Baltimore Mom’s Guide to the 60th Annual Fell’s Point Fun Festival (With Kids!)
Autumn festival season is in full swing - and one of Baltimore’s most iconic waterfront traditions is back! Celebrating its milestone 60th anniversary from Fri, Oct. 2nd through Sun, Oct. 4th, the 60th Annual Fell's Point Fun Festival will transform the historic harbor into an energetic celebration featuring over 200 artisans, local food purveyors, and live music stages. While navigating historic cobblestones with strollers and kids requires a bit of a game plan, taking in the maritime breeze and community energy is a quintessential Charm City fall experience that your family won’t want to miss.
○ Fells Point Fun Festival kicks off with a Friday Night Market before weekend-long festivities: The celebration opens Friday evening (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) with a preview market and live performances, followed by daytime festival hours on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission to explore the streets, artisan booths, and live concert stages is completely free, making it an accessible outing for families sticking to a weekend budget.
○ Over 200 local makers and street food vendors line Broadway and Thames: Stretching across six historic city blocks along the waterfront, the marketplace features everything from Maryland-themed gifts and handcrafted kids' toys to pit beef, crab cakes, and artisan churros. Having cash or digital payment ready keeps wait times low when grabbing quick treats between stage performances. (Buy drink tickets ahead of time, here)
○ Arrive during the morning "golden hours" to beat the biggest crowds: For families bringing young children or strollers, the 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM window on Saturday and Sunday offers wider walking space before afternoon and evening crowds arrive. Broadway Square and Thames Street get crowded by late afternoon, so planning early arrival guarantees calmer booth browsing and open seating by the pier.
○ Skip neighborhood street parking and take transit or reserved garages: Street parking in Fell's Point is heavily restricted and congested throughout festival weekend. Driving families should park at nearby garages like the Caroline Street Garage or Fleet & Eden Garage, or make an adventure out of it by taking the Baltimore Water Taxi across the harbor from Canton or Federal Hill directly into the festival docks.
Why This Matters:
Encouraging our middle and high schoolers to step into leadership roles builds confidence, civic responsibility, and a deeper connection to our local community. When Baltimore County students participate in organizations like the BCSC or engage with the Board of Education, they learn firsthand how local government and public school systems operate—turning everyday students into tomorrow's leaders right here in Maryland.
🎒 Baltimore Mom Tip: Festival Day Bag Checklist
Cobblestones and standard umbrella strollers do not mix! Before you head down to the harbor, make sure your gear is dialed in for cobblestones and crowds:
- Baby-Wearing & Strollers: Swap lightweight umbrella strollers for a structured Ergobaby Carrier from Target or an all-terrain stroller so you aren't fighting uneven cobblestones all afternoon.
- Hands-Free Comfort: Pack your cards, wet wipes, and sunscreen into a secure Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag on Amazon to keep your hands free for holding little hands and festival snacks.
- Keep Devices Charged: Cell service can slow down in thick harbor crowds, draining battery life fast. Keep a pocket-sized charger in your bag so your phone stays ready for stage photos and mobile pay. (Personally, I recently grabbed three VRURC Portable Power Banks on Amazon—in purple, blue, and pink—for me and two of my kiddos, after a day of walking around Niagara Falls with a dead phone. They're compact, slip easily into a crossbody bag—and guarantee that everyone stays connected, all afternoon long.
- Guaranteed Parking: Don't circle residential streets for an hour; reserve a spot in advance using SpotHero Downtown Baltimore Garage Parking to lock in your garage space before you hit the road.
Check out the full Fell's Point Fun Festival Music Lineup & Vendor Schedule to plan your day - and head down early Saturday morning to catch the harbor breeze!