Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Dec. 6-7: Night of 100 Elvises
The Hunt Valley Inn, 245 Shawan Rd., Hunt Valley. Sat 2 & 7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. $25-50. 410-494-9558. nightof100elvises.com
Elvis might have left the building but every December, hundreds of him return to Baltimore to celebrate the legend and his legacy. This Saturday and Sunday, throw on your blue suede shoes and go indulge in some fried chicken and peanut-butter-banana sandwiches—personal favorites of The King himself. Swing by the bar, check out some classic cars, take pictures with the tribute artists, and listen to a dozen bands cover some of his (and rock-and-roll’s) greatest hits.
DRINK
Dec. 6: Fells Point Reindeer Run Pub Crawl
Fells Point, Broadway Sq. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. 410-675-8900. fellspointmainstreet.org
After you’ve imbibed in boozy brunch with Santa at Bar Cocina, beaten the competition in the Egg Nog contest, or checked out all the lighted boats on the harbor at this year’s 11th annual Old Thyme Christmas festival in Fells Point, head on over to Dog Watch in your most ridiculous holiday sweater. From there, you and a crew of other jolly drinkers will set out on a pub crawl of 20-plus neighborhood bars, including Alexander’s Tavern, Kooper’s, One Eyed Mike’s, The Waterfront Hotel, and The Point.
SEE
Dec. 7: The Mayor’s 41st Annual Christmas Parade
Starting at Poly/Western High Schools, 4600 Falls Rd. 1 p.m. Free. mayorschristmasparade.com
Hampden gets pretty festive this time of year. First, there’s 34th Street and its houses upon houses of holiday lights. Then, a week later, there’s the annual holiday parade, spanning 2.5 miles towards 37th Street. This year, be one of the 25,000 people who set up shop along the route and get in the spirit as you watch dozens of floats, marching units, local bands, Harley Davidsons, local TV and radio personalities, and Santa Claus.
HEAR
Dec. 7: Joy Classic
Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 7 p.m. $8. 410-967-0385. theottobar.com
Few things fight the Sunday blues like a little bit of live music. This local quintet—a self-professed “dreamy, psychedelic, groove shack band”—feels like something out of the California surf in the sunny 1960s, and come the end of the weekend, they’ll ease you into Monday with a show in Remington. Opening acts include local bands Small Apartments, Heavy Lights, and Ghost Hotel.
DO
Dec. 6: Charm City Mafia’s Holiday Heap
St. John’s Church, 2460 St. Paul St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 410-366-7733. charmcitycraftmafia.com
It’s December and that means the holiday present-buying heat is officially upon us. On Saturday, head to this beautiful old church and get a cool, custom growler for all that craft beer your brother-in-law’s been drinking lately. Nab a handmade leather wallet to replace the one that’s been in your dad’s back pocket for a decade. Pick up a Maryland map cutting board for your mom or some beautiful stationary for your sister. Hell, buy yourself an awesome piece of furniture. Afterwards, swing by one of the local craft demos and top it all off with some snacks from Kinderhook or Clementine.