Artscape

Mt. Royal Ave. and Cathedral St.,
www.artscape.org [1]

Described as “America’s largest free public arts festival,” Artscape is a pretty amazing thing for several reasons.

First, it’s a festival that literally everyone in the city—no matter what economic, social, or cultural background—goes to, making it a rare place for city residents to interact with one another. Second, it’s an art festival, which makes its popularity even more astonishing. And third, it’s always really hot on the July Artscape weekend, but the crowds—estimated at about 500,000 over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—keep coming, and everyone manages to stay cool.

Held on Mount Royal Avenue near the Maryland Institute College of Art, this huge event draws more than 150 vendors, as well as some top-notch musical acts that perform all weekend long.