What to do this weekend, including Caribbean festivals and outdoor movies

Another weekend, another lineup of festivals and parades.

On Friday, the Baltimore Washington One Carnival kicks off in Druid Hill Park, celebrating the region’s Caribbean community, one of the largest in the nation. Soca artist Pumpa will headline the opening concert; plumed masqueraders will dance through the city streets for the parade, which starts at noon Saturday; and Sunday, the carnival closes with a day of food and music, featuring performances by Trinidadian soca artist Destra and Jamaican reggae singer Carl Malcolm.

Read on for more weekend revelry — including a crab festival, a second-line parade, outdoor salsa lessons, a Korean American comedy show and more.

Thursday, July 9

Flicks From the Hill

Ease on down the road to the American Visionary Art Museum for an outdoor screening of “The Wiz” starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. You can buy popcorn and soda there, but bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. If you really want to get into the spirit, arrive early to make wands with the kids and learn some new moves during an all-ages dance workshop.

You can also catch a pair of outdoor movies at the Columbia Association Lakefront (10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia) this weekend. “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, screens on Friday, followed by the sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” on Saturday. Starts around 8 p.m.

Time: 5-9 p.m.

Price: Free; includes museum admission after 5 p.m.

Location: American Visionary Museum (800 Key Highway, Baltimore)

Family friendly? All ages

WTMD’s First Thursdays Festival

This free outdoor music festival returns to the Canton waterfront with Chicago-based indie band Ratboys, Delaware duo The Fitzkee Brothers and Texas-based singer Blessing Jolie. Heading straight there from work? The park opens an hour before the concert starts, with plenty of local food trucks and restaurants on site.

Time: 6 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Canton Waterfront Park (3001 Boston St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

‘Young Blood Revisited’ opening reception

The Maryland Institute College of Art turns 200 this year, and it’s marking the milestone with an exhibition of new work from “Young Blood” alumni — artists who participated in the college’s annual showcase for graduating Master of Fine Arts students across Baltimore. Go see what they’re making now, alongside fresh work from this year’s graduating class.

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Maryland Art Place (218 W. Saratoga St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

‘Thy Will Be Done’

Americans have long struggled with George Washington’s ties to slavery. That’s the premise of this talk at the Maryland Center for History and Culture, at which historian John Garrison Marks will discuss his book “Thy Will Be Done” and what this struggle with Washington’s legacy means on the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Maryland Center for History and Culture (610 Park Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Geared toward adults

Friday, July 10

Naptown Brass Band live

Annapolis’ Naptown Brass Band brings New Orleans to North Avenue. A second-line parade from Graffiti Alley to the SNF Parkway Theatre leads to a dance party on the SNF porch, before the band hits the theater stage for a concert.

Time: 6 p.m. parade; 7 p.m. dance party; 8 p.m. concert

Price: $27.31

Location: SNF Parkway (5 W. North Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

Indie Fest ’26

Get deep into Baltimore’s indie music scene at this three-day festival. It starts with a night of networking, a chance to schmooze with professionals from across the industry. The next day brings back-to-back performances by more than a dozen acts. The festival wraps up with more socializing at a two-hour brunch on Sunday.

Time: 6-10 p.m. Friday; 2-11 p.m. Saturday; Noon-2 p.m. Sunday

Price: $5-$30

Location: Motor House (120 W. North Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Geared toward adults

‘Venezuela in Crisis’ conversation

Well, this is timely. Three Venezuelan writers gather to discuss “Venezuela in Crisis,” a new book that looks at the causes of the country’s crises and offers a critique of the Maduro regime. The book’s editor, Anderson Bean, is joined by journalist Simón Rodríguez and economist Oly Millán Campos.

Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Price: Free; $30.90 with preordered book

Location: Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse (3128 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Geared toward adults

Big Bad Soca Party: Baltimore Carnival Edition

More carnival weekend bacchanalia. Trinidadian soca singer The Voice, whose hits include “Cyah Behave,” headlines this indoor/outdoor dance party at Power Plant Live. It’s on, rain or shine.

Time: 8 p.m.

Price: $28.52-$215.26

Location: Power Plant Live (34 Market Place, Baltimore)

Family friendly? 21 and over

Latin Night at Belvedere Square Market

Learn how to salsa with Tiffany Vlard, founder of Bmore Urbana, a Baltimore–based Latin dance company. No partner or previous dance experience needed — just show up to the patio area outside Gordon Florist ready to move.

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Belvedere Square Market (529 E. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

Maker’s Market

Stop by the Station North Tool Library during the July Art Walk to shop items by local makers from the Onyx Marketplace Collective. At Area 405 next door, hear a DJ set by the underground techno collective Vault 99 and shop for new vinyl from True Vine Records.

Time: 5-9 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Station North Tool Library (417 E. Oliver St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

Experience Unlimited featuring Sugar Bear

Experience Unlimited — the go-go band that gave us the 1980s hit “Da Butt” — rolls into Columbia. Whether you know the dance or not, the night is sure to get your hips circling.

Time: 8 p.m.

Price: $45.40

Location: The Collective Encore (10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia)

Family friendly? 21 and over. Minors 12 and older allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Saturday, July 11

Crab Fest 2026

Crab cakes, crab tacos, crab pretzels, crab sandwiches — it’s all crab all night at this culinary festival hosted by Baltimore magazine. Come hungry.

Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Price: $17.85-$55.20; kids 12 and under get in free

Location: B&O Railroad Museum (901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? All ages

Baltimore Musical Improv Bash!

Four different musicals created on the fly come together into one big show. Expect rowdy characters, musical games and sing-alongs. Get there early to mingle with the cast and crew before the fun begins.

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: The Church of the Holy Apostles and St. Stephen (901 Courtney Road, Arbutus)

Family friendly? Use your best judgment.

Queenstown Day 2026

Horseback rides, cornhole, face painting and a parade? That sounds like a community event for the whole fam. Round up your people for an afternoon of activities at Queenstown Park. Heads up: Roads close at noon for the parade.

Time: Noon-6 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Queenstown Park (600 Queenstown Road, Severn)

Family friendly? Yes

Sunday, July 12

K-Comedy Night

Looking for more laughs? The Times Square comedy club, Stand Up NY, brings its popular Korean American comedy show to Hanover for just one night. Featuring Ron Song, MJ, Alex Kim, Peter Liu, Adam Mamawala, Eunji Kim and Thom Tran.

Time: 7 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Price: $50.70-$60.94

Location: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover)

Family friendly? 21 and over

Innrchld: 80s, 90s & 2000s Throwback Party

Relive your youth at this daytime party spinning hits from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. DJ Cuff and DJ Dihzy are on the turntables. Expect food, games, prizes and waterfront views.

Time: 3-8 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: The Pier at Baltimore Peninsula (321 E. Cromwell St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? 21 and over

Nicole J. Caruth is a Baltimore-based freelance journalist covering the intersections of food, health and environmental justice.