The Columbia Festival of the Arts in collaboration with the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission and Merriweather District hosts a dance party series. Stompin’ The Blues by energizing the body through dance at an exciting and FREE dance party series in Merriweather District’s Color Burst Park featuring local and regional artists ranging from Go-Go, Swing, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Salsa. Select events in the series will feature dance instructors during the performances.

Books in Bloom is returning to Columbia, MD for its sixth year! This year, the progressive book festival will be headlined by famed investigative journalist, known for his reporting on the Watergate scandal for the Washington Post in 1972, Carl Bernstein. Bernstein will discuss his latest memoir Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom, recalling his beginnings as a young journalist in Washington, DC, with stories of the Kennedy era and the civil rights movement.

Celebrate Pride with a summer pool party kickoff! Soak in the sunshine, cool off with water games, and enjoy rainbow-themed crafts and programming.  Programming to include: Pool Party: Guests are invited to play in our pop-up kiddie pools. Water toys and floaties for all.  Kids Crafts: We’re bringing the rainbow to the Merriweather District with three kids crafting areas.   Dance Party: Local DJ will be spinning kid-friendly tunes. Reading: Howard County Library System RSVP on ticket website.

Live music is back with old favorites & new bands on the stage this summer! Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy a variety of artists & genres for FREE! Must RSVP in advance.  Artist: June 23, Rare Essence, Go-Go

Are you a sustainability superstar? Grow your mind with our interactive stations and discover the importance of being a good kidizen. Stop at our stations and receive superstar stamps. Once you have a full card participants will receive a sustainability superhero cape!  Programming to include: Sustainability: Stop by the Howard Ecoworks station at Colorburst Park to participate in a workshop dedicated to sustainable living and learn about how we can keep our planet beautiful.  Butterflies and Bees: Join the Howard…

Live music is back with old favorites & new bands on the stage this summer! Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy a variety of artists & genres for FREE! Must RSVP in advance. Artist: Julu 7, Dior Ashley Brown, Hip-Hop

It’s a musical morning in the Merriweather District! Kick things off with a Bollywood dance lesson, rock out with Columbia’s own School of Rock, and wrap up with some Salsa! Programming to include: School of Rock Concert: Embrace your inner musician with a concert by School of Rock! Jam out and learn the basics of being a true rockstar.  Bollywood: Get on your feet with a Bollywood Dance Class. Discover a new culture as you learn new moves.   Salsa: Get…

Live music is back with old favorites & new bands on the stage this summer! Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy a variety of artists & genres for FREE! Must RSVP in advance. 

Need street cred? Curious about street art? Come out and enjoy the original graffiti art class. Explore your creative side as you learn basic drawing techniques, graffiti art letter formations and spray paint techniques.  Programming to include: Graffiti Art Class: Join famed graffiti artist Rajan Sedalia for a morning exploration of street art.  Art Stations:  Lettering, Stamps and Stencils Sketching Sticker Collage   Rock Painting  Break Dance Party: Local DJ will be spinning kid-friendly tunes and guests will enjoy a break…

This year’s AIR UNBOUND program kicks off with the UNBOUND Interactive Community Event on October 29th, featuring four sets of workshops, demonstrations and performances set around the themes of heritage, community and expression. The day’s program is designed to allow participants to collaborate with local artists to create works that will be subsequently transformed and displayed at the following week’s UNBOUND Exhibition in Merriweather District on November 4th and 5th. 

Guests are invited to explore new ways of existing at the intersection of the physical and digital realms through captivating experiences, which blend traditional methods with new technology, including projection mapping, 3-D models, virtual reality environments, holographic projections, and soundscape immersions all combined with classic art mediums including sculpture, murals, music and more.

Guests are invited to explore new ways of existing at the intersection of the physical and digital realms through captivating experiences, which blend traditional methods with new technology, including projection mapping, 3-D models, virtual reality environments, holographic projections, and soundscape immersions all combined with classic art mediums including sculpture, murals, music and more.

Join us on Friday, November 18 for our second annual holiday tree lighting celebration, a beautiful moment for the whole family. This year’s celebration features: The lighting of the 28-foot Christmas tree Grand opening of the Color Burst Ice Rink Performances from acapella group The Trills, percussionist Timothy Fletcher and Columbia Figure Skating Club Free hot cocoa bar presented by The Charmery where guests can indulge in handcrafted cocoa creations with all the fixings whipped cream, sprinkles, candy canes and…

In partnership with Merriweather Arts and Culture Center & Columbia Festival of the Arts, AMPED in the Park is back! Summertime is finally here and there’s no better way to end your week and gear up for your weekend than live music outdoors. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets as we celebrate summertime at Merriweather District. Each week, guests will enjoy live music, giveaways, activations, and more!