Best Fall Festivals In Baltimore
If you thought summer was a blast, prepare to be blown away by all the fun coming to Baltimore this fall season. Concerts, book signings, jousting and art markets await you at these awesome area festivals. Don't miss out on the city's best celebrations of all things autumn.
Renaissance Festival
1821 Crownsville Road
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 266-7304
rennfest.com/
Dates: From Aug. 25 to Oct. 21 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Click here for prices
Calling all brave knights, wenches, royalty, fair maidens and magical creatures: Dress in your finest garments or rent a costume and step back in time to 1514. King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine visit the humble, 28-acre village of Revel Grove to celebrate the upcoming marriage of the king's sister. Enjoy a turkey leg, among a variety of hearty meals, and drink from a tankard while singing at the pubs. There is much pomp to entertain all with jousting, stage acts, children's games, musicians and dancers. Try your hand at tug-of-war or ax throwing for fun throw-back action. Bring gold (Lady Visa and Master of the Card are also accepted) to purchase both medieval and modern crafts from more than 120 shops including jewelry, clothing, and decorations. Save by attending the first four weekends, but take note of special events with pirates, Celtic and Oktoberfest themes.
Charm City Music Festival
1000 Wills St.
Baltimore, Md. 21231
charmcitymusicfestival.com
Date: Sept 15 – 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Click here for prices and ticketing
Presented by 24/7 Entertainment and CBS Radio, join the Charm City Music Festival's opening year at the Pier Six Pavilion at the Inner Harbor. Prepare to belt out your favorite songs, from "Say It Ain't So" to "Buddy Holly," as Weezer headlines the festival. Flogging Molly, Eve 6, Stephen Marley and Southern Culture on the Skids will be featured as will local musicians. Arrive with an appetite for the steamed crab and seafood village for a delicious, musical day out.
Baltimore Book Festival
Mount Vernon Place
600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 752-8632
baltimorebookfestival.com
Dates: Sept. 28 to Sept. 30
Hours: Friday to Sat – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday – 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: free
More than 100 exhibitors promise an incredible array of books at the Baltimore Book Festival this year. Book signings and author appearances will be made by Baltimore local, Laura Lippman, as well as Rob Kasper, former reporter for the Baltimore Sun, and Teresa Giudice from "Real Housewives of New Jersey." Enjoy walking tours, cooking demonstrations, poetry readings, writing workshops, street theater and live music. Bring along the kids for storytelling and other children's activities at the west park stage.
Fells Point Fun Festival
812 S. Ann St.
Baltimore, Md. 21231
(410) 675-6756
preservationsociety.com/
Hours: Oct. 6 to Oct. 7 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: free
Broadway and Thames streets host the majority of this fun festival as it celebrates its 46th year. A guaranteed fun time, enjoy three beer garden locations as well as five music stages that will play rock, folk, jazz, country and blues. Jump on a carnival ride and go shopping at the flea market or at the many arts and crafts vendors along the streets. Along with typical festival food, explore a variety of cuisines from around the world.
Oktoberfest
2200 York Road
Timonium, Md. 21093
(800) 830-3976
dasbestoktoberfest.com/
Dates: Oct. 13 – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; VIP ticket holders may enter at 11 a.m.
Price: $25 in advance $30 on-site/$39 VIP/$15 designated driver ticket
Put down the Bud Light, Baltimore's largest beer festival is coming to the Timonium Fairgrounds, offering 80 beers from 15 local breweries. Better yet, come dressed in German attire to receive three free drink tokens. No need to worry if no one volunteers to be the designated driver, as there is a free shuttle bus between the light rail stop in Timonium and the Oktoberfest entrance. Try authentic German food, from bratwursts to schnitzel, while listening to live music, then participate in beer belly or Miss Oktoberfest contests.
Cockeysville Fall Festival
594 Cranbrook Road
Cockeysville, Md. 21020
cockeysvillefallfestival.com
Hours: Oct. 20 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: free
If you usually wait until the last minute to pick a pumpkin, come to the Cockeysville Fall Festival where you may not only pick and decorate a pumpkin, but play old-fashioned carnival games, listen to live music and enjoy a great meal. Shop at more 50 booths by local vendors selling handmade jewelry, clothing, tools, beeswax candles and honey soaps. The kids will love the moon bounce and dunk tank, while raffles promise spectacular prizes. Parking is free but limited so you may need to park in the neighboring area. Donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore are also encouraged.
Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
