Citypaper.com coverage

Above: Artscape, the city's annual massive street festival; Left: The Flower Mart is held every spring in Mount Vernon Plaza.

Fall

Ukrainian Festival, mid-September, ukranianfestival.net

Lively fest held in Patterson Park featuring traditional foodstuffs such as stuffed cabbage and dumplings, live music and dancing, carved wood crafts, and Pysanky egg painting.

Korean Festival, mid-September, koreansocietyofmd.org

War Memorial Plaza fills with vendors selling spicy food, cooling drinks, and authentic goods; skilled folks demonstrate tae kwon do and dancers dance.

Baltimore Book Festival, late September, baltimorebookfestival.org

With readings by local and national authors, independent bookstore booths, children's activities, wine and food for sale, and City Paper's book exchange table, this Mount Vernon festival is small but mighty.

Free Fall Baltimore, October, freefallbaltimore.com

Check web site for details on free live music and stage shows, museum and children's events, film, historical programs and lectures, and much more throughout the month of October.

Fell's Point Fun Festival, early October, preservationsociety.com

For 40 years, the FPFF has turned Fell's Point into a carnival; includes rides, a flea market, an international marketplace, five stages with entertainment, and four food courts.

Russian Festival, mid-October, holytrinityorthodox.com/festival

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church near Fells Point pitches a tent for a weekend of Russian folk dancing and music, grilled meats and pierogies, and collectibles.

Great Halloween Lantern Parade, late October, creativealliance.org

A non-scary and non-candy parade on All Hallows Eve in Patterson Park followed by a live and lit-up performance of puppetry.

Thanksgiving Parade, late November, promotionandarts.org

The Inner Harbor kicks-off the holiday season with a traditional parade of floats and marching bands and welcomes Santa for his first appearance.

Winter

Miracle on 34th Street, December, christmasstreet.com

Hampden's brightest street decks its self out in over-the-top holiday decorations. Walk the block for the best experience.

Monument Lighting, early December, bop.org

Mount Vernon's Washington Monument lights up a street filled with fireworks, holiday cheer, live music, and warm beverages.

Mayor's Christmas Parade, early December, mayorschristmasparade.com

Old-fashioned parade with floats, Harley Davidsons, and the Boumi Temple performers marching through Hampden and Medfield.

New Year's Eve Spectacular, very late December, promotionandarts.com

The Inner Harbor offers a truly amazing background for an impressive fireworks display with live music.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, mid-January, bop.org

Local marching bands, high steppers, floats, and community groups honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade down the street that bears his name.

Spring

Saint Patrick's Parade, mid-March, irishparade.net

The Shamrock 5K starts at Charles and Franklin streets and the Saint Patrick's Parade follows, stepping off from Mount Vernon's Washington Monument.

City Paper Brew Fest, late April, citypaper.com

City Paper's popular Brew Fest in Fells Point Square features more than 40 micro and macro breweries and the fun of drinking in the afternoon sun.

Mount Vernon Flower Mart, early May, flowermart.org

Spring's finest flora and the locals who grow them surround the Washington Monument. Don't miss the pepperstick lemons, a traditional Charm City treat.

Polish Festival, late May, bop.org

Patterson Park hosts this cozy, cultural fest where you can eat great handmade potato pancakes and converse with neighborly types.

Summer

St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival, mid-June, greekfolkfestival.com

Four days of wonderful Greek food such as dolmas, gyro, and baklava, along with Greek wine, beer, and liquor, plus dancing, music, and arts.

Pride Festival, mid-June, baltimorepride.org

Gay mecca Mount Vernon hosts the Baltimore Pride parade and block party Saturday, followed by a family festival in Druid Hill Park Sunday.

Latino-Fest, late June, latinofest.org

Baltimore's healthy Latino community warms up Patterson Park during this weekend of food, salsa dancing, Latin music, and arts and crafts.

African-American Heritage Festival, early July, aahf.net

A colorful weekend in Oriole Park at Camden Yards filled with some of the best festival music in the city--past years have included Erykah Badu and LL Cool J.

Caribbean Carnival Festival, mid-July, bmorecarnival.com

Amazing music and spicy island fare all weekend long in Druid Hill Park, including stages full of DJs and bands, a costume parade Saturday, and children's activities.

Artscape, mid-July, artscape.org

Wear loads of sunscreen and stay hydrated during this free weekend-long arts festival and street fair with multiple stages of solid music, original art, performances, and exhibits.

International Festival, early August, baltimorecity.gov/ifest.

Poly/Western High School hosts this celebration of all ethnicities coming together; includes the Mayor's Cup soccer tournament.

FestAfrica, early August, festafricausa.com

This bright celebration offers health and African tourism fairs, a soccer tournament, and an African Renaissance art exhibit.

St. Gabriel Festival, mid-August, littleitalymd.com

Baltimore's rich Italian culture celebrates in and around Little Italy's St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church with bocce ball, delicious sweet and savory foodstuffs, music, and games.