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Events

Mount Vernon Place Events

Every day, residents and visitors enjoy time in the squares, whether it’s over a cup of coffee or lunch with friends, relaxing with a good book, or just taking in the surroundings. The Conservancy is pleased to bring more focus to our squares with year-round events, to draw even more visitors to this historic site.
Annual Events

Flower Mart

Flower Mart is Baltimore’s oldest free public festival.

Flower Mart was founded in 1911 by the Women’s Civic League, an organization formed to advocate for better living conditions in the City of Baltimore. A focal point of the original market was to encourage flower, plant, and vegetable gardening in the yards of homes and vacant lots—thereby making them green.

The Women’s Civic League managed the event for almost ninety years, and along the way the festival’s signature Lemon Stick treat was introduced—a porous peppermint stick used as a “straw” to suck the juice out of a halved lemon—sweety and tangy—and very refreshing.

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Summer in the Squares

The cornerstone of the Conservancy’s annual programming, Summer in the Squares is our annual event series, held June through September.

The series features a robust array of free outdoor performances, movie screenings, fitness classes, and walking tours of the neighborhood co-sponsored with partner organizations.

  • Concerts: Each Thurs. June-Aug., fun concerts and performances in the West Square.
  • MVP Movie Nights: On the 3rd Thurs. June-Aug., a summer blockbuster screening in the East Square.
  • Fitness Classes: Free weekly yoga on Sat. mornings in the West Square – all levels.
  • Walking Tours: Presented by the Baltimore National Heritage Area.

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Monument Lighting

Monument Lighting at Mount Vernon Place is the unofficial opening of the holiday season in Baltimore.

Taking place the first Thursday in December, Monument Lighting is a joyous event culminating with a spectacular fireworks display. Guests enjoy musical performances on stage, while having a tasty bite of food from a holiday vendor village. The Washington Monument is decked out with thousands of LED lights strings which are illuminated as the fireworks begin. It’s an exciting time to be in Mount Vernon Place!

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Other Programs

The changing of the seasons is always an exciting time in Mount Vernon Place. The Conservancy hosts several seasonal events throughout the year. They include our annual Halloween party for all ages, an Easter Egg Hunt and Community Potluck, and Deck the Squares, a winter event when volunteers decorate Mount Vernon Place with festive holiday greenery.

In addition to our calendar of annual events, the Conservancy frequently works with partners like Charles Street Development, the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, Baltimore Heritage, and many others, to present unique events that showcase Mount Vernon Place.

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Cherished Traditions

Mount Vernon Place is host to several of Baltimore’s cherished traditions like the Flower Mart and the Monument Lighting, two major city festivals which the Conservancy is honored to present.

Flower Mart began in 1911 by the Women’s Civic League and is Baltimore’s old free public festival. Born of the City Beautiful movement of the late 19th century, Flower Mart’s original mission was to promote urban gardens in yards and vacant lots throughout the city. In 2019, the Conservancy took charge of the festival, reinvigorating its original mission by promoting the greening of the city, while featuring local plant, craft, and food vendors. There’s also local musicians on two stages, educational events and, of course, Lemon Sticks, beloved by the young and the young at heart!

Monument Lighting at Mount Vernon Place has been a Baltimore tradition for over fifty years. It takes place the first Thursday in December. In preparation for the event the Conservancy decks the Monument with strings of thousands of twinkling LED lights. After musical entertainment, the switch is flipped illuminating the lights, and launching a fabulous fireworks display! It’s a family event with lots of food and beverages.

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