In between making preparations for the Thanksgiving feast, there are plenty of chances to get an early jump on holiday festivities this weekend. Check out openings at the Christmas Village, the Made in Baltimore Holiday Pop-up Shop and a new tradition in Center Plaza. Elsewhere, there are live music options, and a two-night stand from comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. Check out the lineup:
Made in Baltimore Holiday Pop-up Grand Opening: 5-8 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 18, at Remington Row. Local holiday shopping starts here. The Made in Baltimore shop is back with more than 50 brands, and celebrates the return with music and refreshments.
Mount Royal Soaps November Night Market: Friday, Nov. 19 at Mount Royal Soaps. Head to the corner of 28th and Huntingdon in Remington to check out eight makers, food from Snake Hill, Local Oyster and more. Plus, free beer and mead.
Dvořák Symphony No. 8: Nov. 19-20 at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Conductor Rune Bergmann leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a work by Hadyn for violin, cello, oboe, and bassoon, and Dvořák’s tour through the Czech countryside.
The Polar Express Train Ride: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Nov. 19-21, at B&O Railroad Museum. Experience an immersive performance of beloved holiday tale “The Polar Express.” Families show up in pajamas, enter the story and get a sliver sleigh bell from Santa himself.
Christmas Village in Baltimore: Nov. 20-21 at West Shore Park. The German-inspired market opens up for the season at Inner Harbor. It’s got a mix of indoor and outdoor spots to shop international gifts, as well as sample treats and drinks. Runs through Dec. 24.
Candy Lane in Center Plaza: Opens Nov. 20. Head to the downtown gathering spot to check out giant ice cream cones, candy forests and food trucks with the kind of treats you can eat.
Mary J. Blige: 8 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20, at Royal Farms Arena. The celebrated R&B singer with hits like “Family Affair” and “Real Love” was recently named among Super Bowl halftime show performers for 2022. She’ll be in Baltimore this weekend.
Caleb Stine’s Round the Mountain: 8 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20, at Creative Alliance. Local singer-songwriters Laura Wortman, Letitia Van Zandt, Kagey Parish and Caleb Stine come together to perform original works and songs by the late songwriter Tony Rice.
Super City: 8 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20, at Ottobar. The Baltimore band headlines an all-ages show at Ottobar. Oh He Dead and Cry Baby open.
Sebastian Maniscalco: Nobody Does This Tour: Nov. 20-21 at The Lyric. The stand-up comedian has sold out arenas. He’ll be in Baltimore this weekend.
Jazzy Autumn Nights: 7-9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20, at The Jerk Garden. The (heated) outdoor event space at Terra Cafe hosts an evening of house and jazz fusion with Michele Bowman Music.
Winterfest Preview Party: 6-8 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 20, at Baltimore Clayworks. Get an early look at the holiday gifts at the Mount Washington ceramic art center. Enjoy wine, jazz and snacks while taking a look.
Bill Warfield & The Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra: 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21, at Keystone Korner. The New York City-based group brings its brand of genre-defying music to the Harbor East jazz club. Expect tunes by greats like James Brown, Smokey Robinson and Herbie Hancock.
Famoro Dioubaté Band: 9:30 p.m. at An Die Musik Live! Dioubaté, who is from Guinea, is a master of the Balafon, which is a wooden xylophone. He’s joined by five-member band featuring a special lineup.
Dreamgirls: A Musical Sensation: Through Dec. 12 at Baltimore Centerstage. Baltimore theatre company ArtsCentric stages the musical chronicling show business and R&B of the 1960s.
Correction: The location of Christmas Village was corrected to reflect it is happening in West Shore Park, not Rash Field Park (12:01 p.m., 11/18/21)
Thank you for including Famoro Dioubaté Band in your weekend pick for this week.