2026 Downtown Columbia Maker Faire

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning, creating, and love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue to show off hobbies, experiments, projects, and careers.

The Inner Arbor Trust is happy to bring this fun, educational, and creative family friendly event back to Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods, right in the heart of Downtown Columbia, MD!

Join us for family friendly workshops, demonstrations, and presentations on painting, sculpting, robotics, digital art, and so much more!

About the Inner Arbor Trust

The Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Maryland. The mission of the Inner Arbor Trust is to promote and nurture a park in a unique natural setting for a variety of arts and culture experiences that enrich the entire community. The Trust works to develop Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods into a destination arts and culture park. In addition to operating the Chrysalis amphitheater, the Trust manages a substantial portion of the Park for recreational use.

What to Expect Onsite

Parking

If you need ADA parking, please make sure you select ADA parking during checkout.

For more information about parking please click here - https://innerarbortrust.org/location

Seating

This event is highly focused on interactive elements and booths throughout the park, and there is no scheduled "show" on the stage."

All seating will be on the lawn or at picnic tables. You may bring a blanket or rent a lawn chair ($5). No outside lawn chairs for this event.

What are the interative elements and booths?

You can find our full list of Makers and Exhibitors here: https://downtowncolumbia.makerfaire.com/makers-exhibits/

No Pets

No pets except service animals are permitted at this event. We will miss our four legged friends, but please do bring canine companions to events where permitted.

ASL Interpretation

American Sign Language interpreters are present at all community concerts and events.

Accessibility Accommodations

Please email info@innerarbortrust.org with any accessibility needs or questions.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at the top of Chrysalis hill.

Food Trucks / Food Stalls

Come hungry! We will have several food vendors on site!

Parking

Parking is in Lot 2 (flat) and Lot 6. You can find a link to the map here.

Please note that all parking is within a short walk from the Chrysalis, but please budget extra time for parking.

ADA / Priority Mobility Parking (only if availability allows) should be chosen when you check out or email info@innerarbortrust.org. Please note that all ADA parking spaces at the Chrysalis, the entire Chrysalis lot, and the ADA spaces on the west side of Symphony Woods are likely to be needed for ADA parking (and if space allows, some of the Chrysalis lot for mobility priority parking). Please consider drop offs or rideshare, and please be considerate of our guests with a variety of mobility needs.

DIRECTIONS TO LOT 2 (FLAT)

SURFACE LOT
WALKING TIME: 5 minutes

ADDRESS:
11000 Broken Land Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
GPS:
39.20969, -76.86635

From points North (Baltimore): Take I-95 South to Route 100 West towards Columbia. Continue on Route 100 West to Route 29 South towards Columbia. Continue on 29 South to Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, turn Left at the traffic light onto Broken Land Parkway. Turn right at next light onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival.

From points South (DC/VA): Take I-95 North to Route 32 West towards Columbia. Take Route 32 West to Route 29 North. Follow Route 29 North to Broken Land Parkway, Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, stay in the right lane. At the light, turn right onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival.

DIRECTIONS TO LOT 6

PARKING GARAGE, 6’ 6” max. clearance
WALKING TIME: 5 minutes

ADDRESS:
10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia MD 21044
GPS:
39.212686, -76.861334

From points North (Baltimore): Take I-95 South to Route 100 West towards Columbia. Continue on Route 100 West to Route 29 South towards Columbia. Continue on 29 South to Route 175 West towards Columbia, Exit 20B. Continue on Route 175/Little Patuxent Parkway for 1.1 miles. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival.

From points South (DC/VA): Take I-95 North to Route 32 West towards Columbia. Take Route 32 West to Route 29 North. Follow Route 29 North to Broken Land Parkway, Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, stay in the left lane. Go to the second traffic light; cross over Little Patuxent Parkway. Turn right onto Gramercy Place. Turn right onto the Mall Ring Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival.

This celebration is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. To discover more about the Maryland State Arts Council and how they impact Maryland, visit msac.org.