Artscape, Crabs, and Sunset Sails: What to Do This Weekend in Baltimore

Baltimore Weekend Weather Snapshot

Friday, May 23: Cool and mostly cloudy with a chance of morning showers. High around 65°F, low near 51°F.

Saturday, May 24: Breezy and pleasant with partial sunshine. High of 67°F, low of 52°F.

Sunday, May 25: Pleasant; sun and areas of high clouds in the morning, then more clouds than sunshine in the afternoon. High of 72°F, low of 52°F.

Looks like a comfortable Memorial Day weekend—ideal for outdoor events and festivals!

Things To Do This Weekend In The Baltimore Area

Food & Drink

🍻 Brew at the Zoo
📅 Saturday & Sunday, May 24–25 | 1PM – 7PM
📍 The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl, Baltimore

One of Baltimore’s favorite Memorial Day traditions is back! Head to the Maryland Zoo for unlimited samples from 80+ breweries, live music, local eats, and full access to zoo exhibits. VIP tickets get you early entry and exclusive animal encounters. All proceeds support wildlife conservation—drink for a cause!

🍞 Sip & Sourdough with Bread By Bridget
📅 Saturday, May 24 | 1PM – 3PM
📍 Mobtown Brewing Company, 4015 Foster Ave, Baltimore

Learn the art of sourdough baking in a relaxed, hands-on workshop led by local microbaker Bridget. Held at Mobtown Brewing, this class is perfect for beginners eager to master the basics of artisan bread-making. Enjoy a brew while you mix, shape, and prepare your own dough to take home. All materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and appetite!

🥩 Steaks & Cigars: Cookout Edition
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 5PM – 10PM
📍 Safari Club, 5625 O'Donnell St, Baltimore

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a sizzling evening of premium steaks, fine cigars, and vibrant vibes. Hosted by Stephen Bell & Dollar Bill, this cookout promises a flavorful fusion of food and fellowship. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just looking to unwind, this event offers the perfect setting to relax and indulge.

🦀 Crabs & Crushes at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 6PM – 9PM
📍 Jimmy’s LIVE Bar, 6526 Holabird Ave, Baltimore

Get ready for the ultimate Maryland feast! Enjoy unlimited steamed crabs, freshly shucked oysters and clams, and all-you-can-drink crushes in flavors like orange, grapefruit, and lemon—crafted with White Claw vodka. This family-friendly celebration features live acoustic music (with 98 Rock’s Kirk McEwen & Devin Breithaupt), games, raffles, and more, all set in a Margaritaville-themed bar. Come hungry!

🍋 Lemon Stick Fundraiser with the Charm City Lemon Sticks
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 1PM – 4PM
📍 Don’t Know Tavern, 1453 Light St, Federal Hill

Support Baltimore’s own women’s baseball team and grab a sweet treat while you’re at it! The Charm City Lemon Sticks are kicking off their season with a fundraiser at Don’t Know Tavern — stop by to meet the team, learn about the league, and snag a classic lemon stick (or two). Good vibes, good cause, good excuse to start day drinking.

Art & Culture

🎭 Artscape 2025
📅 Saturday & Sunday, May 24–25 | 11AM – 10PM
📍 Downtown Baltimore (centered around City Hall & under the Jones Falls Expressway)

America’s largest free outdoor arts festival returns with a bold new look and location! Now part of the Downtown Rise Initiative, Artscape 2025 transforms the heart of Baltimore with immersive art, live music, culinary experiences, and family-friendly fun. Expect headliners like Fantasia, Robin Thicke, Little Brother, Tweet, and Tanner Adell, plus activations like Kidscape, The Flavor Lab, the SCOUT Art Fair, and Artscape After Dark.

This year’s festival footprint is more walkable and weather-friendly, with murals and installations revitalizing the space beneath the JFX

🎨 42nd Annual SOWEBO Arts & Music Festival
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 12PM – 8PM
📍 Historic Hollins Market, 1100 Hollins St, Baltimore

Celebrate “Neighborhood, Community, and Love” at Baltimore’s longest-running free outdoor arts festival! SOWEBOFest returns with four live music stages, over 140 art and nonprofit vendors, interactive murals, food trucks, and family-friendly fun—including puppet theater, hat-making, and a community parade. It’s a vibrant, grassroots celebration of Southwest Baltimore’s creative spirit.

🎭 Celebrity Wisdom with Heather Moyer
📅 Friday, May 23 | 8PM
📍 Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore

What happens when you combine celebrity memoirs with improv comedy scenes? Celeb-hilarity. Come hear excerpts from Matthew McConaughey, Paris Hilton, Suzanne Somers, and more — then watch some of the best improvisers in Baltimore create comedy scenes on the spot!

Family Fun

🌿 Baltimore Herb Festival 2025
📅 Saturday, May 24 | 9AM – 3PM
📍 1920 Eagle Drive, Baltimore

Celebrate all things herbal at this beloved annual tradition! Browse plant and herb vendors, shop handmade goods, enjoy live music, grab a bite from local food trucks, and soak in the community vibes. A perfect way to kick off Memorial Day weekend with something fresh and fragrant.

🎨 Free Family Sundays at the BMA
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 2PM – 5PM
📍 Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore

Get creative with the whole family at this free weekly art-making workshop! Designed for kids ages 6 to 9, these hands-on sessions help young artists explore new techniques and ideas. No registration required—just drop in to the Joseph Education Center Studio and start making art together.

⛵ Private Sailing Charter with Boat Baltimore
📅 Sunday, May 25 | Multiple Departure Times
📍 Port Covington Marina, 321 E Cromwell St, Baltimore

Sail into golden hour this Memorial Day weekend aboard a 45-foot private yacht. Hosted by a USCG-certified captain, these fully customizable charters are perfect for couples, families, or friend groups (up to 6 guests). Bring your own drinks, snacks, and playlist as you cruise past Fort McHenry and under the Key Bridge. Veteran-owned, BYOB, and unforgettable.

🕰️ Departure Times: 10:30AM • 1PM • 3:30PM • 6PM (Sunset Sail)

Music & Entertainment

🎸 A Farewell to Kings: A Rush Tribute
📅 Saturday, May 24 | Doors 7PM, Show 8PM
📍 The Ottobar, 2549 N Howard St, Baltimore

Experience the magic of Rush live with A Farewell to Kings (AF2K), the premier tribute band capturing the essence of the legendary trio. From intricate instrumentals to soaring vocals, AF2K delivers a performance that resonates with both die-hard fans and new listeners alike. Join fellow enthusiasts for an unforgettable night of progressive rock classics.

🎶 RADO & The Fitzkee Brothers Live
📅 Friday, May 23 | 7PM
📍 8x10, 10 E Cross St, Baltimore

Get ready for a night of rock, blues, and psychedelic shenanigans! Denver-based RADO brings their explosive blend of jam-heavy grooves and soaring improvisation to Baltimore. Opening the show are The Fitzkee Brothers, a young and wildly talented rhythm duo from Delaware serving up funky, soulful vibes. Expect high energy, tight musicianship, and a packed dance floor.

🚀 Balticon 59: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Convention
📅 Friday–Monday, May 23–26
📍 Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, 202 E Pratt St, Baltimore

Step into another world at Balticon 59—Baltimore’s premier four-day celebration of science fiction and fantasy. With 300+ hours of programming, including author panels, cosplay, live-streaming, film screenings, an art show, and more, there’s something for every kind of fan. Produced by the volunteer-run Baltimore Science Fiction Society, this con is as grassroots as it is galactic.

Get Involved!

Featured Restaurant of the Week:

Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar

📍 1601 Union Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211
🔗 bluepitbbq.com

If you're craving smoky meats, stiff drinks, and zero pretension—this is your spot. Blue Pit BBQ has earned its stripes as one of the best barbecue joints in Maryland (Southern Living even said so), and it's easy to see why.

From tender brisket to bourbon-glazed ribs, everything is slow-smoked and served with sides that are just as addictive (the loaded potato salad with Benton’s bacon? Ridiculous). Pair it with one of the hundreds of whiskeys behind the bar, and you’ve got yourself a perfect night in Hampden.

Great for: casual hangs, whiskey lovers, and anyone who believes good BBQ should be eaten with your hands.

🍻 Happy Hour of the Week

$5 Drafts + $3 Off Apps at Brewer’s Cask
📍 1236 Light St, Federal Hill
🕒 Happy Hour: Monday–Friday: 3PM – 6PM, Saturday: 2PM – 7PM, Monday (Industry Night): 5PM – 11PM

Looking for a no-frills, all-fun happy hour in Federal Hill? Brewer’s Cask has you covered with $5 drafts and $3 off all appetizers. Whether you're craving wings, sliders, or just a solid pint after work, this neighborhood spot delivers classic pub vibes and friendly service without breaking the bank.

On the Market: Baltimore Home of the Week

Mid-Century Modern Retreat in Lake Roland

📍 6009 Lake Manor Drive, Baltimore, MD 21210
💰 $797,000 | 🛏️ 3 Beds | 🛁 4.5 Baths | 📐 2,887 sq ft

Tucked into a lush enclave near Lake Roland’s scenic trails, this mid-century modern gem offers a seamless blend of sophistication and nature-connected living. With clean lines, cathedral ceilings, and expansive windows, the home invites natural light and brings the outdoors in. A vintage collector’s kitchen adds character, while the first-floor primary suite provides a tranquil retreat. Outside, a serene garden surrounds a sleek, reflective pool—your private haven. The fully finished lower level offers flexible space for entertainment, work, or guests.

Experience the perfect harmony of design and nature in this unique Baltimore residence.

🔗 View Listing

Got a listing or hidden gem to feature? Hit reply and let us know!

Restaurant & Local News

🍗 Zaxby’s Expanding into Baltimore Metro Area

Southern fast-food favorite Zaxby’s is bringing its signature Chicken Fingerz and wings to Maryland. The Georgia-based chain has partnered with local firm Lattakia Group LLC to open four new locations across the Baltimore Metro region, including areas like Nottingham, Rosedale, Glen Burnie, and Ellicott City. This expansion follows plans announced last year to open three restaurants on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The first Baltimore-area Zaxby’s is expected to open by the end of 2025.
🔗 Read More

👑 The Duchess: Hampden’s Newest Culinary Gem

Baltimore restaurateur Tony Foreman has unveiled The Duchess in Hampden, offering a unique blend of English pub ambiance and Pacific Islander cuisine. Executive Chef Kiko Fejarang brings her Chamorro heritage to the menu, featuring dishes like tatiyas, a traditional flatbread. The Duchess aims to be a community gathering spot, combining comfort food with a welcoming atmosphere.
🔗 Read More

🍱 Ekiben to Open First Frederick Location

Baltimore-based Asian fusion restaurant Ekiben is set to expand to Frederick, Maryland, with a new location at 500 N. Market St. While the opening date hasn't been finalized, construction is underway. This will be Ekiben's fourth Maryland location, joining existing spots in Hampden, Fells Point, and South Baltimore. Known for its steamed buns and rice bowls, Ekiben also operates a stall at Camden Yards during Orioles home games.
🔗 Read More

🎂 Pimlico Cake: A Sweet Preakness Tradition

Despite the closure of the Pimlico Hotel in 1991, its iconic dessert, the Pimlico Cake, remains a beloved Baltimore tradition, especially during Preakness Stakes celebrations. The cake features layers of yellow chiffon, vanilla Bavarian cream, and chocolate ganache, often adorned with crushed walnuts. Local establishments like Atwater’s and The Classic Catering People continue to offer the cake, keeping the legacy alive for new generations.
🔗 Read More

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