[Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 17, 2024]
Whether you're a longtime local or visiting Charm City for the first time, this weekend delivers a packed lineup of neighborhood festivals, waterfront escapes, and live performances. We've verified every detail below so you can plan without the guesswork—just show up and explore.
Friday: Art and After-Hours on Charles Street
First Thursday on Charles Street
When: Thursday, November 14, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Charles Street corridor, Station North to Midtown (free shuttle runs between Mount Vernon and Station North)
Cost: Free to attend; food and drink specials vary by venue
More info: firstthursdayoncharles.com
Baltimore's monthly arts walk kicks off the weekend with extended gallery hours, pop-up installations, and street-level performances. This month, catch jazz trio The 5th Element at the Charles Street lobby and a projection installation by MICA graduate students on the 1700 block. Participating restaurants including The Helmand and Pen & Quill offer $7 cocktail specials until 9 p.m.
Pro tip: Park once and ride the free Charm City Circulator Purple Route north-south, or grab a Link scooter if you're hopping between Mount Vernon and Station North.
Saturday: Neighborhood Immersion and Live Music
Hampden Highlights
When: Saturday, November 16, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: 36th Street (The Avenue), Hampden
Cost: Free
More info: hampdenhighlights.com
The Avenue transforms into a pedestrian-only festival for one Saturday each fall. Browse 80+ vendors of vintage clothing, hand-thrown ceramics, and screen prints while local bands rotate on two stages (acoustic at Roosevelt Park, amplified near Atomic Books). Food trucks this year include Gypsy Queen and The Local Fry. Don't miss the toilet bowl race at 2 p.m.—a Hampden tradition that defies dignified explanation.
Getting there: The MTA CityLink Navy line drops you two blocks from the action. Street parking is scarce; try the lot behind 36th Street or ride-share to the northern end.
Melanie Martinez: The Trilogy Tour
When: Saturday, November 16, 8:00 p.m. (doors 7:00 p.m.)
Where: Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 West Mount Royal Avenue, Midtown
Cost: $45–$125 plus fees; limited resale inventory
More info: modell-lyric.com | ticketmaster.com
The Cry Baby herself brings her theatrical, pastel-goth aesthetic to the Lyric for one night only. Martinez performs material spanning her three concept albums, with elaborate staging that transforms the historic venue into her signature dollhouse universe. The Lyric's 1914 architecture—recently restored with improved sightlines from the balcony—makes this an intimate setting for an arena-scale production.
Note: The venue enforces a clear bag policy and prohibits professional cameras. Arrive early; Mount Royal Avenue gets congested with concurrent MICA events.
Saturday–Sunday: Fashion, Floating, and Feasting
FashionEASTa
When: Saturday, November 16, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, November 17, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Highlandtown
Cost: $15 Saturday runway show; marketplace free
More info: creativealliance.org
Now in its twelfth year, this celebration of Baltimore's independent fashion scene moves to Creative Alliance's expanded campus. Saturday's ticketed runway showcases 15 local designers, including this year's emerging talent grant recipient, Omar Montgomery, whose work incorporates reclaimed sailcloth from the Chesapeake. Sunday's free marketplace features sample sales, on-site tailoring, and a mending workshop led by the Baltimore Repair Shop.
Pair it with: Walk two blocks to DiPasquale's for an Italian sub that justifies the trip to Highlandtown on its own.
Baltimore Floatilla (Fall Edition)
When: Saturday, November 16, 10:00 a.m. launch; registration closes 9:30 a.m.
Where: Middle Branch Park, 3301 Waterview Avenue, Cherry Hill
Cost: $35 kayak rental; $20 BYO
