Your Guide to Fall in Montgomery County
Brought to you by Charles Chapman & Debbie Browne, The Encore Team at RE/MAX Realty Services
Fall 2026 – Ages 55 and Better
Montgomery County Recreation has released its Fall 2026 lineup for residents 55 and up — hundreds of classes, clubs, trips and events at nine senior centers across the county. Almost all of it is free.
We put this guide together because the good classes fill up fast, and one date decides whether you get in.
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. Registration opens for every fall program listed in this guide. Popular classes — pickleball, mah jongg, the day trips — can close within hours.
Register online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. Questions: 240-777-4925 (55+ Programs)
What’s on the Schedule
A sampling of each category. Unless a class is marked with a fee, it is free.
Fitness — more than 60 classes
Chairobics, Balance Boom, SAIL Fitness, Gentle Spin, Sit and Be Fit, Muscle Up!, Stretch to Music, Fitness Boot Camp, and 16 Zumba sections including Zumba Gold and Zumba Seated Dance. Walking clubs meet in Damascus, Wheaton and White Oak.
Games — more than 40 groups
American Mah Jongg and Chinese Mahjong, Duplicate and Open Party Bridge, Canasta, Pinochle, Scrabble, Chess Club, Rummikub (Holiday Park runs it Monday through Friday), Bingo, Brain Games and Wii Bowling. Beginner sections exist for bridge and mah jongg — a good way in if you have never played.
Dance — more than 40 classes
Ballroom, ballet, tap, salsa, jazz, line dance, soul line, Chinese folk and line dance, folk dances of India, international folk, and Superpower Dance Circle at six different centers.
Learning & Discussion — more than 50 offerings
Book clubs (including one virtual), Current Events, Views on the News, Coping with Change, Nutrition 101 and Secrets from the Blue Zones. Languages run from Spanish Levels I–IV to Italian, French, American Sign Language and English conversation. Technology includes Tech Tutoring, Introduction to Virtual Reality and an Open AI Jam. Two memoir writing classes and two writers groups.
Tai Chi, Qigong & Yoga — more than 40 classes
Tai Chi at every level from Beginner through Tai Chi Sword, plus Qigong, Chair Yoga at five centers, Yin Yoga, Slow Flow and Yogalates. If balance is the concern, Chair Yoga and Tai Chi – Beginner are the two to look at.
Arts, Crafts & Music — nearly 40 offerings
Ceramics, watercolor, woodcarving, origami, photography, cardmaking, quilting, knitting and crochet. On the music side: karaoke, Rhythmic Drumming, Song Circle and Angklung Music Lessons. Reader’s Theater and Seasoned Players for anyone drawn to the stage.
Sports — 18 offerings
Pickleball at four skill levels (Schweinhaut and White Oak), billiards, bocce ball, table tennis, senior volleyball, and soccer at North Potomac — including a walking soccer section. The 2026 Maryland Senior Olympics season is also open.
Special Events — nearly 30 this season
Hispanic Heritage celebrations, Chuseok, a Chinese Moon Cake Celebration, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, Friday Afternoon Cinema, a Halloween Party at Holiday Park on Oct. 30, Friendsgiving at Wheaton on Nov. 20, Thanksgiving Lunch at Long Branch on Nov. 25, and Holiday Cheer on Dec. 4.
Want every listing with activity codes, days and times? Download the full 55 & Better Fall 2026 Guide from the Montgomery County Recreation website.
Active Aging Week – Oct. 5–11 – Free
A full week of free programs across the county, built around a single big day.
Signature Event — Monday, Oct. 5
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (check-in starts at 9 a.m.)
Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center
13850 Travilah Road, Rockville
- Wellness programs and activities, 9:30 a.m.–noon
- Health fair, 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Vendor fair, noon–1:30 p.m.
Registration is required and opens Aug. 11. Free shuttle trips run from the Wheaton, Schweinhaut, Long Branch and Damascus centers if you would rather not drive.
Also that week: Trail Walking, Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, Balance and Cardio Drum Exercise, Superpower Dance Circle, Balance Boom, and an Active Aging Luncheon at Silver Spring on Oct. 6 (this one has a fee).
Bone Builders: Free, and Worth Knowing About
Twice-weekly strength classes designed specifically to increase bone density — the single most practical thing on this list for anyone thinking about fall risk and independence. Free for ages 55+.
Sept. 8 – Nov. 25, with 27 sections at locations including Bauer Drive, Clara Barton, Coffield, Damascus, Germantown, Lawton, Long Branch, Longwood, Mid-County, North Potomac, Potomac, Praisner, Ross Boddy, Schweinhaut, Silver Spring, Wheaton and Wisconsin Place. Look for activity codes beginning R03010 when you register.
Day Trips: Leave the Driving to Someone Else
SOAR trips are for adults 55 and older and travel by motorcoach. All depart from and return to Olney Manor Recreational Park, 16605 Georgia Ave., Olney. These sell out — they are the reason to be at your computer on Aug. 11.
| SOAR trip | Date | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon, VA | Th, Sept. 17 | $84 |
| Baltimore Museum of Industry | Th, Sept. 24 | $82 |
| Gettysburg Battlefield & Museum | Th, Oct. 15 | $126 |
| Antietam & Ritchie History Museum | Th, Oct. 22 | $89 |
| Rocky Gap Casino & Hiking Trails | Th, Oct. 29 | $69 |
| National Geographic Museum, D.C. | Th, Nov. 12 | $89 |
| German Christmas Village & Lights on the Bay | W, Dec. 2 | $79 |
| Longwood Gardens & Holiday Lights | W, Dec. 9 | $96 |
Day Trippers adds eight more intergenerational trips from the same departure point — Occoquan’s Fall Arts & Crafts Festival (Sept. 27, $62), the National Apple Harvest Festival (Oct. 4, $72), Oysterfest in St. Michaels (Nov. 7, $82), Tea Time at the Tea Trolley (Nov. 5, $98) and more. Grandchildren welcome; children under 18 must be with an adult.
Trips and tours info: 240-777-4933 • mocorec.com/tripstours
Prefer something shorter? There are 18 free Mini Trips this fall — Brookside Gardens, Butler’s Orchard, Glenstone Museum, the Amish Market, the Damascus Fair, even a recycling center tour.
Where Everything Happens
Nine locations serve adults 55 and up. Two have changes this fall — note them before you drive over.
Two things to know: Damascus Senior Center is closed for renovations. Its programming has moved to the Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive, Damascus • 240-777-6930. Holiday Park Senior Center is open during construction (windows and exterior doors, Phase 2). Classes continue but offerings are limited — call 240-777-4999 before you go.
- Damascus Community Recreation Center
25520 Oak Drive, Damascus
240-777-6930 - Holiday Park Senior Center
3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring
240-777-4999 - Long Branch Senior Center
8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring
240-777-6975 - Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center
1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring
240-777-8085 - Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Senior Center
13850 Travilah Road, Rockville
240-773-4805 - Silver Spring Senior Center
1319 Apple Ave., Silver Spring
240-777-6900 - White Oak Senior Center
1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
240-777-6944 - Wheaton Senior Center
11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton
240-773-4830
All recreation, senior and indoor aquatic centers are closed Sept. 5–7. More at mocorec.com/seniors.
Lunch is served. The county offers a hot midday meal at 10 senior program locations through Senior Congregate Meals, run with Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services. Ask at the center nearest you.
How to Register on Aug. 11
- Online — credit card only, available 24 hours a day at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. This is the fastest route and the one we would use.
- In person — you can register for up to two ActiveMONTGOMERY households at a time. Holiday Park will have very limited capacity for in-person help on registration day; the county recommends the administrative office at 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, instead.
- By mail — check or money order to ActiveMONTGOMERY, 2425 Reedie Drive, 10th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902.
- Refunds — full refund if you withdraw at least 14 calendar days before the start date; after that, 50%. No refund once the activity has started. Non-county residents pay an additional $15 per activity.
Customer service: 240-777-6840, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Our Addition to the County’s Guide: A Fall Season Onstage, Close to Home
One of the quieter advantages of Montgomery County is how much professional theater, film and music sits within a short drive — often at prices well below what you would pay downtown. A few worth knowing, with the discounts that apply.
Olney Theatre Center — Olney
Seniors 65+ get $5 off most weeknight performances in all sections. The discount does not apply in certain sections on weekends and during holiday periods. Groups of 10 or more save 15% automatically, and groups of 20+ can arrange more through group sales at 301-924-4485 x121. Details at olneytheatre.org.
Round House Theatre — Bethesda
The best value in the county: every Tuesday night is buy one, get one free, any seat, with promo code TWOFORONE. Round House also holds two pay-what-you-can performances in the first week of each production, starting at $2 a ticket, sold online or by phone only beginning three weeks ahead. Box office: 240-644-1100. 4545 East-West Highway, a short walk from the Bethesda Metro. Details at roundhousetheatre.org.
AFI Silver Theatre — Silver Spring
Classic film, restorations and festivals in a restored 1938 movie palace. Seniors 65+ pay $11 against $14 general admission, and weekday matinees before 5 p.m. are $10 for everyone. The free Silver Rewards membership earns points on every purchase. Details at silver.afi.com.
The Music Center at Strathmore — North Bethesda
A 1,976-seat concert hall hosting the Baltimore Symphony, the National Philharmonic, jazz and touring artists, plus free gallery exhibitions at the historic Mansion next door. The Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station connects by pedestrian bridge, so you can skip the garage entirely. Ticket office: 301-581-5100. Details at strathmore.org.
BlackRock Center for the Arts — Germantown
Upper county’s arts hub: a 210-seat theater, a black box studio, galleries and an artisans market on the second Saturday of each month. Fully wheelchair accessible with free on-site parking. 12901 Town Commons Drive • 301-528-2260. Details at blackrockcenter.org.
For a full county arts calendar, CultureSpotMC.com tracks theater, music, dance, museums and festivals across Montgomery County.
Thinking About a Move That Puts You Closer to All of It?
Debbie and I live in an active senior community ourselves, and we tour them daily. No obligation — just pick a day and a time, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Schedule your community tour: 240-351-8214
Charlie@TheEncoreTeam.net
Charles Chapman & Debbie Browne
Charles Chapman, Associate Broker
Debbie Browne, Senior Real Estate Specialist
The Encore Team at RE/MAX Realty Services
15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850
Cell: 240-351-8214 | Office: 240-403-0400 x319
Charlie@TheEncoreTeam.net
Program details, dates and fees are drawn from the Montgomery County Recreation 55 & Better Fall 2026 Guide and are subject to change by the county. Ticket policies and prices at the venues listed were current at the time of writing; confirm with each box office. This is not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale.
