Happy Birthday, Baltimore!
Catch up with neighbors, network, dance, eat, drink, sing, share the love, and celebrate Baltimore’s Birthday at Baltimore’s Birthday Bash!
Baltimore City’s Birthday is July 30.
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.
About the Event:
What’s the difference between a party and a birthday party? Cake, presents, and the singing of “Happy Birthday.” Along with the key features listed below, these three elements set Baltimore’s Birthday Bash apart from other galas.
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.
Community is central to our mission. That’s why, each year, especially “good neighbors” have the opportunity to purchase “buy one, give one” tickets to the event. Each gifted ticket is provided, free of charge, to a community leader making a difference in their neighborhood. Along with our affordable ticket prices, BOGO tickets ensure our gala is the most inclusive and diverse—in attendees’ age, race, and origin—in Baltimore City.
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? Pastry chefs, bakers, and candy-makers battle it out at each event for the honor of being named “sweetest treat of the year.” Winners receive advertising recognition and, of course, bragging rights!
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.
Support Birthday Bash 2024!
Brought to you by BGE & CareFirst
Save the date. Our 10th annual event will take place on Friday, July 26, 2024. Tickets go on sale May 1.
THANK YOU TO OUR ALREADY COMMITTED 2024 SPONSORS!
TITLE: BGE & CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Birthday Bash 2023
Presented by BGE & T. Rowe Price
Bash was bigger than ever in 2023! Our ninth annual event welcomed over 1,000 guests to the brand-new Rye Street Market building in Baltimore Peninsula. WBAL’s Jason Newton and Mayor Brandon M. Scott helped to rally the crowd before the Shake & Bake Family Fun Skaters and the TSU Dance Crew got down on the dance floor for a truly one-of-a-kind Baltimore performance. View the event program here.
Baltimore's Birthday Bash 2023
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS!
PRESENTING: BGE & T. Rowe Price PLATINUM: Ballard Spahr; Baltimore Peninsula; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; M&T Bank; MCB Real Estate; University of Maryland, Baltimore; Venable LLP; Whiting-Turner GOLD: Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors; Johns Hopkins University & Medicine; University of Maryland Medical System SILVER: CFG Bank; CohnReznick; Continental Realty Corporation; Ernst & Young; Finest Flag Gaming; GRF CPAs & Advisors; Harbor East; Kaine Investments; Loyola University Maryland; P. Flanigan & Sons, Inc. BRONZE: Bozzuto; Brown Advisory; Enterprise Community Partners; Greater Baltimore Committee; Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc.; Sandy Spring Bank; Transamerica; University of Baltimore, College of Public Affairs; Whiteford; Workshop Development MEDIA & IN KIND: 92Q Jams; Baltimore Business Journal; Baltimore Magazine; Sagamore Spirit; The Baltimore Banner; WBAL-TV 11; WTMD
Birthday Bash 2022
Presented by BGE
Chaired by Augie Chiasera, Regional President, M&T Bank
Bash was bigger than ever in 2022! Our eighth annual event welcomed over 700 guests to the brand-new Lexington Market for a sneak peek at construction progress. WBAL’s Jason Newton and Mayor Brandon M. Scott helped to rally the crowd before In the Dark Circus Arts climbed more than 40 feet to deliver an aerial performance guests won’t soon forget. Check out the event’s program.
Baltimore's Birthday Bash 2022
Thank you to our 2022 sponsors!
PRESENTING: BGE PLATINUM: M&T Bank; University of Maryland, Baltimore; Venable LLP; Whiting-Turner GOLD: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Continental Realty Corporation; Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, MCB Real Estate, University of Maryland Medical System SILVER: Ballard Spahr, Ernst & Young; GRF CPAs & Advisors, Harbor East, Kaine Investments, McHenry Row, P. Flanigan & Sons, Inc. BRONZE: Brown Advisory; Cross Street Partners; Domino Sugar; Enterprise Community Partners; First National Bank; Greater Baltimore Committee; Hohm Highlandtown (Workshop Development, CLD Partners, Old Town Construction); The Kaufman Family; Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc.; Rosenberg Martin Greenberg; Transamerica; University of Baltimore, College of Public Affairs; Whiteford, Taylor & Preston MEDIA & IN KIND: 92Q Jams; Audacy; Baltimore Business Journal; WBAL-TV 11; Baltimore Public Markets Corporation; Downtown Partnership of Baltimore; Old Line Spirits; Parking Authority of Baltimore City
Birthday Bash 2021
Presented by BGE
Chaired by Mary Ann Scully, Chairman & CEO, Howard Bank
After a year off in 2020 (thanks, COVID!), Bash was back in 2021. The party of the summer was truly the celebration we all needed after one of the most difficult years in recent memory. Indoors and out, hundreds of guests gathered safely and enthusiastically at the Assembly Room. WBAL’s Jason Newton made a return appearance as MC, and more performers than ever (including Rufus Roundtree, Kariz Marcel, Eze Jackson, and Bmore Than Dance) entertained crowds.
Baltimore's Birthday Bash 2021
Thank you to our 2021 sponsors!
PRESENTING: BGE PLATINUM: University of Maryland, Baltimore; Whiting-Turner GOLD: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Cross Street Partners/Henderson Crossing; Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors; Harbor East; Howard Bank; Johns Hopkins University & Medicine; M&T Bank; MCB Real Estate SILVER: Ballard Spahr; Continental Realty Corporation; GRF CPAs & Advisors; Kaine Investments; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company; McHenry Row; P. Flanigan & Sons; PNC Bank; Sandy Spring Bank; University of Maryland Medical System BRONZE: CohnReznick; Domino Sugar; Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore; The Edward St. John Foundation; Greater Baltimore Committee; Hohm Highlandtown (Workshop Development, CLD Partners, Old Town Construction); The Kaufman Family; Loyola University Maryland; Morris & Ritchie Associates; Transamerica IN KIND: WBAL-TV 11; iHeartMedia; Audacy; 92Q; WTMD; WYPR; Baltimore Business Journal; Arnold Packaging; Downtown Partnership of Baltimore; Mercy Medical Center; Old Line Spirits AND many generous individuals.
Birthday Bash 2020
Presented by Johns Hopkins University & Medicine and Ernst & Young LLP
COVID-19 forced the cancellation of our event, but not our celebration. Hundreds of neighbors purchased tickets to a virtual party and received birthday hats by mail. Past treat vendors were provided advertising for their businesses and many offered discounted, at-home birthday treats. DJ Impulse kept the online party hopping as surprise, special guests—including WBAL’s Jason Newton, Bishme Cromartie, then-City Council President Brandon Scott, Erricka Bridgeford, the Oriole Bird, Mayor Jack Young, and others—delighted. The following Saturday, the party went to the people as 500 birthday cupcakes were handed out by Live Baltimore’s staff and supporters to residents in five citywide neighborhood locations.
Baltimore's Birthday Bash 2020 (COVID-19 Edition)
Birthday Bash 2019
Presented by BGE
Chaired by Dr. Jay A. Perman, Chancellor, University System of Maryland
Our biggest Birthday Bash to date took place at the Assembly Room for the second time in 2019. WBAL’s Ashley Hinson served as the event’s MC and performers included a drag Tracy Turnblad and the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women’s famous step team. After rain forced the cancellation of our collaboration in 2018, 2019’s event included a surprise “Bike Party After Party” in an adjacent outdoor space, donated by Mercy Medical Center.
Baltimore's Birthday Bash 2019
Thank you to our 2019 sponsors!
PRESENTING: BGE PLATINUM: University of Maryland, Baltimore; Venable LLP GOLD: The Baltimore Ravens; The Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors; Johns Hopkins University & Medicine; M&T Bank; Whiting-Turner SILVER: P. Flanigan & Sons, Inc. BRONZE: Ballard Spahr LLP; Curio Wellness; Ernst & Young; Patricia and Mark Joseph, The Shelter Foundation; Port Covington SUPPORTER: Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP; Gelman, Rosenberg & Freeman CPAs; The Greater Baltimore Committee; Harbor East; Henderson Crossing; Howard Bank; The Kornblatt Company; Mercy Medical Center; Morris & Richie Associates, Inc; Transamerica; University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs; Workshop Development; The Time Group; Domino Sugar; Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore; Ayers Saint Gross; Continental Realty Corp IN KIND: WBAL; 98 Rock; WTMD; Entercom AND many generous individuals.
Birthday Bash 2018
Presented by BGE
Chaired by Jon Laria, Managing Partner, Ballard Spahr LLP
Limited by capacity restrictions at our previous location, Top of the World, our growing event moved to the Assembly Room in 2018. Hundreds of additional guests joined the party to enjoy food and drink, sample ten birthday desserts, and watch a surprise performance from the Poly/Western Marching Band. WBAL’s Jason Newton served as the event MC, sharing the stage with the Raven’s mascot Poe, the Oriole Bird, and Mr. Boh himself.
Thank you to our 2018 sponsors!
PRESENTING: BGE PLATINUM: Venable LLP GOLD: Ballard Spahr LLP; The Baltimore Ravens; Brown Advisory; The Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors; Johns Hopkins University & Medicine; University of Maryland, Baltimore; Whiting-Turner BRONZE: 28 Walker Development; Continental Realty Corp; Domino Sugar; Ernst & Young; Harbor East; Patricia and Mark Joseph, The Shelter Foundation; SUPPORTER: Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore; Gelman, Rosenberg & Freeman CPAs; The Greater Baltimore Committee; Henderson Crossing; Howard Bank; Kaine Investments; Morris & Richie Associates, Inc; Port Covington; Questar Properties, Inc.; Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLP; Stifel; Transamerica; University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs; Whitman, Requardt & Associates LLP; Workshop Development; Ayers Saint Gross; Bozzuto; Merritt Clubs IN KIND: Mercy Medical Center; WBAL; 98 Rock; WTMD; Entercom AND many generous individuals.
Birthday Bash 2015, 2016, and 2017
Presented by Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Held in the tallest five-sided building in the United States—Baltimore’s very own World Trade Center’s Top of the World, our first three Baltimore’s Birthday Bash events allowed guests to survey the city from above. With building capacity limited to only 300 attendees, these sold-out events proved the viability of our party and inspired us to grow the annual celebration.
Thank you to our 2015, 2016, and 2017 sponsors!
PRESENTING: Johns Hopkins University & Medicine SPONSORS: Ballard Spahr LLP; Bozzuto; Cohn Reznick; The Cordish Companies; Domino Sugar; Ernst & Young; Gallagher, Evelius & Jones LLP; Merritt Clubs; Transamerica; University of Baltimore, Venable LLP
Sponsor
Sponsor Live Baltimore’s Annual Baltimore’s Birthday Bash (the official celebration of Baltimore City’s birthday). Baltimore’s Birthday Bash sponsors are visible through a variety of event promotions and materials, and to an audience of more than 600 Baltimore City residents and supporters who attend the Bash.
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