Annual Events

No matter the time of year, there’s always something special going down.

Fall

Ukrainian Festival

September, ukrainianfestival.net

Learn more about Ukrainian history, food, and culture at this two-day festival. Enjoy the beer garden, take the kids to storytelling sessions, and check out Ukrainian crafts.

Baltimore Book Festival

September, baltimorebookfestival.org

Besides the obvious activities the name implies (i.e. book readings, book talks), visitors can also enjoy street theater, live music, cooking demonstrations, and more.

Free Fall Baltimore

October, freefallbaltimore.com

For the entire month, local museums and arts organizations open their doors for free, giving guests the opportunity to see plays, hear lectures, and tour exhibits.

Fells Point Fun Festival

Oct. 6-7, preservationsociety.com

Catch live music—from blues to barbershop—and shop from local vendors. In addition to the food, music, and items from around the world, there are also carnival rides to stir things up.

Russian Festival

Oct. 19-21, russfest.org

Besides boasting at least eight different kinds of bread (from chocolate to sweet cheese) available to the public, the Russian Festival has dancing, live music, and an authentic Russian tea room.

Baltimore Open Studio Tour

Oct. 20-21, baltimoreopenstudiotour.org

Sponsored by School 33 art center, this two-day self-guided tour allows you to speak with artists directly about their practice.

Winter

Miracle on 34th Street

December, christmasstreet.com

Started in 1947, the Hampden tradition of plastering the 700 block of 34th street with Christmas lights and decorations has come to attract visitors from all over.

A Monumental Occasion

Early December, bop.org

Get revved up for the holidays with an explosive kickoff as the Washington Monument is lit and fireworks ignite.

Mayor’s Christmas Parade

Dec. 2, mayorschristmasparade.com

See marching Ravens, roaring Harleys, and St. Nick himself.

Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Dec. 31, bop.org

Bundle up and head out to the Inner Harbor to hear some live music. At the first moment of the new year, see fireworks burst across the sky.

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Jan. 14, 2013, bop.org

With over 50 organizations taking part in the parade, there’s plenty to see at this celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Spring

Cosmic Cocktail

March, 2013, citypaper.com

In its 16th year, City Paper’s Cosmic Cocktail party features food from vendors all over the city, drinks, and dancing.

St. Patrick Parade

March 17, 2013, irishparade.net

Start your St. Paddy’s Day off with brunch at James Joyce Pub (be sure to get tickets in advance), take part in a 5K race, and see the parade itself.

City Paper Brew Fest

April, 2013, citypaper.com

Just typing those words made us thirsty, because our annual Brew Fest brings in a variety of brewskis from all over, from local microbrews to international favorites.

Flowermart at Mount Vernon

May 3-4, 2013, flowermart.org

This annual festival goes way beyond blossoms. See live music, dance, and more.

Summer

St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival

Early June, 2013, greekfolkfestival.org

Nibble souvlaki, spanakopita, and other Greek foods as you soak in traditional dancing and music.

Pride Festival

Mid-June, 2013, baltimorepride.org

Embrace your true colors at the Pride Festival, an annual celebration LGBT culture.

LatinoFest

Late June, 2013, latinofest.org

Dive into this two-day festival of Hispanic culture. According to the organization’s web site, all proceeds benefit “Education Based Latino Outreach EBLO’s ongoing educational, arts and cultural programs offered free to the children and families of the Hispanic community of Baltimore.”

African American Heritage Festival

Mid-summer, 2013, africanamericanfestival.net

This two-day family-friendly event highlights African-American history, music, and art.

Ports America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration

July 4, 2013, bop.org

Yeah, this is your standard Independence Day party, but the thing that sets it apart from most others is that it’s on the water.

Caribbean Carnival Festival

July, 2013, itsbmorecarnival.com

Catch the carnival parade, live reggae, and delicious Caribbean cuisine.

Artscape

July, 2013, artscape.org

Often bringing in over 350,000 attendees, Artscape is the country’s largest free arts festival. See tons of art cars, exhibitions, crafts, and more. There are live performances as well, including opera, dance, and theater.

International Festival

Early August, 2013, baltimorecity.gov/ifest

Embracing Baltimore’s ethnic diversity, the International Festival honors cultures from all over the world. Sample fare from any number of places, catch live performances, and take part in a city-wide effort to promote unity.

St. Gabriel Festival

Mid-August, 2013, littleitalymd.com

Cannoli? Dancing? Bingo? We’re sold. Discover all that Little Italy has to offer at their annual festa to mark the end of summer.

> Email Erin Gleeson