Baltimore is famous for its many festivals. Artscape. AFRAM. Pride. But the grandmother of them all is undoubtedly the city’s beloved Flower Mart. The Mount Vernon tradition began in 1911, established by the local Women’s Civic League, which was founded to help beautify Baltimore.

Throughout the 20th century, the group promoted home gardens for residents, planted trees on neighborhood streets and vacant lots, and hosted this outdoor floral fête, inspired by the national “City Beautiful” movement to improve communities through public design.

A century later, that legacy endures on the first weekend of each May. This month, Flower Mart will celebrate its 115th anniversary, making it the oldest free public festival in Baltimore—and an ongoing reminder of the importance of natural beauty in the urban landscape.

And the event is especially welcome this year. After months of bitter cold and brutal snowstorms, Baltimore residents need an augur of the better weather that spring and summer promise. That’s why Lance Humphries, executive director of the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, which took over the Flower Mart in 2019, expects a massive  turnout this year.

“People in Baltimore have a very strong emotional attachment to Flower Mart,” says Humphries. “Because it’s been such a lousy winter and we had cold snow that lasted forever, people are really ready for spring this year—more ready than normal.”

Throughout the years, this annual event has served as an unofficial rite of spring. Residents can browse flower bouquets, smell fresh herbs, and purchase pots full of various plants or vegetables to grow in their own homes.

Flower Mart draws more than just those interested in gardening, though. With a mix of local vendors selling art, crafts, food, and drink, as well as free workshops and family-friendly activities, Humphries says it brings out “the best of Baltimore.”

“We feel like, in our own small way, we’re supporting the economy in Baltimore,” he says. “We can always look for new things that add another little niche.”

But by far the most beloved attraction is the famous lemon stick—a tart, sweet treat made up of a halved lemon and peppermint-stick straw. Last year, the Conservancy sold 7,200 lemon sticks. This year, in expectation of larger crowds, they will come prepped with 8,000 treats, all ready to sell.

For more than a century, Flower Mart has been run by a team of volunteers—some 150 of them—who give the event its community feel and charm.

“Everyone enjoys it,” says Humphries. “They feel like they participate in something really wonderful.”

4/29-30: FLOWER MART AT MOUNT VERNON PLACE
Few things are as intertwined with springtime here in Baltimore as this time-honored festival. Founded by The Women’s Civic League in Mt. Vernon, which started as a means for members—mostly local mothers—to improve public health across the city, the Flower Mart began as a campaign to fill home gardens and abandoned urban lots with blooms and vegetables. The year was 1911, more than 110 years ago, though the French-inspired lemon stick concoction, which in many ways has come to define the long-lived festival, is said to have emerged later.

This month in Mount Vernon Place, the tart and minty handheld treat is one of many offerings that visitors can look forward to. For two days, the historic four-square neighborhood will come to life with owers sourced from local businesses like Two Boots Farm and Shelly’s Blossom Shop, plus wares by homegrown brands including Lucky Bat Paper Co. and Silverbird Jewelry, as well as tasty grub from eateries like Ekiben and Farm to Face. Find a comprehensive list of vendors and programming, here.

4/1: DUPONT BRASS
Music. The fast and funky sounds of The Big Easy are no stranger to Charm City, thanks in part to Rufus Roundtree. His band, Da B’more Brass Factory, joins Baltimore-bred saxophonist Brent Birckhead for one night at The Metro Gallery. The Metro Gallery. 7 p.m. $15. 

4/1-3: RAVI COLTRANE QUARTET
Music. The middle child of jazz prolifics John and Alice Coltrane brings his own saxophone expertise to Lancaster Street. Keystone Korner. Times vary. $10-45. 

4/2: ERIC LU
Music. At UMBC, the award-winning classical pianist makes his Baltimore debut with works by Schumann, Bach and Chopin. University of Maryland Baltimore County. 3 p.m. $10. 

TO 4/3: ANNAPOLIS FILM FESTIVAL
Film. The festival rings in 10 years of independent lm with over 50 local showings in the town’s Historic Art District. Various locations and times. $75-350. 

4/3: REBECCA HOFFBERGER FAREWELL CARNIVAL DAY
Festivals. DIY crowns, stilt walkers, hula hoops, and sweet treats in the AVAM’s outdoor plazas mark a more-than-fitting send off for the museum’s founder, who retires after almost 30 years. American Visionary Art Museum. 11:30 a.m. 

4/4: WRITERS LIVE! TUNDE OYENEYIN
Lectures & Classes. The Peloton bike boot camp and elite cycling instructor leads this candid talk at Enoch Pratt’s Cathedral Street location in advance of the release of her book, SPEAK: How to Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Enoch Pratt Free Library. 7 p.m.

4/5-10: PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL
Theater. Garry Marshall’s celebrated 1990 film (based on the J.F. Lawton screenplay) heads downtown to bring the tale of an unlikely yet electrifying romance to The Hippodrome. The Hippodrome Theater. Times and prices vary.

4/5-5/1: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
Theater. Directed by Susanna Gellert, Kate Hamill’s portrayal of the famed Jane Austen novel brings the Dashwood family’s fortune (and mishappenings) to Fayette Street at Everyman Theatre. Everyman Theatre. Times vary. $19-39. 

4/7: KIDS WRITERS LIVE! YAMILE SAIED MÉNDEZ
Lectures & Classes. Grab the tots and watch online as Méndez reads her picture book What Will You Be, in which one little girl realizes big potential. Enoch Pratt Free Library. 6 p.m. 

4/8: MUSIC UNDER THE DOME: ’90S ONE HIT WONDERS
Music. Relive a decade’s worth of quirky and nostalgic tunes by everyone from Rusted Root to Blind Melon beneath the Science Center’s planetarium. Maryland Science Center. 7 p.m. $35. 

TO 4/9: CLAUDIA CAPELLE: “BREATH OF FRESH AIR”
Exhibits. In Highlandtown, the artist’s latest painted works on silk embrace awareness and intention in an ever-changing modern world. Creative Alliance. Sat-Sun. 12-6 p.m. 

TO 4/9: SAM HUSSENI: “SNOW, FLORA AND FAUNA.”
Exhibits. At Creative Alliance, the Riverdale-based artist strives to convey the allure of nature through textural paintings, which feature techniques such as woodgrain and fading. Creative Alliance. Sat-Sun. 12-6 p.m.

4/9: BALTIMORE IRISH TRAD FEST
Festivals. The splendor of the Emerald Isle touches down in Highlandtown to bring one night of captivating Irish song and dance. Creative Alliance. 8 p.m. $29-32. 

4/9: HAINT BLUE
Music. Local favorites Cora Sone and Strange Attractor join the Baltimore-based folk group on the stage in Station North. The Metro Gallery. 8 p.m. $15. 

TO 4/10: THE FOLKS AT HOME
Theater. Award-winning local playwright R. Eric Thomas brings the story of a home shared by one South Baltimore couple (and their newly blended families) to Mt. Vernon’s Center Stage. Center Stage. Times and prices vary. 

4/10: DEN-MATE
Music. At The Metro Gallery, electro-pop queen Jules Hale’s sounds explore, and seek to tamper with, the lines that sever wake and sleep. The Metro Gallery. 7 p.m. $12. 

4/14: THE KINSEY SICKS
Theater. The bouffant-sporting beauty shop quartet returns to showbiz with a fun-filled night of “Dragapella” tunes on Eastern Ave. Creative Alliance. 8 p.m. $25-40. 

4/14: PROPER NOUNS
Music. The Baltimore-born indie group (marked by an infectious, early aughts-esque blend of punk and pop) jams out alongside fellow local rockers Little Lungs and File Select in Charles Village. The Ottobar. 8 p.m. $12. 

4/15: THE HONEYDEWDROPS
Music. The breezy and ethereally-vocaled local folk duo bring Appalachian-rooted riffs and harmony to Highlandtown. Creative Alliance. 8 p.m. $17-20. 

4/15: PRESSING STRINGS
Music. Based out of Annapolis, the trio heads to Station North with blues-infused acoustic sounds and hits like “What’s Around You.” The Metro Gallery. 8 p.m. $15.

4/15-17: BUNNY BONANZOO
Kids. Spend two full days of springtime crafts and outdoor fun in Druid Hill, complete with chocolate candies, live performances, and visits from the Easter Bunny. The Maryland Zoo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Price TBD.

TO 4/16: THE WORST OF WATERS
Exhibits. Charm City’s own grotesque lm icon’s “rudest” and most raunchy works (some never-before-seen) are set to smolder on North Charles Street. C. Grimaldis Gallery. Tues-Sat. 11a.m.-5p.m. Price TBD. 

4/16: JOHN TYLER
Music. The local singer, songwriter, and frontman of band Love Not War plays meditative tracks from his new Free Spirit EP. Creative Alliance.
7 p.m. $12-15. 

4/21: AVAM’S WEDDING & EVENTS HAPPY HOUR
Food & Dining. At the Key Highway museum, enjoy small bites and sips alongside some of Baltimore’s premier special event vendors. American Visionary Art Museum. 5:30-8 p.m. 

4/21-5/15: DREAM HOU$E
Theater. Eliana Pipes’ new play, in which two Latinx sisters guest star on a HGTV-style program to help them sell their family’s home, explores the costs of progress in their neighborhood. By cashing in on new digs, do the sisters put their heritage at stake? Center Stage. Times and prices vary. 

4/22: CHRIS ROCK
Comedy. The famed actor and funnyman’s new Ego Death World Tour is set to make a stop on Mt. Royal Ave. The Lyric. 8 p.m. $155-396.

TO 4/3/22: ALL DUE RESPECT
Exhibits. Projection mapping, woodblock print panels, furniture, and other unconventional mediums are utilized by four local female artists to showcase the beauty behind individuality and the cycles of life. The Baltimore Museum of Art. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 

4/23: HOMERUN FOR RECOVERY
Benefits & Galas. The Baltimore Station’s bash, in support of our veterans and neighbors faced with homelessness and substance use recovery, will ring in 30 years at Hammerjacks on Russell Street with gourmet bites, live music, cocktails, and a silent auction. The Baltimore Station. 6-9:30 p.m. $80-150. 

4/27-5/1: MARYLAND FILM FESTIVAL
Film. After two years of virtual showings, the festival returns to Station North (and select locations spread throughout the city) to bring film lovers five full days of in-person events. SNF Parkway Theatre. Times and prices vary. 

4/28-5/1: BALTIMORE FINE ART PRINT FAIR
Festivals. For four days, the Baltimore Innovation Center will play host to an assortment of contemporary U.S. prints. Baltimore Innovation Center. Times vary. $15-75. 

4/29: VISIONS OF NIGHT: BALTIMORE NOCTURNES
Exhibits. Featuring works by Baltimore contributing photographer, J.M. Giordano, this showcase brings a retrospective glimpse of local nightlife to the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Maryland Center for History and Culture. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$9. 

4/30: ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT RECORD RELEASE
Music. Joined by Charm City alternative recording artist Micah E. Wood and local rapper Kotic Couture, the rock duo debuts their brand new record at the Ottobar. The Ottobar. 8 p.m. $15. 

4/30: ROAR FOR KIDS
Benefits & Galas. Run, or stroll at your own pace, through Oregon Ridge Park (or wherever you are) to take part in this annual 5k race, which benefits children at Kennedy Krieger. Kennedy Krieger Institute. 8-10 a.m. Free-$35. 

4/30: SPRING INTO FASHION
Shopping. Enter for the chance to win a giveaway, grab spring-ready carnations, and enjoy refreshing cocktails as you browse the latest fashions at the Towson shops. The Shops at Kenilworth. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

TO 6/1: INTIMATE EXPRESSIONS:PERSONAL DIARIES OF MARYLAND LIFE
Exhibits. Viewers can get a glimpse into the lives of people throughout pivotal parts of the state’s history in this showing of personal diaries. Maryland Center for History and Culture. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$9.

TO 8/7: MAJOLICA MANIA
Exhibits. Hackerman House displays 300-plus of these luminous, glazed objects and recreates a Victorian parlor with this walk-through exhibition. The Walters Art Museum. Wednesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 8/14: MEN OF CHANGE: POWER. TRIUMPH
Exhibits. The museum’s showcase chronicles our nation’s most extraordinary Black men (think James Baldwin, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Baltimore’s own Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of Between the World and Me). The Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Times vary. Free-$12.

TO 10/31: LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS
Outdoors. All season, visit the Monkton spot for workshops, summer nature camps and masterpieces made by local artists. Be sure to grab some tickets to the Garden Festival for coffee talks and movie showings. Ladew Topiary Gardens. Thurs-Tues. (closed Wednesdays). 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free-$15. 

EAT

May 4: Cocina Rebelde

Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St. 12-7 p.m. Free.

Before Cocina Luchadores owner Rosalyn Vera opens her Upper Fells Point restaurant for Cinco de Mayo service on Sunday, she’ll hop on the popular food truck Wilde Thyme for a one-of-a-kind collaboration between the two female-owned purveyors. Stop by Monument City Brewing to try the duo’s drool-worthy menu, featuring homemade sope topped with picadillo and tzatziki, a chipotle falafel bowl, sabih tacos, and corn with tzatziki and queso. Wash it all down with a beer from the Highlandtown brewery or a glass of Jamaican mint agua frescafrom the pop-up, and revel in another great local foodie partnership.

DRINK

May 3: Shake Your Tail/Tailfeather Summer Dance Party

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 7-11 p.m. Free-$5.

There aren’t too many times when the expression “shake your tail-feather” can be taken literally, but this animal-inspired dance party at Charm City Meadworks is certainly an exception. In honor of Baltimore Wildlife Week, channel your inner possum, oyster, or crab, knock back a few dry meads, and dance the night away to support this do-good cause that brings awareness to urban wildlife preservation. If you’re feeling confident in your wild get-up, stick around to win the costume contest, and, while it’s not up to us, bonus points should go to anyone dressed as a Baltimore oriole.

SEE

May 4: Kinetic Sculpture Race

Locations vary. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free to spectators.

Objects typically written off as junk—think used bicycles and gears—will be front and center during this human-powered and slightly lunatic sculpture race. During this signature citywide event hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, cheer on your favorite rideable structure as it races around the Inner Harbor and through Patterson Park. Stick around afterward to see which contraptions win outrageous prizes such as the “Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion Award.”

HEAR

May 4-5: The Baltimore Mixtape

The Crown, The YNot Lot, The Windup Space. Sat. 4 p.m.-1:45 a.m., Sun. 4 p.m.-12 a.m. $20-40.

If we could design our dream lineup of local acts, it would look pretty damn similar to the schedule for this weekend’s inaugural Baltimore Mixtape. Spanning across two days and three Station North venues, this music and arts festival will feature 62 actsfrom a wide variety of genres, with everyone from folk singer Caleb Stine and producer James Nasty to R&B duo Chiffon and hip-hop collective Soul Cannon sharing the bill. Snag a one- or two-day pass to catch as many sets as possible and be sure to stay up to hear headliners like indie quintet Super City, punk band War on Women, and rapper Kotic Couture.

DO

May 3-4: Flower Mart

Mt. Vernon Place, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.

This time-honored Mt. Vernon tradition signals the start of the spring with tons of flowers, extravagant hats, and the festival’s signature lemon-peppermint sticks. Spend the weekend browsing through wares by local arts and crafts vendors, area food trucks, and, of course, flower carts that will decorate the neighborhood during this weekend-long family-friendly affair.

Preakness Stakes
May 16-18. 5201 Park Heights Ave. Times and prices vary. When he was a senior in high school, Weston Hamilton decided, practically on a whim, to become a jockey after graduation. The son of Steve “Cowboy” Hamilton, a champion racer, Weston grew up trail riding and looking at pictures of his dad as a “jock,” and he wanted to try it for himself. Fast-forward two years: He’s the country’s leading apprentice and has garnered more than $3 million in purse earnings. Weston says he looks forward to competing during Preakness weekend because it reminds him of the “good ol’ days” of racing, with onlookers dressed to the nines and cheering from the sidelines. “You get butterflies when you see everyone watching you and your horse,” says Weston. “It’s like no other feeling in the world.”—KP

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Maryland Film Festival
May 8-12. Time varies. Station North Arts and Entertainment District. $8-450. Baltimore might not be as glamorous as Hollywood, but according to film critic Richard Brody, it becomes the “center of cinematic gravity” each year during this five-day film celebration. Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a full-blown cinephile, take advantage of this opportunity to watch more than 100 shorts, features (including The Mountain, starring Jeff Goldblum), and documentaries, as well as attend Q&A sessions and workshops with acclaimed filmmakers at the historic Parkway Theatre in Station North.

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FlowerMart
May 3-4. 11 a.m. 699 Washington Pl.. Free. This time-honored Mt. Vernon tradition signals the start of the spring with tons of flowers, extravagant hats, and the festival’s signature lemon sticks. Spend the weekend browsing through wares by local arts and crafts vendors, area food trucks, and, of course, flower carts that will decorate the neighborhood during this weekend-long family-friendly affair.

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Baltimore Tattoo Convention
May 3-5. Times vary. The Baltimore Convention Center. Free-$40. The Baltimore Convention Center has hosted some eclectic events over the years (think Comic-Con and Bronycon), and this annual convention that brings all walks of life together to celebrate the art of tattooing is no exception. With dozens of tattoo contests, local and regional vendors, seminars, and special guests such as past contestants from the TV show Ink Masters, we can almost guarantee that you’ll leave the downtown center with at least one new tat.

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Kinetic Sculpture Race
May 4. 5 p.m. Location varies. Free-$75. Objects typically written off as junk—think used bicycles and gears—are front and center for this human-powered and slightly lunatic sculpture race. During this signature citywide event hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, try your hand at “engineering” a rideable structure and race around the Inner Harbor for the chance to win outrageous prizes such as the “Grand Mediocre East Coast Champion Award” or cheer on your faves from the sidelines.

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An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
May 11. 8 p.m. 12 N Eutaw St. $93.50-137.50. Though they typically appear on opposite ends of the TV spectrum—with Anderson Cooper anchoring on CNN and Andy Cohen schmoozing with celebrities on his late-night show Watch What Happens Live—the two stars will team up to interview each other at this one-night-only event at the Hippodrome Theatre. From swapping celebrity gossip to hosting a Q&A session with the audience, experience Cooper and Cohen’s undeniable chemistry and hear embarrassing anecdotes that could only result from a longtime friendship.

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RemFest
May 11. 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Remington Ave. and 28th St. Free. Despite the smash-hit success of the first-ever RemFest, Remington-based businesses and neighbors are gunning to make this year’s festival even bigger and better. Along with more than 75 local artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and libations by Union Craft Brewing and r.bar, the outdoor festival boasts a killer lineup of local acts including Soul Cannon, Super City, and rising banjo player Jacob Panic. Spend the day celebrating this evolving neighborhood and check out top spots like B. Willow and Charmington’s while you’re in the neighborhood.

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Hitching Their Dreams to Untamed Stars
May 15-Dec. 1. Time varies. 10 Art Museum Dr. Free. If you do nothing else this spring, visit the Baltimore Museum of Art to experience this awe-inspiring exhibition that celebrates the profound work of MacArthur-award winning local artist Joyce J. Scott and her mother, Elizabeth Talford Scott. The curated collection features Elizabeth’s experimental textile pieces, including a quilt that depicts the North Star as a matriarchal beacon of freedom, along with examples of Joyce’s art that responds to her mother’s textile tradition. The exhibition’s seven-month run encourages visitors to view the pair’s thought-provoking bodies of work again and again.

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92Q Spring Bling Festival
May 24. 7:30p.m. 201 W Baltimore St. $110-310. Whether you love her or not, there’s no denying that stripper-turned-rapper Cardi B has taken the world by storm. This month, the Grammy Award-winning queen will grace the Royal Farms Arena to headline 92Q’s annual spring concert, and she’s sure to bring the house down with hits like “Money” and “Be Careful.” Get there early to hear sets by rising rappers including Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, and Blac Youngsta.

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Brew at the Zoo
May 25-26. Time varies. 1 Safari Pl. $24.99-75.99. We can’t think of a better way to kick off Memorial Day weekend than hanging out with the Maryland Zoo’s polar bears and penguins while sipping on local brews. In between unlimited samplings of beers from more than 80 breweries, bop along to live music by artists such as Ballyhoo! and Amish Outlaws and soak up the suds with eats from dozens of food vendors. Best of all? Every dollar raised during this annual fundraiser goes directly back to the zoo.

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 EAT

May 5: Papi’s Cinco In The City

Central Plaza at Harbor Point, 1310 Point St. 12-7 p.m. $10.50-70.68. 410-299-8480. 

Since this Fells Point taco joint opened its doors in 2014, Papi’s annual Cinco de Mayo event has been a can’t-miss fiesta filled with salt-rimmed margaritas and Mexican street fair-inspired bites. This year, Papi’s is raising the bar with an all-day celebration at Harbor Point, featuring live Latin music from Mambo Combo and Zakke Latin Fusion Band, taco-eating contests, and even a live donkey. Along with Papi’s signature street tacos, nachos, and elote, nosh on Alexander Tavern’s Mexican-inspired tot-chos and baja chicken sliders at this inaugural festival.

 DRINK

May 5: Kentucky Derby Block Party

The Chasseur, 3328 Foster Ave. 12-8 p.m. $10. 410-327-6984. 

The 143rd Preakness Stakes is only two weeks away, but if you can’t wait until then to get your horse-racing fix, head to this Canton corner bar to celebrate “the greatest two minutes in sports.” The Chasseur is pulling out all the boozy stops for its fifth annual derby block party, including brewery tents and trucks from local favorites like Union Craft, Waverly Brewing, and Monument City, as well as a vodka bomb special and a mint julep bar for something a little stronger. Snack on eats from local food stands (featuring sweets from Cream Cruiser and Balti’Marons) and catch live music performances by bluesy band Ricky Wise & The Dirty Unit, as well as DJ AYYYE ONE, AstroSquid, and Victims of Experiences.

 SEE

May 5: Kinetic Sculpture Race

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the American Visionary Art Museum’s weird and wonderful event that challenges contestants to race handmade, human-powered sculptures through 14 miles of land, water, and mud. Watch from the sidewalk (we recommend braving the crowds for a spot at Canton Waterfront Park or Patterson Park) as these motorized works of art, decorated to fit the theme “Mysteries & Tall Tales,” compete for awards like “Worst Honorable Mention” and “Grand Mediocre Champion.”

 

 HEAR

May 5: Mini Masquerade Ball

Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, 140 Mt. Royal Ave. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free-$17. 410-704-8938.

Just when we thought WTMD’s kiddie concert series, Saturday Morning Tunes, couldn’t get any cuter, they throw a masquerade-themed party packed with enough music and entertainment to leave their pint-sized listeners (and their parents) ready for a nap by noon. This Saturday, bring the kiddos to the Lyric to hear a family-friendly set by the Bachelor Boys Band, dance with a hula-hooping stilt walker, and design colorful masks to wear during the party.

 DO

May 4-5: FlowerMart

Mount Vernon Square, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 410-274-5353.

Before the clouds roll in this weekend, head to Mt. Vernon Place for this beloved springtime celebration filled with flowers, colorful hats, and classic lemon peppermint sticks. At this 107th annual festival, kick off spring in the city with arts and crafts vendors, live music and entertainment, and plenty of Bawlmer-style eats like Maryland crab cakes and pit beef sandwiches. Stick around on Saturday to see the parade of pets dressed in their best spring outfits and the annual maypole dance.

Organizers of FlowerMart—Mt. Vernon’s annual spring fête known for its guests in garden hats and abundance of buds in bloom—have recently taken a more modern approach, billing the event as a celebration of “old traditions with a new twist.”

In keeping with the updated motto, the more than 110-year-old gathering has been updated in recent years with extended hours, a more diverse live music lineup, and additional food and drink offerings.

“It’s changing,” says Karen Lease, the free festival’s president and director of operations. “We’re taking things that people love about FlowerMart and moving it forward. But at the same time you don’t want to lose the flavor of FlowerMart.’”

Even in the midst of such significant upgrades, there are some traditions that FlowerMart isn’t planning to forego any time soon. Among them, are the festival’s signature lemon peppermint sticks.

“It’s become such an icon associated with FlowerMart that has carried on throughout the years,” Lease says. “We certainly don’t want to eliminate that.”

Charm City’s classic sweet-and-sour treat—a simple concoction that uses a peppermint stick as an edible straw to suck up lemon juice—is a summertime staple that dates back to when the Women’s Civic League began hosting the festival in 1911.

“What’s kind of neat about it is that combination of taste and smell,” Lease says. “It’s fun to watch people’s facial expressions—especially the kids. Because when they experience the sweetness of the peppermint sticks meeting that sour taste of the lemon and they’re like, ‘Oh my goodness. What is that?’”

Though there are many theories that speculate how the novelty came to be, local lore has it that lemon sticks were first introduced as a way to cool down during summer social gatherings in early 20th-century France.

“Another story I’ve heard is that someone saw it during a visit to New Orleans,” Lease adds. “In some ways, what’s so great about it is it’s a mystery to its exact origin and how it got to FlowerMart and the Baltimore area.”

The tradition has stuck throughout the years, but Lease admits that it took the festival some trial and error to get it right. At one point, FlowerMart used thin, candy cane-style sticks before discovering the thick peppermint pieces that it features currently.

“They must have tried various brands of peppermint sticks over the years to determine what was the best one,” she says, mentioning that the festival now buys its peppermint sticks from a vendor in Baltimore County and typically sells upwards of 2,000 per year. “You need a stick that has some open passages in order for that lemon juice to be sucked up into the candy.”

Aside from the beloved snack, other highlights to look forward to include the annual Grand Hat contest, live musical entertainment and workshops for all ages, a kid’s area with crafts, an expanded food tent, and, of course, a plethora of colorful flowers and crafts for sale by more than 100 vendors.

Lease says that she enjoys hearing feedback from visitors who are nostalgic about the event, and look forward to strolling around the neighborhood with a lemon stick in hand each year.

“It just seems to be a memory,” she says. “Whenever I’ve talked with people throughout the year, the lemon peppermint stick is one of the number one things they say. It’s this wonderful combination of taste and tradition.”

Kinetic Sculpture Race 
May 5. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Sat. 10 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. Just weeks after learning how to ride a bike at age 4, Eli Hess found himself wearing rubber gloves and goggles, peddling alongside his dad, David, as an official participant in the first Kinetic Sculpture Race. Since then, the Hesses, including David’s now 81-year-old father, George, and the rest of Team PLATYPUS have created and raced 13 human-powered sculptures, including a 25-foot-tall rocket and a cold-cut sub, in AVAM’s annual 14-mile trek around the city. This year, their team, which stands for Personal Longrange All-Terrain Yacht Proven Unsafe, will ride “the mothership,” through water, mud, and the uphill Linwood Avenue stretch on May 5 in the museum’s 20th anniversary race. “The water separates the adults from the boys,” George says with a laugh. “It’s the rough and tumble world of kinetic sculpture racing.”

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Maryland Film Festival 
May 2-6. Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave. Times vary. $11-425. 410-752-8083. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Baltimore’s cinematic celebration, which has hosted thousands of novice moviegoers, flick aficionados, and renowned filmmakers such as John Waters, David Lowery, and Greta Gerwig. This cinephile’s paradise returns with a five-day jubilee of movies—from shorts to full-length narrative features and documentaries—shown throughout the Station North Arts District. In between screenings, attend Q&A sessions with filmmakers, as well as workshops and panel discussions at Red Emma’s.

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M3 Rock Festival 
May 4-5. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 5 p.m. $60-850. 410-715-5550. Bust out your leather pants, studded jackets, and big hair—it’s time to party like it’s 1989. Now in its 10th year, this head-banging music festival is a celebration of all things metal, with iconic bands turning back the clock for all generations of devoted fans to rock out together. Spanning two days and two stages, catch headliners including Baltimore’s own Kix and crowd favorites Tom Keifer, Ace Frehley, and Night Ranger.

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FlowerMart 
May 4-5. Mount Vernon Square, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 410-274-5353. Nothing says springtime in Baltimore quite like seeing the square around the Washington Monument filled with flowers, colorful hats, and classic lemon peppermint sticks. For the 107th year, Mount Vernon’s beloved celebration kicks off the spring season with arts and crafts vendors, live music and entertainment, and plenty
of festival eats. Stroll through the neighborhood to pick out the perfect plant or join in the maypole dance.

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Wham City Comedy 
May 9. Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m. $10. 410-244-0899. Baltimore’s favorite band of merry misfits is bringing its offbeat brand of comedy back to the Station North neighborhood that started it all.
On the final stop of their spring tour, catch Wham City Comedy’s viral, volatile performance art, as seen on Adult Swim and Comedy Central. Fingers crossed that they perform their hilarious eight-part live series, The Cry of Mann.

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The Catonsville Nine, 50 Years Later 
May 12-31. Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Free. 410-685-3750. The Maryland Historical Society is commemorating the Catonsville Nine, a group of Catholic men and women who, 50 years ago this month, burned nearly 400 A-1 draft records to protest the Vietnam War. Featuring artwork by Tom Lewis, who was a member, and additional photographs and materials from the period, the exhibit examines the group’s motivations amid the political chaos and conflict of the late 1960s.

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Preakness 
May 19. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 8 a.m. $40-720. 410-542-9400. Every year, horse-racing (and day-drinking) fans from near and far come to cheer on the country’s finest thoroughbred horses as they compete for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Before heading to your seat for this 143rd event, partake in pre-race festivities throughout the city, or hear chart-topping rappers
Post Malone and 21 Savage take over the raucous Infield Fest. 

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Brew At The Zoo 
May 26-27. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl. 1-7 p.m. $25-75. 410-396-7102. Tap into your wild side at The Maryland Zoo’s 17th annual fundraiser with beers from more than 80 breweries, including local suds from DuClaw Brewing and The Brewer’s Art. In between refilling your glass and gushing over the zoo’s newborn African penguins, listen to live music by local rockers Nelly’s Echo and The Kelly Bell Band and sample snacks from dozens of food vendors. 

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Maggie Rogers 
May 30. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 7 p.m. $30-35. 410-244-0057. Since skyrocketing to internet stardom after a video with Pharrell Williams (gushing over her now-hit song “Alaska”) went viral, this Maryland native has signed a record deal, toured the globe, and released her first EP, Now That the Light Is Fading. For one night only, the singer-songwriter brings her earthy rhythms and soulful sound to her home state for a must-see performance.

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

 EAT

May 5-6: FlowerMart

Mount Vernon Place, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

For the 106th year, the square around the Washington Monument will bloom with flowers, festivities, and hordes of festival food, like Maryland crab cakes and the Baltimore classic lemon peppermint stick. Rain or shine, dig into spring eats, join in the Maypole dance, follow the floral pet parade, and purchase some petunias to brighten up your home in this time-honored festival. April showers really do bring May flowers. Hopefully May showers will make for a pleasant June.

 DRINK

May 7: Baltimore Whiskey Company Sunday Funday

Baltimore Whiskey Company, 2800 Sisson St. 3-9 p.m. Free.

This weekend, the BWC is hosting the ultimate Sunday Funday at their Remington space to kick start the drinking season of spring. Enjoy fresh cocktails from Sugarvale, Korean-inspired fare from their sister restaurant Dooby’s, and try your hand at lawn games. With music by DJ Jack Denning from All Mighty Senators and endless amounts of award-winning Shot Tower Gin, it’s sure to be good vibes all around. 

 SEE

May 3-7: Maryland Film Festival

Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave. Times vary. $10-400. 410-752-8083.

Cinephiles rejoice—the 19th annual Maryland Film Festival is back with a five-day silver screen soiree. The newly renovated Parkway Theatre campus in the Station North Arts & Entertainment district will boast 6-screens and 125 feature and short-length shows full of drama and stunning visuals. Don’t miss the post-film Q&A sessions with filmmakers, as well as workshops and expert panel discussions.

 HEAR

May 3-7: Bumper Jacksons

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $17-23. 

This Saturday, the Creative Alliance is going to transform into a rowdy dance party, but not one you might expect. Instead, as D.C.’s beloved Bumper Jacksons return to Highlandtown for the fifth time to promote their new album, I’ve Never Met A Stranger, the band’s blend of jazz, swing, blues, and old-time country will make the eclectic art space less like a booty-shaking get-down and more like “an old-time barn dance in downtown New Orleans.” 

 DO

May 6: Kinetic Sculpture Race

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. 

The American Visionary Art Museum’s wonderfully wacky Kinetic Sculpture Race returns for the 19th time this month. Across 14 miles from Federal Hill to Canton and back, contestants compete on handmade, human-powered works of art that navigate over land, mud, and water to win awards such as “Worst Honorable Mention” and “Next to Last.” Whatever the weather, watch the awesomely awkward spectacle from sidewalks across the city.

Kinetic Sculpture Race
May 6. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. The American Visionary Art Museum’s wonderfully wacky Kinetic Sculpture Race returns for the 19th time this month. Across 14 miles from Federal Hill to Canton and back, contestants compete on handmade, human-powered works of art that navigate over land, mud, and water to win awards such as “Worst Honorable Mention” and “Next to Last.” Watch the awesomely awkward spectacle from sidewalks across the city.

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Maryland Film Festival
May 3-7. Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave. Times vary. $10-400. 410-752-8083. It’s lights, camera, action as the Maryland Film Festival kicks off with an unveiling of the newly renovated Parkway Theatre in Station North. Renowned across the country, this five-day fete features more than 100 films from around the globe and right here in town.

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FlowerMart 2017
May 5-6. Mount Vernon Square, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 410-274-5353. For the 106th year, the square around the Washington Monument will bloom with flowers, festivities, and festival food, like the classic lemon stick. Join in the Maypole dance, follow the floral pet parade, and purchase some petunias to brighten up your home.

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The XX
May 6. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7 p.m. $40-55. 410-715-5550. In 2009, The xx seemingly came out of nowhere, their sultry minimalist pop snaking its way onto our playlists and earning endless buzz (including a spot on Rolling Stone’s roundup of best debut albums of all time). Eight years later, there’s still an air of mystery about the English trio. On their third album, I See You, the group’s cool, calm, atmospheric sound has unexpectedly evolved into something richer, brighter, even dance worthy––and it works. Listen to their new single, “On Hold,” and prepare to be enchanted at Merriweather at the start of the month. 

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Ryan Adams
May 12. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $40-55. 410-715-5550. Ryan Adams may have won us over in decades past with albums like Heartbreaker and Love Is Hell, but if last year’s 1989 Taylor Swift cover album is any indication, the alt-rocker has still got it. Catch his heartfelt, angst-riddled sound this month at Merriweather with new songs from his latest, Prisoner, hopefully a few oldies (like “Hallelujah” and “New York, New York”), and opening act Jenny Lewis.

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Jazz
May 19-June 25. Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. Tue.-Wed. 8 p.m., Thu. 7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 7:30 p.m. $20-69. 410-332-0033. Set in 1920s Harlem, this world-premiere play—based on the novel by Pulitzer and Nobel prize-winning author Toni Morrison––embodies the essence of its musical title. The story skits and scats as it follows Joe and Violet, in love and living in their new city, New York. Naturally, their paths take on different rhythms––at times slow and steady, at others hot and fast and unexpected. Adapted by New York-based playwright Nambi Evelyn Kelley and directed by Center Stage’s inimitable artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah, this dissection of the jazz experience––and the human experience––is a performance not to miss.

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Preakness Stakes
May 20. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Doors open at 8 a.m. Rain or shine, racing fans will gather for the 142nd time to cheer on this second jewel of the Triple Crown. Partake in the tradition as part of the ever-raucous InfieldFest (which this year features country star Sam Hunt, rising country duo LoCash, and Waldorf’s own pop-punk favorites Good Charlotte) or during one of many events leading up to the big day. Above all, revel in the chance to see America’s next great horse racing champion.

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Bon Iver
May 24. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 8 p.m. $46-76. 410-715-5550. It’s been nearly 10 years since Bon Iver strummed onto the scene and stirred our souls with the wistful ballads of his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago. With each earthy melody, Iver, aka singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, created a brand new kind of indie folk, conjuring up images of pastoral love, dreary countrysides, and introspective men wearing flannel and beards. His full-length follow-up was equally ambitious, and now he returns to showcase his much-anticipated third album, 22, A Million. A breathtaking feat, it’s more experimental than his previous works, but even with the electronic influence, Iver finds a familiar, yet completely new, way to pull our heartstrings.

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Brew at the Zoo
May 27-28. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl. 1-7 p.m. $25-75. 410-396-7102. Grab a cold one and make some furry friends this Memorial Day weekend during the zoo’s 16th annual day-drink with the animals. Sample sips from more than 80 breweries (including homegrown favorites like Flying Dog and The Brewer’s Art), listen to live music (with local talent like The Kelly Bell Band), and enjoy all-day admission for peeks at the penguins or a visit with Willow, the new baby giraffe.

141st Preakness Stakes
May 21. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Doors open at 8 a.m. Race begins at 6:18 p.m. As the second jewel in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is where champions either emerge or collapse. Over the race’s 141 years, many favorites have come to Pimlico Race Course, only to find their dreams dashed a mile and three-sixteenths later. But then there are moments like last year, when American Pharoah—on his way to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years—went wire-to-wire on a sloppy, rain-soaked track to remind us why horse racing is The Sport of Kings. This year’s race will see another promising field compete for a place in racing history. But even if the Preakness doesn’t offer the drama of American Pharoah’s run, there will be plenty to enjoy, including 10 other races and the annual InfieldFest, headlined this year by DJ duo The Chainsmokers, hip-hop chart-topper Fetty Wap, and Towson’s own pop-punkers All Time Low.—Amy Mulvihill

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Santigold
May 4. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $28-30. 410-244-0057. Santigold made her mark on the music scene in 2008 with a debut album of instant, indie-hip-hop hits like “L.E.S. Artistes” and “You’ll Find A Way.” Four years later, her much-anticipated second record was another success, with tracks like “Disparate Youth” and “GO!,” and now her third release is just as addictive. On 99 Cents, she still maintains her trademark balance between being contemplative and playful. You’ll be hooked to songs like “Can’t Get Enough Of Myself” and “Banshee” in no time.

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Maryland Film Festival
May 4-8. Locations & times vary. $12-375. 410-752-8083. Now in its 18th year, the Maryland Film Festival returns with more than 100 films—from full-length features to documentaries and shorts—all shown in and around Station North. While the festival prides itself on bringing together filmmakers from across the globe, it still stays connected to its Maryland roots, highlighting local talent alongside internationally known directors. And, of course, there’s always the special feature selected by our own accomplished auteur John Waters.

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FlowerMart
May 6-7. Mt. Vernon Place, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 410-274-5353. Over the past 105 years, FlowerMart has blossomed from a one-day flower festival into a weekend event full of flora, food, art, and entertainment. Walk through the Mt. Vernon squares to buy spring flowers, suck on lemon-peppermint sticks, and admire the recent renovation of the Washington Monument. For the first time ever, FlowerMart also will donate a portion of its proceeds to two local nonprofits: House of Ruth Maryland and the Mt. Vernon Place Conservancy.—JKC

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Kinetic Sculpture Race
May 7. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. If you’ve been on the lookout for Chessie—a.k.a. the Loch Ness monster of the Chesapeake Bay—this just might be your month. As the 18th annual human-powered sculpture race takes its 14-mile route through the city, the streets will overflow with hordes of handmade creatures inspired by this year’s “myths and monsters” theme. Find a spot at AVAM, Patterson Park, or the Canton waterfront to watch participants compete in this eight-hour event for irreverent prizes, like the “Grand Mediocre Champion” and “Worst Honorable Mention.”

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Sweetlife Festival
May 14. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 12 p.m. $100-150. The sustainability-focused festival is back with a full day of food and music in the Merriweather woods. This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix, including Canadian dream-pop artist Grimes, Drake-signed R&B singer PartyNextDoor, English rockers The 1975, and New Wave icon Blondie, as well as grub from regional eateries like Toki Underground and Woodberry Kitchen.

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Kenny Chesney
May 19. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $50-692. 410-715-5550. Some dismiss Kenny Chesney’s music with the term “bro-country,” but in the middle of a Baltimore spring, who doesn’t want a night of music inspired by island beaches and football tailgates? For more than two decades, Chesney has kept our attention with love songs, party anthems, and beer-tinged staples, like “Keg in the Closet” and “Summertime.” For one Thursday night, embrace his summertime sound in Columbia.

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Courtney Barnett
May 25. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $23-28. 410-244-1131. It was two years ago that this introspective Australian indie-rocker made waves with the release of her double EP, catching our attention halfway across the globe. (We’ll love “Avant Gardener” forever.) By the time she dropped her first full-length debut last spring, we were all ears, and happy to find that the Grammy-nominated singer and solid guitarist continues to stay true to her witty, observational style. See her perform downtown at the end of the month.

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Matt Sesow: Shock and Awe
May 27-June 4, 2017. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$15.95. 410-244-1900. Opening Memorial Day weekend, this eclectic art exhibit presents works by Matt Sesow—a D.C.-based, self-taught artist—all painted with one hand, due to his left arm being severed by a plane as an 8-year-old in Nebraska. With vibrant color, raw detail, and a unique perspective, the exhibit features more than 150 original artworks, including paintings honoring the first 100 U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq War, alongside others inspired by fantastical birds and Sesow’s own life.

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Brew at the Zoo
May 28-29. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 1-7 p.m. $25-69. 443-552-5276. Conventional wisdom says alcohol and wild animals don’t mix, but at Baltimore’s annual Brew at the Zoo, you can combine them with confidence. For one spring weekend, sample more than 80 local and national beers—including brews from Bmore favorites like The Brewer’s Art and Monument City—and listen to local music by the bluesy Kelly Bell Band and the funky, soulful Bosley. All proceeds benefit the zoo, ensuring that you can continue to visit your animal friends year-round, even after the buzz wears off.