15 Popular Festivals In Baltimore, Maryland

festivals in baltimore
Aarti
Aarti 
Updated
| 7 min read

One of the major and most populous cities in Maryland, Baltimore is renowned for its seaport that is steeped in rich history. Apart from its raw beauty, this diverse city comes with a plethora of fascinating attractions, mainly in the form of fun and cultural festivals. You will find several festivals held all over the city where each festival celebrates its unique aspect of the eclectic life of Baltimore. From wine festivals, pride festivals, to comedy festivals, there is literally nothing that isn’t celebrated in the “Charm City.” And most of the festivals held here are family-friendly, too, where kids can also indulge in lots of activities. Be it art, food, and different cultures - all come with their own festivals. And to save you from dilemma, we have made a list of some of the popular festivals in Baltimore, Maryland that you must visit.

If you’re planning a trip here soon, consider staying in one of the top Airbnb monthly rentals and hotels with hot tub to make your vacation a memorable one.

1. Baltimore Caribbean Carnival [Last event in 2019]

LG serves as Grand Marshall of Caribbean Carnival Parade
Source: Photo by user Maryland GovPics used under CC BY 2.0

Want to experience the beauty of the Caribbean culture? Baltimore Caribbean Carnival is your ticket to experience a taste of the Caribbean’s culture, heritage, and traditions. This annual festival and parade offer dance, music, food, colorful costumes everywhere, and so much more. The people participating in the event all represent varying ethnic groups. With colorful costumes and the tunes of Steelband, Calypso, Latin, Soca, African, and Latin music, these festivities will guarantee you a good time.

Baltimore Caribbean Carnival

Address: 4809 Georgia Ave NW #112, Washington, DC 20011, United States

Website: Baltimore Caribbean Carnival

Takes place: July

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2. Baltimore Moonrise Festival [Last event in 2019]

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Love EDM? This festival right here is right up your alley! Baltimore’s electronic dance music festival showcases live bands, performing artists, and DJs from all over the globe. These artists come together to perform during the full moon across four music stages with state-of-the-art lights, special effects, and sounds.

Baltimore Moonrise Festival

Address: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Website: Baltimore Moonrise Festival

Takes place: August

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3. Latino Fest [Last event in 2018]

Posted by EBLO's Annual Latinofest in Baltimore, MD on Saturday, 24 June 2017

Come, be a part of the Latin culture celebration only at the Latino Fest held every year. Dance your heart out to Latin music such as salsa, mariachi, duranguense, and many more. Enjoy watching dance performers in their colorful costumes hailing from their homelands and witness plenty of other performances, arts and crafts displays, Latino DJ performances, Latino cuisine from the Caribbean and the Americas, and many fun activities including face-painting, rock climbing, and more.

Latino Fest

Address: 27 S Patterson Park Ave Baltimore, Maryland

Website: Latino Fest

Takes place: June

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4. Baltimore Wine Festival [Last event in 2019]

Last chance to purchase an Early Bird Ticket to the 3rd Annual Baltimore Wine Fest on Saturday, June 17th at the Canton...

Posted by 6th Annual Baltimore Wine Fest on Tuesday, 28 March 2017

If you love some tasty fine wine, this is the place you need to be. Baltimore Wine Festival features over 160 types of wines for tasting, from across the globe, all while relishing gourmet grubs from the local restaurants. Held near the Canton Waterfront Park, the festival hosts live music performances, wine seminars, chef’s demonstrations, family fun zone, and shopping spots.

Baltimore Wine Festival

Address: 3001 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States

Website: Baltimore Wine Festival

Takes place: June

Price: 12 - 18 USD (general admission)

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5. Artscape

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


The United States’ largest free arts festival, Artscape hosts over 150 artists featuring their talents and works. These artists come from big establishments like the National Aquarium and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the festival also hosts also artists from the local areas. This festival is one of the things Baltimore is famous for, comprising sculptures, arts and crafts, outdoor installations, performing arts, interactive exhibitions, film, comedy, experimental music, and more. Besides this, the festival also serves a great variety of foods and drinks.

Artscape

Address: W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States

Website: Artscape

Takes place: August

Price: Free

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6. Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival

2016 African American Festival (Baltimore, MD)
Source: Photo by user fuseboxradio used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Home to some of the biggest personalities like Fredrick Douglass, Billie Holliday, and Eubie Blake, Baltimore organizes a massive cultural celebration - the African American Festival on the East Coast. Celebrate the deep-rooted African-American culture, tradition, heritage, music, and life with your family and friends. Enjoy live music performances from the local artists as well as national recording artists. Along with this, you will also get to indulge in many other activities, entertainment, cultural foods, crafts and arts, and many more.

Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival

Address: Baltimore County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Ave, Towson, MD 21204, United States

Website: Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival

Takes place: September

Price: Free

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7. Vegan Soulfest [Last event in 2019]

Posted by Vegan SoulFest on Monday, 28 August 2017

With veganism on the rise for many reasons among which one includes animal welfare and sustainability, it comes as no surprise why this vegan festival is growing popular each year. Visitors attending the festival get to try out an array of locally sourced vegan items and become more aware about issues including social justice, health, and animal rights. The festival also showcases many amazing guest speakers who shed light on the benefits of the vegan lifestyle and how it can increase the relationship humans have with the environment and the animals. Along with this, there are also live music performances and cooking demos for the whole family to enjoy.

Vegan Soulfest

Address: 2701 St Lo Dr, Baltimore, MD 21213, United States

Website: Vegan Soulfest

Takes place: August

Price: Free

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8. Baltimore's Italian Festival [Last event in 2019]

Posted by Nino Mangione on Saturday, 18 August 2018

St. Leo’s Catholic Church is located in Little Italy, one of the coolest historic spots in Baltimore. It has been offering St. Gabriel’s annual feast since 1928. This two-day festival features Baltimore City’s charming Italian neighborhood that has been thriving for generations. The event showcases classic Italian vino, food, beer, fried dough, cannoli, a sausage-eating game, and plenty of other booths that are packed with a lot of fun contests, game wheels, vendors, books, and souvenirs. The entire family can indulge in playing bingo, face painting, game wheels, bocce tournaments, and other activities for kids.

Baltimore's Italian Festival

Address: 227 S Exeter St, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States

Website: Baltimore’s Italian Festival

Takes place: June

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9. Baltimore Pride

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Posted by Baltimore Pride on Thursday, 1 August 2019

One of the largest and the oldest Pride festivals in the state and the country, Baltimore Pride is lively and a vibrant celebration. Held by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB), Pride of Baltimore kicks the celebration off with a large parade on the Pride weekend, which is followed by the late-night block party. Along with this, the event also hosts a bunch of other activities like live performances, family-friendly events, and more. This whole event is run by donations and volunteers, and the community uses up all these donations to help over 1,000 gender minorities every month.

Baltimore Pride

Address: 2530 North Charles Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21218

Website: Baltimore Pride

Takes place: June

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10. Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival

We got da Bonz on Sunday, June 2 for Jazz & Blues Festival! Federal Hill features Bonerama from New Orleans -- Free!

Posted by Federal Hill Main Street on Friday, 24 May 2013

Take a break and soothe your ears with some lovely tunes of jazz and blues. Be prepared to take yourself on a beautiful journey as you listen to smooth tracks of Baltimore’s some of the best and finest blues and jazz performers play their tunes. If that wasn’t all, enjoy tasting an array of food and drinks. You can come with your friends or your entire family, one thing for sure is you will have a ball!

Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival

Address: 1000 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230, United States

Website: Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival

Takes place: Usually held in June

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11. Charm City Comedy Festival [Last event in 2019]


Want to laugh out loud? So much so that tears start rolling down your cheeks? Then don’t miss out on the Charm City Comedy Festival. Hosted since 2014 by the Charm City Comedy Project, this two-weekend-long festival celebrates everything about comedy - it is where solo-stand-up comedians, sketch groups, improv, and many more acts from across the city and the country come together. This festival also organizes workshops taught by performers and teachers that help the budding and up-and-coming comedians to polish their talent even more.

Charm City Comedy Festival

Address: 1023 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211, United States

Website: Charm City Comedy Festival

Takes place: May

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12. Sowebo Arts and Music Festival [Last event in 2019]


Held on the Memorial Day weekend near Hollins Market, Sowebo Arts and Music Festival is truly one of the best ways to kick off summer. This 36-year-old festival gives the arts and crafts center and the locals to showcase their unique and vibrant art scene to the community. Furthermore, visitors attending the event will also find musicians making the atmosphere even more lively with their music. Make sure to see the interactive arts alley where your kids can let loose and have the best time.

Sowebo Arts and Music Festival

Address: 1145 Hollins St, Baltimore, MD 21223, United States

Website: Sowebo Arts and Music Festival

Takes place: May

Price: Free

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13. Baltimore Seafood Festival [Last event in 2019]

The 3rd Annual Baltimore Seafood Fest is in 15 days! Have you seen the menu yet? To purchase tickets and for event details visit Baltimoreseafoosfest.com. #baltseafoodfest2016 The Local Oyster

Posted by 6th Annual Baltimore Seafood Festival on Friday, 2 September 2016

One thing the natives of Baltimore love is gobbling up seafood. The city is famous for its Maryland blue crabs, crab soup, crab cakes, local oysters, shrimp salad, and many other traditional dishes. This waterfront festival features some of the best restaurants from Baltimore who serve their best signature seafood dishes. Other than this, visitors can also enjoy cooking demos, live music, face painting, games, a small area for families to spend time, and so many more.

Baltimore Seafood Festival

Address: Canton Waterfront Park - 3001 Boston St - Baltimore, MD 21224

Website: Baltimore Seafood Festival

Takes place: September

Price: 12 - 18 USD

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14. Baltimore Craft Beer Festival

Baltimore Craft Beer Festival held at beautiful Canton Waterfront Park in downtown Baltimore, the festival will feature...

Posted by BricknFire Pizza Company- Mobile on Friday, 21 October 2016

Organized by the Only Official Brewers Association of Maryland, Baltimore Craft Beer Festival features over a dozen of the state’s craft breweries. Along with this, there is also a homebrew competition. Visitors attending the event have a chance to explore and taste a range of craft beers. This festival, other than drinks, also features live music performances, fresh local food, and so much more. As you are doing this, don’t forget to explore the artisan vendors selling and displaying their wares. Guests can also check out everything from sunglasses, hot sauces, glass-blowing demo, and much, much more.

Baltimore Craft Beer Festival

Address: 3001 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States

Website: Baltimore Craft Beer Festival

Takes place: November

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15. Oysterfest [Last event in 2019]

Baltimores Boldest FREE food festival is NEXT weekend! Make plans to join us on Cross Street in Federal Hill on...

Posted by Ryleigh's Oyster Federal Hill on Friday, 30 September 2016

No matter how you choose to consume oysters, the delicious taste remains the same. And that’s the best part about it. The locals of Baltimore love oysters and for good reason. And visitors attending this event from around the world are keen on tasting mouthwatering oysters. Although it is an event that celebrates different types of oysters, that is not all! The event is organized as a mission to celebrate the oystering season, as well as educating visitors on the significance of oyster shell recycling. Other than this, the all-day entertainment-and-food festival features bars, oyster farms, live music performances, vendor displays, tasting tents, and more. Seafood lovers will find pleasure in devouring fried oysters, whole smoked fish, grilled oysters, crab cakes, crab pretzels, and burgers.

Oysterfest

Address: 101 West Cromwell Street Baltimore, MD, 21230 United States

Website: Oysterfest

Takes place: October

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Enjoy Baltimore festivities

Music festival
Source: Pixabay

Apart from many attractions to see and do here, the “Charm City,” Baltimore is an ideal place to explore an array of fun and one-of-a-kind festivals. From EDM, food and drinks, to Pride festivals, Baltimore has got your back. Be sure to check out the best seafood restaurants and food markets as well! So, book your tickets to Baltimore and have the best time possible.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Born in Mumbai and brought up in Bangalore, India, Aarti is a full-time freelance writer by profession. She is a lover of everything the ‘blue dot’ offers—world cultures, off-the-beaten tracks,...Read more

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