Boyz II Men and Case will headline the fifth annual Charm City Live festival over Labor Day weekend.
The festival will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Sept. 5 at War Memorial Plaza, featuring live music, DJs, local vendors, a speakeasy, and a kids’ zone.
During a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Scott noted he met his wife, Hana Pugh, at Charm City Live five years ago.
“It is a reminder that when you create spaces for people to come together, you never know what connections or memories come about,” Scott said. “This festival is about celebrating Baltimore and bringing our city together as we close out festival season for the season.”
Boyz II Men was originally formed in Philadelphia in 1985 as “Unique Attraction.” The group would go on to earn numerous awards, including the 1995 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for their album “II.” Their most recent album, released in 2017, was “Under the Streetlight.”
Singer-songwriter Case has worked with artists such as Usher, Foxy Brown, Mary J. Blige, and Ghostface. He received two Grammy nominations in 2002, for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance” and “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.” Case released his latest album, “Therapy,” in 2018.
DJ Tanz, DJ Keebee, Uncle E, and Porkchop will play sets as well.
The festival will also include a job fair where residents can meet with prospective employers in city government.
“We are always looking for good talent in Baltimore,” said Reginald Moore, director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. “So when people say ‘I need a job,’ there’s no reason. You can come, you can enjoy, you can get entertained, and also you might come away with a job.”
Charm City Live attracts 8,000 to 12,000 people to War Memorial Plaza, which is a boon for the downtown area and the city at-large, said Shelonda Stokes, president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.
“When we talk about Charm City Live, we’re talking about the heart of our city,” Stokes said.
Baltimore is becoming a “destination city,” Stokes added. “From Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, Baltimore is where you want to be.”
WBAL will be the media sponsor for the 2026 Charm City Live festival.
