June 1-7, 2026
Hey Locals! 👋🏽
June is packed with events as Black Music Month, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Pride Month and summer officially kick off.
Which means… there are suddenly WAY too many things to do
So this week, I did the digging for you.
What to expect this edition:
🍹 Rooftop bars & patios worth the hype
🍕 The perfect wine + pizza date night
🦀 The wild story behind Old Bay
🎊 Can’t miss events this weekend
Before you keep scrolling… save these if you missed them👇
(Updates will be made throughout the season)
Now to the good stuff!
"P.S. Take our 2-min survey at the bottom for a chance to win event tickets 🎁
Best Rooftop Bars & Patios
in Maryland & DC
Sip with a view — the only guide you need this summer ☀️
Always check hours first — hotel rooftops may have dress codes or minimum spends. Old Westminster requires reservations Thu–Sun only.
Curated by It's Somewhere Local
Maryland & DC's weekly guide to fun — every Thursday
itssomewherelocal.com
Wait… do you know the real story behind Old Bay?
Every Marylander has Old Bay in their house. On crabs, on chips, on fries, on popcorn — honestly on things we probably shouldn't admit to 😅. It's basically a Maryland personality trait at this point.
But what most people don’t know?
Old Bay was invented right here in Baltimore in 1939 by a man named Gustav Brunn. He was a Jewish spice merchant from Germany who was arrested during Kristallnacht — the night Nazi mobs burned and destroyed Jewish homes and businesses across Germany. He was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp. His family scraped together money to bribe a lawyer to get him out.
The moment he was released? He grabbed his wife, his kids, and one thing — his spice grinder — and got on a boat to America.
He landed in Baltimore with almost nothing. He found work at McCormick on Light Street. Two days later they fired him because he was Jewish.
So he built his own thing instead.
He opened the Baltimore Spice Company right next to the waterfront fish market, started blending spices, and walked up and down Baltimore's harbor pitching his seasoning blend to every crab house and restaurant he could find. It worked. He originally called it "Delicious Brand Shrimp and Crab Seasoning" — and later renamed it Old Bay after a steamship line that used to run across the Chesapeake Bay.
Today?
Millions of tins are sold every year.
All because one man refused to give up, grabbed his spice grinder, and landed in Baltimore. 🦀
Gustav's original spice grinder is on display at the Baltimore Museum of Industry if you ever want to see it in person!
🗓️ JUNE 4–7, 2026 | Maryland & DC (Check weekly for the latest events list)
👨👩👧 FAMILY & ALL AGES
📍 Jun 4 | Unplugged by Baltimore X Baltimore | Inner Harbor, Baltimore Every Thursday 4–8pm — free outdoor music series on the waterfront. Bring a blanket! ✅ FREE
🍽️ Jun 4 | Taste of the Town | Salisbury, MD Sample local restaurants and flavors all in one spot.
🎪 Jun 4–7 | Festival Afro Bahia | Wheaton, MD 4-day celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture with music, dance, art & food.
🍷 Jun 5 | Words, Wings & Wine — 7th Anniversary | M&T Bank Exchange, Baltimore, MD 7 years of culture, creativity & community! Poetry, comedy, live painting, singers & lyricists all on one stage. A Baltimore staple and one of the best First Fridays in the city. 7:30pm. from $36 GA • $56 Preferred (includes table seating + raffle ticket)
🏘️ Jun 5 | Elkton Jump into June | Elkton, MD Community celebration kicking off summer. ✅ FREE
🎨 Jun 6 | National Gallery Block Party | Washington, DC Free outdoor block party at one of the world's greatest art museums. ✅ FREE
🎶 Jun 6 | Bowiefest | Bowie, MD Annual community festival with live music, food & family fun. ✅ FREE
🎺 Jun 6 | Greenbelt Jazz Festival l | Greenbelt, MD Free outdoor jazz in a beloved community setting. ✅ FREE
🥁 Jun 6 | Marlboro Day Parade and Festival | Upper Marlboro, MD Classic community parade and festival. ✅ FREE
🌲 Jun 6 | Music in the Woods | Cockeysville, MD Outdoor live music in a beautiful wooded setting.
🏳️🌈 Jun 6 | OEC Pride Festival Ellicott City, MD Old Ellicott City's Pride celebration with vendors, music & community love. ✅ FREE
⛵ Jun 6 | Ladies on Deck Baltimore | Inner Harbor, Baltimore Women's waterfront event — tickets required.
🍺 Jun 6 | 5th Annual Reisterstown Beer & Wine Festival | Reisterstown, MD Unlimited tastings from local breweries & wineries, live music & food trucks. 12–5pm. from $33.85 • Kids 12 & under FREE with adult
🎵 Jun 6–7 | Let's Go Music Festival | Crownsville, MD Two-day music festival
🚶♀️ Jun 7 | Downtown Columbia Culinary Walking Tour | Columbia, MD Explore Columbia's best bites on foot.
🌮 Jun 7 | Taste of Wheaton | Wheaton, MD A beloved food festival celebrating Wheaton's diverse culinary scene. ✅ FREE
🎵 Jun 7 | Salute to Go-Go| MLK Library, DC Black Music Month celebration honoring DC's homegrown genre. ✅ FREE
🍷 ADULTS ONLY (21+)
🤫 Jun 4 | SHHH! & GIGGLES | Baltimore, MD A silent comedy experience.
🥃 Jun 4 | The Tito's Experience Dinner Pairing | Ellicott City, MD An elevated dinner paired with Tito's cocktails.
🚢 Jun 4 | Baltimore Holy S#!T! An Unforgettable Comedy Tour on a Boat | Baltimore, MD Unforgettable comedy cruise on the water — tickets won't last!
🎷 Jun 5–7 | Capital Jazz Fest Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia MD The DMV's biggest jazz, R&B & soul festival. 30+ acts over 3 days! from $109 GA
🕺 Jun 6 | Michael Jackson Dance Party | $500 Contest | Washington, DC Show out in your best MJ look for a chance to win $500.
🏳️🌈 Jun 7 | Rockville Pride | Rockville, MD Rockville's annual Pride festival with performances, vendors & community. ✅ FREE
A “date” on your calendar for fun with your mate, friend or even solo
Old Westminster Winery
One of my favorite spots for date night OR a night out with friends.
You get your own tiny house where you can sip wine, eat pizza, and actually hear the people you came with. Perfect for warm days with their fans blowing.
See our experience below:
Gif by attacoocoo on Giphy
Enjoyed this week? Do me a quick 2-minute favor — take this short survey so every Thursday edition is exactly what you need. Every response enters you in our monthly raffle for event tickets and gift cards. 🎁
Thanks for being one of the Locals. Send this to someone who needs an relaxing rooftop experience… they'll thank you later.
Hope to See You.…….Somewhere Local!
Lisa Summers
Disclaimer: I do not host any of these events or have any affiliation with them.
*There are affiliate links on this page that I can make a small profit from so thank you for purchasing through those links to support the time it took to make this newsletter and continue to bring you the videos/reels you love!