The Maryland State Fair whirls into town on Aug. 23.

• Share

PRINT

Summer in Baltimore means fairs, festivals, celebrations and, of course, snowballs! Keep cool and head out to enjoy some of Baltimore’s favorite traditions.

1. The 38th annual festival of Hispanic culture, music and art known as LatinoFest takes place June 23 and 24 in Patterson Park. As always, this toe-tapping weekend will feature live concerts with music ranging from salsa to merengue, bachata, cumbia, mariachi and more. Authentic cuisine, community support information, and family fun activities such as rock climbing walls, clowns and face painting will be part of the fun. For more information, visit www.latinofest.org.
2. The Baltimore Washington One Carnival is an annual event celebrating the city’s local Caribbean communities and their culture. This year’s highlights of the Carnival weekend will include a Caribbean-style street parade and a two-day outdoor festival on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 at Clifton Park. Visit www.baltimorecarnival.com for more information.
3. Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival features continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on multiple outdoor stages, as well as indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions, theater, opera, dance, street theater and special activities geared towards children. This year’s festival takes place Friday, July 20 to Sunday, July 22, along Mount Royal Avenue and North Charles Street. For a complete schedule, visit www.artscape.org.
4. Farmers’ markets. Below the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Streets, Maryland’s largest producers-only market runs on Sundays through Dec. 23, from 7 a.m. to noon. It offers an assortment of produce, meats, dairy, breads, flowers and delicious made-to-order items from dozens of food vendors. The bazaar also offers shoppers a variety of unique crafts and collectibles including jewelry, clothing and accessories, pottery, soaps and more. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.
5. Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Inner Harbor. Observe Independence Day with live entertainment and a colorful fireworks display choreographed to festive music at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
   From 7:30 to 10 p.m., you can “Picnic at the Top of the World,” enjoying music, food and a great view of the celebration at the top of the World Trade Center. Advance tickets are $35 for children, $65 for adults. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.
6. Every year the BSO celebrates Independence Day and this year is no different. The Symphony’s performance of the “1812 Overture” and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” under the skies at Oregon Ridge is a perennial favorite. Fireworks cap off the evening. This year’s concert will be held on Tuesday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Come early and bring a picnic. Advance tickets are $11 children; $22 adults ($3 more at the gate). For more information, visit www.bsomusic.org.
7. The Baltimore Improv Festival, from July 30 to Aug. 5, showcases a variety of local, regional and nationally-known improv groups in shows and workshops in Baltimore. Check it out at www.baltimoreimprovfestival.org.
8. Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. The largest indoor antiques show in the country, this annual event will be held at the Convention Center from Thursday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 2. More than 200 exhibitors from the United States, Canada, France, Italy, England, China and Japan will be on hand. General admission tickets are $20. For details, visit www.baltimoresummershow.com.
9. Maryland State Fair. Sausage and peppers? Funnel cake? Cotton candy? Your favorite treat will be available at Maryland’s annual farewell-to-summer celebration, held every year at the Timonium State Fairgrounds. This year’s fair will take place from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3. As always, there will be rides, games, refreshments, animal exhibits, concerts and a jousting tournament. For a complete schedule, visit www.marylandstatefair.com.
10. From Sept. 7 to 10, the streets of Baltimore’s Little Italy will welcome approximately 50 visual artists to the second annual Madonnari Arts Festival, who will bring their talents to South High and Stiles Streets. The inspiration for this event — the art of street painting — comes from Italy, in a tradition that dates to the 16th century.
    Historically, madonnari were wandering artists who travelled from village to village to create paintings at festivals and on holy days to earn a living. Many of the artists depicted religious images in their work, thus earning their name. For more information, visit www.littleitalymadonnari.com.