New in 2016

Light City Baltimore- A Festival of Light and Ideas

Citywide

March 28 – April 3, 2016

Premiering in 2016, Light City Baltimore is the first large-scale, international light festival in the United States, homegrown in Baltimore. Light City will provide a backdrop for the celebration of ideas, ingenuity and creativity through art, music and innovation. www.lightcity.org

Exciting Attraction Updates

Living Seashore

National Aquarium

Opened May 12, 2015

Living Seashore is an interactive exhibit where guests can explore the shore and touch the animals that live between the tides. This new exhibit takes guests beyond the boardwalk to the crashing waves, sandy beaches and shifting dunes of the ever-changing mid-Atlantic seashore, where they will encounter more than 150 animals, including clearnose skates, horseshoe crabs and moon jellies. Along the edge of two large touchpools, containing 5,331 gallons of salt water, guests will be able to gently touch the prickly pointed spines of a purple sea urchin; the sleek, muscular wing of an Atlantic stingray; and the mysterious, firm bell of a pulsing moon jelly. www.aqua.org/livingseashore  

Summer Harbor Pass

Now through September 7, 2015

Four of Baltimore's top attractions at one low price! Experience the National Aquarium and Top of the World Observation Level with the option to select two more attractions including Port Discovery Children's Museum, Sports Legends Museum, the American Visionary Art Museum or the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. baltimore.org/info/summer-harbor-pass

Babe Ruth: 100 Years

Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum

June 2015

Babe Ruth: 100 Years will be a new permanent exhibit to celebrate Babe Ruth entering professional baseball a century ago, with rare artifacts such as the scorebook from his first game with the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles. www.baberuthmuseum.org

Monumental Bicentennial and Reopening of America's First Washington Monument

Mount Vernon Place

July 4, 2015

Baltimore is celebrating the bicentennial of the nation's first monument dedicated to George Washington! The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy will host “Monumental Bicentennial” to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Baltimore's iconic Washington Monument, the first monument in America dedicated to George Washington. The patriotic celebration will include an official re-dedication, an American Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony, tours of the monument and family-fun hands-on activities. www.monumentalbicentennial.org

Hotel News

The Ivy Hotel

205 E. Biddle Street, Mount Vernon

June 1, 2015

The Ivy Hotel will be the premier luxury hotel in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood. The Ivy's 18 guest accommodations – nine suites and nine rooms – will each have a fireplace, a private bathroom, and character and charm all its own. Some will have balconies, and others will have easy access to the boutique Ivy spa, where all treatments will be customized. The Ivy experience will be like staying in the magnificent private home this historic brownstone mansion once was: all-inclusive, sophisticated, chic and a whole lot of fun. www.theivybaltimore.com

Hotel Indigo Baltimore-Mount Vernon

24 West Franklin Street, Mount Vernon

July 2015

The Hotel Indigo Baltimore Mount Vernon will be one of the newest premier upscale hotels Baltimore. www.hotelindigo.com/baltimoremd

RL Hotel

207 E. Redwood Street, Inner Harbor

August 1, 2015

Hotel RL is an experience of all things authentic, creative and curious. Driven by discovery and infused with a  sense of adventure and wonder, stays at Hotel RL are as inspiring as they are memorable – flowing with artisanal coffee, curated local art and ultra comfortable rooms. www.redlion.com/Baltimore

Upcoming Summer Events

African American Festival

Camden Yards & Entertainment Complex

June 20-21, 2015

The African American Festival is a free family celebration of life, music and culture. Enjoy live music, educational and historical exhibits, interactive children's area, crafts, and more. Performing artists include Stephanie Mills, Faith Evans, SWV, and Will Downing. www.AfricanAmericanFestival.net

Fort! Flag! Freedom!

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

June 17 – August 23, 2015

This summer, Fort McHenry offers visitors to experience “hands-on history” seven days a week! Help hoist the grand Star-Spangled Banner flag over the ramparts, be a member of a cannon crew or take part in Ranger-led programs. www.nps.gov/fomc

Artscape

Mount Royal Avenue & Charles Street

July 17-19, 2015

The nation's largest, free arts festival with continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on multiple outdoor stages, indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions, sculptures, art cars, film, theater, crafts, opera, dance, street theater, and children's activities. www.artscape.org

Baltimore Pride Festival
Mount Vernon & Druid Hill Park
July 25-26, 2015
Celebrating 40 years in 2015! Baltimore celebrates LGBT communities, families and PRIDE with free outdoor events for the largest LGBT festival in Maryland! The 2015 festival will feature an expanded lineup of events over the two day event with Saturday's Block Party in Mount Vernon and the Pride Festival taking place in Druid Hill Park on Sunday. www.baltimorepride.org