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 far, and birthday desserts from local vendors. General admission tickets are tiered. The earlier you purchase your tickets—the lower the price!

• SOLD OUT! May 1 – 31: Pre-Sale Ticket, $55 per adult, age 21+
• SOLD OUT! June 1 – 30: Early Bird Ticket, $65 per adult, age 21+
• July 1 –  event sell out: General Admission Ticket, $75 per adult, age 21+

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!

Location:
The Light Street Pavilion at Harborplace
301 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
The entrance will be on the water side of the pavilion.
View the location map here.

Parking:
Thanks to our in-kind sponsor, Premium Parking, Birthday Bash guests can use the code BASH24 to park in an unreserved space in the garage at Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, 101 S Calvert Street, for only $10! Parkers can pay in advance online or in the Premium Parking app, or can also pay once parked via text, CameraPay, or via the app.

Public Transportation:
The Charm City Circulator and MTA have multiple lines stopping at Pratt St/South near the Light Street pavilion. Check the Transit App to find times and additional information.

Uber/Lyft:
If using a driving service, use 301 Light Street as the destination address. This will drop you off on the Light Street side of the pavilion where the Hooters was located. You will need to walk around the pavilion to get to the front door.

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?

Last year’s champion was Buns & Roses. Will they reign supreme again in 2024? 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 list of all vendors here!

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

Live Baltimore partners with incredibly generous gift donors for our thrilling present raffle. Get ready to be part of the excitement by purchasing raffle tickets during the party to enter our random prize raffle drawing. Raffle tickets are $20 each, and you can increase your chances of winning by buying multiple tickets. We accept card payments during the party (no cash will be accepted). Remember to arrive before 9:30 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!

You can view a complete list of raffle prizes for the 2024 Birthday Bash here.

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.

Shout out to the TSU Dance Crew and the Shake & Bake Family Fun Center Skaters, who tore up the dance floor last year with their awesome performances. View more party pictures and highlights from last year’s event.

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.