12 upcoming Montgomery County festivals to enjoy
Film, art, music, culture celebrated April to October
By
Josephine JackApril 1, 2026 4:14 p.m.
Share
Facebook X ReddIt Email Print Copy URL
Check out 12 festivals to savor warmer days in Montgomery County.
April 10 and 11: Bethesda Film Fest
7 p.m.
Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda
A panel of judges selected five short documentary films that will be screened both days of the festival. The films feature local and international viewpoints and touch on subjects including gun violence, sexual abuse and art as therapy. After the screening, filmmakers will be on hand for a discussion. Tickets cost $15 per night.
April 10 – 12: Gaithersburg Film Festival
6:30 p.m. April 10, 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 11, 2 p.m. April 12
Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg
- Advertisement -
In its second annual rendition, the Gaithersburg Film Festival highlights the diversity of the city. This festival screens more than a dozen films and shorts across four time blocks, each with a succeeding discussion or filmmaker panel. Friday activities includes an opening night reception and Sunday events includes a closing night reception. Tickets cost $30 for Friday or Sunday and $20 for each of two Saturday time blocks. The films are recommended for age 18 or older.
April 17, June 12, Sept. 4 and Dec. 11: Bethesda Art Walk
6 – 8 p.m.
Downtown Bethesda
Six Bethesda galleries open their doors for evening art exhibitions, conversations with artists and complimentary refreshments. The six galleries are Amy Kaslow Gallery, Artworks, Gallery B, Studio B, Triangle Art Studios and Waverly Street Gallery. The event is free.
May 2: Sligo Creek Fest
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sligo-Dennis Avenue Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring
Sponsored
Your Neighborhood, Our Expertise: DC’s Most Trusted Real Estate Team
Where Convenience, Value, and Luxury Come Home Together
Contests & Events
Sligo Creek Open Parkway becomes a street festival offering kids activities such as tree climbing and jump rope, live performances from Culture Queen and DuPont Brass, demonstrations from Montgomery Parks, food and drink vendors and roving entertainers. For a full list of performers and vendors, check out the link above. It is free to attend.
May 16: Gaithersburg Book Festival
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg
This literary festival, started in 2010, provides workshops, book talks, author signings and activities for children. All genres are included and announced writers include fiction author Ayana Gray, memoirist Reyna Grande and literary fiction author Jason Mott. It is free to attend.
June 27: SummerFest
6 – 11 p.m.
Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg
Celebrate Independence Day early at SummerFest. Live music, local food and drinks available for purchase, kids activities and fireworks are hallmarks of this free event. After the daytime festival is the SummerGlo After Party, complete with roving performers and LED lights.
- Advertisement -
July 13: SportsFest
8 – 11 a.m.
Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg
Kids entering kindergarten through eighth grade can start the day off with the SportsFest 3K Run Fundraiser for City of Gaithersburg youth sports, then continue on to free sports challenges. Sports include an inflatable obstacle course, soccer, volleyball and more. Tickets for the charity 3K run cost $20 for Gaithersburg residents, $25 for nonresidents.
Aug. 14 – 22: Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Various times
Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg
The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair offers nine days of carnival rides, farm animals, fair food and shows.
Sept. 12: Silver Spring Jazz Festival
Downtown Silver Spring
The annual festival features jazz bands and performers for an afternoon of music and dancing. The event is free to attend with food and drinks available for purchase.
Sept. 18 – 20: Washington Ukrainian Festival
5 – 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. – dusk Sunday
15100 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring
Previous renditions of the Washington Ukrainian Festival included cultural foods, arts and crafts, a beer garden, music and performances. Tickets cost $15 to $20. It is open to all ages.
Oct. 3: Taste of Bethesda
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle
Dozens of restaurant stands take over the streets to offer their bites in exchange for tickets available for purchase. Additionally, bands play live music on multiple stages. The festival occurs on Norfolk Avenue, St. Elmo Avenue, Cordell Avenue, Del Ray Avenue and Auburn Avenue.
Oct. 4: Takoma Park Street Festival
1 – 5 p.m.
Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland, to Carroll Street NW in Takoma, Washington, D.C.
This free block party includes food and drink for purchase, kids activities, vendors and more.
For more things to do, check out our weekly roundup here.
Originally published at Bethesdamagazine