Halloween is right around the corner, and Baltimore is embracing the spookiness. From family-friendly happenings like the annual lantern festival and parade at Patterson Park, to events catering to adults like the Fright Night music performances, there’s a little something for everyone this weekend.
If you’re not in the Halloween mood, there’s still plenty for you to do.
Make some plans with our weekend lineup:
Art, Antique &Jewelry Show, Thursday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 23, Baltimore Convention Center. Exhibitors and collectors from around the country will showcase art, antique pieces, and jewelry in Baltimore.
Fall Maryland Home and Garden Show, Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23, Maryland State Fairgrounds. If you’re looking to spice up your home decor for the holidays, look no further than the Fall Maryland Home and Garden Show. Professional food artist and pumpkin sculptor Nancy Baker will be the show’s special guest. Hundreds of exhibitors — including contractors, DIY experts, landscapers, and more — will be on hand to meet your home and garden needs.
Pit Beef Festival, Saturday, Oct. 22, noon to 5 p.m., Port Covington. Baltimore knows its barbecue, and the Baltimore Pit Beef Festival will be the place to get it this weekend. The festival will feature a half dozen pit beef vendors, raw oysters, dueling crush bars, over 50 beers and other adult beverages, snowballs, live music, cornhole, and more.
Spooky Science, Saturday, Oct. 22, noon to 4 p.m., Maryland Science Center. Experiment with lights, shadows, catapults, and more at this night of spooky, scientific fun.
Fright Night, Saturday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m., Power Plant Live! The “Fright Night: A Night to Dismember” event will feature live music by an assortment of artists, including Boogie T, Dirtmonkey, and more.
Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival, Saturday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m., Patterson Park. Creative Alliance and The Friends of Patterson Park are once again teaming up to present the Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival in Patterson Park. Watch in awe of lantern creations of all shapes and sizes – or make your own and join the parade. The festival will also feature live music, pop-up performances, an arts & crafts market, food trucks, and more. Read about this year’s festival in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Purple Poetry Book Release Party, Saturday, Oct. 22, 6-10 p.m., 2640 Space. The nonprofit TurnAround Inc., which supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, will release their 13th annual Purple Poetry Book. The book features poems and art by survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. There will be food from Alma Cocina Latina, La Tavola, and Papi’s Tacos, as well as alcohol from McClintock Distilling, Big Cork Vineyards, and Modrow Family. Attendees are asked to wear “creative cocktail attire” in any shade of purple to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Pumpkin Pride, Saturday, Oct. 22, 6-10 p.m., 518 N. Charles St. Transforming Youths Into Adults is hosting a Pumpkin Pride event. The event is free, but donations are welcome to help raise funds for an LGBTQ Safe House. Prizes will be awarded for best painted pumpkins and more.
Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival, Saturday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m., SNF Parkway Theatre. Watch animated films, including an International Invitational and a Baltimore Showcase. In addition to Baltimore filmmakers, the festival will include pieces by filmmakers from Chile, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Israel, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United States.
OktoBEARfest, Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23, Maryland Zoo. Sample more than 50 seasonal brews and enjoy local vendors and artisans, food, and live music at the 10th anniversary of OktoBEARfest.
Harbor Harvest Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rash Field Park. Ride a pony, pick pumpkins, visit a petting zoo, and more. Read all about the festival in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Día de los Muertos, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2-5 p.m., The Wharf. The Wharf is partnering with Modelo and Fiesta DC to celebrate Día de los Muertos early this year, with sugar skull decorating, face painting, street food, a beer garden, live music, and more.
