The Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Baltimore 2019 Edition

As temperatures rise and the summer season begins in Baltimore, the city’s calendar of events fills up quickly with activities for all groups and ages. With the number of summer music concerts, festivals, restaurants, and outdoor activities, you can plan a new experience every weekend through June, July, August, and even September. Whether you’re looking to experience something new or simply want to relax, we’ve compiled the ultimate summer guide for our city. Let’s take a look at what the city has to offer!

Baltimore’s Outdoor Concerts

Outdoor summer concerts are a seasonal staple in Baltimore. Spending a warm evening outside with friends while enjoying your favorite music is always a good time. Every year, Baltimore’s music scene gets bigger and more exciting. With the lineup this year, there’s always different music to experience. Whether you’re seeing a new band or listening to your favorite music, you’ll enjoy Baltimore’s outdoor concert series. Below is the current list of this year’s performances. We’ve separated them by location.

Belvedere Square Outdoor Concerts

Belvedere Square is considered North Baltimore’s central gathering spot. There are a number of retail shopping, dining, and convenient service options. In the summertime, this spot is filled with all types of music for those nearby to enjoy. This summer, the following bands and musicians are performing:

• Junkyard Saint | June 7
• Nelly’s Echo | June 14
• Mambo Combo | June 28
• Vertigo Red | July 12
• The Crawdaddies | July 26
• Red Dirt Revolution | August 2
• It’s All Good | August 9
• Patrick Alban & Noche Latina | August 16
• Crushing Day | August 23
• Ricky Wise & the Dirty Unit | August 30
• The New Romance | September 6

First Thursday Outdoor Concerts

WTMD’s First Thursday Festival runs from May through September every year. It’s presented by Brewers Hill. On the first Thursday of those months, everyone is welcome to visit the Canton Waterfront Park for free music performances. The music starts at 5:30. These concerts happen rain or shine. Final performer lists are updated as the dates approach, so the lists below are subject to change. So far, the lineup consists of the following:

• The War & Treaty / Sunflower Bean / Eli Paperboy Reed / Tyler Ramsey | June 6
• Van Hunt / Soccer Mommy / Black Pumas | July 11
• Bailen / Steve Gunn | August 1
• Strand of Oaks | September 5

Fun on the Waterfront – Harbor Point

Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore hosts Fun on the Waterfront. This is another free outdoor concert series. They have two locations. The first is Harbor Point. The Central Plaza, which sits adjacent to the Exelon Building, is 1.5 acres. The space is well suited for concerts and visitors have a great view of Inner Harbor. They have the following musicians listed for their 2019 concert series:

• The Vegabons | June 7
• David Bach Jazz Concerto | July 5
• Kat Wright | August 2
• The Plate Scrapers | September 6

Fun on the Waterfront – West Shore Park

The second Fun on the Waterfront location is at West Shore Park. This park is located between the Baltimore Visitor Center and the Maryland Science Center. The following bands are performing there this summer:

• Black Masala | May 10
• The Dirty Grass Players | June 14
• Charm City Junction | July 12
• LITZ | August 9
• Gedeon Luke & The People | September 13

Mecu Pavilion

The Mecu Pavilion, which was formerly known as Pier Six Pavilion, is one of Baltimore’s premier outdoor music venues. It has showcased musical talent for more than 36 years. Their musical lineup this year includes:

• The Royal Affair Tour: Yes and More | June 22
• Chicago | June 26
• Sad Summer Festival | July 12
• Sirius XM JamOn Presents: moe. And Blues Traveler with G.Love | July 13
• Godsmack | July 14
• Classic Rock Meets Classic Country: Steve Miller Band and Marty Stuart | July 18
• Iration – Live from Paradise! Summer Tour | July 21
• Greensky Bluegrass | August 1
• KIDZ BOP World Tour 2019 | August 3
• Why Don’t We | August 5
• Rebelution: Good Vibes Summer Tour 2019 | August 8
• Jon Bellion: The Glory Sound Prep Tour | August 11
• Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminal / Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue | August 20
• +LIVE & Bush – The Altimate Tour | August 24

Power Plant Live!

Power Plant Live! is an entertainment venue. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars, comedy clubs, and nightclubs to check out. They also participate in Baltimore’s outdoor summer concert series. This year, you can see the following musicians:

• Midland | June 7
• Chase Rice | June 28
• Walker Hayes with Special Guest Ryan Hurd | July 19
• Justin Moore | August 2
• Cody Johnson | September 13
• Taking Back Sunday | September 20

Cultural and Culinary Festivals

Every year, Baltimore has dozens of festivals that celebrate art, culture, music, food, and drink. During the summer months, you can celebrate cultures or experience different foods. Our city’s most popular festivals are discussed below. Venture out to these celebrations to experience something new!

• Saint Nicholas Greek Folk Festival. Maryland’s biggest Greek festival takes place this year from June 6-9. The Saint Nicholas Greek Folk Festival is a four-day event that is held in Greektown Square on S. Ponca Street. Guests can enjoy Greek foods, live performances, and children’s activities.
• Pride. This year’s Baltimore Pride Weekend takes place from June 14-16. This year’s theme is “Unity through Diversity: The ReMix.” More than 30,000 guests are expected to be in attendance. There are events and activities to enjoy all weekend, like the parade or the shows at one of two stages.
• Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival. The city’s largest crab feast features a four-hour, all-you-can-eat crab event for all ages. Guests can also choose from more than 60 beers and wines. The Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival takes place on June 22. This event sells out quickly, so get your tickets today.
• LatinoFest. At Patterson Park on June 23-24, you can check out LatinoFest. This marks the 38^th annual festival. The weekend is filled with live Latin music, dancing, cuisine, arts, and more. In addition to community support information booths, families can participate in activities like rock climbing, face-painting, and live entertainment.
• Baltimore Caribbean Carnival. The Baltimore Caribbean Carnival takes place from July 13-14. Gathering up your friends and family and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Caribbean in Clifton Park. From Caribbean food to local artists and vendors, there’s something new to experience all weekend.
• Artscape. From July 19-21, you can visit America’s largest free arts festival, Artscape, in Mount Vernon. There will be over 150 artists, designers, craftspeople, and performers. Visitors can enjoy international foods and beverages, live concerts, performing arts, hands-on demonstrations, and children’s entertainers.
• Vegan Soulfest. On August 3, vegans and food lovers are welcome to enjoy delicious foods, live music, and informative exhibits on veganism at the sixth annual Vegan Soulfest.
• African American Festival. From August 10-11, the largest cultural celebration on the east coast takes place. During the African American Festival, you can enjoy musical performances, cultural food, crafts, and empowering seminars.
• Feast of Saint. The annual Feast of Saint Gabriel takes place at Saint Leo’s Catholic Church in Little Italy. This two-day event, from August 17-18, features classic Italian food, drink, and entertainment.
• Baltimore Seafood Festival. The Baltimore Seafood Festival celebrates our city’s seafood and the local restaurants that serve it. In addition to sampling crab cakes, crab soup, shrimp salad, local oysters, and blue crabs, guests can watch live music and cooking demos. There are also family activities. This sell-out event happens on September 14 at Canton Waterfront Park.

Summer Dining Options in Baltimore

Trying new foods with friends and family is always a treat. Finding a new restaurant with a stunning few of the harbor is one of the best summer experiences Baltimore has to offer. We’ve combined some of the best and most unique summer dining options in our city. Whether you’re looking for American cuisine or are looking to try something from a different country, we’ve got you covered.

• Forno. Forno is located in the heart of downtown Baltimore. Guests can experience modern Italian cuisine in an upscale casual setting.
• Magdalena. Magdalena, a fine-dining bistro, is located in the Ivy Hotel. The hotel is a historic mansion that was built in 1889. The restaurant offers diners modern American cuisine. They also have an extensive wine list.
• Azumi. Located in Harbor East at the Four Seasons Hotel, this Japanese restaurant provides a sense of comfort and style to guests. Azumi, which is a traditional Japanese girl’s name, means “safe harbor.”
• Cinghiale. When visiting Cinghiale, you can enjoy the excitement of their wine bar or relax in comfortable elegance in their dining room. Designed as a gathering place, this restaurant celebrates modern Italian cuisine.
• Gunther & Co. Gunther & Co. is located in the historic Gunther Boiler Building in Brewers Hill. With a focus on engaging their diners’ senses, they provide modern American cuisine with local and global influences.
• Ouzo Bay. This restaurant celebrates Greek cuisine. When you visit Ouzo Bay, you can sit in their dining area, at their bar or lounge, or enjoy their outdoor patio. They strive to provide authentic and unique Mediterranean meals.
• Barcocina. This waterfront Mexican restaurant encourages sharing amongst friends. Barcocina’s food features fresh ingredients and original twists.
• Spirit Cruises. This unique experience combines delicious food and entertainment. When you step aboard a Spirit Cruise, you’ll be taken along the Patapsco River to see the sites of Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Fell’s Point, Fort McHenry, the Key Bridge, and more. They offer lunch and dinner buffets with an assortment of food options. While you wait for your table, you can visit the bar or play games like shuffleboard and Jenga.
• Bond Street Social. Located in Fell’s Point, Bond Street Social offers modern comfort food. They strive to provide guests with an upscale dining experience and a lively social scene.
• Loch Bar. This classic Maryland seafood house serves a variety of seafood, in addition to their raw bar. They also have a large selection of craft cocktails and beer. The Loch Bar overlooks the Harbor East Marina, making it a perfect spot in the summer to see a panoramic view of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Outdoor Activities for the Whole Family

It’s easier than you think to enjoy the outdoors in Baltimore. Whether you’re looking to get out on the water, want to take a historic walking tour or hike, or feel like going on a bike ride with the family, we’ve got you covered when it comes to the best outdoor activities in Baltimore this summer.

• Kayak Rentals. To truly experience the Chesapeake Bay, it’s best to get out on it! You can rent a kayak from the Maryland Science Center in Inner Harbor. If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to get on the water, there are also a number of companies that rent out paddle boats and dragon-shaped boats in Inner Harbor. For a more adventurous trip, you can rent kayaks, tubes, and more from Terrapin Adventures. You’ll be able to travel down the Patapsco River and immerse yourself in the surrounding nature.
• Baltimore Bike Party. If you’re into bicycling, you can join the Baltimore Bike Party. They post their schedule on their Facebook page. Every ride has a theme associated with it. Many people come in costume for the ride. Some past themes include Warriors, Superheroes, and Prom Night.
• Golfing. Baltimore has a collection of public golf courses within city limits called the “Classic Five.” They include Carrol Park, Clifton Park, Mount Pleasant, Forest Park, and Pine Ridge. Outside of the city, you’ll find dozens of other courses to choose from.
• Hiking. The most popular hiking trail in Baltimore is the ten-mile Jones Falls Trail. It starts at the Baltimore Visitor Center and ends at the 200-acre Cylburn Arboretum – the city’s largest public garden. Connected to that are three more miles of trails that pass through the gardens and surrounding woodlands.
• Walking Tours. According to the National Park Service, there are a number of guided walking tours offered by the Baltimore National Heritage Area. Their current tours include the Heritage Walk, Mount Vernon Cultural Walk, Historic Fell’s Point Trail, and Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail.

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy Summer from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC

As local personal injury lawyers, we’re dedicated to serving our Maryland clients and helping them recover what they’ve lost in their time of need. But we know how to have fun, too! Get the most out of your summer this year by checking out the events and locations mentioned above. Baltimore has endless opportunities for our residents and visiting tourists, alike. No matter what your interests, there’s bound to be something for you to check out!