FAQ

Artscape is September 22–24, 2023. Festival hours are as follows:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

5PM – 10PM Festival

Music Stages:

5PM – 10PM Main Stage

5PM – 10PM Mosher St Stage

5PM – 10PM North on North Stage

5PM – 9PM Station North Stage

9PM – 11PM Station North Stage (Artscape Afterhours)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

11AM – 10PM Festival

Music Stages:

12PM – 3PM Main Stage

12PM – 10PM Mosher St Stage

12PM – 10PM North on North Stage

12PM – 9PM Station North Stage

9PM – 11PM Station North Stage (Artscape Afterhours)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

11AM – 5PM Festival Operations

Music Stages:

12PM – 3PM Main Stage

12PM – 5PM Mosher St Stage

12PM – 5PM North on North Stage

12PM – 5PM Station North Stage

The Artists’ Marketplace hours are the same as the Festival Operations

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

5PM – 10PM Festival

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

CANCELED

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

12PM – 5PM Festival Operations

Artscape will occur on its traditional footprint in the Bolton Hill and Mount Royal neighborhoods. This includes the 1300-1800 blocks of Charles Street and along Mount Royal Avenue through the heart of Mount Vernon’s cultural district.

New in 2023! — Artscape is expanding across North Avenue into the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Areas along North Avenue between Charles Street and Maryland Avenue will be activated, as well as Charles Street up to W. 20th Street.

Artscape will be held Friday, September 22^nd through Sunday, September 24^th.  Traffic modifications for the event begin as early as Monday, September 18^th.  Mt. Royal Avenue and intersecting corridors will be CLOSED TO TRAFFIC during the event with additional parking restrictions in effect. 

LEARN MORE 

FREE RIDES ALL ARTSCAPE WEEKEND!!!

We encourage festival goers to utilize paid public transportation to get to Artscape.

MTA won’t charge for rides on local and commuter buses, Metro SubwayLink, light rail, MARC trains and MobilityLink van service the entire Artscape weekend.

Here are the best routes and closest stops to reach the festival footprint:

· Bus — The closest MDOT MTA bus routes to Artscape are the CityLinks Gold, Green, Lime, Silver, and Yellow; and LocalLinks 51, 53, 54, and 94. See all Local Bus schedules here: www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule

· Light Rail — The Light Rail stop at University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal Avenue is near the center of Artscape activities, and the Cultural Center stop on Howard Street is next to the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The North Avenue stop is the closest stop to access the

expanded festival area above North Avenue. See the schedule here: www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/lightrail

· Train — Festival goers from the north and south can take Amtrak Northeast Regional service to Penn Station. Visitors from the Washington DC area also have the option of using the MTA’s MARC Train weekend service: www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/marc-penn

· Bike — Free bike parking is available at several locations on the festival footprint, which will be designated on the festival map (coming soon!). Riders are responsible for securing their bikes before leaving the area.

· Rideshare —

Ride Share Drop Off Locations:

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

There are two designated areas on the perimeter of the Artscape footprint where people who take a ride share service (like Uber or Lyft) and people with disabilities can be dropped off. Those locations are:

• At the intersection of North Avenue and St Paul Street on the right before you get to North Ave.
• On the righthand side of St Paul Street just south of W Lanvale Street, next to Penn Station

MDOT MTA services are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For more information on MDOT MTA Local Bus, Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC Train, or Mobility/Paratransit service, call 410-539-5000, 1-866-RIDE-MTA (toll-free), 410-539-3497 (TTY) or visit www.mta.maryland.gov.

For details on local parking garages — including rates, hours, and walking distance to your destination —parking.com. Festival goers are responsible for parking costs.

• 926 North Charles Street
• 520 North Charles Street
• 21 East Lanvale Street

FREE Parking lot at State Center

Please note: There are many folks who live in the Mount Vernon/Bolton Hill/Station North neighborhoods. Remember to be considerate and don’t block any driveways, alleys, ramps, curb cuts, or bike lanes.

For details on local parking garages — including rates, hours, and walking distance to your destination —parking.com. Festival goers are responsible for parking costs.

• 926 North Charles Street
• 520 North Charles Street
• 21 East Lanvale Street

FREE Parking lot at State Center

Please note: There are many folks who live in the Mount Vernon/Bolton Hill/Station North neighborhoods. Remember to be considerate and don’t block any driveways, alleys, ramps, curb cuts, or bike lanes.

In addition to a printed festival map, BOPA is creating an interactive online map that shows the locations of the stages, food and beverage vendors, ATMs, bathrooms, first aid stations, and more.

MAP

There are four outdoor performing stages at Artscape:

Artscape takes place rain or shine. Please see the Shelter-in-Place/Delay of Show Policy for additional information.

Shelter-in-Place/Delay of Show Policy

The festival operates under a two-tier delay plan:

1. Shelter-in-Place means that festival goers, vendors, exhibitors, performers, etc. must evacuate the festival grounds and seek immediate shelter inside the nearest indoor location. Under this evacuation scenario, all vendors are required to cease activity until the festival is cleared for reactivation. The [UIC] will issue a Shelter-in-Place if an emergency situation, including, but not limited to, severe inclement weather, arises during the festival. No outdoor activities will resume until the Shelter-in-Place is lifted.

2. Delay of Show is an interruption in outdoor programming due to less severe circumstances. Participants are encouraged to seek shelter at the nearest indoor or covered location. Some festival programing may be delayed or interrupted out of concerns for safety and property damage.

View Schedule

We encourage festival goers to wear whatever makes them feel most COMFORTABLE and CREATIVE. Artscape is a celebration of the arts, and we want to see your most festive getups.

The festival shouldn’t be as hot as in years past, but it’s important to dress appropriately for the occasion. Here are a few tips:

· Remember sun protection — The sun is still out in September so bring a hat or slather on some SPF (and don’t forget to reapply!) Sunglasses are also a great idea.

· Wear comfortable shoes — There is so much to see and do at Artscape, you will definitely get your steps in. Pick a comfy pair of footwear to go with your outfit.

· Bring layers — Some programming takes place indoors, so bring a jacket or a sweatshirt if you tend to get chilly. Plus, it tends to cool off a bit after sundown in September.

· Be ready for rain — Artscape takes place rain or shine. Weather in Maryland can be unpredictable so bring an umbrella or rain gear just in case.

Festival goers shouldn’t need much to enjoy their time at Artscape, but there are a few items that will make your visit more enjoyable. There are several ATMs on the footprint, but it’s always helpful to bring a little bit of cash. Beverage stands are also located throughout the footprint, but it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Lastly, bring a sense of curiosity and be ready to engage with all the amazing arts and cultural experiences that Artscape has in store.

Other than service dogs, pets are discouraged at the festival. With 350,000 attendees, it can be a hazardous environment for furry friends. It’s best to leave pets at home.