In honor of Juneteenth and the celebration of Black and African American cultures, Baltimore’s AFRAM festival returns to Druid Hill Park this weekend with musical performances by Ne-Yo, Inayah and more.
This week, the Broadway tour of the iconic Baltimore musical “Hairspray” is also visiting the city it’s set in. Plus, Baltimore is continuing to celebrate Pride Month with a special Stoop Story and other Pride-related events.
You won’t want to miss what’s going on in Baltimore this weekend:
Hairspray, Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 19, Hippodrome Theatre. Good morning, Baltimore! “Hairspray” is back in Baltimore, where the Tony award-winning musical is set. Teenager Tracy Turnblad welcomes audiences to the ‘60s as she dances her way onto her favorite television dance show and into the fight against racial segregation. Based on John Waters’ 1988 film – and later turned into a movie musical in 2007 – “Hairspray” is one of those musicals you’ll be humming along to for days after seeing it.
Encanto Movie Night, Thursday, June 16, 8:30 p.m., Mount Vernon Place. Mirabel Madrigal is the only one in her family who doesn’t have magical powers. But when the Madrigals’ magic house starts acting up, Mirabel takes it upon herself to figure out what is wrong – and finds herself uncovering family secrets in the process. “Encanto” is a fun movie for Disney fans of all ages. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and snacks. Popcorn is provided for free.
Science Sleepover, Friday, June 17, 5:30 p.m. (overnight into Saturday morning), Maryland Science Center. Explore activities throughout the Maryland Science Center, including collecting clues, engineering zip lines, solving a computer science puzzle, and creating circuits – all under the impending volcanic eruption. Tickets are $50 for non-members or $45 for members. Children must be age 5 or older and must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees should bring a sleeping bag and pillow – no air mattresses or tents – and wear comfy clothes to sleep in. An evening snack and breakfast will be provided, but not dinner (so attendees are encouraged to eat before arrival, bring their own food, or visit a nearby restaurant).
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody, Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The BSO will perform its final concert of the season, including Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7, “Leningrad.” The concert will be conducted by James Conlon and will feature pianist Simon Trpčeski.
Maryland Toy Expo, Saturday, June 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Timonium Fairgrounds. Browse more than 150 booths of toys, collectibles, video games, comics and other items. Early bird tickets (from 8-10 a.m.) are $15 apiece, while general admission (starting at 10 a.m.) is $8. Children 10 and under get in free with a paying adult, with a limit of 3 children per adult.
Jonestown Walking Tour, Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m., Carroll Mansion. Join Baltimore Heritage tour guide Bev Rosen on a walking tour of Baltimore’s Jonestown neighborhood and learn about some significant spots, including Corned Beef Row, the McKim Free School, the Lloyd Street Synagogue, the former home of Charles Carroll, Hendler Creamery, and the Phoenix Shot Tower.
Pridepalooza, Saturday, June 18, noon to 3 p.m., Annapolis Town Center. The event will feature food trucks, games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, henna, tie-dye and more. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit a local nonprofit that supports the LGBTQIA+ community.
Boundary Block Party, Saturday, June 18, noon to 4 p.m., 1501 Eutaw Place. No Boundaries Coalition and Jubilee Arts Baltimore are celebrating their 15th annual Boundary Block Party. Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, and art activities. Plus, meet some of the candidates running for local and state offices this year.
AFRAM, Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, Druid Hill Park. Baltimore’s annual celebration of Black and African American cultures returns with headliner performances by Ne-Yo, Yung Bleu, Inayah, El Debarge and more. AFRAM Restaurant Week is already underway and continues through Sunday, with more than 20 participating Black-owned and women-owned restaurants. Also, check out other Juneteenth events here.
Pride of Mt. Vernon, Saturday, June 18, noon to 8 p.m., Read Street. Mt. Vernon, once a main hub for Baltimore’s LGBTQ+ community, is celebrating Pride with musical entertainment, merchants, artists, food, bars, street entertainers and more.
Pride Stoop Story, Saturday, June 18, 6 p.m., Union Collective. Listen to stories about people finding themselves and community in movement, sport, and the great outdoors in this free Stoop Story event. The event will be an open mic format, so anyone can sign up to share their story. Afterward, attend a drag show at Union Craft Brewing. Attendees can get free tickets here, but there will also be standing room for those who don’t reserve a seat in advance.
Abdu Ali, Saturday, June 18, doors open 7:30 p.m., Ottobar. “Love Is Always Here” celebrates Abdu Ali’s comeback single “My Best Friend” and Chiffon’s fourth album. Also performing will be Ivy Sole and DJ Hoeteps.
Juneteenth Jazz Performance, Sunday, June 19, 3 p.m., An Die Musik. The Paul Carr Quartet will perform “songs of hope and freedom” in a celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day enslaved people in Texas were freed – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation.
Thank you for including our annual Juneteenth concert by Paul Carr Quartet.