As you say hello to 2026, make sure your first weekend of the year is a fun one with these Baltimore-area events.
Get your blood pumping by listening to spooky ghost stories or participating in a 5K run and 1-mile walk. Plus, several theatrical productions will have their closing weekend.
Check it all out in our weekend events roundup:
Deceived, ongoing through Jan. 4, Everyman Theatre. A woman questions her relationships and even her own sanity when she starts seeing and hearing things that aren’t there. “Deceived” is an adaptation of the 1944 psychological thriller film “Gaslight.”
Elf, ongoing through Jan. 4, Toby’s Dinner Theatre. Inspired by the holiday flick starring Will Ferrell, the “Elf” musical follows Buddy, a young orphan grows up in the North Pole after climbing into Santa’s bag of gifts one Christmas. In adulthood, Buddy travels to New York City in search of his birth father and his own identity. Along the way, he helps New Yorkers tap into the spirit of Christmas.
Santa Claus is Comin’: A Motown Christmas Revue, ongoing through Jan. 4, Baltimore Center Stage. Hear the classic holiday tunes with a Motown twist.
Holiday Train Garden, ongoing through Jan. 4, The Shops at Kenilworth. Stop by the lower level during all mall hours to see the annual Train Garden display.
Wicked, ongoing through Sunday, Jan. 11, Hippodrome Theatre. Two witches — one green, one blonde, both initially loathsome to one another — begin as reluctant roommates who eventually forge a friendship that lasts for good. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel (and recently adapted into a hit film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande), the “Wicked” stage musical tells the story of what came before “The Wizard of Oz.”
Holiday Festival of Trains, Wednesday, Dec. 31, B&O Railroad Museum. It’s the final day of the museum’s Holiday Festival of Trains. Embark on a Reindeer Railway Train Ride, make a Marshmallow Snowman, and enjoy other festive activities.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor NYE Fireworks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater. Get ready for music by DJ Curtis, hip hop band Soul Cannon, and a fireworks and drone show when the clock turns midnight. For more New Year’s Eve events, read this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Resolution Run 2026, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Patterson Park. Kick off the year with community, connection, and a healthy dose of fresh air at the Resolution Run 5K and 1-Mile Walk.
Bach in Baltimore: New Year’s Day Chamber Concert, Thursday, Jan. 1, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., St. David’s Episcopal Church. Start 2026 on a high note with an intimate chamber concert featuring the First Chair players of the Bach in Baltimore Orchestra.
Baltimore Bike Party, Friday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m., St. Mary’s Park. Join the Baltimore Bike Party for their first ride of 2026. The group will meet at St. Mary’s Park before embarking on a community ride through the streets of Baltimore. The event will be followed by an after party at Sopro in Canton.
Mike LeDonne Groover Quartet with Dave Stryker, Ralph Moore & Kenny Washington, Friday, Jan. 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Keystone Korner. This all-star quartet will appear all weekend at Keystone Korner.
Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY, Friday, Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 3, 8 p.m., Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Celebrating FINAL FANTASY XVI and XIV, legendary maestro Arnie Roth will lead a full orchestra and chorus performing iconic music from the series, with stunning HD video by SQUARE ENIX.
Ghost Stories with the Baltimore Krampus, Saturday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m., Alexander’s Tavern Fells Point. Share spooky tales with Baltimore Krampus and hear haunting stories from employees of Alexander’s Tavern.
Holly Days, Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Maryland Zoo. Participate in a snowflake scavenger hunt, ride a train or carousel, attend a penguin feeding narration, and enjoy other wintry activities.
