Baltimore’s Birthday Bash

On July 30, 1729, Charles Carroll successfully petitioned the Maryland General Assembly to pass an act allowing “the building of a Town on the North side of the Patapsco River.” Just like that, Baltimore was officially born! What began as fewer than 100 households is more than 225,000 today! Since 2015, Live Baltimore has celebrated our residents, our neighborhoods, and the birth of our beloved home on the final weekend in July.

View the Five Minute Histories from Baltimore Heritage discussing Baltimore’s birthday below.

Intentionally, our event is anything but exclusive. Tickets are offered for less than our cost, so residents of all incomes can enjoy a high-end gala experience. VIPs are recognized in a special, early cocktail hour and then invited to join the party with other guests. No roped off areas and no restricted floors mean elected officials dance right alongside community organizers and corporate CEOs. This special magic, of all Baltimoreans celebrating together, is what creates the party’s electric energy.

General Admission Tickets:

All general admission tickets include the dance party, open bar, light fare, and birthday desserts from local vendors. General admission tickets are tiered. The earlier you purchase your tickets, the lower the price! Make sure to sign up for our emails be notified when ticket sales open.

• May 1 – 31: Pre-Sale Ticket, $55 per adult
• June 1 – 30: Early Bird Ticket, $65 per adult
• July 1 –  event sell out: General Admission Ticket, $75 per adult

Good Neighbor Ticket:

Community is central to our mission. That’s why we have a Good Neighbor ticket option that helps residents from all parts of the City celebrate Baltimore’s birthday! Good Neighbor Ticket buyers sponsor the complimentary admission of a Baltimorean active in their community. Live Baltimore will work with neighborhood associations to identify deserving recipients.

Your Good Neighbor ticket purchase gets you everything included with general admission AND gives you access to the exclusive Sponsor Pre-Party (from 6:30 – 7:30 PM).

Donation:

To help make the event accessible and keep ticket prices low, Live Baltimore absorbs all ticket processing fees. Please consider donating to assist in our critical work to grow Baltimore.

*Note – donations do not include tickets to the event.

All proceeds from Baltimore’s Birthday Bash help fund our work of attracting and retaining Baltimore City residents!

A birthday party needs birthday treats! And with so many sweet treat providers participating in Baltimore’s Birthday Bash, the big question is: Who baked it best?

The last champion was Codetta’s Bakeshop. Will they reign supreme again in 2025? Or will another local pastry chef, baker, creamery, or candymaker take the title of “Sweetest Treat of the Year?” You will be the judge! Partygoers will vote at the party using a QR code.

See all of the 2024 vendors here!

Do you want to participate in Birthday Bash 2025 with your Baltimore-based sweet treats?

Contact our Program & Events Manager to learn more.

What makes a birthday party great? Cake! Singing! Dancing! And of course—presents!

Live Baltimore partners with incredibly generous local gift donors for our thrilling present raffle. Partygoers can be part of the excitement by purchasing raffle tickets during the party to enter our random prize raffle drawing. Raffle tickets are $20 each. Remember to arrive before 8:30 pm to secure your tickets!

Here were some of this year’s raffle prizes:

• Orioles: A package of four tickets to a game and batting practice, four shirts, and four hats.
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: A voucher for four tickets to the 2024-2025 series.
• Maryland Zoo in Baltimore: Two guest admission tickets.
• Sagamore Spirit: A deluxe gift basket valued at over $200!

View a complete list of raffle prizes for the 2024 Birthday Bash here.

Do you want to donate to the Birthday Bash 2025 raffle and get the brand exposure of over 1,000 attendees?

Contact our Program Manager to learn more.

A celebration of Baltimore would be incomplete without a showcase of residents’ talents. The singing of “Happy Birthday” is made memorable each year by a celebrity MC, the Mayor of Baltimore, and performers from across the City. The Oriole Bird, Poe, and Mr. Boh himself have become regular favorites who join guests and performers in the event’s photo booth.

Live Baltimore may use photos and videos of Baltimore’s Birthday Bash for promotional purposes. By attending the event, you may be photographed or recorded and your likeness and image may be featured in these materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform a Live Baltimore staff member upon arrival.