Connect with sustainable gardening and landscaping. Join us at the Center to learn tips and tricks about sustainable gardening, backyard landscape design, unique uses of plant materials, and seasonal garden maintenance on your property. Practice your skills in our gardens while learning to coexist and nurture the native ecosystem!

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 7: Mushrooms in Your Garden

• Sept 21: Migrating Pollinator Habits

• Oct 5: Fall Bird Habitat

• Oct 19: Fall Garden Colors

• Nov 2: Fall Harvest

• Nov 16: Indigenous Garden Wisom

Go green with your creativity! Nature provides an abundance of materials and inspiration for making art. Participants will enjoy hands-on nature craft activities. Every session focuses on a different nature theme.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 2: Polymer Clay Mushrooms

• Sept 9: Fruits of the Fall

• Sept 16: Hispanic Heritage

• Sept 23: Fall Blooms

• Sept 30: Aractober

• Oct 7: Fall Colors

• Oct 14: Eco-Friendly Bird Feeders

• Oct 21: Migrating Monarchs

• Oct 28: Dia de los Muertos Marigolds

• Nov 4: Leaf mandals

• Nov 11: Gourds & Indigenous Culture

• Nov 18: Gratitude Arrangements

• Nov 25: Wild Turkeys

Since gaining prominence in the early 2000s with his viral ukulele cover of George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps, the performer and composer Jake Shimabukuro's star has flown to such heights that his name is virtually synonymous with his instrument. With over a dozen instrumental solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown an effortless skill at skating between styles, blasting his way through waves of staccato thirty-second notes with classical precision and ambling melodically through a heartwarming pop ballad. He has headlined performances at the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Shimabukuro has collaborated extensively with some of the world’s greatest musicians, notably with his longtime touring mentor Jimmy Buffett, but also alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, Jack Johnson, Bette Midler, Ziggy Marley, Willie Nelson and Warren Haynes. In 2024, Shimabukuro released his latest collaborative album, Blues Experience, with legendary Mick Fleetwood. Above all else, Jake Shimabukuro is an undeniable savant on the strings and an artist you'll want to hear live.

Join us for Disney’s The Lion King Jr. at the BCPA!

Presented by Thomas G. Pullen Theatre Co.

Come explore what your hands can create using natural materials! Connect with sustainable gardening and landscaping, and practice your skills while learning to coexist and nurture the native ecosystem!

Upcoming programs:

• Sept 4: Polymer Clay Mushrooms

• Sept 19: Polymer Clay Mushrooms

• Oct 17: Eco-friendly Bird Feeders

• Nov 21: Gratitude Centerpieces

Zach Torres is a soulful Nashville-based singer/songwriter whose music blends honest storytelling with warm, down-to-earth energy. His EP Sleeping Alone is out now.

Known as La Voz De Oro (The Golden Voice), Jason Joshua is a rising star in neo-classic Latin R&B and soul. 

Performances: 1pm & 4pm

Squonk and Friends is a family-friendly circus show that will include duo silks, handbalancing, lyra, straps, rope, partner acrobatics, and plenty of silly antics.

Squonk is a crypid found in the hemlock forests of Pennsylvania. This little creature believes they are so ugly and can dissolve into a puddle of tears if they are perceived. Can Squonk's woodland friends cheer Squonk up, or will the creatures learn a lesson about comfort, self-acceptance, and sitting with grief?

Join this small cast of 4 DMV local performers as they embark on an adventure unlike any other.

Performances: 1pm & 4pm

Squonk and Friends is a family-friendly circus show that will include duo silks, handbalancing, lyra, straps, rope, partner acrobatics, and plenty of silly antics.

Squonk is a crypid found in the hemlock forests of Pennsylvania. This little creature believes they are so ugly and can dissolve into a puddle of tears if they are perceived. Can Squonk's woodland friends cheer Squonk up, or will the creatures learn a lesson about comfort, self-acceptance, and sitting with grief?

Join this small cast of 4 DMV local performers as they embark on an adventure unlike any other.

Bikes and Lights is back! Enjoy the unique experience of riding your bike through the Winter Festival of Lights. Experience dazzling scenes celebrating the magic of the holiday season! For safety, bike lights and helmets are required. Vehicles are not allowed on the festival roads during this event. Space is limited for this popular event. Register today! FREE for children riding on a tagalong/bike seat/trailer.

Jason Max Ferdinand, music director

University Chorale and UMD Chamber Singers team up to present an exciting variety of old and new, classical and contemporary selections. Repertoire to be announced closer to the concert.

Hailed by the Boston Globe as “one of the world’s most remarkable singers,” tenor Nicholas Phan performs a program exploring migration and immigration narratives in the U.S.

Go green with your creativity! Nature provides an abundance of materials and inspiration for making art. Participants will enjoy hands-on nature craft activities. Every session focuses on a different nature theme.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sept 2: Polymer Clay Mushrooms

• Sept 9: Fruits of the Fall

• Sept 16: Hispanic Heritage

• Sept 23: Fall Blooms

• Sept 30: Aractober

• Oct 7: Fall Colors

• Oct 14: Eco-Friendly Bird Feeders

• Oct 21: Migrating Monarchs

• Oct 28: Dia de los Muertos Marigolds

• Nov 4: Leaf mandals

• Nov 11: Gourds & Indigenous Culture

• Nov 18: Gratitude Arrangements

• Nov 25: Wild Turkeys

Bring your family for a fun sing-along—and ukulele jam along—led by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

Miss Chief Rocka’s dance background is on full display, mixing her nehiyaw culture and love for hip hop.

Joe Clair and Friends presents the Bangin’ in Bowie Comedy Series, this month featuring special guests Finesse Mitchell, Marshall Brandon, and Brooklyn Mike! Plus, there will be live music by Sound of the City, featuring Precious Joubert and DJ Two Tone Jones!

Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, praised by the New York Times as “vocally brilliant and dramatically fearless,” shares a recital program that spans the Baroque era, minimalism, and Broadway.

The highly anticipated The Boy Is Mine Tour is coming to Capital One Arena. The iconic GRAMMY Award-winning artists, Brandy and Monica,  will embark on their first-ever co-headlining tour. It also marks a historic moment more than 25 years in the making, building on the legacy of their 1998 game-changing duet “The Boy Is Mine,” which spent a record-shattering 13 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining cultural touchstone of late ‘90s R&B. The song also placed them in an elite group of artists — including Whitney Houston (14 weeks with “I Will Always Love You”) and Mariah Carey (16 weeks with “One Sweet Day”) — who have commanded the Hot 100’s top spot for 13 weeks or more. 

Joining them is a powerhouse lineup of special guests: GRAMMY-winning superstar Kelly Rowland, chart-topping singer-songwriter and GRAMMY winner Muni Long, and rising star Jamal Roberts, fresh off his 2025 American Idol Season 23 win. With talent that spans generations—from foundational to future—the tour is positioned to be one of the most unforgettable, unmissable live events of the year.

Performances: Dec 2 @7:30pm, Dec 9 @10:30am and 7:30pm; Dec 11 @10:30am

Semesterly chamber music recitals showcase students' creativity, initiative, collaboration and agency through the unique medium of chamber music. These recitals feature a broad range of styles and repertoire presented in a fresh, lively way.

Since its founding in 1975, hundreds of voices have joined together to share joyous music through UMD’s very own gospel choir. Committed to encouraging fellowship and community service, this group is composed of gospel music lovers across campus.

LIVESTREAM

Jason Max Ferdinand, music director

UMD Choral Activities rings in the holidays with its Festival of Lessons and Carols, a tradition now in its 24th year. Choirs, brass quintet and organ combine to perform carols, hymns and spoken word that epitomize hope and bring the joy of the season to life. This event takes place at the UMD Memorial Chapel.

A Brazilian vocalist known for bringing the soul of Brazilian music to audiences worldwide. She has performed at major venues, including opening for Diana Ross and presenting tributes to Antonio Carlos Jobim.

GRAMMY® Award-winning global superstar Burna Boy is among the most significant and groundbreaking African artists in music history, a landmark cultural figure hailed worldwide for his trademark union of Afrobeats, pop, R&B, hip-hop, reggae, and an all-encompassing range of other musical approaches. The first African artist to have two albums earn over 1B streams on Spotify, Burna Boy has released seven studio albums and has racked up a truly extraordinary list of accomplishments and accolades, including 11 total GRAMMY® Award nominations, 4 BET Awards for “Best International Act” (the first African artist to win the award three consecutive times), a 2023 Billboard Music Award for “Top Afrobeats Artist,” and countless nominations spanning nods for American Music Awards, Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, MOBO Awards, and many more. Burna Boy is known around the globe for his explosive, show-stopping live performances, including countless sold-out shows and milestone festival appearances. Now, with the imminent release of his eighth studio album No Sign Of Weakness, Burna Boy shows no signs of stopping his truly titanic rise to the forefront of the world stage as this generation’s leading ambassador for African music in the 21st century.

Join us for a festive day filled with holiday cheer from around the world! Experience magic, fun, and family with Santa as he makes his annual return to the museum and flies in (weather permitting) for a day of holiday merriment. Be dazzled with The Berwyn Ballet’s excerpts from “The Nutcracker” and explore how other cultures celebrate winter traditions with fun and festive crafts and activities. Sign up to visit with Santa (bilingual) and purchase treats from local food vendors. Advance registration required by December 3.

Schedule of events are as follows:

• 10-10:30am: The Nutcracker with Berwyn Ballet School

• 10:30am-3:00pm: Activities & Crafts

• 11am: Santa fly-in (weather permitting)

• 11:30am-2:30pm: Photos with Santa (Santa speaks English & Spanish; photo slot registration required)

• 3pm: Santa fly-out (weather permitting)

Dinosaur Park hosts free open house days every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month! Explore the grounds where dinosaur bones have been discovered! Learn about fossils and recent dinosaur bone findings.

The Experimental Performance Series is a collection of self-produced works from undergraduate and graduate students in theatre and dance, ranging from established works to brand new plays and choreography. This performance will feature works by Eitan Amster and Bre Seals. 

Michael Votta, Jr., music director
Erick von Sas, graduate conductor
Josanne Francis, steelpan

Often unheard in the concert hall, the steelpan’s versatility is on full display in Jan Bach’s Concerto for Steelpan and Orchestra. This piece gives the soloist the opportunity to display impressive rhythm and technique while the steelpan’s brilliant sound sparkles above the orchestra. Director of UMD Steelbands Josanne Francis joins the UMD Wind Orchestra for a performance of this monumental work that highlights this dazzling instrument born in Trinidad and Tobago.

This performance also features Gustav Holst’s Hammersmith, Walter Hartley’s Concerto for 23 Instruments and James David’s Symphony No. 2, "The Road is Life."

David Neely, music director

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony came after a great deal of turmoil in the composer’s personal life. Despair, depression and divorce were hallmarks of the period, and the composition that resulted contains echoes of these experiences. However, despite Tchaikovsky’s relatively pessimistic view of the role of fate in life, not all hope is lost. The beginning movements of melancholia give way to brighter perspectives, roaring to a euphoric conclusion that shows that—regardless of his experiences—Tchaikovsky was determined to be happy.

This performance also features Arturo Márquez’s scintillating Danzón No. 2 and Maurice Ravel’s lush, mythical ballet, Daphnis et Chloé.

Experience the vibrant beat of samulnori under the direction of Sebastian Wang. This modern incarnation of traditional Korean folk music celebrates harvest time and provides a lively soundtrack to dancing. The ensemble is comprised of four types of percussion instruments—an hourglass drum, a barrel drum, a small gong and a large gong—each representing a natural element: rain, clouds, lightning and wind, respectively.

WATCH LIVESTREAM

Performances: Dec 2 @7:30pm, Dec 9 @10:30am and 7:30pm; Dec 11 @10:30am

Semesterly chamber music recitals showcase students' creativity, initiative, collaboration and agency through the unique medium of chamber music. These recitals feature a broad range of styles and repertoire presented in a fresh, lively way.

Join members of Sweet Honey in the Rock®️ at Riversdale House Museum on for an evening of reflection, remembrance and renewal. Instead of a performance, this will be a collaborative event to honor the lives that built and maintained Riversdale House for decades, and to raise our voices together in song and storytelling. Together with members of Sweet Honey In The Rock, we will all participate to listen, learn and process together where we have been, where we are now and where we are going as a people, a society and a movement. Light fare will be available. 

Performances: Dec 2 @7:30pm, Dec 9 @10:30am and 7:30pm; Dec 11 @10:30am

Semesterly chamber music recitals showcase students' creativity, initiative, collaboration and agency through the unique medium of chamber music. These recitals feature a broad range of styles and repertoire presented in a fresh, lively way.

Join the Kreators of the Kreativity Diversity Troupe for their end-of-semester performance.

For more than fifty years, the multiple Grammy Award-nominated a cappella women's choir Sweet Honey in the Rock®️ has maintained an active role at the global forefront of Black empowerment, entertainment and education. Founded by the late historian, social activist and singer Bernice Johnson Reagon, the ensemble's concerts offer a positive, loving and socially conscious spirit, held aloft by masterful choral singing. Sweet Honey in the Rock's Celebrating the Holydays is a unique fusion of traditional American holiday spirituals, hymns and inspirational songs that intentionally incorporates holy and celebratory music by cultures and religions from around the world, all blended with thematic elements of hip-hop, folk and pop music. This special presentation of good tidings for the season has been honed to perfection over a decade of touring. You'll hear classics including “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child” and “Silent Night,” alongside popular band favorites like “We Are,” “Let There Be Peace” and “Chinese Proverb.” In an effort toward greater audience inclusivity, Sweet Honey prioritizes ASL interpretation at every performance. Celebrating the Holydays will feature vocalists Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil and Carol Maillard; bassist Romeir Mendez; and American Sign Language interpreter Barbara Hunt.

The UMD Wind Ensemble performs its December concert.

Some of the School of Music’s finest bands come together for a crowd-pleasing extravaganza. Featuring the University Band, Maryland Community Band, Campus Band and the grand finale: the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band! It’s an upbeat, lively show that is fun for the entire family.

BRENCORE Entertainment and the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts present “A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS” featuring The BRENCORE ALLSTARS Band who will perform some of MOTOWN’s greatest Christmas songs by the Temptations, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Michael Jackson, The Spinners, The Jackson 5, and more to put you in the holiday spirit.

Come and sing along with friends and family members and enjoy “A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS” holiday spectacular show. Invite your friends and get your tickets early for this amazing Christmas Show.

Join Kayla René as we Countdown to Christmas with a family-curated evening full of holiday magic! Celebrate the reason for the season and spread joy to those in need by bringing new toy donations and non-perishable food to Kayla’s Toy Drive at the Bowie Center throughout December.

Make the night extra special with a VIP ticket — join us at 5 PM for delicious food, festive drinks, and plenty of merriment before the show begins.

Let’s come together for an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer!

2024 was a landmark year for Andrea Bocelli’s as it marked the 30th anniversary of his iconic career. Bocelli released a new Duets album, that went #1 on the Classical Music Charts and featured a variety of his most beloved collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion, and Luciano Pavarotti, among others, as well as newly recorded tracks with Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton, Karol G, and more. He also released a concert film directed by Sam Wrench, which chronicled his three-day July concert event in Italy. The film Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration is currently airing on PBS stations in all tour markets.

Showtimes: 11 am, 2pm, 5pm

Class Act Performing Arts presents A Frozen Fairytale!

Ticket sales will go live on Saturday, November 1st.
11am show (show #1) ticket link goes live at 8:00am
2pm show (show #2) ticket link goes live at 10:00am
5pm show (show #3) ticket link goes live at 12:00pm

Dinosaur Park hosts free open house days every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month! Explore the grounds where dinosaur bones have been discovered! Learn about fossils and recent dinosaur bone findings.

Performances: 3pm & 7:30pm

Multi-platinum rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) announces their 2025 Winter Tour. Starting November 13, the 64-city, 106-show tour features The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More, a 25th-anniversary tribute to Beethoven’s Last Night, and fan favorites. The tour ends December 30 in Washington, D.C., showcasing TSO's signature blend of rock, classical, pyrotechnics, lasers, and storytelling.

Performances: 3pm & 7:30pm

Multi-platinum rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) announces their 2025 Winter Tour. Starting November 13, the 64-city, 106-show tour features The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More, a 25th-anniversary tribute to Beethoven’s Last Night, and fan favorites. The tour ends December 30 in Washington, D.C., showcasing TSO's signature blend of rock, classical, pyrotechnics, lasers, and storytelling.