Culture
Throughout the year, local art museums partner with Art on Purpose to host free public art events all around town. Popular events include Big Doll House—where the public helps decorate a gigantic doll house—and Concert Draw, where student musicians play and inspire visitors to paint (art supplies provided by Art on Purpose). Events also include lectures, movie screenings, and more, so check the schedule for the latest happenings.
America's largest free public arts festival is held in Baltimore every July. Artscape features three days of performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and other live concerts, some 150 artists, visual arts exhibits, family events and hands-on projects, street theater, children's entertainers, food, and much more. Over 300,000 people attend Artscape each year, so check the schedule beforehand to prioritize the events you want to see.
Attend the free Baltimore Book Festival to hear speeches by famous authors. Speakers have included The Wire writer Rafael Alvarez, poet Pearl Cleage, and BravoTV star Tim Gunn. Visitors have also had their handwriting analyzed by experts, traded books at the book swap, and attended a storybook parade with Curious George, the Berenstain Bears, and Clifford characters. The event is family-friendly and takes place for one weekend each September.
Explore the cobblestone streets of Colonial-era Fell's Point along Baltimore's Inner Harbor. On the first Friday of each month at 5 p.m., the community hosts Art Loop, where galleries display local artwork—from oil paintings to woodwork—and are open to the public for free. Often, neighborhood restaurants will stay open late and offer discounts as well.
Stop by the visitors center in the Inner Harbor between April and November and take a free guided tour along the city's Heritage Walk. The tours last about 90 minutes and wind through 1.5 miles of historic Baltimore. Those who want to go at their own pace can pick up a self-guided tour map at the visitors center.
Between the Inner Harbor and historic Fell's Point district is Baltimore's Little Italy. Grab some cannoli to go at one of the many trattorias and then watch a bocce ball contest or street hockey match. In warmer months, the neighborhood hosts several free festivals, including the St. Anthony and St. Gabby Festivals in summer and the Taste of Little Italy in September. On summer Friday nights, bring a picnic and lawn chairs to enjoy an outdoor movie during Cinema al Fresco.
If you can't afford to attend the Preakness horse race at Pimlico Race Course—the second jewel of the annual Triple Crown—watch the Preakness Celebration Parade. Floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and equestrian units all partake in the annual parade down Pratt Street the Saturday before the race. The parade is free and open to the public. That same week, watch the tykes compete for the crown at the PeeWee Preakness for kids, located in Federal Hill Park.
