Friday, September 25, 2026
Baltimore's Vibes, 7 Days a Week

You made it. Friday's here, and Baltimore's throwing itself a party — literally, since the Ottobar just turned 29 and they're celebrating with Ted Leo, War on Women, Rye Coalition, and Sleepytime Trio under one roof. Kid Koala's spinning at the Deltron 3030 reunion show, Mitski headlines night one of All Things Go out at Merriweather, and somewhere in Power Plant Live a guy named Lenny Pearce is throwing a rave for toddlers. Also on deck: pit beef energy at a puppet circus, a noise fest with ten bands, and a comedy club running two full lineups. 30 verified events, zero excuses. Let's go.

Ottobar's 29th Anniversary Party @ The Ottobar

Twenty-nine years of the best dive-bar venue in Baltimore, celebrated the only way that makes sense: War on Women, Ted Leo, Rye Coalition, and Sleepytime Trio on one stage. Doors at 7 PM, $29. This is the one to build your whole night around.

👉 CTA: theottobar.com

Deltron 3030 w/ Kid Koala @ Baltimore Soundstage

The hip-hop supergroup that soundtracked a thousand college dorm rooms is back, with Kid Koala on the turntables. Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM. A real reunion, not a tribute act — go.

👉 CTA: ticketmaster.com

SADNESS w/ Barbelith, Oldest Sea, Genevieve @ Metro Baltimore

Four bands, one bill, doors at 6:30 PM for $20. If your Friday calls for distortion pedals and a mosh pit, Metro's got you covered.

👉 CTA: metrobmore.com

Bread & Puppet Theater: The Upside Down World Circus @ 2640 Space

Vermont's legendary puppet troupe rolls into Charles Village with giant papier-mâché puppets, political satire, and genuine circus weirdness. 7 PM, $20 — no one turned away for lack of funds.

👉 CTA: breadandpuppet.org

High Zero Festival: Friday Night @ Baltimore Theatre Project

Baltimore's own experimental-music institution runs four nights of improvised noise with performers from around the world. Friday's slate features local players. 7:30 PM — see event page for price.

👉 CTA: redroom.org

Rotimi @ Keystone Korner Baltimore

R&B/Afrobeats crossover star Rotimi plays Baltimore's premier jazz room for an early set at 6 PM. Intimate room, big voice — this one'll sell out.

👉 CTA: keystonekornerbaltimore.com

Razor Apple Noise Fest IV @ Le Mondo

Ten acts of pure noise-scene chaos — Gist, Scoria, B!CEP, Bum Fight, Uga Buga, False Sense, Lay Waste, Pesterer, Nesting, and Tan & Handsome. Baltimore's underground at its most unhinged. See event page for exact time and price.

👉 CTA: lemondo.org

Lenny Pearce: Toddler Rave World Tour @ Nevermore Hall

Yes, really — an all-ages rave built for actual toddlers, lights and DJ included. 6 PM, around $47. Bring the kid, bring earplugs.

👉 CTA: ticketmaster.com

Friday Night Swing and Lindy Hop @ Mobtown Ballroom & Café

Weekly swing night: lesson at 8 PM, dancing at 9. No partner needed, roughly $10-$20 depending on the night's format.

👉 CTA: mobtownballroom.com

Grudge, Ousted, Shock Collar, Cheat Death @ Wax Atlas

Four-band hardcore bill at one of the city's best small rooms. 7 PM, $10-$15.

👉 CTA: baltimorebeat.com

All Things Go Music Festival — Day One @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

Mitski headlines the opening night of the three-day festival out in Columbia, on a stacked 2026 lineup. Gates around 3 PM, tickets from $169. It's a trek, but it's the biggest thing happening anywhere near Baltimore this weekend.

👉 CTA: livenation.com

Tony Roberts: Special Event @ Baltimore Comedy Factory

Two shows, 7:30 and 10 PM, kicking off a weekend run. Tickets running roughly $23-27 depending on the show.

👉 CTA: baltimorecomedy.com

Friday Night at Highwire Improv @ Highwire Center

Three shows, one building: Friday Fun and Games at 7 PM, Partytime Comedy at 8, and Sugar Tank: Stand-up and Improv Comedy closing the night at 9. Pick your flavor or stay for all three.

👉 CTA: highwireimprov.com

Big Jay Oakerson @ Magooby's Joke House

Two shows, 7 and 9:30 PM, from one of the road's hardest-touring comics. 18+, two-item minimum.

👉 CTA: magoobysjokehouse.com

Rosebud Baker @ The Port Comedy Club

7 and 9:15 PM, $25 a show, 21+. Baker's sharp, fast, and not for the faint of heart.

👉 CTA: portcomedy.com

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares @ Baltimore Center Stage

Tony nominee Laura Benanti brings her solo show to Calvert Street before the run closes Saturday. $30-$90 — call the box office for the exact Friday curtain time.

👉 CTA: centerstage.org

Colin Kaepernick Book Signing @ Coppin State University

A conversation with journalist Van Lathan, a Q&A, and a signed copy of Kaepernick's new book. 6-8 PM, James Weldon Johnson Auditorium, tickets from $57.86.

👉 CTA: eventbrite.com

Corn Husk Flowers with the Artesanas @ Creative Alliance

Hands-on flower-making workshop rooted in Mexican folk tradition. 6-8 PM, $35 general / $30 members.

👉 CTA: creativealliance.org

Emma Childs, "Chora" — Opening Reception @ Mount Vernon Place Church

New exhibition opening, free entry, RSVP appreciated. 6-9 PM.

👉 CTA: baltimore.org

Love in Rhythm @ BCCC Liberty Campus (Arena Players)

Arena Players stages this musical revue off-site at BCCC's Liberty Campus. 8-10 PM.

👉 CTA: ticketbud.com

Grown Up Field Trip: Beetlejuice @ Maryland Science Center (21+)

The Science Center after dark: build a mini Adam's-model-town in the makerspace, catch a planetarium show, wander the exhibit halls with a drink from Pherm Brewing in hand, then settle in for Beetlejuice. 7-10 PM, valid ID required.

👉 CTA: eventbrite.com

Friday Night at The Charles Theatre

Late show alert: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma at 9:40 PM for the campy-horror crowd, or catch Primetime, Resident Evil, or Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! at more reasonable hours through the evening.

👉 CTA: thecharles.com

Friday Night at The Senator Theatre

Coyote vs. Acme, Resident Evil, Forgotten Island, and If I Go Will They Miss Me are all running Friday, with showtimes roughly every three hours from early afternoon into the 9:30-9:40 PM slot.

👉 CTA: thesenatortheatre.com

Laurel Park — Live Racing

The Orioles are on the road tonight (at the Yankees) and the Ravens don't play till Sunday, so the reliable pick is live thoroughbred racing at Laurel Park's fall meet. First post 1:10 PM.

👉 CTA: laurelpark.com

Baltimore Bike Party: "Baltimore Icons Ride"

The monthly group ride meets at St. Mary's Park in Seton Hill at 6:30 PM, rolls out at 7, and winds up back at Lexington Market for an afterparty around 8:45. Free, all levels welcome, bring lights.

👉 CTA: linktr.ee/Bikeparty

Baltimore Comic-Con — Opening Day @ Baltimore Convention Center

Three days of comics, creators, and cosplay kick off today. Friday hours are 1-7 PM, single-day tickets $40.

👉 CTA: conventions.leapevent.tech

Half-Price Friday Night @ National Aquarium

Every Friday, 5-9 PM, half off admission ($24.95/person). One of the best standing deals in the city.

👉 CTA: aqua.org

Calling All Clowns Costume Party + Friday Night Music Series @ Peabody Heights Brewery

Two things happening at once: a live music series starting at 6 PM, and a drag-clown costume party and dance floor from 7-10:30 PM, hosted by Bmore Horror & Queer Clown House. Free entry.

👉 CTA: peabodyheightsbrewery.com

Avena Maryland Italian Festival — Opening Night @ Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen

A short drive up I-95 for three days of Italian food, wine, and vendors in the Ripken Stadium parking lot. Friday runs 5-10 PM, tickets required.

👉 CTA: tickettailor.com

Mooooncake Festival Baltimore @ West Covington Park

A three-day Mid-Autumn Festival celebration opens tonight at 4 PM with food, lanterns, and vendors along the waterfront. GA around $12 plus fees.

👉 CTA: tixr.com

Ottobar's 29th Anniversary Party — War on Women, Ted Leo, Rye Coalition, Sleepytime Trio — Doors 7 PM, $29 · theottobar.com

Twenty-nine years is a long time for any Baltimore venue to survive, let alone thrive, and the Ottobar is marking it the only way that makes sense: an honest-to-god punk bill instead of a party with balloons. Ted Leo's been a fixture of this city's music scene since before half our readers could drive. Rye Coalition and Sleepytime Trio round out a lineup that would've sold out the room in any decade. Get there early — birthdays this good don't happen twice.

👉 CTA: theottobar.com

That's 30 verified reasons to leave the house tonight. Rest up, hydrate, and we'll see you tomorrow for round two.

Until then: yodel it from the rooftops. 🗣️⛰️