It’s about the time of year when people start getting their lasts in–last-minute shopping, last turns of the year and last looks back. There’s plenty of that this weekend, whether it’s a final holiday market or a tree lighting. But mostly, it’s a time to celebrate. So get dressed up for a winter formal or take the time to gather with others to sing the carols. It’s all on the menu this weekend:
Friday, Dec. 21
Mayor Pugh Presents: The Rotunda Concert Series: noon at City Hall. The mayor invites citizens down for a lunchtime concert. Up first: local singer-songwriter Jae Jin.
Holiday Pop-Up Shop: 4 p.m. at LoveRegard. The Mount Vernon shop has a last stop for gifts with local accessory businesses Magnepels and Love Noor Jewelry.
12 Days of Science: Through Jan. 1 at Maryland Science Center. Each day takes on a new holiday theme at the Inner Harbor discovery spot, from Solstice Science to Wild Winter.
“Heathers: The Musical”. Dec. 20-22 at Ottobar. The ’80s dark comedy gets a new life on the stage, with rock songs, courtesy of StillPointe Theatre. Check out Bret McCabe’s piece for more.
SaltPepperKetchup (The Gift of Poetry): 6-9 p.m. at Impact Hub Baltimore. The youth poetry team champions of DewMore Baltimore present an open mic.
City Arts Holiday Night Market: 7-10 p.m. at Gallery CA. The resident artists at City Arts sell their work, making for a great opportunity to get a last-minute gift.
Boister Solstice Shows: 7:30 p.m. at An Die Musik. The art rock outfit presents a pair of shows with holiday tunes and numbers from the upcoming album, “Goddess of the Baltimore In Your Mind.”
The Longest Winter: 7:30 p.m. at The Four Hour Day Lutherie. Folk duo Liam Robinson and Jean Rohe present a Christmas concert and sing-along in Hamilton.
Shen Yun 2019: Dec. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. at The Hippodrome. The classical Chinese dance company makes a weekend stop on the west side of downtown.
“Measure for Measure”: Dec. 21-29 at Green Globe Theatre. Shakespeare’s comedy set in the streets of Vienna comes to Highlandtown.
Human Host: 8 p.m. at the Crown. The experimental band with Baltimore roots returns for a free show. Local artists Shinji and Nicky Smith open.
The Warm Up: 8 p.m. at Waverly Brewing Company. LoveGrove performs at the music series featuring local DJs.
Baltimore Plays: Soul Christmas: 8 p.m. at Creative Alliance. Local musicians join together for a concert featuring soulful holiday classics.
Very Jerry Christmas: 8 p.m. at the 8×10. Baltimore musician Cris Jacobs and Friends gather for a pre-holiday jam.
“Akira”: 9 p.m. at the Charles Theatre. A screening of Katsuhiro Otomo’s legendary 1988 anime movie about biker gangs in Neo Tokyo.
4 Hours of Funk: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Windup Space. DJ Randy Watson of L.A.’s Funkmosphere Collective joins the monthly dance party.
Saturday, Dec. 22
Ring in the Holidays at the Senator: 10 a.m. at The Senator Theatre. On Dec. 22 and 23, see “It’s a Wonderful Life” and contribute to the annual food drive.
“Female Trouble”: Dec. 22 at 11:30 a.m. and Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. at the Charles Theatre. Watch the John Waters classic about a schoolgirl (Divine) who doesn’t get what she wants for Christmas and goes on a spree to prove “crime and beauty are the same.”
Last-Minute Shoppers Holiday Bazaar: noon-6 p.m. at Thrive Baltimore. Get in a final bazaar with local body care, jewelry, clothing and art that will make for gifts.
UNION Art Mart: 3-8 p.m. at Union Craft Brewing. Get your old-timey photo taken and peruse the works of more artists and makers.
Holiday Pops: 3 and 8 p.m. at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Choral Arts Society join with Broadway conductor Andy Einhorn for seasonal favorites.
Miracle on Lexington Street: 5 p.m. at Joy Baltimore. The event features a tree lighting, entertainment and pictures with Santa.
2018 Party: 8 p.m. at Metro Gallery. The Maryland Music Celebration and holiday party features 15 bands and a sing-along.
Baltimore Square Dance 5th Anniversary: 8 p.m. at Mobtown Ballroom. Live music, live calling and a fifth anniversary celebration.
Charm City Klezmer Holiday Dance Party: 8 p.m. at Creative Alliance. Judith Geller, Michael Raitzyk and family get Highlandtown up and dancing with Yiddish dance instructor Steve Weintraub offering lessons.
Baltimore Boom Bap Society: 9 p.m. at Windup Space. The hip-hop show featuring emcees, beatboxers and instrumentalists moves to Saturday night. Ill Conscious, Black Root, Jamma Wun, Shodekeh, Chuck the Madd Ox, Blair Skinner, Susan Alcorn, Jeron White and Harry Walker are all scheduled to appear.
Booty PWR: 9 p.m. at The Crown. The dance party features DJ sets from Abdu Ali, GRLPWR, Styles Bond and a live performance from Rafia.
Lovenotes: 9 p.m. at The Elephant. Head upstairs at the Mt. Vernon destination for a DJ set with Baltimore native Andrew Grant.
Deep Freeze 2: a Save Your Soul Soul Party: 10 p.m. at Paulie Gee’s. DJ Rob Macy spins Etta James, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and many other favorites to warm up the dance floor.
Sunday, Dec. 23
Skate with Santa: 1-3 p.m. at Pandora Ice Rink. The Sunday afternoon event offers a chance to impress the big guy, on ice.
Blake Myles Hopkins: 1:30 p.m. at Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre. The theater company and The Afro present a holiday concert by the singer ahead of the troupe’s afternoon performance of “A Christmas Carol.”
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live: 5 and 7 p.m. at An Die Musik. There’s lots to love about Charlie Brown, with Vince Guaraldi’s scores high on the list. Erik Byrd Trio performs the Peanuts holiday classic, including “Christmastime is Here.”
Incarnate: A Queer Christmas Pageant: 6:30-8 p.m. at 2640 Space. Dreams and Visions invites everyone to dress up and play a role in the pageant.
Winter Formal Benefit for House of Ruth: 7 p.m. at Windup Space. Get dressed up and go out on North Ave. Live performances from Eze Jackson, Blacksage and more. Plus, best dressed awards and raffle prizes.
Upcoming:
- Blow off some steam on the weekend after at Eze Jackson’s Dirty Christmas on Dec. 29.
- Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Dec. 29.
- It’s time to start making New Years Eve plans. 2019 is almost here. The Inner Harbor hosts a spectacular with fireworks.
- Looking ahead to 2019, the Harbor Point Ice Festival is Jan. 12.
- Dan Deacon joins the BSO on Jan. 17 for BSO Pulse.
