Halloween may still be a week away, but Baltimore is already getting into the spirit. From lanterns lighting up Patterson Park to ghostly trails at Cylburn Arboretum, this weekend blends art, architecture and autumn festivities across the city. Whether you want to explore historic buildings, see new exhibits or settle in for a symphonic nod to Poe, plenty is happening to fill your fall weekend.
Friday
ArBOOretum, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave., 5–7:30 p.m.
Cylburn Arboretum’s annual ArBOOretum returns with guided evening walks, spooky trails and seasonal activities across the garden grounds. Visitors can explore the historic mansion decked out for Halloween and take part in outdoor games and crafts. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door.
Saturday
Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Día de los Muertos Festival, Patterson Park, 4–9 p.m.
Patterson Park lights up for one of Baltimore’s most anticipated fall events. The festival begins in the late afternoon with local food trucks, art vendors and live performances, followed by the evening parade featuring handmade lanterns, glowing floats and live music. Community members are encouraged to bring their own lanterns and join the procession as it winds through the park. Admission is free.
Unidos En El Arte: Resilience Runs Deep, Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 11 a.m.–7 p.m..
This exhibition celebrates the resilience and creativity of Baltimore’s Latinx and Caribbean communities through painting, sculpture and mixed media. The works explore themes of identity, connection and collective strength, highlighting how artists transform adversity into art. Admission is free.
Doors Open Baltimore, locations vary, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
For this Saturday only, Doors Open Baltimore offers access to more than 40 sites across the city. Organized by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, the event features guided tours and discussions that highlight Baltimore’s architecture, history and future. Admission is free.
Sunday
Symphonie Fantastique (Tales of Poe), Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., 3 p.m.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra closes the weekend with a haunting program inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. Music Director Jonathon Heyward conducts Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique alongside Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, featuring soloist Francesca Dego. The concert also includes the U.S. premiere of Mark Simpson’s Israfel, a piece based on Poe’s poem of the same name. Tickets range from $35 to $109.
