Arts & Culture

Baltimore Fourth of July Events

Our picks for a great Independence Day.

In the City

July 4: Visionary Pets on Parade: Dress your pet up, and come out for a fun filled pet-centric event. Activities include costume contests (most patriotic, most visionary, owner and pet look-alikes), pet musical chairs, a pet parade, and a most talented (and most not talented) competition. H20 and baggies included! 800 Key Hwy. 9:30 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. avam.org.

July 4: The Glorious Fourth!…An Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Fort McHenry:Fort McHenry offers fife-and-drum music, cannon firing, a musket salute for 18 states, period dancing and games, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. 2400 E. Fort Avenue. 12-4:30 p.m. 410-962-4290. nps.gov/fomc.

July 4: Ports America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration: Baltimore’s premiere Fourth of July celebration includes music by country band Mason Vixon and the U.S. Naval Academy Electric Brigade, as well as an appearance by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake who will officially kick off the Independence Day celebration preceding the firework show! Inner Harbor. 4-10 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. bop.org.

July 4: Top of the World Fourth of July Celebration: Take a sky-high view of the fireworks from Baltimore’s World Trade Center. Enjoy sliders, hot dogs, barbecue chicken and corn on the cob with open bar (beer and wine). 401 E. Pratt Street. 7-10 p.m. $30-75. 410-837-8439. viewbaltimore.org.

July 4: USS Constellation Museum’s Independence Day Deck Party Picnic: Overlook the Inner Harbor high above the crowds and enjoy a wonderful view of the fireworks. Look forward to plenty of backyard barbeque as well as an assortment of delicious local brew. Live music, special tours, cannon firings. Inner Harbor. 7-10 p.m. Free-$65. 410-539-1797. historicships.org. July 4: Baltimore Spirit Cruises: Experience the fireworks from the bay on a luxurious dining vessel! Featuring a buffet, interactive DJ, entertainment, and dancing. 561 Light Street. 7 p.m. $99.90. 866-312-2469.spiritcruisesbaltimore.com.

July 4: July 4th at The Baltimore Museum of Industry: Besides a great view of the fireworks, expect museum tours and other activities. Pack a snack or buy food in the pavilion. 1415 Key Highway. 6-10 p.m. $40-60 (per car). 410-727-4808 ext. 105.bmi.org.

July 4: Pier Party at the National Aquarium:Enjoy a great view of the fireworks and live entertainment. Bring a picnic basket or purchase snacks at the party. There is ample, unreserved seating. Entry into the aquarium will be permitted from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 7-10 p.m. (admission to aquarium: 7-8:30) $15-40. 410-727-3474. aqua.org.

In the County

July 4: 32nd Annual Kingsville Independence Parade: Since 1980, the Kingsville Parade has been an exclusively volunteer-run effort to commemorate our nation’s independence. Features pre-parade music and other festivities. Parade starts at the Fire Company and proceeds on Bradshaw Road to Jerusalem Road, ending at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. 11601 Bellvue Ave. 9:30 a.m. 410-592-7385. kingsvilleparade.org.

July 4: Towson 4th of July Parade: Follow the parade on Bosley and Burke Avenues. 10:30 a.m. 410-832-2190. towsonparade.org.

July 3-5: Star-Spangled Spectacular: Join the BSO at Oregon Ridge Park for an independence day extravaganza featuring Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever and more, choreographed to an amazing fireworks display! Plus hear the BSO’s Oh, Say Can You Sing contest winner perform the national anthem. Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville. 8 p.m. $9-18. 410-783-4000. bsomusic.org.

July 4: The Dundalk Heritage Fair Parade and Fireworks: This year’s 78th annual Dundalk Heritage Fair Parade’s theme is “Welcome Home Our Troops.” The fair’s mission is to support and reinforce the tremendous patriotism of the Greater Dundalk Community. North Point Government Center. 8:15 a.m. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Free-$5. 410-284-4022. dundalkheritagefair.org.


Eats on the Fourth

RUSTY SCUPPER The harbor-side restaurant celebrates with an all-you-can-eat crab feast, featuring a buffet of jumbo crabs, steamed shrimp, hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, a variety of salads, assorted desserts, watermelon, and more. Diners with reservations will have their table for five hours and be able to watch the fireworks display. Regular dinner service is also available in the main dining room. Buffet: $89.95, adults; $35, kids 10 and under; tax and gratuity not included. 402 Key Hwy., 410-727-3678.

TEN TEN Enjoy a three-course, prix-fixe menu, featuring dishes like grilled watermelon, pan-roasted pork porterhouse, and a grilled banana split, indoors or on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. 4-9:45 p.m. $40; $55 with beer pairings. 1010 Fleet St., 410-244-6867.

THE WINE MARKET The Locust Point spot offers a $30 prix-fixe menu or à la carte options, including a watermelon margarita snow cone for adults. After dinner, chairs will be set up on the parking lot for the fireworks. Opens at 4 p.m. 921 E. Fort Ave., 410-244-6166.

WIT & WISDOM, A TAVERN BY MICHAEL MINA With prime views of Baltimore’s fireworks display, the restaurant offers a pig roast, hot-dog cart, grilled corn, barbecued brownies, a selection of beverages, and more. The event also features a Bruce Springsteen cover band and activities for kids, including face painting, temporary tattoos, and balloons. 5:30-9:30 p.m. $75, adults; $20, kids under 15. Four Seasons Baltimore, 200 International Dr., 410-576-5800.