Spring is one of the best seasons in the DMV because it’s right between the frost of the winter and the humidity of the summer. You can enjoy these impressive events in the perfect weather!
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
- Address: Inner Harbor/ Downtown Baltimore
- Dates: Sunday before or after St. Patrick’s Day
- Admission: Free
- Website
Saint Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite days out of the year because the celebrations and festivities are *chef’s kiss*. And of the best St. Patty’s Day parade I’ve ever attended is in Baltimore!
Every year the Inner Harbor and downtown Baltimore transform into a bustling party full of Irish music, song, dance, food, drink, and culture. The event attracts thousands of people – many of whom participate in the Shamrock 5K Race as well!
Opening Day at Camden Yards
- Address: 333 W Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Dates: Early April
- Admission: Prices Vary
- Website
Opening Day at Camden Yards is a vibrant celebration that the entire family will enjoy – in fact, the entire city will be celebrating the unofficial holiday with banners, Oriole’s gear, car flags, and more. You’ll see orange everywhere!
The actual opening day celebrations at Orioles Park include delicious food and drink, live music, kid-friendly activities, and tons of souvenirs you can take home.
Privateer Festival / Maritime Festival
- Address: Fells Point Main Street
- Dates: April – May
- Admission: Free
- Website
The Privateer Festival, also sometimes called the Maritime Festival, is a fun springtime event in Baltimore. You can bring along the entire family to enjoy arts and crafts, live music, comedic skits, reenactments, demonstrations, and so much more.
Visit the many booths by local merchants and feast on food and drink by some of Baltimore’s best restaurants. The event is free to attend and is a guaranteed good time!
Charm City Bluegrass Festival
- Address: Druid Hill Park – 900 Druid Park Lake Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217
- Dates: End of April
- Admission: Prices Vary
- Website
With artists like The Lil Smokies, Jake Blount, and Hackensaw Boys scheduled to perform at the 2022 Charm City Bluegrass Festival, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most anticipated music festivals in Baltimore.
It’s extremely family-friendly – kids under 12 can attend for free – and performances are usually scheduled over two days on Druid Hill Park. You can buy discounted tickets for both days or pick one particular day based on who’s performing!
Baltimore Flower Mart
- Address: Mount Vernon Place – 699 Washington Pl, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Dates: End of April
- Admissions: Free
- Website
The Baltimore Flower Mart is one of the oldest free public festivals in Baltimore. The event is organized by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy and has been running since 1911. There will be music, food, drink, and of course, vendors selling plants and flowers.
Bring some money to spare so you could support local artists and purchase flower/ plant-related arts and crafts, jewelry, and more.
Maryland Film Festival
- Address: SNF Parkway Theatre – 5 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Dates: May
- Admission: Prices Vary
- Website
The Maryland Film Festival is a highly-anticipated annual event held in Baltimore each spring. The international film festival is renowned within the industry and has been running strong since its inception in 1999.
Not only will you be able to view national and international feature and short films and videos of all genres, but there are also several meet and greet events, workshops, etc. scheduled as well.
Balticon
- Address: Baltimore, Maryland
- Dates: End of May
- Admission: Prices Vary
- Website
Established in 1966, Balticon has been attracting attendees from all over the US for over 55 years now. The science-fiction convention is sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society and is a packed 4-day event that amateurs and professionals in the science fiction and fantasy industry flock to.
While Balticon focuses more on the literary aspect of science fiction, there are still lots of activities and programs surrounding anime, gaming, art, podcasting, new media, cosplay, and more.
Kinetic Sculpture Race
- Address: American Visionary Art Museum – 800 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
- Dates: Early May
- Admission: Free
- Website
The annual Kinetic Sculpture Race hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum is one of the quirkiest events to attend if you’re in Baltimore in the spring. It’s almost a Baltimore tradition now that it’s been around for well over twenty years.
Combining engineering and creativity, the sculpture race brings alive works of art that are powered by humans. Seeing large pink poodles and abstract sculptures race to the finish line is sure to bring a smile to your face with its good-humored creativity and anticipated laughable mishaps.
The race lasts around eight hours and covers 15 miles; while most of it is on pavement, it does go through mud and sand in the Chesapeake Bay.
Preakness Stakes
- Address: Pimlico Race Course – 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215
- Dates: Third Saturday in May
- Admission: Prices Vary
- Website
Even those who are not a fan of horseracing are familiar with the Kentucky Derby. Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes.
The event was established in 1873 and has been held at Baltimore’s own Pimlico Race Course ever since.
While the thoroughbred horse race is the main event, several related events happen in and around the city that weekend. Expect anything from VIP dinners to outdoor concerts at the second most attended equestrian event in North America!
HONfest
- Address: Hampden, Baltimore
- Dates: End of May
- Admission: Free
- Website
Short for honey, “hon” is a term of endearment that Baltimoreans have been known to use for generations. It’s classic Bawlmerese and you’re sure to have someone call you hon when you come down for a visit.
Since 1994, HONfest has been celebrating the many hardworking women who have shaped Baltimore into the great city that it is. It started as a tiny pageant behind the still-standing Cafe Hon in Hampden and is now a nationally-recognized festival that has been covered by The New York Times, CNN, HGTV, Southern Living, and more.
The festival spans four blocks and presently includes everything from fashion shows and contests to live music performances and an onslaught of local vendors selling everything from food and drink to arts and crafts created by local artists.
