Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Oct. 8-9: Ryleigh’s Oysterfest
Ryleigh’s Oyster Federal Hill, 36 E. Cross St. Sat. 12-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.
It’s October and oyster season is officially upon us. Yes, you can now get them all year round, but with the cool winds of winter slowly approaching, those briny bivalves make for the perfect snack. This weekend, enjoy all-oyster-everything at seafood stalwart Ryleigh’s Oyster in Federal Hill. For the tenth year, Cross Street will be filled with raw bars, buck-a-shucks, ice-cold beer, and hundreds of onlookers for Saturday’s oyster shucking competition. For two full days, eat your way through dozens of oyster varieties, from Chesapeake Bay wilds to locally grown farm-raised oysters, including homegrown favorites like Barren Islands, Hollywoods, Sweet Jesus, and newcomer Orchard Points. Whether it’s an excuse for a Saturday day drink or early prep for your Sunday tailgate, feel good knowing that proceeds benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Living Classrooms Foundation, both of which work to make our bay a more healthy, vibrant place.
DRINK
Oct. 7-16: Baltimore Beer Week
Locations, times, & prices vary.
Starting this weekend, the streets of Baltimore will start tapping drafts, pouring pints, and kicking kegs in celebration of the city and state’s booming beer scene. Over the last several years, the region’s offerings have expanded from Heavy Seas, Oliver Brewing, and The Brewer’s Art to a new class of suds, including Union Craft, Monument City, Waverly Brewing, and Key Brewing, and for the eighth year, Baltimore Beer Week will help you taste them all. Across 10 days and more than 300 events (which we narrowed down for you), embrace your inner cold-one connoisseur with full days of brewing tours, pairing dinners, late-night happy hours, stein-holding contests, chili and homebrew competitions, and Ellicott City benefits. On Friday, swing by Max’s Taphouse for a full line-up of pumpkin beers, on Saturday, don your lederhosen for Das Best Oktoberfest at M&T, and on Sunday, compete in the Brewer’s Art disc golf open in Druid Hill Park, to name a few.
SEE
Oct. 8-17: Maryland Fleet Week
Locations & times vary. Free.
Between our historic, national-anthem-inspiring fort and a certain highly decorated Olympian, Baltimore is no stranger to patriotism. It’s only fitting, then, that—for the first time in history—Charm City will host the Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show to celebrate the rich naval heritage of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the state’s contribution to the defense of the United States. The seventh of its kind in the country, and a descendant of the 2012 Sailabration and 2014 Star-Spangled Spectacular, the festival will feature a full 10 days of red, white, and blue. Join hundreds of thousands of onlookers as historic ships arrive and thrive in the city’s waters, accompanied by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, plus dozens of maritime-themed events. From the Inner Harbor to Fells and Locust points, board the decks of navy vessels and schooners, catch more than 40 boats competing in the Constellation Cup Regatta, and check out the Fleet Week Fair, with regional food and live music by local and military bands. At Martin State Airport in Middle River, there will be aircrafts on display, both on land and in midair, with flight takeoffs, landings, and pilot autographs. But back where it all began—where a star-shaped fortress protected the city from British attack by the bay—celebrations will abound at Fort McHenry, with ship salutes, sailor meet-and-greets, and living history programs. Just don’t miss the main event, as the legendary Blue Angels fly over the grounds that inspired those iconic lyrics, long ago: “O say can you see . . . ”
HEAR
Oct. 7-8: WOW Women of the World Festival
Notre Dame of Maryland University, 4701 N. Charles St. Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $20.
Who runs the world? Beyoncé said it best. This weekend, celebrate women as a force to be reckoned with and join in discussions about the remaining barriers to gender equality. After stints in London, Australia, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and the U.K., this traveling festival makes its way to Baltimore to spread the word and highlight local women and initiatives. On Friday, catch conversations on gender discrimination and bias, female leadership and entrepreneurship, and women’s health, education, and faith, including the likes of local college professors, Rebecca Nagle of FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture, Deb Tillett of Emerging Technology Centers, Michele Tsucalas of Michele’s Granola, and Charleston’s Cindy Wolf. On Saturday, catch workshops for young girls, meet the leading ladies of Baltimore (including Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen), and join commentary on women of color, women in the Muslim community, female athletes, and the role of men in female advancement and women’s rights.
DO
Oct. 8: Pigtown Festival
700-900 blocks of Washington Blvd. 12-7 p.m. Free. 443-908-7038.
Just west of the hustle and bustle of Federal Hill, the quaint neighborhood of Pigtown sits pretty with charming row homes, timeworn warehouses, and a growing brood of businesses. During this 15th annual festival, watch the streets fill with people, the smells of regional food, the sounds of live music by The All Mighty Senators and Kelly Bell Band, and of course the swine of its iconic “Squeakness” pig races. Craft beer will be provided by Oliver Brewing and vendors will be on hand selling locally made goods.