Arts and Drafts Festival

WHAT: The Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Baltimore County Arts Guild announce the return of the inaugural Arts & Drafts Festival. The three-day, free summer music and art event celebrates the Baltimore County art community with live music, visual artist vendors, hands-on art activities and specialty beer releases. 

The fun kicks off Friday, June 24, with a concert featuring Sweet Leda and Lower Case Blues, from 6 to 10 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday guests can enjoy and purchase art from over 60 regional artists specializing in pottery, woodworking, stained glass, acrylic and watercolor painting, mixed media and more. This interactive, visually-engaging exhibition serves as a marketplace for unique, curated pieces. In addition to visual art, local musicians will be taking to the festival stage with live performances continually throughout the day. The full list of participating visual artists and live music performers at the Festival Stage can be found here. 

“The Arts & Drafts Festival is fast becoming a must-attend summer event for fans of music, dance, the visual arts, and, of course, delicious food and beer,” says Barbara Cox, President of the Baltimore County Arts Guild. “We are so grateful for the generosity of Guinness, Enjoy Baltimore County, and our other sponsors, without whom this unique and exciting event would not be possible.”

“We’re proud to host this annual event, bringing the community together to support our local musicians and artists in a place where our own makers are creating art in the form of experimental beers every day,” says Guinness Open Gate Brewery National Ambassador Ryan Wagner. “We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces as we celebrate the rich talent this area has to offer over a pint of Guinness.” 

The brewery and Baltimore County Arts Guild have collaborated to release two special festival beers available on draft and in cans, bringing back last year’s Harmonic Haze, a Hazy IPA with a tropical fruity kick at 7.5% ABV as well as newcomer Blueberry Lime Ale. The full spring brewery menu will also be available for purchase during the festival with a range of shareable bites, full entrees and decadent desserts.  

Whether enjoying a pint at the Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin or anywhere in between, please do so responsibly. 

WHEN: Friday, June 24 from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 26 from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

WHERE: 5001 Washington Boulevard, Halethorpe, MD 21227 

HOW: This is a free event open to all. (No tickets or registration) 

WHO: More than 60 of the region's best artists. All children must be accompanied at all times by an adult of legal drinking age.