Baltimore Entertainment

Most major events are listed in the arts and entertainment sections of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. The City Paper is a free weekly, published in Baltimore, listing everything that’s happening in the city, even events at the smaller bars and clubs. Tickets for most of the events held at major venues can be purchased at individual venue box offices and also through Ticketmaster (tel: +1 410 481 SEAT; website: www.ticketmaster.com), Baltimore Tickets (tel: +1 410 BALT TIX) and at the Inner Harbour visitor centre.

Nightlife

For years, Baltimore was considered a quiet place after dark, except for the bars in Fells Point or the theatre district. Today, however, it's become known for its range of nightlife options in the tourist centres and the city’s neighbourhoods including the Inner Harbour, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Canton and Mount Vernon.

The main bar scenes you’ll find here are sports bars and the scene at Fells Point, where some of the bars feature live music. For a sports bar, you can try one of the many near Camden Yards and also the Downtown Sports Exchange on W Pratt Street or the Orioles Bar at the Sheraton Inner Harbour Hotel. Fells Point is a focal point of Baltimore nightlife and a favourite among college students and young professionals.
 
Power Plant Live, north of Lombard Street at the Marketplace, is another option. This place is a mix of a number of bars and clubs, and attracts a lot of young singles, especially at the weekends.

Theatre and music

Baltimore boasts a range of music and theatre options, from its world-class symphony to resident performing arts companies. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO)offers several concerts weekly during its season from September to June (tel: +1 410 783 8000; website: www.baltimoresymphony.com). In the summer, the BSO holds concerts outdoors at Oregon Ridge Park, north of the city. 

Local professional companies stage productions throughout the year at neighbourhood theatres. The Fells Point Corner Theatre on south Ann Street (tel: +1 410 276 7837; website: www.fpct.org) offers eight productions a year. The Vagabond Players on south Broadway (tel: +1 410 563 9135) present a range of productions, from classics to contemporary pieces. The city's African American Arena Players on McCulloch Street (tel: +1 410 728 6500) stage romantic comedies and contemporary works.

Festivals

There are loads of festivals held each year in Baltimore and the surrounding area. Beginning in the spring (late April to early May), the Inner Harbour is host to the Baltimore Waterfront Festival. To welcome the summer, the Centre Plaza Concert Series features blues, jazz, reggae and salsa concerts from May to July. Throughout the summer, there are free big band performances at the Pier 6 Concert Pavilion.

• The city’s Sowebohemian Festival has been held annually for the last 20 years, on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (end of May). You’ll find a little bit of everything on offer during this event, as it’s Baltimore's largest music festival, and it boasts a large non-juried art exhibit, puppet shows, outdoor sculpture contests, kid's art and lots of fun activities. The event aims to foster a spirit of community, by showcasing the talents of neighbourhood residents (website: www.soweboarts.org).
• Artscape is held at Mount Royal during July and is a festival celebrating local theatre, music, arts and food.
• Defender's Day Celebration is staged on 12 September, the anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore. Military drills, fireworks and music are all on the programme, held at Fort McHenry.