October special events in Montgomery Parks include:
- Halloween Eye Spy Trains. Every Saturday and Sunday. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cabin John Miniature Train, 7410 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville, and Wheaton Miniature Train & Carousel, 2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. Board the miniature Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks to ride through “Trainsylvania” Riders receive an “Eye Spy” card with seasonal items to find along the tracks during the ride. Advance ticket purchase through ActiveMontgomery is recommended to guarantee a seat. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the venues. All ages (ticket required for ages 2 and older). $6- $8. - Sunday Serenade. Oct.16 and 30. 10- 11:30 a.m. Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. Experience a relaxing Sunday fall morning listening to jazz at Sunday Serenade. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating. Free.
- Tequila Walk and Talk. Friday, Oct. 14. 6-7:15 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Learn about the surprising ways bats bring some of our favorite foods–and poisons of choice–to the table at the Tequila Walk and Talk. After a Tequila Moonrise mixology demonstration and bat talk, attendees will take a short walk in the park, guided by Parks staff, to locate bats using the bat echo meter touch mobile app. Spanish interpreter available. Registration required. Ages 21 and older. $15.
- Acoustics and Ales. Saturday, Oct. 15. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. North Four Corners Local Park, 315 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring. 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 Waredaca Brewing Company and food from El Cumpa and O’Boy Pizza. Live music from Vinyl Tap. All ages. Free.
- Parks Spooktacular. Sunday, Oct. 23. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. South Germantown Recreational Park, 17920 Germantown Park Drive, Germantown. Parks Spooktacular will feature performances of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs by the Puppet Co. and a magician. Participants can wander through a haunted maze, jump on Halloween-themed moon bounce inflatables, have their faces painted, dance to a DJ and more. Concessions from Steeze Burger and Blondie’s Doughnuts will be available for purchase. Stop by the photo booth to take a photo keepsake of your Parks Spooktacular experience. Costumes are encouraged and dogs on leash are welcome. Ages 2-12. Free.
- Freedom’s Footsteps. Oct. 28-30. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Freedom’s Footsteps is a celebration of Josiah Henson’s emancipation. On Oct. 28, 1830, the Henson family reached Canada and gained its freedom. There will be activities all weekend, for all ages, to reflect on the past and consider ways to build a better future. Free.
- Not So Spooky Skate. Friday, Oct. 28. 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville); 5:30-7 p.m. (Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton). Ice skate into Halloween at the Not So Spooky Skate. Skaters should come in costume so they can trick or treat at the rink and participate in the Halloween costume parade. Beginners welcome. Registration required. Ages 3-12. $12.
- Bilingüe: Papel Picado Nature Craft. Oct. 28-30. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with the ancient Mexican art form of papel picado. Attendees will learn about the origins of the art form and how to create a DIY papel picado with materials found in the outdoors. Registration required. $7.
- Norwood Park Natural History Day: Sunday, Oct. 30. Norwood Local Park
