September 24 - 27, 2026
Hey Locals! 👋🏽
Y’all...100+ people signed up to have dinner with strangers next month. 😳
Hampden and Bethesda are filling up, and honestly, watching people actually make new friends from these dinners has been one of my favorite things I've created.
You take a quick personality quiz, I match you with 5 other people, and you don't find out your restaurant until the day of dinner.
And I'm not stopping at dinners. 👀 I'm already thinking adult game night, singles events and more ways for us to get OFFLINE and actually meet each other.
But first...this is tonight!
Eat Out + Give Back 🍽️
What if going out to eat could help someone at the same time?
On September 24, 30+ Baltimore restaurants are participating in Dining Out for Life, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Moveable Feast.
So if dinner is already in the plans, pick one of the participating spots and make your meal count for a little more.
See the restaurants → here.
Now for THIS weekend...
IF I HAD TO PICK... 👀
There's a LOT happening in every direction this weekend, but these are the ones that caught my attention:
🌍 Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival | Annapolis
🐷 Pigtown Festival | Baltimore
🎶 Mooncakefest MD 2026 | Baltimore Use “LISA10” for 10% off
🎉 Unwine Fest | Upper Marlboro
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Family Friendly & All Ages
🎵 Sep 23–26 | Upperco Music Festival | Arcadia Carnival Grounds, Upperco, MD
Four days of bluegrass with local & national artists, workshops & jam sessions at the Arcadia Carnival Grounds.
🥮 Sep 25-27 | Mooncakefest MD 2026 | South Point, West Covington Park, Baltimore, MD
Handmade mooncakes, 80+ Asian food vendors, live performances, a K-pop dance play, Squid Game challenge, calligraphy workshop & a Saturday dachshund race. Kids 10 & under free.
🏳️ Sep 25 | Friday Night Lights: Go-Go Skate Night | Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, Washington, DC
The only roller skating pavilion in the National Park System turns up for a Go-Go themed Friday night — live Go-Go music, free skate rentals with ID & DMV culture at its best. ✓ FREE
🇮🇹 Sep 25–27 | Maryland Italian Festival | Maryland
Three days of authentic Italian food, live music, wine, dancing, and cultural entertainment. A celebration of Italian heritage with something for the whole family — traditional dishes, carnival rides, and non-stop entertainment. One of the best fall festivals in the state. 🍝
🔋 Sep 26 | 23rd Annual Pigtown Festival | Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore's only pig races, live music, local bites & brews — a beloved neighborhood tradition. 12–7pm. ✓ FREE
🍂 Sep 26 | Catonsville Fall Festival | Catonsville, MD
Free rain-or-shine festival in the heart of Catonsville with crafts, kids' activities, food trucks, art vendors, a beer garden & live music. ✓ FREE
⛵ Sep 26 | Waterfront Festival | Rocky Point Park, Baltimore County, MD
Water-based activities, live music & local vendors along the beautiful Baltimore County waterfront at Rocky Point Park.
🅏 Sep 26 | Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival | Annapolis, MD
Annapolis's powerful annual celebration of African, African American & Caribbean heritage honoring the legacy of Kunta Kinte. Music, food & culture.
🎪 Sep 26 | Community Field Day & Film Festival | Odenton, MD
A full day of community fun — field day games, sack races, tug-of-war, vendors & food trucks, then an outdoor movie under the stars, capped off with an After Dark adult social. Free admission, 12pm–12am.
🥁 Sep 26 | Baltimore Rhythm Festival | 1600 Guilford Ave, Baltimore, MD
End-of-summer music festival with two stages of local, national & international talent, drum workshops, open mic, children's activities & vibrant drum jams. Free, noon–6pm.
🌮 Sep 26 | Trifecta Food Truck & Music Festival | Timonium Fairgrounds, MD
12 bands, 35+ food trucks & dozens of vendors for a full day of fall festival fun at the Timonium Fairgrounds.
🏞 9/26 | Sankofa's 6th Annual Children's Festival | Park Heights, Baltimore
A day of hands-on activities, stories & art celebrating African cultures at the Sankofa Children's Museum. Family admission & kids food ticket ✓ FREE
🎉 Sep 26-27 | Fiesta DC 2026 | Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC
A two-day celebration of Latino cultures with authentic cuisine, live music & dance, an artisan marketplace, kids zone & the signature Fiesta DC parade. 11am–7pm.
⛸️ Sep 28 | GOSPEL NIGHT AT SHAKE & BAKE | Baltimore, MD
Come skate, bowl & fellowship with us for an evening of gospel, fun & community at Shake & Bake.
🍷 Adult Only Events
👻 Sep 25 | Grown Up Field Trip: Beetlejuice | Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
Beetlejuice-themed adults-only night with a science show, planetarium visit & drinks from Pherm Brewing. 21+, 7–10pm.
🍷 Sep 26 | Unwine Fest, PG Parks | PG County, MD
An outdoor wine festival hosted by PG Parks, sip, relax & enjoy community vibes. Check PG Parks for details.
🎶 Sept 26-27 Camp Souled Out Dates | Waldorf, MD A two-day outdoor hip-hop festival recreating summer camp energy — PARTYNEXTDOOR, G Herbo, Cash Cobain & Allyn on night one, Don Toliver, DaBaby & Yung Miami on night two. Gates 2–11pm. 21+ only
FREE FAMILY EVENT 👀
Ever wondered what it's actually like to navigate the world without being able to see it?
The Maryland School for the Blind is opening its campus for its FREE See Beyond Festival on October 3, and this isn't just an event you watch...your family gets to participate.
Try adapted sports while wearing light-blocking eyeshades, walk an orientation and mobility course, explore sensory arts and crafts, plus enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, face painting and more.
I love events where the kids can have fun and walk away understanding someone else's experience a little better.
And did I mention it's FREE?
Pre-register before you go because they're also giving away prizes, including a Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart bundle. 👀
October 3 | 11AM–3PM
Maryland School for the Blind | Baltimore
REGISTER FREE → Here
📍The Maryland School for the Blind, 3501 Taylor Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21236
Go Salsa Dancing
Your next date night doesn't need another dinner reservation.
Go learn something together instead.
SalsaNow has outdoor Salsa Fridays at Baltimore Peninsula through early October, with lessons, music and dancing by the waterfront.
And if Fridays don't work, there's also Salsa at Sunset at National Harbor on Saturdays through October 10.
Beginner? Even better. 😂 Neither one of you has to know what you're doing.
Thanks for being one of the Locals. Send this to someone who needs to go out in September 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!