The World’s Largest Pickle Party returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in September when Power Plant Live! hosts The Big Dill.
The sixth annual brine-soaked bash comes to Baltimore on Sept. 20 and 21 as part of the national “In My Pickle Era” Tour, and pickle fans can indulge for the entire weekend, since that week’s Ravens game is on Monday night. No conflicts for those whose passions span both football and pickles, so breathe a sigh of relief.
The Big Dill began in Baltimore in 2019 and has splashed its briny love across the nation with a cross-country tour boasting more than 1.2 million followers, including traveling fans. But Charm City will always be home, and this year’s edition is jar-packed with more vendors, entertainment, and pickled shenanigans than ever.
The festival organizers expect at least 10,000 visitors from around the country, boosting the local economy while shining a green spotlight on its culinary and entertainment scene. Imagine the unlimited pickle sampling from top national brands and add to it all the regional brands with Baltimore’s most creative pickle-infused foods, all inside Pickle Row.
Vendors include Frank’s Pizza & Pasta, returning with its viral pickle pizza; JD’s House of Bacon, led by a former Orioles chef and creator of Baltimore’s original “bacon on a stick”; Crossroads Bistro with their deep-fried pickle egg rolls; Fuzzies Burgers serving up pickle-seasoned fries; and Queen City Creamery with a sweet-and-salty pickle ice cream.
Folks over 21 can choose from a wide array of signature pickle cocktails. Think along the lines of frozen pickle margaritas, spicy pickle bloody marys with Tajín rims, pickle cider, the Original Pickle Shot, and more. Non-alcoholic options abound and pickle lovers of all ages can cool off with the festival’s pickle lemonade.
“Baltimore is where The Big Dill started, and it’s still the most electric stop on the tour,” said Kevin Baxter, co-founder of The Big Dill. “This city shows up big, and every year we bring more food, more energy, and more chaos to match it.”
No pickle festival would be complete without entertainment, and The Big Dill delivers with Triple Rail Turn headlining the main stage. The Electric Pickle RAVE returns with national DJs, cryo blasts, lasers, confetti, and dancing mascots. Pickle Up! — a live interactive game show — will make its official debut, where guests can go head-to-head in competitions on stage in front of the crowd.
Need to burn off some of that fried pickle energy? There will be axe throwing, rock climbing, and carnival games. Feeling like a kid again? There will be face painting, hair tinsel, and balloon artists. Maybe you’ll even get a high five from The Oriole Bird, Poe from the Ravens, and Dilly the Pickle and Dillon from the Portland Pickles!
Tickets are available now with a range of pricing ($24.99 – $99.00 per day) depending on the type of ticket. Children 2 and under are free, there are discounted tickets ($17.99 per day) for kids aged 3 – 12. For more information, and to purchase tickets, click this link.
