6/19-21. AFRAM 50
Festivals. This month marks the 50th anniversary of AFRAM. Every summer, over 100,000 people come together for this beloved annual festival and collective celebration of Black culture. One of the largest events of its kind on the East Coast, it will return this year to the verdant greenspace of Druid Hill Park for three days over Juneteenth weekend. Expect nothing short of spectacular fun for the whole family with live music and performances by the likes of Charlie Wilson, SWV, and Mario, as well as local food and drink, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and more. Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. Fri. 3-9 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free.

6/4. WTMD’S FIRST THURSDAYS
Music. It’s that time of year again. Baltimore’s largest free outdoor music festival is back, with the beloved summer concert series from local radio station 89.7 FM featuring live music from local and national acts outside along the Canton waterfront every first Thursday of the month through September. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. Thurs. 5:30-10 p.m. Free.

6/5-14. WATERFRONT WEEK
Festivals. This new 10-day fest celebrates the Baltimore waterfront with arts, entertainment, recreational, and community events along the harbor all week long. Locations, times, & prices vary. 

6/6. CHARLES STREET PROMENADE
Festivals. For one day only, historic Charles Street shuts down for pedestrians to roam from business to business, shop sidewalk sales and the BLK ASS Flea Market, partake in walking tours, and more. Charles St. between North Ave. and Saratoga St. 6-9 p.m. 

6/6. THE BEACH BOYS
Music. For one night along the Inner Harbor, soak up good vibrations with these legends of surf rock who flooded the 1960s with all-time greatest hits like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Surfin’ U.S.A.” Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. 7:30 p.m. $30-220.

6/6-7/19. HOMAGE TO BALTIMORE QUILTING COMPETITION
Exhibitions. Mayor Brandon Scott invites fiber artists of all skill levels to compete by creating original quilt works inspired by Baltimore’s past, present, and future, showcasing the city through fabric. Also on view in this Bromo Arts District gallery, see works by local artists local artists Amy Boone-McCreesh and Libby Rosa. Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. Sat. 1-5 p.m. Free.

6/8-14. BALTIMORE PRIDE
Festivals. Raise your rainbows for a week of festivities celebrating Baltimore’s LGBTQ+ community. This year’s theme is “50 Shades of Pride,” in honor of five decades of solidarity and celebration in this city, with its Pride festival dating back to 1975. Take part in events across multiple neighborhoods like happy hours, block parties, the beloved Pride Parade, and after-party in Druid Hill Park. Locations, times, & prices vary. 

6/10. DEVO
Music. This iconic New Wave group brings its punkish approach to Mount Vernon, including hits like “Whip It” and “Uncontrollable Urge,” complemented by the band’s signature stage presence and visuals. Lyric Baltimore, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $47.65-444.65. 

6/12. ZOOMERANG
Fundraisers & Galas. Celebrate 150 years of roaring fun at the Maryland Zoo with a night of music, dinner, drinks, and dancing. In honor of the new red panda exhibit, the dress code is “red tie,” with a sneak peek of the new red panda habitat. All proceeds benefit the Zoo’s animal care and conservation. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl. 6-11 p.m. $150-250.

6/12. TWURL
Performance. In this new monthly social gathering and DJ night curated by musician and composer Abdu Mongo Ali, local Black queer artists unite for performances that show off their creativity. Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. 6 p.m. Free.

6/13. BALTIMORE FLOATILLA
Festivals. Despite last year’s rain check, the Floatilla is back this year with a splash. Kayak 5 miles from the Canton Waterfront to the Inner Harbor, with paddlers encouraged to dress up in their best ’70s-themed threads. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $40-85. 

6/12-13. CHARM CITY ART SPACE REUNION
Music. The beloved punk music venue Charm City Art Space closed in 2016, but its legacy reunites for two nights, with a lineup loaded with local and regional hardcore bands like Rob Sullivan of Ruiner, Ousted, Beach Creeper, and more to benefit the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. Friday: Royal Blue, 1733 Maryland Avene. Saturday: Metro Baltimore, 1700 N. Charles St. Times & prices vary. 

6/14. RUN-UP-TO-JUNETEENTH
Fundraisers & Galas. The SEED School of Maryland presents this annual 5K run and 1-mile walk to support its college transition program, with racers encourages to dress up in retro-themed attire to honor the first AFRAM Festival in 1976. Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. 8:30-10:30 a.m. $39.10.

6/20. ARTFUL CELEBRATIONS
Festivals. In honor of Juneteenth, enjoy Black artistry and culture with family-friendly activities, artist talks, storytelling time, and pop-up shops, with a guided tour of the museum’s collection of works by artists of color. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free-$20. 

6/20. SCIENCE CENTER SOLSTICE
Fundraisers & Galas. Celebrate the Maryland Science Center’s 50th birthday party with science demonstrations, interactive exhibitions, live music across two dance floors, and food and drink to support Science Center initiatives and programs. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $125.

6/24-30. SAIL250 MARYLAND & AIRSHOW
Festivals. For one week, the Inner Harbor transforms into a port for tall ships, U.S. Navy vessels, U.S. Coast Guard boats, and the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. Enjoy tours, flyovers, and family fun dedicated to service members at sea and in the air. Locations & times vary. Free.

6/25. UNAPOLOGETIC
Theater. In honor of Pride and in partnership with both the Queer Jewish Arts Festival and Bolton Street Synagogue, Baltimoreans share true stories about claiming identity and living out loud. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. $35..

6/25-9/13. THE JANET & WALTER SONDHEIM ART PRIZE EXHIBITION
Exhibitions. Each year, the Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize awards a blossoming local artist with a fellowship to further their career. Through all, artworks from the top five finalists of this prestigious competition will be on display. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 1-8 p.m. Free. 

TO 6/26. HERE & NOW: CPM FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Exhibitions. Works by a dozen local artists, from Akea Brionne to Devin N. Morris, are on display as this Bolton Hill gallery celebrates its fifth year. CPM Gallery, 1512 Boston St. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

6/27. BOUNDARY BLOCK PARTY
Festivals. For the 19th year, the No Boundaries Coalition presents its annual Boundary Block Party, bringing West Baltimore residents together across boundaries of geography, race, and class in honor of community culture and resilience. Enjoy free food, music, family fun, and games with new and familiar faces. 2100 Etting St. 12-4 p.m. Free.

6/28. GREAT BLACKS IN WAX VOICES OF HISTORY STREET FAIR
Festivals. Coinciding with Juneteenth and the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum’s anniversary, this all-day festival brings together community members to celebrate Black history through live performances, local food, activities for kids, health and wellness community resources, and museum access, including the chance to see the brand new wax figure of Henrietta Lacks. National Great Blacks in Wax, 1601 E. North Ave. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 

TO 7/4. UNFINISHED REPUBLIC: AMERICA AT 250
Exhibitions. In this group exhibitions, see artworks inspired by the United States’ 250th anniversary, featuring renowned artists with local ties like Sonya Clark, Joyce J. Scott, Paul Rucker, Elizabeth Talford Scott, and Louise Fishman. Goya Contemporary Gallery, Tues-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 12-4 p.m. 

TO 9/13. SEEING THE ESSENTIAL
Exhibitions. Enjoy a showcase of works from Baltimore philanthropists Sigmund and Mary Hyman, who spent decades collecting a trove of American art. A selection was gifted to the museum in 2024, featuring paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and more, focusing on modernists of the Ashcan School. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.