16. Latino Fest
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 563-3160
Description: The Latino Fest is a celebration of folk music, dance, arts, and crafts from all of Central and South America. Groups perform folk music of the Andes, Latin jazz, and salsa. Arts and crafts displays and demonstrations include handcrafted pottery, silver from Peru, and woolens from Ecuador and Bolivia.
17. Gay Pride Festival
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 837-5445
Description: In June, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Association of Baltimore sponsors a weekend celebration to which all are invited. On Saturday a Gay Pride Parade heads north on Charles Street, through the Mount Vernon neighborhood, and disbands at Eager Street for a rowdy block party. The festivities continue on Sunday with a festival at Druid Hill Park with live music, ethnic food, and more than 100 booths full of information, arts, and crafts.
18. Baltimore’S Fourth Of July Celebration
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Wherever you find a place, whether it’s on top of a hotel, at the Inner Harbor, or visiting a friend on Federal Hill, the July 4th fireworks seems more appropriate in Baltimore because this is where Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and you get to see fireworks in the sky and maybe reflected in the water. The free show begins at 9:30 p.m.
19. Artscape
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Artscape is a city-sponsored free event that is the country’s largest public arts celebration. Strung out along Mount Royal Avenue from The Maryland Institute College of Art, bending around in front of the Lyric Theatre and around the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall are hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and food vendors. You’ll find potters, woodworkers, glassworkers, ironworkers, and painters. Look for theatrical productions, poetry readings, and lots of music. Take Light Rail to avoid driving and parking.
20. Maryland Oktoberfest
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 522-4144
Description: Yes, the Oktoberfest is held in July. The doors open at noon, and the oompahs start at 1 p.m. Polka until you drop or just sit at the communal tables and drink, eat, and sing. German imports—sauerbraten, sauerkraut, schnitzel, and a gazillion types of wursts—are there for the gobbling. There’s also a wine garden for those who have trouble with hops and barley. Crafts and souvenirs are available. Oktoberfest is usually held the second weekend of the month. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. Children under 12 are free when they’re with a paying adult.
21. Billie Holiday Vocal Competition For Women
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
22. Cab Calloway Vocal Competition For Men
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 752-8632
Description: As part of Artscape, the city honors jazz greats Billie Holliday and Cab Calloway by searching for emerging vocal talent in the mid-Atlantic region through funding, exposure, and recognition. Admission to the show is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and available in advance and on the day of the show. Only two tickets are allowed per person.
23. Maryland State Fair
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 252-0200
Description: For 11 days in late August and early September, the state of Maryland puts its best feet forward as Marylanders bring their best pigs, cows, chickens, quilts, jams, pies, wine, honey—you name it—to try to win a blue ribbon. The midway games of chance are there and rides fill young and old with thrills and pleasures. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 plus), and $3 for children (6 to 11). Ride tickets are $1.25 each and you can figure up to six tickets for some rides. Take the Light Rail, Timonium stop, or the No. 9 bus and don’t even think about driving or trying to find a parking space.
24. The Irish Festival
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 747-6868
Description: Fill up on Irish champ (potatoes and onions) and Guinness while tapping your feet to the lively music of the Irish folk groups that perform continuously on stage. You’ll find the usual souvenirs to buy, and some educational opportunities, such as a lecture on 20th-century Irish literature. The festival, held in mid-September, is sponsored by Irish Charities of Maryland, Inc. The entrance fee is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children (12-17) and active military personnel with ID card.
25. Baltimore Book Festival
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: More than 150 International and local authors gather at this festival to celebrate the book and written word. The spoken word can be heard on eight stages while celebrity chefs give cooking demonstrations. There’s also live music, theater, food, and projects for children, and plenty of opportunity to talk with your favorite author,
26. Free Fall Baltimore
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 752-8632, (877) BALTIMOR
Address: 7 East Redwood St., Suite 500
Description: More than 70 cultural organizations present more than 300 free events at numerous venues during October. You can listen to music, attend museum exhibitions, hear lectures, participate in workshops, and just enjoy the many benefits of Baltimore. Some programs require reservations. See the list of activities on the Web site.
27. Fell’S Point Fun Festival
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Showcasing the nautical history, enduring charm, and vibrant spirit of one of Baltimore’s oldest downtown neighborhoods, the Annual Fun Festival in early October features a flea market, crafts and vendors, plus five stages of live music and entertainment and activities for children of all ages. Indulge in delicacies and libations from all over the world, available on every corner.
28. School 33 Art Center Open Studio Tour
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 396-4641
Address: 1427 Light St.
Description: Baltimore’s visual artists—they’re brilliant, inspired, and dazzling—have their works on display for the annual open studio tour. Check the Web site so you know which artists you want to visit, where the studio is located, and what time those studios are open. You’ll find everything from paintings, sculpture, photography, art glass, art jewelry, lampwork, beads, acrylics, oils, and the list continues.
29. Baltimore Marathon
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 605-9381
Description: The marathon, known officially as the “Baltimore Running Festival—Under Armour Marathon,” brings out hundreds of serious and not-so-serious runners who participate in a marathon (minimum age is 16), half-marathon or team relay (minimum age is 14), 5K (no age restrictions), and the Kids Fun Run (12 and under). Registration is $80 to $100 depending on how far ahead you register. The route goes through interesting parts of town, which you either drive by too quickly or don’t go near at all.
30. Chocolate Festival
City: Baltimore, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 685-6169
Address: 400 West Lexington St.
Description: Lexington Market turns into a chocoholic’s fantasy land as it hosts its annual Chocolate Festival where Baltimore’s finest chocolatiers and bakers offer everything from truffles to fudge to chocolate strawberry shortcake. The gluttonous can enter a range of chocolate-eating contests. Visitors can enjoy a great mix of live music, good food, children’s entertainment, and cooking demonstrations throughout the event.