From Books in Bloom, to BikeAround Downtown Columbia, to a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion, to sushi at the lakefront: there’s always something to clear your calendar for.
Events
January 20 – February 2
Howard County Restaurant Weeks
April 27
Discover Downtown Columbia 5/10k
May 10
Books In Bloom Festival
May 15
Bike to Work Day
![Drawing with chalk](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/chalk-draw.jpg)
![Concert Stage](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/concert-stage-400x600.jpg)
Live Music
Merriweather Post Pavilion is a nationally recognized outdoor amphitheater, site for concerts, festivals and other activities
The Collective’s Encore Collective’s Encore is Downtown Columbia’s lakefront music hall.
18th & 21st speakeasy with live music 6 nights a week
Music at Lake Kittamaqundi – Columbia Lakefront Summer Festival
Movies and Theater
AMC Theatre featuring 14 screens
Merriweather Post Pavilion movie nights
Downtown Columbia’s New Cultural Center Howard County’s new home for the visual and performing arts – Coming Soon!
![Crowd Cheering](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/crowd-cheering.jpg)
![woman walking in the park](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/woman-walking-in-park.jpg)
The Lake Kittamaqundi Loop
Pathways
Downtown Columbia Trail for walking, running, and biking connects Downtown Columbia to Howard Community College, Howard County General Hospital, and surrounding villages
Lake Kittamaqundi pathway (built and maintained by the Columbia Association) is a one-mile loop through nature areas and Kennedy GardensMerriweather District Trail“ multi-use pathway for walking, running, and biking, connecting the Downtown Columbia Trail through the Merriweather District!
Lakes
![Fourth of July](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/fourth-of-july.jpg)
![](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/PARKS-04.jpg)
Parks
Biking
Whether you are in for a quick spin around Lake Kittamaqundi, or a more adventurous jaunt across town, two wheels will get you there. Downtown Columbia centers the nearly 100 miles of bike paths that network throughout the city, connecting neighborhoods through this ‘garden for growing people’s’ green spaces.
Within Downtown Columbia, the popular multi-use pathway runs from the hospital and college to and through the Merriweather District, by The Mall and the Lakefront, and safely crossing over Rt. 29 at the pedestrian bridge and into the village of Oakland Mills. Another section of multi-use pathway joins downtown with the village of Wilde Lake.
![woman biking](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/woman-biking.jpg)
![library reading to children](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/library-reading-to-children.jpg)
Facilities
Retail
![Mall in Columbia Courtyard](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/mall-in-columbia-courtyard.jpg)
![steamed mussels](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/steamed-mussels.jpg)
Restaurants
Hotels
![A sculpture of a man wearing a hat.](https://dtcpartnership.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/LakeHouse-Hotel-509x600.jpg)