Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD

Skate With Santa
2025-12-13 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Break out your festive holiday wear and enjoy ice skating and photos with Santa.

26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show
2025-12-14 12:00 - 17:00
Join the tradition and visit the Gingerbread House Contest and Show held at Darnall’s Chance House Museum. See a dazzling display of gingerbread creations that reflect the rich history and vibrant culture of Prince George’s County, Maryland. This year’s entries will celebrate the local landmarks, architecture, stories, and traditions that showcase the unique heritage of Prince George’s County.

Holiday Open House
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:00
Celebrate the arts and the holidays at Montpelier Arts Center! Meet our talented resident artists and join them for demonstrations and artist talks in their studios. Visit exhibitions in our three galleries and enjoy our receptions for photographer Berchel Douglas and resident artist David Brosch. Groove to live music, make a holiday craft, and celebrate the season with your family and friends!

A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Eric Byrd Trio
2025-12-20 14:00 - 16:00
Christmastime is here! Montpelier Arts Center and The Eric Byrd Trio celebrate the season with an afternoon filled with festive music from the Peanuts’ special. Comprised of pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr., the Trio has traveled the world as enthusiastic ambassadors of jazz. Bringing fresh arrangements to these familiar songs, they are sure to put you in a holiday mood. “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”

Improv 6-week Class
2026-01-06 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-13 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-27 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-03 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-10 18:30 - 19:30
Learn the art of improvisation, also known as ‘Silly make ‘em ups!’ Excellent for developing social skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills. Practice accepting other people’s ideas and adding some of your own, speaking specially, paying attention to what you are doing, etc. thorough exercises and short form Improv games.

This class will run from January 6–February 10, 2026 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Registration will open in mid-November, 2025. Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

Veterans Book Group
2026-01-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-17 19:00 - 21:00
Active service members and veterans of all eras are invited to join this free, monthly small group reading and discussion dinner series centered around books which relate to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective. Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and presented locally in partnership with Montpelier Arts Center. Discussions are led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former poet-in-residence at the Arts Center and discussion moderator for multiple literature groups in Baltimore. Dinner and reading materials are provided. Call 301-377-7800 for more information and to register. Spaces are limited; registration is required by Jan. 6, 2026.

Ages 18 & up; FREE; registration required

Shakespeare In the Parks Auditions: As You Like It
2026-01-25 10:00 - 18:00
Join the Cast! The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Division invites you to audition for Shakespeare in the Parks Tour Production of As You Like It in Summer 2026. Each year, we present a professional, free, family-friendly production of a Shakespearean play, touring various parks across Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.

Seeking actors ages 18 and older who are comfortable performing outdoors. Actors must be available for rehearsals and performances between May 16 – July 8. Actors will also assist with packing up sets and props after each performance. Understudies may also take on additional responsibilities with stage management or crew roles.

Notice: We are casting non-traditional roles. CLICK HERE to view the full character breakdown.

Click here to sign up for an audition time slot: CLICK HERE

NOTE: Video submissions are welcome if you are unavailable for the audition date. Please send video link, bio and headshot to megan.merchant@pgparks.com.

For more info, contact Megan Merchant, Arts Specialist, at megan.merchant@pgparks.com.

Black History Month Book and Film Discussion: Erasure and American Fiction - Part 1
2026-02-03 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a two-part book discussion and film screening featuring Percival Everett’s satirical 2001 novel Erasure and its 2023 film adaptation, the Best Picture-nominated dark comedy American Fiction, starring Jeffrey Wright. The book and film examine (and skewer) the use of Black stereotypes in fiction and the anti-Black stance of the publishing industry.

Alternative Income Streams for Artists
2026-02-07 13:00 - 16:00
Explore diverse revenue opportunities beyond traditional sales, including licensing, commissions, teaching, digital platforms, and passive income strategies.

Black History Month with Brent Birckhead, Saxophone
2026-02-07 14:00 - 15:30
Celebrate Black History Month with an unforgettable music matinee featuring award-winning saxophonist Brent Birckhead and his sextet. Hailed by The New York Times as “one of the most riveting young improvisers in New York,” Birckhead blends tradition and innovation, drawing from jazz, soul, and activism. A Howard University alumnus, he has performed with legends like Lauryn Hill, Nas, and George Duke. Experience his powerful sound and storytelling, showcasing the depth of African American musical heritage. Don’t miss this special tribute—an afternoon of history, culture, and soul-stirring jazz!

Film Screening: Amazing Grace
2026-02-07 14:00 - 17:00
“Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin assembled a choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles, in 1972 to record her live album, Amazing Grace. Footage of this remarkable gospel concert was shelved for decades over technical and legal issues; it was finally edited and released to critical acclaim in 2018. This is a must-see documentary for Aretha Franklin fans.

Black History Month Book and Film Discussion: Erasure and American Fiction - Part 2
2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00

Unshrink My Heart
2026-02-14 13:00 - 15:00
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by making Shrinky Dink charms and keepsakes! Watch your designs magically shrink into mini masterpieces—perfect for jewelry, keychains, or heartfelt gifts.

Intermediate Acting 6-week Class
2026-02-17 18:30 - 20:00
This multi-week class builds upon foundational acting skills, focusing on in-depth exploration of techniques, character development, and performance styles; often including scene work, improvisation, and analysis of dramatic texts. Participants should have a basic understanding of acting techniques and principles that the class will focus on refining and expanding.

This class will run from February 17 – March 24, 2026 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Registration will open in mid-November, 2025. Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect
2026-02-19 11:00 - 12:00
Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect traces Thurgood Marshall’s life and career from his birth in Baltimore in 1908, through his years at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law, and on to his groundbreaking career as a lawyer championing civil rights. After launching his legal career in Baltimore in 1935, Marshall went on to win 29 of the 32 cases he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, most notably the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case, which invalidated the “separate but equal” doctrine and ended racial segregation in public schools. In 1967, Marshall became the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in 1991. Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect includes exclusive interviews with family members, leading historians and authors, and legal experts who offer fresh insights into the life and extraordinary influence of the man who became known as “Mr. Civil Rights.”

Executive produced by Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson and MPT Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer Travis Mitchell, the film is produced and directed by Alexis Aggrey, with music by two-time Grammy Award-winning composer Derrick Hodge. “For the first time, audiences will hear Thurgood Marshall tell his own story – in his own words,” said director and producer Alexis Aggrey. “This film is the first to center Marshall’s own voice, drawn from a rare eight-hour oral history. It’s not just a documentary; it’s a conversation with a man whose legal mind reshaped the nation and whose legacy still echoes through our justice system today.”

Note: reservations strongly recommended due to limited seating.This film is not yet rated; Run Time: 1 hour

Sisters With Transistors
2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:00
This documentary celebrates the trailblazing women who revolutionized electronic music. Featuring legends like Wendy Carlos and Suzanne Ciani, Sisters With Transistors showcases how these women shaped the soundscape of the 20th century using modular synthesizers.

Reimagining Shelter: Exploring Identity and Community through Art and Storytelling
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00
Through art making and storytelling, this workshop aims to redefine shelter as a space of security, warmth, safe space, and family, fostering empathy and understanding. Resident artist Nikki Brooks will lead participants in guided meditation, an art activity, and open conversations about home, neighborhood dynamics, gentrification, and family tradition, sparking deep reflections and meaningful exchanges.

Voices From the Past: Black Music of the Colonial Period and Forgotten Patriots
2026-02-22 16:00 - 17:00
This riveting, narrated recital takes audience members back to America’s colonial period to explore the music, instruments, voices, and lives of enslaved Africans and forgotten patriots. The music will include period instruments, traditional folk songs, patriotic selections, and Negro spirituals performed by Black musicians. Produced by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA).

Crafting Cultural Connections: Hands-On Jewelry Making Experience
2026-02-28 13:00 - 16:00
Jewelry is more than adornment—it’s a reflection of history, culture, and identity. This hands-on workshop invites participants to explore the artistry of jewelry-making while connecting with the rich traditions of the Basotho people in Southern Africa. Attendees will gain hands-on experience in crafting unique pieces, while also exploring the historical and cultural significance behind various jewelry designs and materials.

Film Screening: All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (2023)
2026-03-12 11:00 - 12:30
One of the most visually striking, profoundly moving American moviemaking debuts in years, Raven Jackson’s All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is an arresting immersion into a young woman’s inner world, filmed and edited with an extraordinary tactility and attention to the tiniest detail. This impressionistic journey skips through decades to tell the story of Mack, whose upbringing in rural Mississippi is touched by grace, dotted with heartbreak, and always carried aloft by the surrounding natural beauty. It’s a haunting and richly layered portrait, a beautiful ode to the generations of people and places that shape us.Rated PG | Run time: 1h 32m

Patch CV: Controlling Voltage
2026-03-16 19:00 - 21:00
Discover the inner workings of the modular music world in Patch CV: Controlling Voltage, which explores the intricate technology and passionate community behind the creation of modular synths. This film takes a deep dive into the artistry and technicality that powers modular sound creation.

Teen Vocal Showcase
2026-03-21 18:00 - 21:00
Calling all teen vocalists! Register today to audition for the Teen Vocal Showcase 2026. This vocal performance opportunity is for Prince George’s County pre-teens ages 10 to 12 and teens 13-18. Selected participants will have a chance to perform and complete in a showcase at the historic Public Playhouse for prizes ranging from $500 to $1,000!

Audtion Dates:

Audition #1: November 15, 2025, at Suitland High School (5200 Silver Hill Rd., Forestville 20747)

Audition #2: November 22, 2025, at John Addison Concert Hall at Harmony Hall Arts Center (10701 Livingston Rd, Fort Washington, Maryland 20774)

Audition #3: December 13, 2025, at Kentland Community Center (2413 Pinebrook Ave., Landover 20785)

Audition #4: January 3, 2026, at Deerfield Run Community Center (13000 Laurel – Bowie Rd. Laurel, Maryland 20708)

Audition Times:

10 am-3 pm

Five minute slots

Showcase:

Saturday, March 21, 2026, 6 pm–9 pm

Audition Music:

Participants must have music downloaded on an MP4 flash drive or saved on their cell phones. (Please note: Adults will operate cell phones for participants. Cell phones must remain in airplane mode for no interruptions. Secular music is prohibited)

Prize Money

1st Place Winnings $1000

2nd Place Winnings $500

Registration Fee: FREE (must be 18 years old by March 30, 2026, to participate. Attend and show proof of Prince Georges County Public Schools via school ID, school max, etc.)

Teen Vocal Showcase
All participants must provide proof of school by providing school ID and/or License to show proof of age and school attending. All participants must attend Prince Georges County Public Schools/Private Schools.

Name(Required)

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Grade(Required)Please enter a number from 1 to 12.Gender Prefrence(Required) Student Phone Number(Required)Parent Phone Number(Required)Student Email(Required)

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Parent Email(Required)

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Instagram Name Genre Of Music(Required) Who/What Is Your Musical Inspiration(Required) What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up(Required) How Did You Find Out About Us Number

Eggtastic
2026-04-04 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for an egg-citing afternoon of Easter egg dyeing! Experiment with colors, patterns, and fun techniques to create one-of-a-kind eggs for your spring celebrations.
