Baltimore NYE Info

The Baltimore Office f Promotion & the arts has a great page put together that gives you a run-down of info on tomorrow's festivities.  Here's the page.  Remember, if you can't make it downtown for the fireworks, you can watch them on Channel 13 (WJZ).

Baltimore Grand Prix Tickets On Sale Tomorrow

Tickets for the 3 day race will go on sale Friday, December 21st.  Ticket prices are much better (and indication of good changes coming to the event), so this looks to be a bigger race than last year.  There will also be a discount if you buy by January 15th.  Go to http://www.grandprixofbaltimore.com/ for more info on the event, including the new pricing structure listed on Friday.

Last Farmers Market of the Season

This Sunday, December 23rd, is your last chance to stop by the Farmers Market under 83.  If you need your local fix, make sure to head up to the Farmers Market in Waverly on Saturdays.  For more information on that market, click here.

Family Fun Night at Port Discovery

On the 3rd Friday of every month (which just happens to be this Friday), Port Discovery hosts Target Family Fun Night.  General Admission is only $2 per person if you arrive after 4PM (a savings of $11.95 per person).  It's a great place to take the kids to play when it's cold outside.  Here's the website.

Rock the Dock at Power Plant Saturday

This Saturday (December 15th), you can come down to the heated tent on a pier in front of the Power Plant between 3-6PM for Live Music, Train rides for the kids along the promenade, holiday themed arts and crafts, cookie decorating, games, food, and drinks.  After it's over, stick around for the light show on the power plant building itself.  Make sure to RSVP HERE if you're coming.

Families Get Into B&O Railroad Museums for Free Tomorrow

On Friday, Decmeber 14th Fox 45 will be filming at the B&O Railroad Museum, and the museum will be offering free admission to families with children at 8:30AM.  So not only can you get in free, but you can the kids can be on TV!  Here's the Facebook link.  They ask for you to comment on their status to let them know you're coming.

Santa Aquarium Appearance

On Thursday December 13th at 10AM, go to the Aquarium's webcam to check out Santa diving into the reef exhibit to feed the fish (and spread holiday joy of course).

AVAM Admission Groupon

If you've been wanting to visit the American Visionary Arts Museum, then now might be the best time to buy discounted admission.  If you haven't been yet, it's really fantastic.  Check out the Groupon deal!

12 Days of Baltimore Christmas Song

Check out the new (and pretty hilarious) Christmas hit by Kelly Bell and Larry Noto.  Oh, and if you like it, they allow you to download it for free!

Here's the link.

Holiday Craft Market in Center Plaza

Today and tomorrow Center Plaza will be full of holiday craft and food vendors.  Stop by either day between 11AM-2PM or during the extended hours tomorrow between 4-7:30PM.  Check out the official website for more details.

Baltimore Zip Car Open House Friday

Have you considered giving up your car now that you live in the city?  What's better than the idea of no monthly car payment?  The Zipcar share program might be right for you based on where you live.  Their program allows you to pay based on how much you use the vehicles, and is inclusive of insurance, gas, and normal wear and tear on the car.  For someone who doesn't drive more once or twice a week, this along with public transit can help to save quite a bit.

As luck would have it, they're having an open house this Friday (December 14th).  Not only can you find out about their programs, but you can donate unused toys for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.  They'll also be offering up some holiday treats.  Stop by 1120 North Charles St. (Suite 110) and click here for more info about the open house from the Downtown Partnership.

Currently Zipcar has locations in the following neighborhoods in Baltimore and the surrounding areas:

• Federal Hill
• Locust Point
• Downtown
• Harbor East
• Fells Point
• Upper Fells
• Canton
• Mount Vernon
• Bolton Hill
• Remington
• Charles Village
• Hampden
• Towson
• UMBC

To see a map of all Zipcar locations where cars are located, click here.

Power Plant Holiday Light Show (Video)

It's a fantastic show (even better than last year), so make sure to get down and see it for yourself.  If you can't make it down though, this video should help to get you in the holiday spirit (though it's hard to fully experience it through a video with effects like snow flurries coming down around you when you're there in person).

And here's the video from last year:

USCGC Taney and the Attack on Pearl Harbor

71 years ago, one of the largest surprise attacks occurred against American forces.  Now today, only a single ship that was involved in the battle of Pearl Harbor remains afloat.  The USCGC Taney, docked in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, serves as a piece of living history and remembrance.  You can board the Taney this weekend for only $1 and get a chance to explore the ship with exhibits throughout to learn about the history and life aboard.  For more information about the Taney, visit her on pier 5 or click here.

What You Need To Know About Tonight's Monument Lighting

It's one of the Baltimore Holidays must do events, so here's the rundown of everything you need to know about the 2012 Washington Mounment Lighting.

2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Holiday Beer Festival

A fantastic event deserves repetition.  Pratt Street Ale House hosts the second annual Mid-Atlantic Holiday Beer Festival this Saturday, December 8th from 12-4PM.  For $40 you get food and unlimited samples of some amazing local beers.

Beer listed so far:

• Oliver Ales - Merry Ole Ale
• Oliver Ales - William's Winter Warmer
• Brewer's Alley- New Moon Ale
• Brewer's Art- St. Festivus
• Troeg's - Mad Elf and Scratch Series
• Stillwater- Folklore
• Burley Oak- Butternut Squash Beer
• Flying Dog- St. Eadman, Galaxy Single Hop
• Union Craft- Balt Alt with cocoa nibs, cinnamon and nutmeg
• Heavy Seas- Pin Loose Cannon with local hops and 1/6 Bourbon 
• Barrel Below Decks
• DuClaw-Euforia
• Red Brick Station- Rye Pale Ale
• EVO- Secret Spot
• Weyerbacher- Winter
• DOG- Cask "Chocolate Orange" Brown Ale
• Southern Tier- Old Man Winter

You can buy your tickets HERE.

Baltimore Dollar Days 2012

Get into your favorite downtown attractions this weekend (Saturday December 8th and Sunday December 9th) for only $1!  How can you beat that?  Make sure to bring cash as many of these sites won't use credit cards for the $1 admissions.  Here's who is included:

• National Aquarium (normally $29.95)
• MD Science Center (normally $16.95)
• Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum (normally $6)
• Baltimore Museum of Industry (normally $12)
• Carroll Museums (normally $5)
• Evergreen Museum & Library, Homewood Museum  (normally $8)
• Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (normally $10)
• Historic Ships In Baltimore (normally $18 for all 4 ships, $1 each ship and lighthouse is FREE)
• Port Discovery (normally $13.95)
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture (normally $8)
• Top of the World Observation level (normally $5)

So if you're able to get to all of these this weekend, you'll spend a whopping $14 for $133.85 worth of admissions (saving you $118.85).  And don't forget that both the Walters Art Gallery and the Baltimore Museum of Art are always FREE.

Cross Street Market Survey

Do you, or would you use Cross Street Market?  If so, go HERE and help promote positive by filling out a survey.  The survey will end December 15th.

Bacon Happy Hour at Bad Decisions Tonight

By Tony G

Tonight, Destination America's show United States of Bacon is covering the Bacon Happy Hour at Bad Decisions in Fells Point.

Every month, Bad Decisions has a happy hour centered around bacon based dishes and cocktails.   This month, Destination America, a cable channel owned by Discovery Communications, will be taping at the event for a future episode of their show, United States of Bacon.  The show travels around the country searching for the best bacon and bacon related events.

The event is from 5PM until close at 2AM.  For the menu and additional information, check out the facebook event at www.facebook.com/BadDecisions

HGTV Filming in Cross Street Market on Friday

Stop by Cross Street Market this Friday between 9AM-Noon and you just might end up on HGTV.  Word is that their film crews will be there.  With all the food options the market has, expect a good time even if you don't see the film crew.

Edit:  rumor is that it actually might be the Travel channel.

Historical note:  Did you know that cross street market burned down in 1951?

Mayor's Christmas Parade this Sunday

For some odd (but awesome) reason, we've got a Mayor's Christmas parade that goes through the Hampden and Medfield neighborhoods.  You'd think that kind of event would be downtown, but it's instead it's much more down-to-earth than that.  This Sunday (December 2nd) will be the 40th anniversary for the parade, and is a must do for families.  Here's the website.

Night of 100 ELVISes

Lith Hall is the place to be if you love Elvis Presley.  12 tribute bands and 12 tribute artists are playing all night long this Friday And Saturday Night (November 30th and December 1st), and NO song will be played twice (now that's impressive).  Tickets start at $57, so you know it's a serious event.  Here's the website.

Free Opera Tomorrow

The Peabody is putting on a free Opera tomorrow (Tuesday, November 27th at 7:30PM at 1 East Mt Vernon Place).  Here's the official website.

Merry Tuba Christmas

An odd (but fun) Christmas tradition comes to the Inner Harbor this Saturday, December 1st.  Come down from 3:00-4:30PM to see hundreds of tubas playing your Christmas favorites.  This events include high school, college, and Baltimore Ravens marching band tuba players for the 29th year in a row.  Stay afterward for It's a Waterfront Life light show, the Baltimore Holiday Boat Parade, and great Christmas Shopping around the harbor.

Farmers Market

Keep in mind that the Baltimore City Farmers Market is going on until December 23rd this year, so stop by tomorrow for amazing food and produce.  This time of year you can't go wrong with some apple cider (either cold for bringing home or piping hot for the walk around the market).  Here's the website, with weekly newsletters.

Baltimore Holiday Boat Parade

While Annapolis might have the biggest holiday boat parade in the state, there's no need to drive the 45 minutes south to get your fix.  Come down to the Inner Harbor Saturday, December 1st at 6PM and check out the boats on display.  Below you'll see a map (provided by the parade website) of the route.  All you have to do is be along the promenade to see it.  Here's the official website.

Power Plant Light Show is ON!

Make sure to stop by the power plant any Friday or Saturday night (with some weekday nights mixed in) until the end of the year.  Weekdays have 3 shows at 6, 7, and 8PM.  On the weekends there is an additional show at 9PM.  Last year only 9PM show on the weekends was the one that used fireworks.  It's been announced that the show this year will include not only fireworks, but also snow and fire effects.  Since the schedule is a little confusing, make sure to take a look on the offical website here.

Here's the video of the show from last year, and here are the still pictures from last year.  I'll be getting this year's show uploaded soon!

Getting downtown for College Kids

You want to go downtown, but everyone knows that if you're in school, you're probably broke (and you need that money for nights out and ironic shirts anyway).  A taxi?  Costs way too much.  Light rail?  Unless you're at UB or MICA, it really doesn't service you.  What you need to do is use the Baltimore Collegetown Shuttle.  If you're a student or faculty at any college in the metro area, you can use the shuttle.  The catch?  It only goes to Goucher, Towson, Morgan State, Loyola, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, MICA, and UB.

If you go to University of MD, Baltimore, you have another option as well.  The UM Shuttle can take between the university, the UMD Biopark, Federal Hill, and Mount Vernon.

See you downtown!

It's a Waterfront Life Kick-Off

The holiday season starts early with the first of many Waterfront Life events.  To kick off the season, this Thursday (November 15th) will be the Window Wonderland unveiling in Harbor East.  Local artists will show off their window displays to judges, families, stilt-walkers, and carolers.  (Cool) Progeny will also be hosting a free kids workshop in the MAC, so make sure to bring the kids (info on that HERE).

Get more info on the event HERE.

Baltimore Blast

The Baltimore Blast have started their season with a... Blast.  They won their first game 23-13 against the Chicago Soul.  Why not make it out to a game this season to see what one of the best indoor soccer clubs is all about?

What you need to know:

• Here is the official website for the Blast
• They play in 1st Mariner Arena downtown.
• Tickets start at $16
• The next game is Friday, November 9th at 7:35PM
• They've been the MISL champions in 1984, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009
• Here are the official rules to the game

Tall Ship in Baltimore This Week

On Thursday, Sail Baltimore welcomes back the HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl to Baltimore.  The 322' long, 98 year-old Norwegian Barque made will be open for free on Friday, November 9th from 3-5PM.  Make sure to stop by and check it out if you can.

Edit:  The ship will now be open to the public on Saturday from 11AM-1PM as well!

Mini-Cruise out of Baltimore Tomorrow

The Carnival Pride is eager to get back on the water after hurricane Sandy departed.  So eager in fact, that she's doing a mini-cruise out to sea and back this weekend (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning).  Granted you're not stopping anywhere, but a cheap ride out to the sea and back?  Seems fun.  Here's the link

Halloween Lantern Parade 2012 Pics and Video

Just a few pictures and video to put you in the Halloween Spirit.  I apologize for the quality, but it's hard to get night shots when everyone is dancing around and having a good time.

Jewelry Fair INSIDE the Walters Art Gallery

From Friday November 2nd to Sunday November 4th, 17 jewelers will be showing off their wares and knowledge at the Walters Art Gallery.  Check out the official website for more information, including the times for some very interesting presentations.

Tall Ships Toast

This Friday night, Sail Baltimore is putting on a party at Phillips to celebrate all the success by Sail Baltimore in bringing in countless ships for Sailabration and individually throughout the year.  Tickets for food and drinks are only $35, so it's a great deal.  Here's the website.

Halloween Lantern Parade

Come down to Patterson Park this Saturday (October 27th) at 7:30PM to check out the 2012 Halloween Lantern Parade with the family (or just some friends looking to see something really cool).  You want to be a part of it you say?  No problem.  Events start as early as Friday night to prepare your lantern.  After you've got your lantern and showed it off in the parade, there's even a Halloween ball afterward!  There's an absolute ton of information at the Creative Alliance website, so go check it out now.

Mt Washington Tavern Reopening Next Week

After a horrible fire destroying the intricate teak bar and gorgeous interior, the Mt Washington Tavern is set to reopen next week on November 1st.  Make sure to stop by and check out the new building.  It was always an amazing space (with great food), so it should be very interesting to see what they've done with the place.  Here's their website.

Chilibrew VI

On Friday Oct 26th, head to the 2640 Space on Saint Paul st for the 6th semiannual Chilibrew.  A charity event that focuses on home made chili and beer...with you as the judge!  How can this be more awesome?  Oh yeah, the Baltimore Rock Opera Society will be there too!  Check it out.

http://baltibrew.org/chilibrew/

NE Brasil visiting Inner Harbor

The NE Brasil will be docking today along the west wall of the Inner Harbor.  The 427' Brazilian training ship will be open for FREE tours this weekend from 2-5PM both Saturday and Sunday.  Welcome to Baltimore!

Harbor Harvest Festival

The 5th Annual Harbor Harvest Festival looks to be another great family event.  This Saturday October 20th from 10AM to 2PM on West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor, you'll find the IKEA urban pumpkin patch, a hay maze, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, live music, food, and drinks.  Best part...it's completely FREE.  Here's the website where you can RSVP.

Rock the Boat, Tonight!

How did this slip under the radar for so long?  A party aboard the USS Constellation tonight from 5-8PM!  For a $10 donation (benefiting the Chesapeake Bay Initiative), you get to board the ship to tour it, listen to live music, and eat sustainable foods.  Beer, wine, and soda are available for purchase aboard as well.  How can you pass up a chance to have a drink aboard the last sailing vessel without an engine built by the US Navy?  Here's the official website for the event.

Preakness 2013 Tickets Now on Sale!

Starting today, you can purchase your tickets for the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 18th, 2013.  You can purchase online HERE.  And HERE is the main website with more information about the event.

Fall Fling - Wristband

The Waterfront Partnership is throwing the Fall Fling on Saturday, October 20th in West Shore Park.  Live music (including Kelly Bell Band), Food Trucks, a kids play area, and a great deal on living social to go along with it.  For $15, you get an all-you-can-drink wristband good for the 3 hour event.  Not too shabby.  Here's the link.  Don't forget that the rest of the event is free though, so you don't need a wristband to attend.

OktoBEARfest at the Zoo

Come out for the first ever OktoBEARfest on Saturday, October 20th.  There's live music, unlimited beer sampling, and free admission to the zoo for everyone who attends.  These events help support the Zoo, and at only $40 ($30 for zoo members, $20 for non-drinkers) it's a great deal.  Here's the official website for the event.

Baltimore Running Festival

The 12th annual Baltimore Running Festival is taking over downtown this Saturday, and you need to be prepared.  If you're one of the 27,000 people from all 50 states and 24 countries running in one of the 5 races (Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay, 5K, or Kids Fun Run) you'll need to get plenty of sleep and a few good meals leading up to Saturday.  If you're spectating, make sure to pick a good spot along the race route.  If you're not taking part, you may want to keep an eye on that race route anyway just to avoid it.  This event does impact traffic severely, so plan accordingly.  Good luck runners!  For more information on the race, visit the official website.

Free Petting Zoo on Wednesday

Bring the kids down to Center Plaza on Wednesday between 11AM and 1PM to meet and greet animals!  The petting zoo is completely free and will also feature snacks, hula hoops, and a cowboy.  Here's the link (which also includes lots of other cool family events coming up).

Baltimore Running Festival

5 distinct races on the same day.  1 finish line.  A lot of fun.  If you've got your eye set on the Baltimore marathon (or any of the races for that matter), then you have until Sunday October, 7th at 11:59PM to register to race.  Races will be run on Sunday, October 13th.  The official website is absolutely loaded with information, so make sure to check it out.

Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

Almost 40 schooners race from Baltimore to Portsmouth this weekend to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  Keep an eye out for the boats around the harbor prior to the race start on October 11th.  They should be docked at BMC Lighthouse Point by noon on Wednesday.  You can find more information on the official site here, along with ways you can participate.

Fells Point BrewFest and Fun Festival

The 46th annual Fells Point Fun Festival is next weekend, Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th.  The festival started as a way to bring attention to Fells Point when it was in danger of having a highway run through it (can you even imagine Baltimore without Fells?).  The event has grown and become a fantastic must-do event.

Congrats Orioles!

Congrats to the Baltimore Orioles for clinching their first playoff berth (and first winning season) since 1997! Works not done yet though...Let's win the division!!!  If you're in search for tickets to attend the postseason games in Camden Yards, go to StubHub's page here.

Fed Hill Street Beat Festival 2012

Federal Hill loves it's street festivals, but Street Beat might be the biggest each year.  It takes up 6 blocks of Charles and Cross streets this Sunday, September 30th from 11AM to 7PM.  Admission is completely FREE to everyone.  Sure they've got multiple stages for music, tons of food and craft vendors, but this year has something really interesting.  Aruba (the country) is sponsoring the event, and will be setting up a few sand courts to host beach tennis games.  Come and check it out!  Here's the official site for more information.