Annual Cultural Events & Festivals

Every month, there is something new to discover in Baltimore. For specific dates and more information about these and other events, visit individual website listings, visit www.baltimore.org or call 1-877-BALTIMORE.

January

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Parade Downtown: Baltimore celebrates the birth of one of America's greatest leaders with this annual parade, featuring high school marching bands, community bands, floats, equestrian units, choirs and specialty units.
Special Exhibit in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum www.greatblacksinwax.org: The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum honors and memorializes one of the country's leading civil rights advocates with this special exhibit.

February

Black History Month Multiple locations: Baltimore's attractions celebrate Black History Month with lectures, special events, children's programs, commemorations and celebrations.
Black Heritage Art Show Baltimore Convention Center http://www.blackheritageartshow.com: This annual art show features original works by African American artists from across the nation. Poetry readings, seminars, workshops and entertainment complement the visual arts experience.
Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference Baltimore Convention Center February 15 -17, 2007 http://www.beya.org: The Baltimore Convention Center is the location for the 21st National Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference, co hosted by Lockheed Martin Corporation, the nation?s largest defense contractor. The three-day event for minority engineering professionals and students is packed with seminars and workshops, award ceremonies, networking opportunities and a Diversity Career Fair floor with more than 100 employer attendees. Master of Ceremony for the black tie Black Engineer of the Year Awards gala is Actor Richard Roundtree, famous for his role in Shaft (1971) and recent guest star on ?Grey?s Anatomy? and "Desperate Housewives." For more information visit http://www.beya.org or call 410 244 7101.
African American Renaissance Grand Tour Baltimore City; 410-727-0755 or 410-728-3837: Costumed re-enactors perform at various historical African American sites throughout Baltimore City allowing participants to experience Baltimore's rich African American history at its best. The Grand Tour is available for groups and individuals and will be held the last Friday of the month.

February - November

Frederick Douglass "Path to Freedom" Walking Tour Historic Fell's Point; 410-783-5469: Frederick Douglass resided as a slave in Baltimore's Fell's Point between March 1826 and September 1838. Historic markers and sites on the tour include several 18th-century buildings associated with Douglass. Stops and short discussions are held at locations where Douglass lived, worked, worshipped and learned to read, and where he built five historic townhouses that still stand today. Reservations are required.

March

Women's History Month Tour of Baltimore March 30, 2006 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm Bus departs from the Md. State Department of Education 200 W. Baltimore Street more info.: Renaissance Productions & Tours and the Maryland Women?s Heritage Center are hosting an innovative and exciting tour of Baltimore City. At each stop, a dramatic presentation or information sharing session will explore the rich contributions of remarkable Maryland women
for information, call 410-728-383. Price $40.

May - September

Civil War Walking Tour Tours depart from the Baltimore Civil War Museum in Harbor East 410-385-5188: An interpreter of the 1861 Pratt Street Riot leads a tour of downtown Baltimore from President Street Station to Camden Station.
Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals Multiple locations www.bop.org: Baltimore celebrates its proud heritage almost every weekend of the summer with festivals featuring native music, food, crafts, dance and entertainment.
Jazzy Summer Nights War Memorial Plaza www.visionarymarketinggroup.com: Relax and listen to the area's most popular jazz bands during this free outdoor concert series at War Memorial Plaza.
Thurgood Marshall - Billie Holiday Walking Heritage Tour Tours depart from the Shake 'N Bake Family Fun Center at 1601 Pennsylvania Ave.; 410-669-2975: Travel with a guide on Pennsylvania Avenue and hear stories of twelve historically significant sites along the way. Sixty-minute tours available by appointment from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Music Crab Feast Series Locations vary. 410-484-5600 or 1-866-703-CRAB www.crabfeast.com: Baltimore is "The Home of the Music Crab Feast Series." Throughout the summer, this exceptional CRAB FEAST experience offers a vast array of good food, comedy, poetry, and musical genres of gospel, neo-soul, jazz, Caribbean, Latin, R&B, and hip-hop. Please call for complete schedule.

June

African American Heritage Festival Oriole Park at Camden Yardswww.aahf.net: The African American Heritage Festival is an annual family celebration of the history, culture, education, heritage and arts that embraces and promotes the rich traditions and zestful spirit of the city of Baltimore. Participate in a diverse offering of arts and entertainment including national and local talent; educational and historical exhibits; interactive children's area; and crafts from more than 100 vendors, community organizations and merchants.
Juneteenth Festival Festival location varies. Please call 410-467-2724 for more information.: This annual festival commemorates the end of slavery and features activities for the entire family; a cooking contest; celebrity basketball; historical lectures; arts and crafts; an exhibition of collectibles; storytelling; and soul, gospel and blues music.

July

Artscape Mount Royal Cultural Corridor www.artscape.org: The region's celebration of the arts features incredible headline entertainment; a first-class schedule of dance, theater, opera, street performers and family fun; an amazing array of visual arts from more than 200 artisans, craftspeople and cultural exhibitors; and a delightful menu of culinary arts.
Baltimore Carnival Druid Hill Park: A traditional island-costumed parade; soca, reggae, and steel drum bands; live international entertainment; elaborate costumes; and Caribbean cuisine.

August

i am.August 26, 2006; 7:30; Arena Playerswww.arenaplayers.org/: A one man show written, produced, directed, and performed by Obie Sims.

September

Douglas Days September 2-3, 2006; Fell's Pointwww.bbhtours.com: In commemoration of the 168th Anniversary of Frederick Douglass escape from slavery, all are invited to come to Fell's Point and join the Frederick Douglass "Path2Freedom" Walking Tour. The one-hour walking tour includes places where Douglass lived while a slave (1826-1838), worked, worshipped, learned to read and write, and returned to build five townhouses that still stand. For more info call 443.992.4190.

Cadillac Parade and Royal Theatre Reunion Parade & Festival September 8-10,2006; Pennsylvania Avenue; 410- 669-5397: West Baltimore's historic Pennsylvania Avenue corridor hosts a reunion of the people and moments that made the Royal Theatre famous. Showcasing the new monument and a developing "Walk of Fame," this beloved event dates back to the 1950s. The parade and festival is a way to recognize and honor the African American men, fathers and veterans who live and work in the community. The event features wonderful music, arts and the traditional Cadillac Parade.

October

Baltimore Book Festival Sept 29-Oct 1, 2006; Historic Mount Vernon www.bop.org: The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts features nationally known authors, poetry readings, cookbook and home and garden demonstrations, live music, and more than 125 exhibitors and book sellers.

November

Oldies But Goodies Dance The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum www.greatblacksinwax.org: This annual festive event at The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum will have you dancing all night long!

December

Kwanzaa Celebration The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum www.greatblacksinwax.org: Celebration of the harvesting of the fruits with libation, dancing, singing, and the representation of the seven principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.