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Best Last-Minute Summer Activities For Families In Baltimore

By Troy Petenbrink

If you find the summer slipping away and are looking for some last-minute family-friendly activities before the school season begins -- Baltimore has you covered. From outdoor movie screenings to amazing street painting, here five picks that will provide great fun and lasting memories.

WTMD First Thursday Concerts
Canton Waterfront Park
3001 Boston St.
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 704-8938
www.wtmd.org

Date: Aug. 3 and Sept. 7, 2017 at 5 p.m.

Operated by Towson University, WTMD is an independent music station and NPR partner. Its First Thursday Concerts are very popular among Baltimore families. The concerts are free and held on the sprawling grass lawn of the Canton Waterfront Park. Each concert includes multiple performers and are held rain or shine. In addition to the live music, there are food vendors and beer, wine, and cider available for adults.

Flicks From The Hill
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-1900
www.avam.org

Date: Aug. 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2017 at 9 p.m.

Travel + Leisure Magazine named the American Visionary Art Museum's outdoor film series one of the "world's best free things."  There is lawn seating for more than a thousand people on the museum's natural amphitheater formed by Federal Hill, and the 30-foot wide screen makes for easy viewing. All of the films are rated G, PG, or PG-13 and the schedule is posted on the museum's website. Guests are able to visit the museum for free from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on screening nights.

African American Heritage Festival
Druid Hill Park
900 Druid Park Lake Drive
Baltimore, MD 21217
(410) 396-1800
www.baltimore.org/article/african-american-festival

Date: Aug. 12, 2017 at 10 a.m.

A tradition for more than 40 years, the African American Heritage Festival is a great experience for all families. The festival includes musical performances and many community organizations and vendors. Traditionally held at Camden Yards, this year's event will take pace in Druid Hill Park and will be held for one-day only. There is no cost to attend.

Related: Best Parks For Kids In Baltimore

Where the Wild Things Art
Maryland Zoo
1 Safari Place
Baltimore, MD 21217
(443) 552-5276
www.marylandzoo.org

Date: Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

The Maryland Zoo's Where with Wild Things Art program is a very popular program for adults; however, it also includes a fun kids only program that is designed specifically for ages 6 to 13. Hosted by Painted Palette Baltimore, participants are provided supplies and instructions for re-creating a featured painting. In addition to painting, there is a complimentary snack and photo opportunities with a Zoo animal ambassador. The cost is $35 per child.

Madonnari Arts Festival
Little Italy
S. High Street and Stiles Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 558-1840
www.littleitalymadonnari.com

Date: Sept. 8 to 10

Italian street artists, called, i madonnari, date back to the sixteenth century. The Madonnari Arts Festival is a free, multi-day celebration of these historic artists. Attendee to the festival are able to watch professional and student artists create traditional and contemporary chalk paintings directly on the streets of Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood. Young children are also able to create their own drawings and have their faces painted. In addition to the street painting there will be food vendors and entertainment.

Related: Best Places To See Flowers In Baltimore

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