Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. left behind a towering legacy of hope and change. Whether you spend Monday, January 21, taking in a performance, introducing your kids to his work, or engaging with Baltimore’s cultural leaders, you can make a difference in honor of his birthday. Here are the best ways to celebrate Dr. King.

Annual MLK Memorial Breakfast
For 38 years now, the aptly named Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast Committee has continued its namesake’s work with a local breakfast meant to activate and inspire its guests. This year’s theme is “Realizing the Dream: The Time is Now,” and keynote speaker Michelle Asha Cooper, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, will deliver an address advocating access to higher education for all students during the two-hour breakfast. La Fontaine Bleue, 7514 Ritchie Hwy., Glen Burnie. 8-10 a.m. $35.

Baltimore MLK Parade
Throw on a coat and scarf to enjoy Baltimore’s 19th annual spectacle in honor of the late civil rights leader. Kicking off at noon, the procession follows Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and features more than 70 participants with feel-good entertainment for all ages, including floats, marching bands, and dance squads. Even Mayor Catherine Pugh—despite last year’s controversy—will be joining the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. between Eutaw St. and Baltimore St. 12 p.m. Free.

Dare to Dream Day
The American Visionary Art Museum never misses an opportunity to put its own spin on beloved holidays, and next Monday’s extravaganza is no exception. Admission is completely free all day, including the museum’s many exhibitions and a special screening of a film about MLK in the second floor theater. Guests of all ages can create buttons that represent their own dreams starting at 10 a.m. followed by free birthday cake and drinks at noon. Stick around a bit longer to catch slam poetry and dance performances by Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women and Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

I Have a Dream Weekend
Introduce your little ones to milestones in civil rights history at Port Discovery this Monday, when the museum opens its doors for a day of educational fun. Learn about Dr. King’s monumental legacy while creating birthday cards for him and joining in interactive stories about his legacy. Elsewhere, make a quilt square with the African-American Quilters of Baltimore and discover the history of Negro League baseball. Better yet, children from Northwood Elementary School will be dressed up as African-American historical figures, waiting to share their life stories. Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$5.

MLK Day Celebration and Day of Service
Join the Reginald F. Lewis Museum for their annual day of service in honor of MLK. This day-long celebration offers a little something for everyone, including crafts for kids, a performance by Singing Sensations Youth Choir, a discussion with Dr. King’s barber, and a reading of the play The Mountaintop by Baltimore Center Stage. Between events and exhibits, take advantage of free onsite health screenings by Kaiser Permanente. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5.

Voices of Carmen
Station North stalwart Motor House will honor MLK with a special afternoon performance of Voices of Carmen, a modern take on the classic French opera Carmen. Performed by a cast of 40 singers, actors, dancers, and musicians comprised entirely of teens from Baltimore, the musical updates its source material by moving the action to the inner city and breaching issues that affect young people today. Make sure to stay for a discussion about escalating conflicts among the city’s youth and Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence. Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Free.

Baltimore’s Strange Fruit
Eric Jackson and Maddie Hardy’s documentary Baltimore’s Strange Fruit chronicles the city’s history of food inequality through race, class, and land politics. As part of a special MLK program, Creative Alliance will be showing the film for free, including a dinner before the screening. Immediately following the film, take in a panel discussion with Black Yield Institute’s Eric Jackson and finish the evening with a service project to benefit Cherry Hill Urban Garden. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

While December often hits Baltimore with slick sidewalks and the occasional heap of sooty snow, winter settles gently over Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Quiet harbors slowly ice in, waves of Canadian geese float in endless Vs over the stubble of empty cornfields. Here, the holidays are spent with family and friends, your wool socks kicked up by the woodstove, and your spoon scraping the dregs from a mug of oyster stew. It’s a place where the year’s bitter end is celebrated by traditions glowing with the patina of time and a connection to community, to the landscape, and to the Chesapeake Bay.

There’s never a better time of year to trade the glare of crowded shopping malls for something more authentic on the other side of the Bay Bridge. Whether it’s a crisp, rosy-cheeked foray to pick the perfect Blue Spruce, the electric glow of a crab basket Christmas tree, or a muskrat diving into the New Year, there’s something sure to spark every seasonal spirit, humbugs and all.

Winter Waterland

In Baltimore, we have our hub caps, but across the Bay, nothing says “Happy holidays!” with a stronger Eastern Shore accent than a Christmas tree made of crab bushel baskets—an iconic piece of Chesapeake culture.

On December 1 at 5 p.m., kick off the seasonal festivities with a sky-high (and frankly spectacular) example that lights up at the beginning of the annual Cambridge Christmas Parade. A Dorchester County tradition for 70 years, it is a truly timeless piece of Chesapeake Americana and small-town nostalgia at its best. Held in the heart of the historic district, it features marching bands playing covers of “Jingle Bell Rock,” local kids throwing candy from sparkling floats, and Santa riding on a fire truck.

On December 1, Rock Hall gets in on the action with the lighting of their very own crab basket tree after Santa’s arrival via fishing charter boat. Welcomed by eager crowds and accompanied by live music courtesy of the local community marching band (including one hand-shaking, baby-hugging mascot crab), Saint Nick makes his way Pied-Piper-style from the public landing to Main Street, where he’ll post up near the tree to take requests from those on his Nice List.

On December 8, Tilghman Island gets in on the action at the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center with the lighting of another unique Eastern Shore Christmas tree—this one made of hundreds of stacked wire crab pots—followed by one of the shore’s several illuminated boat parades. Watch from the shoreline as the island’s floating fleet of classic Chesapeake workboats, including deadrises, skipjacks, and other iconic vessels, shed their work-day dredges for a splashy array of holiday lights that reflect softly on the bay.

Yuletide Tunes

If you think Christmas carols simply mean sweetly corny songs, funny bonnets, and that one tone-deaf singer never quite hitting his or her notes, you’ve never experienced the magic of classic holiday jams given the Postmodern Jukebox treatment.

On December 1, check out Motown & More, A Holiday Celebration at Easton’s venerable Avalon Theatre, where a six-piece ensemble of musicians and vocalists with serious chops redefine the meaning of Christmas slay with smooth covers of old favorites such as “Santa Baby” and “Silent Night.” The vintage hits keep coming on December 7 when the Avalon also hosts the Glenn Miller Orchestra Holiday Show. This iconic 18-member troupe is a time-machine to the era of Bing Crosby crooners and Big Band swing-dance classics, with plenty of throwback holiday favorites mixed in.

For a concert that covers more than just Christmas, check out Chester River Chorale’s December 1 concert up the road in Chestertown for arrangements of Chanukah and Christmas songs in a celebration of both the secular and the sacred.

Party Like Charles

If you do enjoy classic Christmas carols, be sure to visit Chestertown from December 7-9, when the Kent County town embraces its inner Fezziwig during the second annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival.

From top hats to plum pudding, fire dancers to Dickens-inspired street theater, Chestertown goes full Victorian all weekend long. Partake in a “Run Like the Dickens” 5K, participate in family-friendly gingerbread house workshops, tour historic houses, take afternoon teas, and attend a costumed 19th-century ball sure to be packed with bustles and waistcoats. On Saturday evening, High Street transforms into an open-air jubilee featuring live entertainment, microbrews, and convivial, communal fire pits—a perfect way to start the evening before heading to a performance of (what else?) Tiny Tim’s A Christmas Carol at the Garfield Center for the Arts.

Farther south, Berlin also celebrates the holidays with an entire month of Victorian Christmas with a decorated downtown, old-fashioned carriage rides, live music, and late-night shopping.

Shop ’Til You Drop

The Eastern Shore has plenty of festive alternatives to perfunctory online shopping—no coupon codes necessary. Pick up something special IRL (that’s “in real life,” to the non-millennials) at these hometown holiday shopping events infused with local spirit.

On December 2, head to Kennedyville in Kent County for the Rivers to Canal Wineries Holiday Sip & Shop. Hosted by Crow Vineyards from Kent County, as well as Broken Spoke Vineyards and Chateau Bu-De from Cecil County, the vino-fueled fete is a great place to both taste new local wines and pick up a few bottles of your favorites for top-notch stocking stuffers.

If your vibe is more Etsy than Amazon, make way to Talbot County on December 7-9 to check out St. Michaels’ Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, hosted by the town’s year-round Christmas store, for an old-school holiday bazaar. Browse original paintings, handmade jewelry and toys, one-of-a-kind decorations, and homemade jams and pies, all made by local artisans. Some of the proceeds go to a good cause, so don’t be afraid commit to the Season of Giving by grabbing a few extra collectors’ ornaments.

For more shopping, some favorite local gift stores include Twigs & Teacups in Chestertown, Piazza Italian Market in Easton, Bay Country Antiques in Cambridge, and Gilbert’s Provisions in Berlin.

Deck The Halls

Let’s be honest: nobody wants a sad, dried-out Charlie Brown Christmas tree or a plastic wreath. Channel your inner Clark Griswold on a search for the freshest you-cut-it tree or sweetly scented garlands at some of the shore’s best farms and outdoor festivities.

Throughout December, Blue Heron Tree Farm in Centreville provides all the necessary equipment—from saws to wagons—for wandering through grassy rows of conifers on this 12-acre property in Queen Anne’s County. Pick up fresh greens or a tree stand while warming up with a hot cocoa in the onsite barn before heading back to Baltimore.

For folks tracking farther south, Cawley Family Farm in Denton has plenty of gorgeous spruces, pines, and firs to choose from, including lots of freshly harvested, pre-cut specimens in their barn. This Caroline County farm also offers custom wreaths made to order onsite, so call in advance to pick your perfect trimmings—just don’t forget the oyster shells!

Looking for a more natural approach to holiday greenery? Check out the Holiday Wreath Sale & Open House at Adkins Arboretum on December 1, where handmade decorations crafted from the Arboretum’s forests and gardens are available only once a year. Don’t miss the event’s pop-up art and pottery shop by local artists Irene and Paul Aspell, followed by a walk through the Arboretum’s winter landscapes to the Wildlife Tree, an evergreen decked with birdseed pinecones to sustain local feathered friends through the long winter.

Island of Misfit Toys

Sometimes you need a break from all the holiday pomp and circumstance. There’s only so many fruitcakes you can reasonably eat, after all. Break away from the ordinary with a few refreshingly unconventional approaches to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

On the evening of December 7, visit Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery in Vienna for Ugly Christmas Sweater Karaoke. Undoubtedly, the worse the sweater and the singing, the better the evening, so order a couple glasses of wine and commit to some seriously terrible renditions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” all in good (bad) fun.

Meanwhile, on December 14, you can mount up in Salisbury for the Bike Party: Holiday Lights Tour. This monthly cycle social will take a unique two-hour route to check out the Wicomico County town’s best light displays. Riders are encouraged to make their own spectacle by festooning themselves and their wheels in lights, garlands, bows, wrapping paper, ugly sweaters, menorahs, dreidels, and Seinfeld Festivus Poles, undoubtedly leaving a sea of amused onlookers in their wake.

Diving Into 2019

The lower Eastern Shore has long been defined by its abundant marshes, and in celebration, the lowly swamp-loving muskrat has been elevated to darling status in Dorchester and Somerset counties. No surprise, then, that the muskrat makes an appearance during the holiday season—and this time, not on a dinner plate.

On the last night of the month, head down to Princess Anne for perhaps the most tongue-in-cheek New Year’s Eve send-off on the entire Eastern Shore: The Midnight Muskrat Dive, kicking off at 9 p.m. In this wonderfully weird free event, a muskrat dressed for the occasion in a top hat and cape is hoisted to the top of a zip line for the stroke of midnight while the townspeople celebrate the end of 2018 with music, oysters, and Smith Island cake. Then, with great fanfare, “Marshall Muskrat” flies like a rat out of hell over their heads and down the street. Suddenly, it’s 2019—in the most eccentric, Eastern Shore way ever.

See also: Rock Hall’s Rockfish Drop, Easton’s Crab Drop, Cambridge’s Boat Drop, as well as a classic Ball Drop in both Berlin and Salisbury.

At some point over the past 400 years, St. Patrick’s Day became more than the religious feast it was first conceived as in the 17th century, reserved to honor the death of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. With an Irish-American population more than seven times larger than the population of Ireland, the United States celebrates the holiday in true American fashion—by going big. With a full month of events throughout the state, partake in everything from parades and pub crawls to concerts and kids’ activities to celebrate the Emerald Isle.

Annapolis St. Patrick’s Parade
3/4. Downtown Annapolis. 1 p.m. Free. As part of Annapolis’ Irish Weekend, a festive parade makes its way through the state capital

St. Patrick’s Celebration
3/10. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 11 a.m. $15-20. Bring the kids to enjoy Irish music, dance, and traditions with local performance schools and BSO musicians. Teelin Irish Dance 3/10. Carroll County Arts Council, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. 3 & 7 p.m. Prices vary. This renowned dance troupe performs two shows in Westminster. 

Celtic Canter
3/10. Railroad Ave. & Main St., Westminster. 9 a.m. $32. Throw on your sneakers for this St. Paddy’s 5K with a post-race party featuring a pub crawl, live music, and kids’ activities.

Shamrock 5K
3/11. Charles & Mulberry Sts. 1:15 p.m. $40. Grab your green and join in one of the city’s most festive 5Ks, with an after-party and free beer at Power Plant Live

Baltimore St. Patrick Parade
3/11. Washington Monument, 699 N. Charles St. 2 p.m. Free. Follow floats, bagpipes, and a sea of green during this Charm City celebration of the city’s Irish community.

Celtic Woman
3/17. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7:30 p.m. $62-95. This Dublin-based quartet performs its Grammy-nominated sound at the Hippodrome.

St. Patrick’s Snakes
3/17. Lake Roland, 1000 Lakeside Dr. 1 p.m. $3-5. To commemorate an odd St. Patrick’s tradition, learn about snakes, meet the park’s reptiles, and make snake-themed crafts.

Irish Storytelling
3/17. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 2 p.m. Free. Gather around the Pratt’s Central Library for classic Irish stories full of leprechauns and pots of gold.

After this past year, Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of freedom and peace proves to be more important than ever, even more than 50 years after his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Honor the civil rights icon’s life and legacy this month, and remember his powerful message through a medley of events.

PAINTING DR. KING’S DREAM
1/8-12. Enoch Pratt Free
Library, Southeast Anchor Branch, 3601 Eastern Ave. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Let the kids unleash their inner artists as they add quotes
or drawings to
the library’s
MLK mural.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION
1/11. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.. 5-8 p.m. Free. This multi-faceted event will combine an oratory performance by the Baltimore Urban Debate League, a choral concert by Joyful Noise Gospel Singers, and civic engagement with nonprofit Synergy Baltimore. Guests can also share their dream for a better future and commemorate the night with a free photo booth memento from Pixilated.

I HAVE A DREAM WEEKEND
1/13-15. Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m., Mon. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$15.95. Spend the weekend learning about African-American history and MLK’s influential work through educational and interactive performances.

MLK DAY PARADE
1/15. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw St., 12-2 p.m. Though no parade was originally schedule for this year, Mayor Catherine Pugh decided to bring it back after complaints from the community. The 18th annual parade will bring together more than 70 marching bands, color guards, dance squads, and more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN LUTHER KING!
1/15. Cromwell Valley Park, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd., Parkville. Sunrise to sunset. Free. Breathe in the crisp winter air while enjoying special admission to the park grounds in honor of
the holiday.

AVAM MLK DAY CELEBRATION
1/15. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Enjoy free admission to the art museum to commemorate one of America’s greatest visionaries, with music, workshops, shows, and slices of birthday cake.

I HAVE A DREAM
1/16. Enoch Pratt Free Library, Pennsylvania Avenue Branch, 1531 W. North Ave. 3:30 p.m. Free. Memorialize the civil rights leader through an afternoon crafting session at the Penn-North library.

BLACK HISTORY LIVE
1/21. Baltimore County Public Library, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville. 2 p.m. Free. Award-winning teaching artist Culture Queen will lead an afternoon of music, movement, and activities inspired by black history.

British Invasion 
Dec. 31-Jan. 1. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St., 7-9:30 p.m. Prices vary. We were as surprised as you were when this irreverant British comedian became one of America’s most beloved nighttime talk show hosts. Of course, John Oliver was nothing new to the U.S. airwaves, having cut his comedic chops as one of Jon Stewart’s foreign correspondents on The Daily Show. But once he landed his own half-hour show at HBO, his brainy, sometimes cantankerous brand of comedic news took off, and, before long, he joined the ranks of Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher as a titan of late night. Through charming wit and candid commentary, his Last Week Tonight delves into deeply reported topics, including segments on net neutrality, opioid addiction, and voter identification laws, the kind of coverage that has landed the show eight Emmys since premiering in 2014. And now, with the announcement that the series has been picked up through 2020, Oliver will have us laughing well into the new year and beyond. This New Year’s Eve, say goodbye to another crazy year with some much-needed, unfiltered humor with back-to-back shows at the Hippodrome that are sure to see 2017 off with a bellyaching bang.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1-3. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St. Fri. 7-11 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices vary. Slick back your hair and hop in your best flared jumpsuit for Charm City’s eclectic three-day tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Whether you’re a fair-weather Elvis fan or a full-time Presley devotee, mingle with scores of impersonators at the new location of the Lord Baltimore Hotel for lots of live music, local brews, and the legend’s favorite snack: fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 3. Medfield & Hampden. 1 p.m. Free. Bundle up and join more than 20,000 onlookers as beating drums and blaring tubas make their way through the neighborhoods of Hampden and Medfield. This festive parade will feature dozens of marching bands, dance troupes, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles all heading towards 37th Street, with Miss Yuletide, Santa Claus, and Mayor Catherine Pugh in tow. 

Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 7. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. For the 46th year, the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place will buzz with the sounds of sizzling food, clinking cocktails, chattering passerby, and, loudest of all, the big-bang boom of fireworks during the annual lighting of Baltimore’s beloved Washington Monument. 

Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 9. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 2 & 7 p.m. $19-118. 410-347-2020. Baltimore might not have its own basketball team, but every December, the star-studded roster of the Harlem Globetrotters dribbles its way into town for an epic night of tricked-out dunks, finger-spinning stunts, and awesome athleticism at the RoFo Arena. This year, watch the world-famous troupe take on the Washington Generals, and for a few hours, consider them our home team in a makeshift, courtside Battle of the Beltways.

A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 19. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $44-49.50. 410-244-0057. For more than a decade, Baltimore’s irreverent filmmaker and cult-classic comedian has created a seasonal tradition out of his critically acclaimed one-man show that puts the X in Xmas. Laugh out loud to John Waters’ twisted takes on the “most wonderful time of the year,” with holiday-horror stories, cringeworthy tinsel tales, and all around merry mischief.

Cirque de la Symphonie: Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 22-23. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 & 8 p.m. Prices vary. 410-783-8000. At this dazzling circus, watch as world-class acrobats dangle from the rafters, gymnasts contort into impossible angles, and dancers move to seasonal scores from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

KIX-mas
Dec. 23. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $27.50. 410-244-1131. Baltimore has always had a soft spot for ’80s hair-rockers Kix. The Maryland natives blew up decades ago but never forgot their roots, and while there’s less hairspray and leather involved in their present-day performances, the group is still rocking out up and down the East Coast. This holiday season, transport back to ’89 as the band plays hits like the Top 40 power ballad, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” as well as new numbers off of their first record in nearly two decades. No one will judge if you gently wave a lighter through the air. In fact, we highly encourage it.

In Charm City, everything starts to get a little greener once March rolls around. Aside from the natural signs of spring, expect to see a surplus of shamrocks, emerald garb, and even green beer, all in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Though we lost a few beloved Irish pubs this year (RIP Patrick’s of Pratt Street and Liam Flynn’s Ale House), there are still plenty of places to properly raise a glass to the Emerald Isle. So whether you’re planning to partake in a boozy bar crawl, jam to Celtic rock, or pair a pint of Guinness with some classic Shepherd’s Pie, here are our picks for the best local St. Paddy’s celebrations.

BAR BLARNEY

3/3: Guinness Pairings Dinner
To kick off Slainte’s annual 17 Days of St. Patrick festivities leading up to the big day, the Fells Point pub is hosting this special dinner that pairs five courses with signature Guinness brews. Dishes to look out for include Oysters Rockefeller, Shepherd’s Pie fritters, blonde ale mussels, Guinness-braised short ribs, and a layered bourbon chocolate cake. Slainte Irish Pub, 1700 Thames St., 6-8 p.m., $35, 410-563-6600

3/4: Canton Irish Stroll
Crawl around Canton’s O’Donnell Square to enjoy drink deals including $3 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, and $5 Summer Shandy cans, as well as $5 Jameson shots. Participating bars include El Bufalo Tequila Bar, Portside Tavern, Southern Provisions, and Irish favorites Looney’s and Claddagh Pub. O’Donnell Square, 2900 O’Donnell St., 1-9 p.m., $12

3/11: Second Annual Broad Street Bar Crawl
Timonium watering holes Ryleigh’s Oyster, Five Martini Bar, and Mother’s Grille are teaming up to co-host this second annual crawl. Don your green to enjoy food and drink specials and live music at each spot. Multiple locations including Ryleigh’s Oyster, 23 W. Padonia Road, Timonium, 12-9 p.m., 410-539-2053

3/11: Federal Hill Irish Stroll
Take to the streets of Federal Hill to sip discounted drinks, cheer on strolling bagpipers, and experience a raging outdoor block party on East Cross Street. Deals at participating bars—think favorites like Ropewalk Tavern, Wayward, Boiler Room, and Magerks Pub—will include $3 Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, and $5 Summer Shandy cans. Register at Mother’s Grille, 1119 S. Charles St., 1-9 p.m., $20

3/12-17: St. Paddy’s Week at James Joyce
Post up at this Harbor East pub all week long for events emphasizing live music, pint glass engraving, and a sampling of beers to be featured at Guinness’s new brewery in Relay. On St. Patrick’s Day, the pub will open its doors at 7 a.m. offering $3.17 pints, Irish dancers, bagpipers, and traditional delicacies all day long. James Joyce Irish Pub, 616 President St., 410-727-5017

3/17: St. Patrick’s Day at R. House
Beloved bartenders Amie Ward and Aaron Joseph will be pouring special “Irish Goodbye” boilermakers (Brewer’s Art Zeke’s coffee porter and a shot of Jameson) to pair with festive eats from all of the purveyors at this raved-about Remington food hall. Expect bites including vegan shamrock smoothies and green mac and cheese from Stall 11, mint hummus from Arba, chicken soup with green dill matzoh balls from D.C.-based pop-up Prescription Chicken, and a special “San Patricia” arepa filled with corned beef, sweet peppers, and cilantro sauce from White Envelope. 301 W. 29th St., 443-347-4570

3/17: St. Patrick’s Day at Tark’s
For one night only, this Timonium hangout is transforming into O’ Tark’s Grille, a festive concept that offers drink specials, Emerald Isle-inspired eats, and live performances by Irish music masters Laura Byrne and Dominick Murray. The party will mark the inaugural event inside the restaurant’s new heated and tented outdoor pergola. Tark’s Grill, 2630 W. Joppa Road, Ste. 116, Timonium, 410-583-8275

3/17: Saint Pirate’s Day
Known for its tiki cocktails and karaoke nights, this Glen Burnie bar certainly knows how to throw a party. The Island-themed spot is celebrating with a blowout boasting green beer, Guinness pints, Jameson pickle-back shots, corned beef, bangers and mash, and Bailey’s ice cream sundaes. Mutiny Pirate Bar & Island Grille, 1653 Marley Ave., Glen Burnie, 410-787-2050

3/12-18: St. Patrick’s Day Spirit Cruises
Step aboard this festive booze cruise decked out in green decor, which boasts a full bar, buffet menu, and live DJ entertainment. Spirit of Baltimore 561 Light St., Inner Harbor, Times vary, $36-51, 866-312-2469

3/17: St. Patrick’s Day Hooley at Tilted Kilt
This White Marsh pub is opening its doors bright and early on St. Paddy’s Day, serving free breakfast paired with $3 mimosas and Bloody Marys. Throughout the day, enjoy ice luge, bomb and shooter specials, and a holiday menu showcasing eats like Scotch eggs and corned beef and cabbage. Tilted Kilt Pub, 8133 Honeygo Blvd, White Marsh, 410-497-0792

3/17-18: St. Patrick’s Day Bash and Inaugural Block Party at Delia Foley’s
This South Baltimore staple is going all out for St. Patrick’s Day weekend, kicking things off with a rager on March 17 highlighting basket giveaways, live music by local rockers Star Crush and Bond and Bentley, and drink specials like $5 Jameson shots and $7 Irish trash cans. The festivities continue with the bar’s first-ever St. Paddy’s block party on March 18 featuring ice luge, food specials, multiple tents, a Guinness beer truck, and live music by Bumpin Uglies and Honey Extractors. Delia Foley’s Pub, 1439 S. Charles St., Times vary, Free-$10, 443-682-9141

3/17-18: St. Patrick’s Beer & Oyster Weekend
The Boathouse Canton is getting into the spirit by offering St. Patrick’s Day specials including $2.50 craft drafts, $4 Guinness pints, and $5 Jameson drinks. To keep the party going, the waterfront spot will host a Maryland Beer & Oyster Festival on March 18 with live music by Eastern Shore-based singer-songwriter Justin Ryan, $1 oysters, and $1 pours from local breweries including Heavy Seas Beer, Jailbreak Brewing, Monument City Brewing, and Waverly Brewing Company. The Boathouse Canton, 2809 Boston St., Times vary, Free, 410-773-9795

3/18: Green Kegs & Eggs Rally
Make your way over to downtown’s nightlife district to enjoy live DJ entertainment, breakfast sandwiches from Luckie’s Tavern, and plenty of green beer at participating bars including PBR and Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden. Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $30-60

CELTIC CONCERTS

3/11: Teelin Irish Dance Co.
Marvel in the work of this Columbia-based dance troupe, which fuses Celtic dance music with its high-energy routines. The Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. 3 & 7 p.m. $14-16. 410-848-7272.

3/17: St. Patty’s Day Banger
Local rockers 3PM, Others May Fall, The Great Heights Band, Underdog Champs, and The Stifled are gathering to play this special St. Paddy’s show at Baltimore Soundstage. Celebrate in style by taking advantage of the venue’s $30 bottomless beer package. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place, 7:30 p.m., $10-15, 410-244-0057

3/17-18: Meet in the Street 2017
Now in its 22nd year, Claddagh Pub’s weekend-long block party is back with heated tents, local bands, and plenty of Irish car bombs to go around. Swing by O’Donnell Square to catch sets from Liquid A, Kristen and the Noise, Hot Tub Limo, and Starcrush. Claddagh Pub, 2918 O’Donnell St., 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Free, 410-522-4220

3/17-19: Celtic Celebration
Conductor Jack Everly and the BSO SuperPops will be joined by a few special guests for an evening of bagpiping, step dancing, and performances of recognizable Irish titles (think “Danny Boy”), as well as pieces from films like Titanic and Braveheart. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $33-99. 410-783-8000.

3/17: Shamrocks & Shenanigans 2017
Squeeze your way into the crowd at Power Plant Live’s main stage to jam to live covers by Mr. Greengenes with special guests Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous. Plus, sip green beer from the district’s surrounding bars and have your phones ready for a special green balloon drop. Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, 6 p.m., $15-20

3/17: Shamrock & Roll Party
Union Jack’s might technically be a British Pub, but we’re all Irish on March 17. Head to the Columbia mainstay to down drafts, enjoy free Irish breakfast from 9-10 a.m., enter into the scary leprechaun contest, and get down to ’80s covers by The Reagan Years. Union Jack’s, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, 2 p.m.-1:30 a.m., $5, 410-720-5225

FAMILY FUN

3/4: For the ‘Wee Little Ones
Bring the kids for a morning of face painting, shamrock crafts, complimentary breakfast, and dance tutorials led by the O’Connor School of Irish Dance. Adults-only specials include $5 Irish coffees all morning long. Slainte Irish Pub, 1700 Thames St., 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Free, 410-563-6600

3/11: Celtic Canter
Throw on your greenest attire for this annual 5K around historic Westminster, which offers a special Leprechaun Chase for kids. The fun run descends into a post-race party with archery demos, Gaelic football, and Irish-inspired crafts and games. Main Street, Westminster. 9 a.m., $14-16. 410-751-5501

3/12: Shamrock Shindig
Dress up your little ones in green and gold for this annual harborfront festival, where they can indulge in everything from crafts and dancing to face painting and temporary tattoos. Plus, food trucks, beer and wine, and live music by The Shamrogues will all be featured for adults to enjoy. Pierce’s Park, Inner Harbor & Pier V, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Free-$30

3/12: St. Patrick’s Snakes
Ancient lore has it that Saint Patrick banished all of the snakes from the Emerald Isle back in the fifth century. The snakes in Ireland might be lacking, but locally, you can find plenty of them at Lake Roland. Kids are invited to meet some of the slithering reptiles up close and create a festive craft at this annual event hosted by the Lake Roland Nature Council. Lake Roland, 1000 Lakeside Drive, 2-4 p.m., $2-3, 410-887-4154

3/17: St. Patrick’s Day at The Corner Pantry
Celebrate the heritage of British-born chef/co-owner Neill Howell—who just so happens to be half Irish—at this family-friendly haunt in Mt. Washington. Delicacies to be featured on the BYOB restaurant’s special holiday menu include lamb stew, fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage with scallion mash, and Irish whiskey cake with Bailey’s caramel sauce. Adults are encouraged to celebrate in style by bringing their own Guinness. The Corner Pantry, 6080 Falls Road, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., 667-308-2331

3/17-18: St. Patrick’s Day Tea
The Carroll County Farm Museum is bringing back this annual holiday event, which offers a three-course Irish breakfast followed by a guided tour of the farmhouse led by a costumed curator. Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, seatings from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $20, 800-654-4645

3/18: Irish Family Day
The Stil in Timonium will be closing out its weeklong festivities (which encompass Irish trivia, live music, open mic nights, and daily food and and beat-the-clock drink specials) with a soiree for the entire family boasting clowns, crafts, balloon animals, face-painting, and a jam-packed live music lineup. An Poitin Stil, 2323 York Road, Timonium, 11 a.m., Free, 410-560-7900

3/25: Walking Tour of an Irish Neighborhood
Head to Mount Clare Station, the oldest surviving building on the B&O Railroad Museum campus, to learn about its roots as an immigrant Irish workplace. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Free, 410-347-4747

3/25: Traditional Irish Breakfast
Wrap up St. Paddy’s month by joining the Police Emerald Society of Baltimore at this fundraiser that supports Charm City’s annual parade. Chow down on traditional breakfast fare prepared by local chef Jim Farace while enjoying Irish dance performances and a presentation by the Irish Railroad Workers Museum. FOP Lodge 34, 740 Wampler Road, Middle River, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Free-$27

PARADE PARTIES

3/4-5: Annapolis Irish Weekend
Downtown Annapolis’ annual weekend-long celebration kicks off with a gala at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, followed by the fifth-annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade that steps off from West Street in front of Fado Irish Pub on March 5. Locations & times vary. 410-280-0445

3/12: Shamrock 5K
Start parade day off right with this jolly jog around the city, which concludes at Power Plant Live with a post-race party featuring free beer and live music by Super Bueno. Charles & Mulberry Streets, 1:15-4:15 p.m., $45

3/12: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
’Tis the season to celebrate the Emerald Isle, with green beer, green clothing, and the 62nd annual St. Patty’s Day parade. After you run in the annual Shamrock 5K race, make your way to the Washington Monument on Charles Street for a great view of the bagpipers, floats, dance groups, and local officials hoofing it to celebrate the contributions of Irish Americans. Washington Monument, 699 Washington Pl. 2 p.m. Free.

3/12: The Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Party Bus
Forget about parking and Uber surges on parade day. The Life of Reilly in Butcher’s Hill is offering round-trip transportation to and from Mt. Vernon, and an after-party with dinner, drinks, and tons of prizes and giveaways back at the bar. Bus departs from Life of Reilly, 2031 E. Fairmount Ave., 1-4:30 p.m., $55, 410-327-6425

3/12: Parade Day at Mick O’Sheas
Snag a front row seat to watch the floats make their way down North Charles Street at this Irish staple in Mt. Vernon. Following the procession, stick around to hear rockers Gaelic Mishap take the stage at 3 p.m. Mick O’Sheas Irish Pub, 328 N. Charles St., 410-539-7504

3/12: Parade Day Brunch at The Elephant
Parade Day just so happens to overlap with what will be the first-ever Sunday brunch service at The Elephant in Mt. Vernon. Reserve a table for brunch and stick around to watch the procession prance down North Charles Street. 924 N. Charles St., 443-447-7878