What to do this weekend, including the Maryland State Fair and Baltimore KittyCon

The calendar’s packed again this weekend, but there’s only one place where prize-winning farm animals and funnel cakes share the same air: the Maryland State Fair.

Now in its 145th year, this annual tribute to the state’s agricultural industry opens Thursday at the fairgrounds in Lutherville-Timonium. Round up your people for amusement rides, livestock and vegetable contests, horse racing and bull rides, quilt and needlework exhibits and tons of deep-fried food.

The fair runs for three weekends, with too many attractions to list here, so check the event schedule for all the nitty-gritty details. Ticket prices range from $8.35 to $55.60.

Here’s what else you can get into this weekend.

Thursday, Aug. 27

The ‘Kehlani World Tour’

R&B it girl Kehlani is having a year, winning a pair of Grammys for her hit single “Folded” before dropping a new music video with icon Missy Elliott. Now on tour, she’ll perform at Merriweather Post Pavilion with opening acts Durand Bernarr, TheARTI$t, WASEEL and Dixson. A dollar from every ticket goes to The Kehlani Fund, funding music opportunities for underserved and underrepresented communities.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Price: $42.50

Location: Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)

Family friendly? Children under 2 years old get free admission on the lawn.

‘The Konfession Korner’

It’s easy to overlook all that goes into an artist’s work, but this gathering won’t let you. Sit down for panel discussions with Black creatives as they share their experiences and why prioritizing mental wellness matters. Shop for clothing, take some photos and grab a bite from Rooted Rotisserie before the convos begin. Hosted by Vena J., with a performance by Kenyatta.

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Price: $30

Location: Creative Alliance (3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Geared toward adults

‘Nina De Angelo Artists Without Limits’ opening reception

Stop by the opening night reception for “Artists Without Limits,” a showcase for works by artists with disabilities in Anne Arundel County. The exhibit honors the legacy of Nina De Angelo, an artist and disability advocate who previously participated in the show.

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library (1410 West St., Annapolis)

Family friendly? Yes

Friday, Aug. 28

Subscape

Three days. Three stages. Two venues. Over 60 bands. Baltimore’s biggest DIY music festival returns for its third year with a lineup of local musicians playing at Le Mondo and Current Space. Check out the list of performers.

Time: 5:30 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Price: Free

Location: Le Mondo (406 N. Howard St., Baltimore) and Current Space (421 Tyson St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

Mom’s Night Out

Survived the first week of back to school? The Maryland Mom’s Club and Heavy Seas Beer have teamed up on this nighttime market just for moms. Shop an eclectic mix of vendors — a book seller, a custom T-shirt maker, a banana bread baker, a therapist — and raise a glass in honor of you.

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Heavy Seas Beer (4615 Hollins Ferry Road #A, Halethorpe)

Family friendly? Yes

‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’

Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco, inspired artists from Kylie Minogue to Solange. Step into her glitzy world at the opening night of this dine-in musical about her life. The score features over 20 classics, including “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls,” and “Last Dance.”

Time: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday

Price: $78.65-$100.95

Location: Toby’s Dinner Theatre (5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia)

Family friendly? Tickets not available for children 4 years old and under.

‘Making America Again: So Strong, So Brave, So True’

The Maryland Institute College of Art’s bicentennial anniversary continues with an exhibition curated by art world heavyweights Leslie King-Hammond and Lowery Stokes Sims. “Making America Again” looks back on MICA’s fellowship for artists of color during the ‘80s and ‘90s, gathering works by alumni like Nick Cave, Dawoud Bey, Sanford Biggers and Sonya Clark. It also features local faves Joyce Scott and Amy Sherald.

Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Price: Free

Location: Sheila & Richard Riggs Gallery (131 W. North Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? No age restrictions

Saturday, Aug. 29

Maryland Renaissance Festival

It’s 1540 in the village of Revel Grove, near Oxford, and King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves have rolled into town for the Harvest Festival. That’s the scene over 200 actors will recreate at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Join them in the bustling village streets. Drop into a tavern for mead or grab a smoked turkey leg. Don’t miss the jousting matches. Join the online waitlist for Saturday tickets or order one for Sunday while they’re still available.

Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Price: $0-$36.14

Location: Maryland Renaissance Festival (1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis)

Family friendly? Yes

ArtFusion Festival

Get ready to expand your mind at this new festival where art meets the cosmos. Themed around “Earth, Moon, and Stars,” expect towering sci-fi sculptures, hands-on “planet printmaking” and live performances from bands like Mind on Fire and Sun Ra Arkestra.

Time: Noon-7 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Holt Park and Center for the Arts (34 Elmont Ave., Overlea)

Family friendly? Yes

West North Avenue Farmers Market

Recent food recalls are one reason to shop at local farmers markets. The West North Avenue Farmers Market offers another: a back-to-school celebration with activities for all ages. Paint a backpack at the splatter-art station, Hula-Hoop or get your face painted — and grab fresh veggies while you’re at it.

Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Former Greenwood Towing Site (1370 W. North Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

The Art of the Walking Stick reveal ceremony

A group of Baltimore women, most in their 60s and 70s, set out to learn woodworking five weeks ago. At this ceremony, see them unveil their one-of-a-kind walking sticks made from nothing but a fallen tree branch and a whole lotta creativity.

Time: 1-4 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum (300 Oella Ave., Catonsville)

Family friendly? Yes

Kids on the Creek

School is back in session, but it’s still summer. Take the kids to Spa Creek for an afternoon of fishing lessons, shoreline exploration, paddle boarding and guided boat rides with Eastport Yacht Club. Between noon and 1:30 p.m., lunch is on the house.

Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Truxtun Park (273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis)

Family friendly? All ages, though children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by an adult to ride a boat.

Maryland Summer Music Festival

Grammy Award–winning artist Avery*Sunshine headlines a night of local and national talent at the Jim Rouse Theatre. Baltimore natives Kevin Jackson, Marc Evans and Isaac Parham, and the DMV’s Brigette Johnson will also perform.

Time: 7 p.m.

Price: $76.54-$119.22

Location: Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts (5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia)

Family friendly? Geared toward adults

Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival

After it was postponed for bad weather on July Fourth, this annual event is finally happening. This year’s edition coincides with America’s 250th birthday, 80 years of Baltimore’s Cherry Hill Homes and a century since Carter G. Woodson launched what we now call Black History Month. The festival recognizes all of it with hours of jazz, R&B, salsa, hip-hop and spoken word.

Time: 2-9:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Location: Middle Branch Park (3301 Waterview Ave., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

African Heritage Festival

Pull up to Laurel Park for the sixth annual African Heritage Festival. Hosted by the Anne Arundel County African Diaspora Affairs Committee, the festival celebrates African culture and unity through art, clothing, live music and good food. Bring your folding chairs.

Time: Noon-6 p.m.

Price: Free with RSVP

Location: Laurel Park (198 Laurel Race Track Road, Laurel)

Family friendly? Yes

Love Groove Festival

Vibe to the sounds of jazz legend Robert Glasper and rapper Saba, plus 30 other artists right by the harbor. Expect 20-plus food and drink options, an outdoor art gallery and a petting zoo for kids. When the concert’s over, hop aboard a yacht for the afterparty.

Time: Noon-8 p.m.

Price: $49-$259

Location: Point Park (1215 Willis St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes. Children under 10 get in free.

Ekiben Night Market

One of Baltimore’s best food spots is back with its curated night market, where you can feast on delicious eats from restaurants all over the city. The organizers put together a thorough FAQ that’s worth a read before you go. One important detail: Tickets aren’t sold day-of, so get yours now.

Time: 4-10 p.m. Saturday; Noon-4 p.m. Sunday

Price: $17.85-$135.23

Location: 1500 Thames St., Baltimore

Family friendly? Yes. Free entry for kids 12 years old and under.

Children’s Veg Fest

Expose the youngins to plant-based eating at this holistic health festival. They’ll get to try vegan food, participate in cooking demos, play games and even stretch their limbs in yoga sessions. It can’t hurt to plant the seeds of wellness early.

Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Price: Free

Location: The Weinberg Y in Waverly (900 E. 33rd St., Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

Sunday, Aug. 30

Baltimore KittyCon

Cat people, this one’s for you. BARCS Animal Shelter’s third annual kitty conference is pulling out all the stops. Highlights include cat adoptions, a cat tree workshop, pet portraits and cat tattoos (aka “cattoos”). Oh, and the 2026 CatVideoFest is included in the ticket price — all you have to do is grab a seat in the theater.

Time: Noon-4 p.m.

Price: $12.51-$65.87

Location: Baltimore Museum of Industry (1415 Key Highway, Baltimore)

Family friendly? Yes

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