The weather looks warm and sunny, which makes this a good weekend to get out into Baltimore. You can hear improvised sets at High Zero, listen to local bands at Belvedere Square, check out large-scale festivals downtown or spend a quieter afternoon with the new exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA).
Friday
High Zero Festival 2025, 45 W. Preston St., 8:30 p.m.
The High Zero Festival is one of Baltimore’s longest-running celebrations of experimental music. Each night features international and local musicians who step on stage without a script, creating new sounds through improvisation. Audiences can expect four group sets and one solo act that highlight the spontaneity and unpredictability of the event. Tickets are $25 per night, with a discounted admission of $15 available at the door for students, seniors and artists. A festival pass for all four nights is $75.
Summer Sounds at the Square, Belvedere Square, 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 6–9 p.m.
Don’t miss the last Friday of the Summer Sounds series, where the parking lot is transformed into a lively open-air market. Visitors can enjoy performances by local bands along with food and drinks from neighborhood favorites like Atwater’s, Neopol Savory Smokery, Prigel Family Farm and Market Bar. Admission is free, making it an easy option for a relaxed night of music and community.
Saturday
Charm City Live, War Memorial Plaza,12–9 p.m.
Charm City Live takes over War Memorial Plaza with a full day of live performances, local food and art vendors right in the heart of downtown. The lineup features major acts including Vivian Green, Jeffrey Osborne, Lucky Daye and The-Dream, making this free festival one of the city’s standout events of the season.
Trifecta Festival, Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium, 11 a.m.
Trifecta brings together food, music and local vendors for a one-day festival. More than 35 food trucks will serve everything from seafood and barbecue to vegan dishes and international street food. Over 50 artisan stalls will be open with clothes, jewelry and crafts, and there will be activities like axe throwing and climbing. A lineup of live bands keeps the energy going all day. Tickets are $35.99 or buy 3 tickets and get 1 free.
Sunday
The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea, Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
This exhibition brings together more than 40 works from the BMA’s Asian art collection that explore how nature has shaped artistic expression across East Asia. From centuries-old ceramics and carved jade to textiles and contemporary photography, the pieces highlight the enduring connection between human life and the natural world. Admission is free.
