October is a busy month in Baltimore this year. Not only will Charm City be celebrating the arts, oysters, historic ships, and the Inner Harbor, but also Russian, Jewish, and African heritage. From a day of drawing in a peaceful park to a citywide marathon, here are the things you can't miss this October.
For additional things to do in Baltimore this October, check the Baltimore Fall Arts Guide and the many Halloween activities happening around town.
For additional things to do in Baltimore this October, check the Baltimore Fall Arts Guide and the many Halloween activities happening around town.
1. Wicked
Wednesday, October 3 - Sunday, November 4Wicked, the Grammy and Tony Award-winning production, will come to The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome Theatre. The Broadway play is set long before Dorothy and her ruby slippers ever landed in Munchkinland, and tells the tall of two girls who meet in the land of Oz -- one with emerald green skin.
2. Oysterfest VI
Thursday, October 4 - Sunday, October 7Over the first weekend in October, Ryleigh's Oyster (26 E. Cross St.) in Federal Hill will host an oyster-themed festival. On Thursday, The Oyster Ball will have an open bar, unlimited oysters, Moet Champagne, and a seafood-centric menu (tickets start at $58). Saturday and Sunday from noon-11 p.m. there will be a block party on cross street with dozens of types of oysters, games, giveaways, and food.The restaurant and bar is calling the festival "equal parts feast and fundraiser" to benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
3. Baltimore Black Pride
Friday, October 5 - Sunday, October 7Embrace and celebrate diversity at this festival, which includes workshops, town hall meetings, entertainment, and more. This year's theme is "Legacy: His & Her Story."
4. Fells Point Fun Festival
Saturday, October 6 - Sunday, October 7The Fells Pont Fun Festival has its beginnings more than 40 years ago, when it began as a way to raise funds to keep the waterfront neighborhood from being destroyed by a highway. Today, the neighborhood festival is one of Baltimore's biggest events, attracting more than 700,000 for a weekend of food, drink, vendors, and entertainment.
5. Studio 33 Open House
Andreas Kolleger, flickr
Saturday, October 6, 1-5 p.m.
Walk through the working studios of talented visual artists working at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower (21 S. Eutaw St.), a historic clock tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The event is just one of the monthly free and discount happenings in Baltimore.
Walk through the working studios of talented visual artists working at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower (21 S. Eutaw St.), a historic clock tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The event is just one of the monthly free and discount happenings in Baltimore.
6. Mushroom City Art Festival
Saturday, October 6, noon-7 p.m. and Sunday, October 7, 1-5 p.m.The Baltimore Free Farm (3510 Ash St.) will host a free festival celebrating the mushroom. Activities include an exhibition of artwork made from mushrooms, workshops, films, and more! Free.
7. The Big Draw
Photo by Katie Langer.
Saturday, October 6, 3-9 p.m.
The Wyman Park Dell will become a hub or artistic activity during The Big Draw, when community members draw on overhead projectors that enlarge and show their artwork on large screens suspended on the hillside in front of The Baltimore Museum of Art. Free.
The Wyman Park Dell will become a hub or artistic activity during The Big Draw, when community members draw on overhead projectors that enlarge and show their artwork on large screens suspended on the hillside in front of The Baltimore Museum of Art. Free.
8. Puppets in the Garden
Sundays, October 7, 14, & 21For three consecutive Sundays, The Black Cherry Puppet Theater will bring some of the finest puppeteers from Baltimore and the region together for a series of workshops. Puppet shows will take place at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., while workshops will be held at 1:30 p.m. Free.
9. Baltimore Running Festival
Saturday, October 13This annual autumn marathon takes runners through Baltimore's historic neighborhoods. Proceeds go to a number of national and local charities, including the American Red Cross, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program, and the Cool Kids Campaign.
10. Russian Festival
Friday, October 19-Sunday, October 21The Showcase of Nations, sponsored by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts, ends with a celebration of Russian traditions, foods, music, crafts, and more. The festival will take place at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church (1723 East Fairmont Ave.) on Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
