EAT

Oct. 12: Oysterfest 13

South Point, Port Covington. 12-9 p.m. Free-$99.

For the first time in its 13-year history, this slurp-tastic festival will take place on South Point’s waterfront, with tons of freshly shucked oysters, seafood delights, and drinks to celebrate prime Chesapeake Bay oyster season. Spend the day sampling more than 10 varieties of raw oysters, taking in the picture-perfect views, and, if you really want to be impressed, watching some of the region’s most skilled oyster fanatics compete for the title of fastest local shucker. If you’re hemming and hawing over the price of a VIP shuck-buck package, remember that a portion of the proceeds benefits the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Living Classrooms Foundation.

DRINK

Oct. 12:Chesapeake Kombucha Homebrew Competition

WILD Kombucha, 4820 Seton Dr., Suite L. 1-5 p.m. Free.

The Wild Kombucha boys are heralded around town for their homegrown success story—the founders expanded their booch operation from a one-room set-up to a 13,000-square-foot brewery within four years—and now they’re giving fellow local brewers the chance to jumpstart theirs, too. Visit the northwest Baltimore brewery on Saturday to participate in Wild Kombucha’s first-ever homebrew competition, where you can put your own recipe to the test or spend the afternoon sipping on the fermented flavors of area makers. Stick around to see which homebrew recipe takes home the people’s choice award because, who knows, it could be sitting on the shelf at Whole Foods before you know it.

SEE

Oct. 11: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25.

This Friday, the Baltimore Museum of Art will prove that the real party doesn’t start until gallery hours end. During the latest iteration of the museum’s ever-popular Art After Hours series, Baltimore-based artist collectives Wickerham & Lomax and WDLY will put on a takeover called The House We Built that unfold in three acts: a wedding, funeral, and anniversary party. Inspired by the transformative moments expressed in the BMA’s current exhibition, Generations: A History of Black Abstract Art, this one-night-only affair will feature everything from performances and artists talks to wearable art workshops and free admission to this boundary-breaking exhibition.

HEAR

Oct. 12: Band Camp Music Festival

Waverly Brewing Company, 1625 Union Ave., Suite C. 12-9 p.m. $12.

Remember that one time at band camp? Well, this inaugural camp-inspired music festival at Waverly Brewing Company might jog your memory. Starting on Saturday afternoon, pack the Hampden brewery to hear rockin’ sets from nine local acts across two stages. Inside at the Acoustic Brewery stage, bop along with rising artists like Alex Champagne and Joseph Mulhollen, and check out the Electric Outdoor stage where Baltimore bands like The Minus Drag and The Shrapnels will be shredding all evening long.

DO

Oct. 12-13: Fells Point Fun Festival

Thames St. and S. Broadway Sts. Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free-$50.

Somehow, this beloved neighborhood festival continues to get bigger and better each year. Make your way to the heart of Fells Point this weekend to join in on the family-friendly revelry of this 53rd annual shindig, which showcases the best eats, drinks, shopping, live music, and entertainment the waterfront hotspot has to offer. Pro tip: If you plan to have a drink (or two) in hand during the festival, purchase exclusive drink packages by Friday to take advantage of money-saving offers.

EAT

May 26: Momo X Sandlot

Sandlot, 1000 Wills St. 3-7 p.m. Free.

Skip the typical Memorial Day backyard barbecues (sorry, Mom) in favor of this culinary star-studded cookout at Harbor Point’s waterfront oasis. Hit the “beach” and spend Sunday afternoon sampling eats from some of the best grillmasters in the city, including Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen, Steve Chu of Ekiben, David Thomas of Ida B’s Table, and Carlos Raba of Clavel, as well as special guest Tae Strain of Momofuku CCDC in Washington, D.C. Jam out to live music by local troubadour Caleb Stine and, once the food coma has passed, indulge in sweets from Pure Chocolate by Jinji Fraser and David Alima of The Charmery.

DRINK

May 25-26: Brew at the Zoo

The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl. 1-7 p.m.$24.99-75.99.

We can’t think of a better way to kick off Memorial Day weekend than hanging out with Maryland Zoo’s polar bears and penguins while sipping on local brews. In between unlimited samplings of beers from more than 80 regional breweries, bop along to live music by artists like Ballyhoo! and Amish Outlaws and soak up the suds with eats from dozens of food vendors. Best of all? Every dollar raised goes directly back to the zoo.

SEE

May 25: Baltimore Drag Awards

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $18.

If you thought this year’s Met Gala featured the best campy couture looks around, think again. Follow the trail of glitter and false eyelashes to the Creative Alliance for the annual Baltimore Drag Awards, hosted by powerhouse MCs Brooklyn Heights and Betty O’Hellno who will lead the camp-tastic audience through a cocktail mixer, awards ceremony, and a series of fierce performances. While it’s too late to sit VIP, snag tickets to be in the company of the city’s best drag performers and see if you can spot the standout entertainers featured in our June Pride issue.

HEAR

May 26: Sowebo Arts & Music Festival

1100 Hollins St. 12-8 p.m. Free.

Summer in the city is full of street festivals, but after 36 years this Sowebo arts and music extravaganza continues to stand out among the pack. Held on the streets around Hollins Market, this neighborhood-wide affair boasts three stages of music—with sets by local bands like Deaf Scene and Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band—along with tons of family-friendly activities, including a craft rumble, a petting station with furry friends from Irvine Nature Center, and a puppet performance by Black Cherry Puppet Theater.

DO

May 24: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25.

When visiting hours end, the real art party begins. To commemorate the final weekend of the Monsters & Myths: Surrealism and War in the 1930s and 1940s exhibition, pack the Baltimore Art Museum to experience sound art, musical performances by artist Hans Berg, Surrealist-inspired games, and pop-up activities through the night. After downing signature cocktails and bites from Gertrude’s Restaurant, take advantage of late-night access to the galleries and spend some time with works by artists like Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso before the exhibition closes on Sunday.

EAT

June 23: Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival

Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 5-9 p.m. Free-$95. 800-830-3976.

Some things are better enjoyed together: hot summer days and Snoasis snowballs, an O’s game and a crab mac and cheese dog, and, of course, crabs and beer. This Saturday, Baltimore’s biggest crab feast returns to the Inner Harbor for its fifth all-you-can-taste extravaganza featuring more than 30,000 Old Bay-doused crustaceans, plus bottomless brews, wines, and spirits. Grab a mallet, stake out a picnic table, and dig into this time-honored tradition.

DRINK

June 23: Mai Bar Summer Launch Party

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 6-8 p.m. Free-$25. 443-347-3570.

Don your best hula skirt or Jimmy Buffet-inspired Hawaiian shirt and head to R. House for a tropical-themed patio party to debut Mai Bar, the Remington food hall’s new outdoor oasis of frozen libations. Get into an island state of mind with lei-making, lawn games, and a lush Instagram-worthy photo booth from B. Willow, all while sipping blended cocktails like frosés and gin mai tais. While you’re there, be sure to stop inside to try R. Bar’s new summer camp-inspired seasonal menu.

SEE

June 23: World Refugee Day Festival

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 12-3 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651.

There’s never been a better time to rally around and support Charm City’s growing refugee community. This Saturday, bring the whole family to Highlandtown to see performances by traditional African dancer Jackline Ndaizye, the award-winning Silk Road Dance Company, Nepal pop music superstar Prem Raja Mahat, and afro-fusion band Mokoomba during this 10th annual celebration. Get there early to check out hands-on workshops and sample international eats from local vendors.

HEAR

June 22-23: Outdoor Summer Jam Weekend

Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sat. 4-11 p.m., $5-10. 410-637-8301.

During this two-day music festival hosted by local arts hub Motor House, the technicolor Graffiti Alley, one of Station North’s best-kept secrets, will act as the backdrop to two distinct performances. On Friday, as part of a collaboration between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Motor House, hear a chamber jam hosted by local beat boxer Shodekeh with performances by contemporary orchestra Mind on Fire and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun’s band OK Miss. Head back on Saturday night to catch a street party in the alley with tons of Korean soul food, a high-stakes bboy/bgirl battle, and an after-party at Motor House to keep the beat going all night long.

DO

June 22: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25. 443-573-1700.

Known around town as “Baltimore’s best art party,” the Baltimore Museum of Art’s after-hours soiree returns this Friday in honor of its revolutionary Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963-2017 exhibit. Once the gallery lights go down, hear performances by Abdu Ali with drummer Josh Stokes, saxophonist Sarah Hughes, and singer Randi Withani, create laser-cut wearables with artist Sarah Juanita, take in an in-gallery talk with this year’s Sondheim Artscape Prize finalists, and explore the museum’s African art collection with BMA curator Kevin Tervala, all while enjoying light bites and rubbing elbows with fellow creatives.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Nov. 3: Art After Hours

Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25. 443-573-1700.

After a brief hiatus, Baltimore’s best art party is back with the BMA’s Art After Hours event. For the first time since January, join fellow aesthetes for cocktails and conversation after the gallery lights go dim, with this month’s event inspired by the themes of science and nature throughout the museum’s collection. Enjoy music by DJ Dubble8, arts and crafts for your own take-home masterpieces, and locally sourced light fare by culinary enterprise City Seeds, which works to grow small food businesses. Try the sesame soba noodle salad with house-made fresh carrot and cucumber kimchi, or indulge in the beet and horseradish cured salmon with cucumber, fennel, and carrot salad. And after you mingle through the artworks, don’t forget about dessert on your way out, with savory mini roasted pumpkin-goat cheese tarts and caramel chocolate apples stuffed with cinnamon mascarpone.

 DRINK

Nov. 4: Patterson Park Brew Fest

Pagoda Hill, Patterson Park, E. Baltimore St. & S. Patterson Park Ave. 12-6 p.m. Free-$65. 410-276-3676.

Crack open a cold one as you welcome the cool air at Patterson Park’s inaugural Brew Fest. Amidst the park’s rolling fields and beneath the glorious 60-foot pagoda, spend a crisp autumn afternoon sipping on local booze by esteemed breweries like Union Craft, Peabody Heights, Heavy Seas, The Brewer’s Art, Key Brewing, and Monument City. Soak up the suds with local eats from Kommie Pig, The Urban Oyster, and Bistro Lunch Bar while listening to the bluesy rock of Soul Island Rebels, the Americana folk tunes of Caleb Stine, and the reggae grooves of Jah Works. And don’t stress about parking—take advantage of the free Patterson Park Brew Bus, running from Canton Waterfront Park to Pagoda Hill with complimentary brews on board.  

 SEE

Nov. 4: Druid Hill Haunt

Beechwood Dr. & Greenspring Ave. 6 & 8 p.m. $10-15. 410-682-8902.

November may be upon us, but we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to Halloween’s spine-tingling thrills. Bundle up beneath the dark skies at Druid Hill Park and watch a supernatural show that fuses roller-skating with nostalgic spooky tunes in a way that only Fluid Movement can do. As part of the sixth annual, award-winning Charm City Fringe Festival, the performance follows the story of two friends who unleash the spirits of Halloween in the hearts of Charm City for eternity. With a combination of local history, seasonal nostalgia, and the glides and slides of roller skates, this event is sure to be a hit for the entire family.

 HEAR

Nov. 3-4: U+N Fest 6

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 7 p.m. $20-30. 410-662-0069.

For years now, Unregistered Nurse Booking has been bringing underground punk, metal, and rock bands to the music lovers of Charm City. This weekend at the Ottobar, get ready to rock out with some 20 local bands during this celebration of the city’s underground music scene. For two nights, get to know national talents, like LA-based folk-punk duo Girlpool and indie-rock project Waxahatchee, as well as local favorites like post-punk outfit Natural Velvet, bass-heavy punk-pop quartet Post Pink, and shoegaze indie-pop group Wildhoney.   

 DO

Nov. 5: Across the Bay 10K

Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Stevensville. 5 a.m.-2 p.m. $60-200.

There’s no doubt that autumn is the best season to run. On Sunday, wake up early, grab your sneakers, and get out of the city to soak up the beauty of cooler temperatures. Starting on the Eastern Shore, join more than 20,000 joggers in the state’s largest running event, taking place across the 4.35-mile westbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Despite the long mileage and gradual inclines that will literally take your breath away, soak up the sweeping views of the bay from almost 200 feet above sea level. Once you’ve conquered the bridge, stay for a post-race party featuring live music, beer, food trucks, and family-friendly activities to recharge and celebrate your feat (and feet).