Eat
July 25-26: Braglio Farms Watermelon Festival
Braglio Farms. 10519 Marriottsville Rd. Randallstown. 12-5 p.m. $11-16.
It’s the sweetest weekend of the summer at Braglio Farms. Pay a visit to the Randallstown fixture to find food trucks, refreshing sips (watermelon lemonade, anyone?), artisanal goods in the country market, ice cream treats at the scoop shop, and, of course, farm-fresh watermelon in all forms—including the signature watermelon pizza topped with whipped cream and berries. There’s also the annual watermelon-eating contest, because, duh. Additionally, the fest features hay rides, kid-friendly games and activities, petting zoo opps, and a serene wildflower trail. Your first juicy slice comes with the price of admission.
See also: Milloh Pop-Up at Chill Snowballs, Baltimore Summer Restaurant Week
DRINK
July 25: Fête Champêtre; A Luxe Garden Party
Middle Branch Park, 3301 Waterview Ave. 4-10 p.m. $69.40.
Now in its third year, this lavish garden party takes picnicking to the next level with live entertainment, local vendors, and food and drinks overlooking Middle Branch Park’s gorgeous waterfront. Hit up one of the many bars on the flower-filled grounds to grab a glass of bubbly, frozen island cocktail, or NA beverage to bring back to your spot before R&B powerhouses Jenevieve and Tone Stith take the stage.
SEE
July 25: Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. 1417 Thames St. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free for spectators.
Local and regional dragon boat teams are hyped for this annual day of races, which now has a new home in Fells Point. For some free fun this weekend, head to the Thames Street waterfront to watch as teams paddle and ride in heats all day long. If you need some fuel, an array of bites and drinks will be available for sale by local faves including Good Day Bagels, Traveling Tom’s Coffee Truck, Bao Di, Dough Hill Pizza, Box Hill (crab cakes), Double Bunny (boba), and Say Squeeze (lemonade.)
If you have tix: Fluid Movement Presents: Candy Land of Pleasant Living; See also: Afro House’s Kojo Astronaut; Doll Parts… at The Voxel
HEAR
July 24: Baltimore Beat Summer Jam
Baltimore Museum of Industry. 1415 Key Highway. 9 p.m.-12 a.m. $36.
Immediately following its Legacy Gala honoring W. Paul Coates, Dr. Leslie King Hammond, and Afro Charities for their work in preserving Black media, the Baltimore Beat will be ready to get on the dance floor at this outdoor after party overlooking the glowing Inner Harbor and Domino Sugars sign at the BMI. Grab a ticket to join in and start your weekend right by grooving to non-stop bangers spun by Styles Bond. Proceeds support the Beat’s unwavering dedication to accessible, Black-led nonprofit journalism in the city.
DO
July 26: Charm City Artists Market
El Jardin. 1616 Thames St. 12-5 p.m. Free admission.
Local arts nonprofit Charm City Artists is teaming up with The Sound Garden and Arepi to host another open-air vendor showcase in the businesses’ shared back patio this weekend. Swing by throughout the day to enjoy works for sale from 30 area makers (think: prints, jewelry, vintage, clothing, and more), eats and sips by Arepi, and DJ Dagm live on stage.