The 9th Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards returns Oct. 2–4, 2026, still free for everyone, but in a new location at Lexington Market due to demolition occurring near the Poe House.
The yearly festival will feature Victoria Price, the world premiere of her father Vincent Price’s documentary, and a historic bronze bust by Zenos Frudakis. The festival’s outdoor stage, performances, and vendors will fill Lexington Market on Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Poe House will be open throughout festival weekend and will continue offering tours, and ticketed programs will be offered at historic locations around Baltimore. These include Westminster Hall, Carroll Mansion, the M&T Bank Exchange and the Hippodrome Theatre, with a festival shuttle connecting these downtown locations with Poe House and other festival destinations. Proceeds from ticketed events will benefit the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, which is undergoing a once-in-a-generation planned expansion.
“Poe House remains the heart of the festival,” said Enrica Jang, executive director of Poe Baltimore. “We are excited to bring the free celebration to historic Lexington Market while continuing to welcome visitors to Poe House. The new location places the festival within walking distance of Poe’s grave, our host hotel and several of our major weekend events.”
The festival will celebrate the historic gift of a new bronze bust of Edgar Allan Poe by world-renowned sculptor Frudakis. The bust is the first major sculptural portrait of Poe given to a Baltimore site in more than a century. The sculptor himself will attend as a festival guest of honor and present the 2026 Saturday “Visiter” Awards at the Black Cat Ball.
The weekend will also commemorate the 177th anniversary of the Poe’s mysterious death in Baltimore, the 185th anniversary of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, and the 180th anniversary of “The Cask of Amontillado”. Other festival highlights include the VIP Death Weekend Bus Tours, the new “History of Mystery” exhibition at Westminster Hall, and a preview of the newly announced Poe ballet, “The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe”.
Details on all the festival highlights of the mysterious, macabre, and distinctly Baltimore weekend are listed below.
Free Poe Festival
October 3–4 | Lexington Market | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The free festival features dramatic readings, live music and performances, original art, Poe-inspired vendors, the Costume POErade and the RavenBeer Garden.Special guests include the Charm City Ghostbusters, nerdcore artist MC Lars and YouTube personality Chad the Bird. Vendors and activities will take place outdoors in Lexington Market Plaza and inside the Baltimore Room.
Cost: FREE
World Premiere Movie Nite and Raven Reception
Friday, October 2 | M&T Bank Exchange | 6–9 p.m.
Festival weekend opens with the world premiere of “Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive” and a live appearance by Victoria Price, daughter of the Hollywood legend. The evening will also include Poe performances, an optional opening reception and an exclusive preview of the newly announced Poe ballet, “The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe”; appearing at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre during festival weekend.
Tickets: $29 for Movie Nite; $59 with the Raven Reception
The Black Cat Ball: Cask of Amontillado Masquerade
Saturday, October 3 | Westminster Hall | 7:30–10:30 p.m.
The official festival masquerade celebrates 180 years of “The Cask of Amontillado” with masks, music, carnival revelry, subterranean villainy and a final graveside toast. Baltimore actor David Keltz, internationally recognized for his portrayals of Edgar Allan Poe, will perform in the catacombs beneath Westminster Hall. Renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis will attend as guest of honor and present the 2026 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards.
Tickets: $149 per person; $199 with VIP Catacombs Performance
VIP Death Weekend Bus Tours
October 3–4 | 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
These two-hour guided tours explore the mystery of Poe’s final days in Baltimore, including the places where he was found, died and buried. Admission also includes special festival exhibits and experiences at historic Poe locations.
Tickets: $59 per person
NEW: Edgar Allan Poe’s History of Mystery
October 1–4 | Westminster Hall
This special exhibition explores Poe’s invention of detective fiction and the enduring legacy of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” It is presented with contributions from the Poe Museum in Richmond, the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the National Cryptologic Museum.
Tickets: $20 on weekends; $10 on weekdays
