: 12 till sold out
📍 Where: Chops By Rera, 10983 Guilford Road, Annapolis Junction, MD
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for: Families, food lovers, and anyone interested in experiencing Nigerian cuisine and culture
🎟️ Entry: Free
🍽️ Food: Purchased separately. Preorders and walk-ins are available.

Deyewa Tip: If there's something you already know you want to try, preorder your food so you don't have to worry about your choice selling out. Otherwise, come ready to explore!

Ready for your Weekend in Nigeria? 🇳🇬

PLAN YOUR VISIT → Chops by Rera​

This Weekend's Top Picks

My entire list for this weekend has 16 events to check out, but If 16 options feel like too many, start here. These are the ones that stood out to me most this week.

🌽 MD Corn Maze: Opening Weekend | Gambrills

Fall officially starts at MD Corn Maze this weekend! Families can tackle the 8-acre corn maze and spend the rest of the day enjoying 30+ farm activities, including hayrides, ziplines, a petting zoo, corn pits, and a jump pad.

Best for: Ages 3–12
​Cost: $$ Admission required
​Good to know: This is opening weekend, so it's a great chance to visit before we get into the busier October weekends. Wear closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting dusty or muddy.

Plan your visit → MD Corn Maze​

🎡 Maryland State Fair | Timonium

If you haven't made it to the Maryland State Fair yet, this is your last chance! This is the final weekend of the 2026 fair, with carnival rides, midway games, farm animals, exhibits, live entertainment, and plenty of fair food.

Best for: All ages, especially ages 4–12
​Cost: $$ — Admission plus rides, games, and food
​Good to know: Give yourself several hours and wear comfortable shoes because there's a lot to see. Friday through Sunday, the gates are open from 9 AM–9 PM.

Plan your visit → Maryland State Fair​

🦀 Maryland Seafood Festival | Annapolis

Celebrate Maryland's Chesapeake Bay traditions with a weekend of seafood, live music, local vendors, contests, and kids' activities. Skipjack Heritage Days is happening alongside the festival with hands-on activities, educational exhibits, public skipjack sails, and more.

Best for: All ages, especially families who love seafood and waterfront events
​Cost: $$ — Kids 12 and under are FREE; adult admission required
​Good to know: Food is purchased separately from admission. Parking at Sandy Point is limited, so look at the parking options before leaving home.

Plan your visit → Maryland Seafood Festival​

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This Weekend's full list of events

Here it is: your full list of family-friendly events happening around Maryland this weekend. Save this email so you can come back to it when you're making plans!

FRIDAY–SUNDAY

🎠 Prince George's County Fair​
​Sept. 10–13 | Upper Marlboro​
A traditional county fair with carnival rides, games, exhibits, food and family entertainment.
​Plan your visit → Prince George's County Fair​

🌻 Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest + Sunflower Festival​
​Sept. 11–13 | Mount Airy​
Sunflowers plus 65+ fall attractions including a corn maze, jumping pillows, giant slides, animals and games.
​Plan your visit → Gaver Farm​

🌻 Sunflower Showcase at Clark's Elioak Farm​
​Sept. 11–13 | Ellicott City​
Sunflowers plus the farm's animals, rides, Enchanted Forest attractions and outdoor play areas.
​Plan your visit → Clark's Elioak Farm​

SATURDAY + SUNDAY

🏰 Maryland Renaissance Festival: Myth & Magic Weekend​
​Sept. 12–13 | Crownsville​
Jousting, costumed characters, shows, food and shopping, with special Myth & Magic performances this weekend.
​Plan your visit → Maryland Renaissance Festival​

🚜 Mason Dixon Steam & Gas Round-Up​
​Sept. 12–13 | Westminster​
Antique tractors, steam engines, agricultural demonstrations and old-fashioned machinery, with activities for kids too.
​Plan your visit → Mason Dixon Steam & Gas Round-Up​

SATURDAY ONLY

✈️ College Park Aviation Community Day​
​Sept. 12 | College Park​
FREE aviation-themed family day with museum activities, crafts, coding and special aircraft programming.
​Plan your visit → College Park Aviation Museum​

🎉 In the Streets​
​Sept. 12 | Frederick​
Downtown Frederick's huge street festival featuring live entertainment, food, vendors, art and activities. Admission is FREE.
​Plan your visit → In the Streets​

🌊 FamilyFest on the Potomac​
​Sept. 12 | Piney Point​
FREE waterfront family festival with kids' activities, music, food trucks and free access to the lighthouse and museum.
​Plan your visit → FamilyFest on the Potomac​

🎶 Silver Spring Jazz Festival​
​Sept. 12 | Silver Spring​
A FREE outdoor music festival with live jazz performances and food in downtown Silver Spring.
​Plan your visit → Silver Spring Jazz Festival​

🎨 Bethesda Row Arts Festival​
​Sept. 12–13 | Bethesda​
A FREE outdoor art festival featuring artists and makers across multiple mediums throughout Bethesda Row.
​Plan your visit → Bethesda Row Arts Festival​

SUNDAY ONLY

🦆 Great Mount Airy Duck Race​
​Sept. 13 | Mount Airy​
Watch thousands of rubber ducks race while enjoying food, games and family activities.
​Plan your visit → Great Mount Airy Duck Race​

🌎 Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebración​
​Sept. 13 | Hyattsville​
FREE afternoon of live music, dancing, crafts, face painting and activities celebrating Hispanic and Latino cultures.
​Plan your visit → Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebración

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Deyewa Tested

Gaver Farm | Mount Airy

We've visited Gaver Farm back to back the last 3 years, and this is one I can definitely see families spending several hours at because there is so much for kids to do. We are always there about 4 hours and have never completed everything lol.

Fall Fun Fest has more than 65 attractions, including giant slides, jumping pillows, pedal karts, playgrounds, farm animals, a corn maze, games and more. Right now you can also pair your visit with their Sunflower Festival.

My tip: Don't treat this like a quick pumpkin-patch stop. Give yourself plenty of time because the kids can easily spend hours going from one activity to another.

Best for: Ages 2–12
​Time to allow: 3+ hours
​Worth the drive? Yes, especially if you want a full fall activity day.

See our Gaver Farm visit → Deyewa Blog​

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Free Family Find

College Park Aviation Community Day | College Park

This week's FREE Family Find is especially good if you have a kid who loves airplanes!

Head to the College Park Aviation Museum on Saturday from 11 AM–2 PM for aviation-themed activities, crafts, robotic coding, local history and special programming.

There's also a planned Maryland State Police helicopter fly-in from 12:30–2 PM, weather permitting. And here's a fun bonus: the first 200 guests ages 17 and under are expected to receive free ice cream.

Best for: Ages 3–12
​Cost: FREE
​When: Saturday, Sept. 12 | 11 AM–2 PM

Plan your visit → College Park Aviation Community Day.

Plan Ahead

Anne Arundel County Fair | Crownsville

September 16–20

This one isn't happening this weekend, but it's coming up next week, so put it on your calendar now.

The Anne Arundel County Fair brings five days of carnival rides, animals, exhibits, pig races, tractor pulls, contests, live entertainment and more. There are also two new shows this year featuring dinosaurs and firefighting.

If you have younger kids, pay attention to Friday, Sept. 18, which is Kids' Day. Kids ages 9 and under get free admission, and the fair has special daytime programming.

Best for: All ages, especially ages 3–12
​Cost: $–$$ — Admission plus carnival rides and games
​Good to know: Parking is FREE. The fair begins Wednesday, Sept. 16 and continues through Sunday, so you have several opportunities to go.

Plan ahead → Anne Arundel County Fair​

From the Deyewa Guides

Planning more than just this weekend?

This week’s featured resource:

[Top Indoor play places in Maryland]

I’ve collected some of our favorite indoor play places in Maryland for family outings in one place so you don’t have to search every time you need something to do.

Explore the guide → Top indoor play places in Maryland​

Coming Up on Deyewa

Next week I’m working on:

More Maryland fall farms and festivals!

If there’s somewhere you think I should include, hit reply and tell me!

I actually read the responses, and they help me decide what to cover next.

Scripture of the Week

Before I head out though, I want to leave you will this scripture that I have been pondering on this week:

Matthew 25 : 23 which says:

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

This verse reminded me that God pays attention to how we steward what He has already placed in our hands. Sometimes we’re so focused on what we’re praying for next that we overlook the opportunities, responsibilities, relationships, and even small beginnings we have right now.

Sometimes we assume what we have is too little to make a difference and we pay attention to what others have that look liek what we truly desire.

Faithfulness doesn’t always look impressive. Sometimes it’s simply showing up, being consistent, doing the work well, and trusting God with the outcome.

So this week, I’m reminding myself: be faithful with what’s in your hands today. You never know what God is preparing you for next.

See you next weekend,

Lola Deyewa

Helping Maryland families find fun, low-stress adventures worth the time, money, and drive.

Instagram: @thedeyewa Website: Deyewa.com