EAT

Sept. 21: Charm City Night Market

200 Park Ave. & 100 N Charles St. 3-11 p.m. Prices vary.

During the inaugural Charm City Night Market last fall, more than 12,000 people visited the one-day festival to sample authentic Asian-American eats, peruse locally made wares, and take pictures under the illuminated lantern walk. This weekend, the Park Avenue block party will make its much-anticipated return with 70 vendors, tons of entertainment on the festival’s outdoor stage, and a true showcase of the booming popularity of Asian cuisine in Baltimore. Make the rounds to local foodie stalwarts like Ekiben, Thai Street, The Local Fry, and Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly while also sampling eats from visiting pop-ups like Maketto and Hot Lola’s from Washington, D.C. and Moffle Bar from New York City.

DRINK

Sept. 21: Trash Wheel Fan Fest

Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St. 7-10 p.m. $35-40.

Although the Trash Wheel family has gained a national following, we know that the truest fans of these lovable garbage-suckers are right here in Charm City. Celebrate these solar-powered trash receptors with all-you-can-drink Peabody Heights brews, which are sure to taste even better when drank out of the event’s pint cup with a “garbage gobblin’ grandmaster” emblazoned on it. In between pints of Lost Python ales, take in performance pieces and songs inspired by the trash wheels and stop by the make-your-own fan art station to commemorate the trash-tastic evening.

SEE

Sept. 20-Nov. 22: Where I’m From

Baltimore City Hall Gallery, 100 Holliday St. Times vary. Free.

When Derrick Adams was a 10-year-old student at Edgecomb Elementary School, he was one of the winners of a citywide student art competition and had his work displayed in Baltimore City Hall. A few decades later—now that the Charm City native has become one of the most sought-after multidisciplinary artists in the country—his work will once again hang on the walls of City Hall for the artist’s first solo show in his hometown. While Adams’ large-scale paintings of scenes from his childhood in Baltimore City will be on display until November, locals can visit the historic downtown building on Friday evening for an opening reception with the artist himself.

HEAR

Sept. 21: Hampdenfest

36th St., Hampden. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

Nothing describes Hampden quite like the neighborhood’s much-anticipated toilet bowl race down Chestnut Avenue. Cheer on your favorite high-speed seat and then spend the rest of this day-long festival jamming to live music by more than 20 local bands—including standouts like F City, Raindeer, and DJ Rob Macy of Save Your Soul fame. Sip on brews from The Brewer’s Art and Union Craft Brewing while bopping between three stages of performances and taking in the sights and sounds of this quintessentially Baltimore neighborhood.

DO

Sept. 21: Pigtown Festival

Pigtown Main St. 12-7 p.m. Free..

Historic Pigtown’s annual neighborhood celebration will have you squealing with joy for the 18th year in a row. This fan-favorite event has all of the key ingredients for a great festival experience: local food, bottomless drink options, arts and crafts vendors, and a dedicated kids’ zone. Not to mention live music from Ursula Ricks Project and The Scotch Bonnets. Oh, and did we mention the live pig races?

Chalk It Up – Madoranni Festival
Sept. 6-8. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.. Little Italy, Baltimore. Free. After Michael Kirby discovered his talent for street art as a teenage spray-painter, the Parkside native went on to create thousands of Renaissance chalk paintings and become the first American artist to achieve the title of “master street painter” in major European festivals. Now the founder of local studio Murals of Baltimore, Kirby has seen the Little Italy Baltimore Madonnari Arts Festival grow into a much-anticipated affair that draws thousands of onlookers to the neighborhood to watch local and international artists create pavement masterpieces. Kirby says the most important part of the festival (September 6-8) is that it brings both new and familiar faces to Baltimore. “People will visit on Friday to see what the artists are drawing and then come back again on Sunday to see the finished piece,” Kirby says. “Every day you come back, you see and experience something new.”—KP

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Locust Point Festival
Sept. 7. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.. Latrobe Park. Free. This South Baltimore neighborhood is known for being a mix of the old and the new, with some of the city’s oldest rowhomes mere blocks away from luxury high-rises and high-tech office spaces. So it’s no surprise that this annual festival at Latrobe Park will have tons of food and entertainment for residents of all ages, including delectable eats from City Limits, Hull St. Blues, and HarborQue, a kids zone packed with activities, a crush station, and live music by local band The Wafflers. Don’t miss the chance to give back to neighborhood projects through this family-friendly event.

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Baltimore Seafood Festival
Sept. 14. 12-7 p.m.. Canton Waterfront Park. Free-$100. What better way to honor Baltimore’s undoubted love for seafood than a full-blown festival with crustaceans as far as the eye can see? Head to Canton Waterfront Park for this sixth annual extravaganza as local seafood spots, including favorites like Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Nick’s Fish House, and The Local Oyster, serve up crab cakes, shrimp salad, oysters, and steamed crabs. Indulge in the only large-scale seafood festival in Baltimore City and spend the day trying new drinks, listening to live music, and taking in a cooking demonstration.

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Charm City Night Market
Sept. 21. 3-11 p.m. 200 Park Ave. & 100 N Charles St.. Prices vary. During the inaugural Charm City Night Market last fall, more than 12,000 people visited this one-day festival to sample authentic Asian-American eats, peruse locally made wares, and take pictures under the illuminated lantern walk. This month, the Park Avenue block party will make its much-anticipated return with 70 vendors, tons of entertainment on the festival’s outdoor stage, and a true showcase of the booming popularity of Asian cuisine in Baltimore. Be on the lookout for upcoming details about how a permanent revival of Baltimore’s Chinatown is on the horizon, thanks to efforts from the Chinatown Collective and Park Avenue Partners.

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Hampdenfest
Sept. 21. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.. 36th St., Hampden. Free. Nothing describes Hampden quite like the neighborhood’s much-anticipated toilet bowl race down Chestnut Avenue. Cheer on your favorite high-speed seat and then spend the rest of this day-long festival jamming to live music by more than 20 local bands, sipping on brews from The Brewer’s Art and Union Craft Brewing, shopping along The Avenue, and taking in the sights and sounds of this quintessentially Baltimore neighborhood.

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Pigtown Festival
Sept. 21. 12-7 p.m.. Pigtown Main St.. Free. The historic Pigtown annual neighborhood celebration will have you squealing with joy for the 18th year in a row. This fan-favorite event has all the key ingredients for a great festival experience: local food, craft beer, arts and crafts vendors, and kids’ activities. Not to mention live music from Ursula Ricks Project and The Scotch Bonnets. Oh, and did we mention the live pig races?

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Trash Wheel Fan Fest
Sept. 21. 7-10 p.m.. Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St.. $30-40. Although the Trash Wheel family has gained a national following, we know that the truest fans of these lovable garbage-suckers are right here in Charm City. Celebrate these solar-powered trash receptors with unlimited Peabody Heights brews, performance pieces and songs inspired by the trash wheels, and even a make-your-own fan art station to commemorate the trash-tastic evening.

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Charm City Run 20 Miler
Sept. 22. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.. The Northern Central Trail, Freeland. $55-60. Whether you’re preparing for a fall marathon or just need an excuse to get some early-morning pep in your step, sign up for this abbreviated run at the Northern Central Railroad Trail. This popular (but tough) 20-mile race will take runners from Hunt Valley to the Mason-Dixon Line. If you need extra motivation for this long-winded race, think about the cash prizes waiting for the top three male and female runners at the finish line.

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Maritime Magic
Sept. 27. 7p.m.. Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames St.. $120-2,500. A good time for a good cause——what could be better than that? To attend one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year, head to Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and enjoy unlimited bites and drinks from local vendors, a silent auction, and incredible live music by renowned New Orleans-based funk and jazz jam band Galactic. This jam-packed benefit will directly support the Living Classroom Foundation’s education, job-training, health and wellness, and violence prevention programs.

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Bmore Historic
Sept. 27. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. $10-25. Calling all history buffs and die-hard Charm City lovers: This annual unconference (AKA participant-led meeting) will delve into everything you’ve ever wondered about the history of Charm City and its preservation. This Baltimore Museum of Industry forum is open to the public and will allow visitors to connect with local historians and archivists to enrich their understanding of this great city.

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EAT

Sept. 22: Charm City Night Market

200 Park Ave. 4-11 p.m. Free.

Baltimore’s once-booming Chinatown on the 200 block of Park Ave in Bolton Hill will come alive on Saturday with this first-ever night market dedicated to celebrating the city’s Asian-American communities. Starting at Lexington Market, the outdoor block party will feature wares by area makers, a performance by hip-hop group Baltimore Dance Crews Project, and festive drinks at the soju/sake/beer garden. Don’t miss out on the chance to chow down on authentic eats from local vendors like steamed buns from Ekiben, pad thai from Thai Street, and Hawaiian-style poké at Ono Poké.

DRINK

Sept. 21-23: German Fest

Max’s Taphouse, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Free.

Don your dirndls and lederhosen and raise a giant stein of beer to the official start of Oktoberfest. All weekend long, this Fells Point beer mecca will be serving up more than 60 authentic German drafts, bottles, and cans, including pours from local favorites like Heavy Seas Beer, Diamondback Brewing, and Monument City. Snack on eats from a German-inspired menu and celebrate one of the world’s biggest beer holidays with plenty of Kolsch and Hefeweizen beers to go around.

SEE

Sept. 22: Ray Lewis Day Hall of Fame Parade

Key Hwy. and Light St. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.

Baltimore has commemorated Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis’ dedication to his adopted city with his own statue at M&T Bank Stadium and a street on North Avenue, and on Saturday, the city will rally together for a parade to honor the former linebacker’s induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. Join thousands of purple-clad fans along the parade route that starts at Key Highway and Light Street and winds around to the War Memorial Plaza, and then stick around for an all-out fan fest and the chance to hear from Lewis before he accepts his Hall of Fame ring during Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

HEAR

Sept. 22: Trillectro Music Festival

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. 1-11 p.m. $60-199.

Before you hit up our Music Festival on Saturday, make the quick trip to Columbia for this can’t-miss lineup of hip-hop and electronic acts, including big-name artists like R&B star SZA, rapper 2 Chainz, and internationally renowned DJ Carnage. In between performances by these famous players, show some hometown love to local performers, including the inimitable Abdu Ali, rising rappers Lor Choc and Butch Dawson, and locally-loved DJ Trillnatured during a set curated by Lawrence Burney of Baltimore arts publication True Laurels.

DO

Sept. 22: Pigtown Festival

700-900 blocks of Washington Blvd. 12-7 p.m. Free.

One of Baltimore’s most anticipated races of the year is finally here—no, not the Preakness Stakes—it’s “Squeakness,” aka Pigtown’s annual contest that sends piglets running around a ring on Washington Boulevard. Aside from this crowd-favorite tradition, the Southwest Baltimore festival boasts plenty of family-friendly fun, including live music by regional acts The Players Band and Terry ‘Big T’ Williams, local food trucks, and an arts and crafts zone.

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

EAT

Oct. 14: The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival

West Shore Park, 401 Light St., 1-5 p.m., Free-$12 

Shucking season is officially in session. As we continue making our way through the months ending in “r,” Charm City is fulling embracing its fondness for local oysters. This weekend, venture to West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor for an all-out bash dedicated to the beloved bivalves. Slurp ’sters prepared every which way (raw, fried, or grilled) while also chowing down on scrumptious specialties from area restaurants. (We hear that Dooby’s will be on-site slinging burgers and donuts.) There will also be a shucking contest, food truck fare, live music, and family-friendly activities—all to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor initiative.

DRINK

Oct. 13: Chilibrew 11

Zion Lutheran Church, 400 E. Lexington St., 7-10 p.m., $25, 410-727-3939

Given this dreary weather, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate fall than with a pint of beer and hearty bowlful of chili. Both will take center stage at this weekend’s 11th annual Chilibrew competition, which benefits local grassroots organizations like Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition and Real Food Farm. One of the many kickoff events for Baltimore Beer Week, the contest pits more than 40 culinary contenders and homebrewers against one another to see whose beers and bowls reign supreme. Both attendees, as well as a panel of esteemed judges, will cast their votes for the best chili con carne, vegetarian chili, and home-brewed beers.  

 SEE

Oct. 15: Inside the Artists’ Studio

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 2-6 p.m., $45, 410-276-1651

Ever wondered what kind of creative environment some of the city’s most celebrated artists thrive in? In honor of Baltimore magazine’s Fall Arts feature in our October issue, we’ve teamed up with the Creative Alliance to co-host this studio tour highlighting six local artists-in-residence. Get an inside look at their personalized live-and-work spaces, while also indulging in light bites, wine, and craft beer from Monument City Brewing Company. Led by expert guides—including Creative Alliance exhibitions and programs manager Jeremy Stern and former Baltimore Museum of Art director Doreen Bolger—the tour features the diverse spaces inhabited by photographer Adam Davies, sculptor Alice Gadzinski, painters Alfonso Fernandez and Christopher Batten, printmaker Jerry Allen Gilmore, and interdisciplinary artist Samantha Sethi. 

 HEAR

Oct. 14: 16th Annual Pigtown Festival 

Historic Pigtown, 700-900 Blocks of Washington Blvd., 12-7 p.m., Free, 443-908-7038

Sure, we love watching speedy thoroughbreds charge around Pimlico at The Preakness Stakes in the spring, but, this time of year, it’s all about the high-pitched squeals of “Squeakness”—Pigtown Main Street’s annual iteration that sends prompt piglets racing around a ring set up on Washington Boulevard. Snag a front row seat to the spectacle at the 16th annual Pigtown Festival this weekend, which offers craft beer, local eats, a family-fun zone, and a soundtrack provided by three regional bands that will be sure to get you on your feet. Throughout the day, jam to the sounds of hip-hop and R&B-influenced Footwerk, as well as local ska and reggae rockers The Players Band. Then, as the sun sets over the historic ‘hood, dance the night away with the Empresarios—a blend of salsa, reggae, cumbia, dub, and house music led by Puerto Rico natives Javier Miranda, Frankie Rosado, and Felix Perez. 

 DO

Oct. 15: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

McHenry Row, 1700 Whetstone Way, 7:30 a.m., $15-45, 410-938-8990

Lace up your (preferably pink) running shoes for this annual 5K organized by the Maryland affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which has helped to raise more than $900 million in global breast cancer research throughout the years. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the event has moved from its longtime location in Hunt Valley to Locust Point. Hordes of runners decked out in their most festive pink athleisure (tutus are encouraged) will step off from McHenry Row, proceed down Fort Avenue, and loop around Fort McHenry before heading back for post-run festivities at race village. If you can’t make it to the race this Sunday, there are tons of local outlets (think pink cocktails at Iron Rooster, pink bagels at THB Bagels & Deli, pink tailgates from Bmore Around Town, and more) that are doing their part to support the cause all month long. 

Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show
Oct. 8-17. Various locations. Between our historic, national-anthem-inspiring fort and a certain highly decorated Olympian, Baltimore is no stranger to patriotism. It’s only fitting, then, that—for the first time in history—Charm City will host the Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show to celebrate the rich naval heritage of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the state’s contribution to the defense of the United States. The seventh of its kind in the country, and a descendant of the 2012 Sailabration and 2014 Star-Spangled Spectacular, the festival will feature a full 10 days of red, white, and blue . Join hundreds of thousands of onlookers as historic ships arrive and thrive in the city’s waters, accompanied by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, plus dozens of maritime-themed events. At the Inner Harbor and in Fells and Locust points, board the decks of navy vessels and schooners, catch more than 40 boats competing in the Constellation Cup Regatta, and check out the Fleet Week Fair, with regional food and live music by local and military bands. At Martin State Airport in Middle River, there will be aircrafts on display, both on land and in midair, with flight takeoffs, landings, and pilot autographs. But back where it all began—where a star-shaped fortress protected the city from British attack by the bay—celebrations will abound at Fort McHenry, with ship salutes, sailor meet-and-greets, and living history programs. Just don’t miss the main event, as the legendary Blue Angels fly over the grounds that inspired those iconic lyrics, long ago: “O say can you see . . . ”

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Pigtown Festival
Oct. 8. 700-900 blocks of Washington Boulevard. 12-7 p.m. Free. 443-908-7038. Just west of the hustle and bustle of Federal Hill, the small neighborhood of Pigtown sits pretty with charming row homes, timeworn warehouses, and a growing brood of businesses. During this 15th annual festival, watch the streets fill with people, food, live music, and the swine of its iconic pig races.

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Open Studio Tour
Oct. 8-9. Locations vary. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. Go behind the scenes of the Baltimore art scene during this weekend-long look inside local studios, presented by School 33 Art Center. For the 28th year, visitors can meet dozens of artists across the city, view their creative processes, and browse their works in fine painting, mixed media, film, sculpture, and more.

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Baltimore Running Festival
Oct. 15. Locations & times vary, starting at 7 a.m. $15-280. 410-605-9381. Runners, after months of training, it’s the day you’ve all been waiting for—the Baltimore Running Festival is finally here. Whatever your abilities, hit the pavement with everything from a 5K race to 26.2 miles through the heart of Baltimore City. Test your endurance or run for one of many great causes, including the Kennedy Krieger Institute or One Love Foundation.

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U.S. Oyster Festival
Oct. 15-16. St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, 42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$7. Oysters are all the rage these days, but whether you like ’em raw, steamed, or grilled, bring your appetite to the 50th annual U.S. Oyster Festival for a weekend of live music, local food vendors, and plenty of shucks to go around. Watch the country’s fastest shuckers compete for cash prizes in the National Oyster Shucking Championship, or try your luck in the amateur contest. Thanks to the recent boom in Baltimore’s aquaculture, this year’s oyster cook-off is sure to impress (and indulge) local oyster-lovers, with categories like hors d’oeurves, soups and stews, and entrees.

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WPOC Weekend in the Country
Oct. 15-16. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 1 p.m. $55-175. 410-715-5550. Even the most serious country music haters are now putting on their cowboy hats for the boot-scooting Southern genre that’s made its way into the mainstream. Don your bandanas and cutoff jeans to hear big names like the party-starting Little Big Town (“Pontoon,” “Day Drinking”) and up-and-comers like the dynamic duo LOCASH (which is one-part Baltimore native). After 15 years, local country music radio station 93.1 FM has turned this swaggering Southern music festival into a favorite fall tradition.

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Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
Oct. 22. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. $35-65. 410-252-9463. Get to know Maryland’s booming craft beer scene at the edge of the Baltimore harbor. For one fall Saturday, sample the state’s very best with nearly 150 local beers, including RAR Brewing’s Nanticoke Nectar IPA and Union Craft’s barrel-aged Old Pro with blackberries, plus live music and local bites by the likes of The Smoking Swine and BricknFire Pizza Co.

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Doors Open Baltimore
Oct. 22. Various locations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-625-2585. For one day, go behind the scenes at Baltimore’s historic buildings, museums, and landmarks as part of the third annual Doors Open Baltimore. In this free, citywide event, explore more than 50 locations from Mount Washington to South Baltimore, like the Peabody Library, Peabody Heights Brewery on the former site of the old Oriole Park, and the new Baltimore Immigration Museum in Locust Point. Get started at the Maryland Historic Society to map out a self-guided tour of these Charm City sites.

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Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Oct. 23. Executive Plaza, 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley. 7-10 a.m. $10-50. Founded in 1993, Komen Maryland has contributed more than $37 million to breast cancer research and programs, and its volunteers, staff, and members won’t stop until they’re #OneStepCloser to finding a cure. At this 24th annual race, Komen brings survivors and supporters together for competitive and recreational 5K runs, a 5K walk, and a one-mile family fun walk, raising funding and awareness for the cause along the way. Afterward, celebrate the triumph of survivors with a recognition walk and dance party.

Free Fall Baltimore
Oct. 1-31. Locations & times vary. 410-752-8632. This fall, celebrate the city with more than 300 free events ranging from theater, dance, and music to art exhibits, readings, and classes, including local museum happenings at the BMA, BMI, and AVAM, gallery shows at Current Space, EMP Collective, and MICA, and performances by local groups like the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Everyman Theatre, and Baltimore Improv Group.

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Baltimore Running Festival
Oct. 17. Starting line: Camden Yards, 400 W. Camden St. Finish line: M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. Times vary. $15-280. 410-605-9381. thebaltimoremarathon.com. Whatever your fitness level, grab your sneakers and hit the pavement for the 15th annual Baltimore Marathon. From the Inner Harbor through historic Fells Point and Federal Hill, join tens of thousands of runners to participate in a full marathon, half-marathon, 5K, relay, or fun-run around the city.

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WPOC’s Weekend In the Country
Oct. 3-4. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Sat.-Sun. 2:30 p.m. $55-75. 410-715-5550. Head to Nashville by way of Columbia at 93.1 WPOC’s two-day country music festival. The genre’s top talent will be in tow, ranging from its new class of wonder women, like Cam and Kelsea Ballerini, to Southern, soulful heartthrobs, like Sam Hunt, Brantley Gilbert, and Canaan Smith. Be it cowboy hats, bandanas, or cut-off blue jeans, we recommend barnyard threads for this backwoods boogie.

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The Big Hope Show
Oct. 3-Sept. 4, 2016. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $20. 410-244-1900. The museum’s 20th anniversary exhibition, The Big Hope Show features works by over 25 artists, and is just the oddball, effervescent tonic the city needs after a stressful and charged spring and summer. Among the exhibitors are Bobby Adams, a member of John Waters’s band of merry misfits, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and assemblages; Chris Roberts-Antieau, a fabric artist known for her vibrant panels; and Wayne Coyne, the frontman of the experimental rock band The Flaming Lips, whose surreal art has never before been exhibited in a museum. “I never thought any art museum would ever consider me,” Coyne says. “It’s wonderful to be thought of as an artist that deserves to be in AVAM.” —Amy Mulvihill

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Pigtown Festival
Oct. 10. 700-900 blocks of Washington Blvd. 12-7 p.m. Free. 443-908-7038. pigtownmainstreet.org. Now in its 14th year, the prized Pigtown Festival is back on Washington Boulevard with a big block party to celebrate the South Baltimore neighborhood. Sticking to tradition, the much-loved “Squeakness” pig races will once again run down the city streets, with lots of fine fried food, pit barbecue, and live, local music, including the funky, old-school sounds of The Kelly Bell Band.

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Last Comic Standing
Oct. 21. Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 7:30 p.m. $28.50-38.50. 410-900-1150. This long-standing comedy competition is heading off the NBC airwaves and on the road for an all-new, cross-country tour, with the top contestants performing some of the best sketch, improv, and stand-up around. You might even catch the next Amy Schumer, the former-LCS-loser-turned-raunchy-American-sweetheart and comedy’s current big thing.

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Maryland vs. Penn State
Oct. 24. M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 2 p.m. $65-115. 410-547-7328. With college football season now in full swing, it’s time to don your red and black, bring your tailgate A-game, and live by these three little words: Fear the Turtle. For one festive fall Saturday, post up at Ravens Stadium and watch the University of Maryland Terrapins take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Last year, the two teams competed for the first time in more than 20 years (and the first time as Big Ten rivals) with the Terps enjoying a 20-19 win on the Lions’ turf. Let’s see if they can do it again, this time in their own home state.

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Doors Open Baltimore
Oct. 24. City of Baltimore, locations vary. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-625-2585. For one day, go behind-the-scenes at some of the city’s best buildings, studios, and landmarks with Doors Open Baltimore, part of Baltimore Architecture Month. From Hampden to Locust Point and beyond, delve into the local neighborhoods with dozens of talks and tours throughout the day. Discover the historic relationship between The Walters Art Museum and its Mt. Vernon neighborhood, learn what the Creative Alliance’s Patterson Theater looked like upon opening in 1930, get a one-of-a-kind window into the old factory that now houses Union Craft Brewing in Woodberry, and explore the 234-foot Phoenix Shot Tower that looms above President Street.

Festivals around the country feature the same things: arts and crafts, fried food, and cover bands. But four pigs running while residents cheer them on? Only in Baltimore. 

The annual Pigtown Festival (October 11) celebrates its namesake neighborhood and benefits Pigtown Main Street, a nonprofit revitalizing Washington Boulevard. 

“No matter what else has been going on in the neighborhood, this festival has endured,” says Pigtown Main Street executive director Ben Hyman. 

In its 13th year, the event will have a carnival theme and, of course, the pig race—known as “Squeakness”—a tribute to Pigtown’s past. (In the 1800s, livestock arriving on the B&O Railroad were herded through the streets en route to butchering.) 

“People buy raffle tickets to pick a favorite pig,” Hyman says. “They demand this race. We had a festival in the spring and the most common question was ‘Where are the pigs?’”