Fall Best Bets 2021: Not-to-miss events in the Baltimore region

September

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Don’t miss out! The Maryland Renaissance Festival, whose season opened Aug. 28, will run every weekend until the end of October. Set in a fictional 16th-century English town, the festival features jousting, street performers, craft vendors and more. 1821 Crownsville Road. Adult tickets starting at $21. rennfest.com

Sept. 24: Annapolis Opera Gala Celebration

The Annapolis Opera returns to stage with a gala celebration featuring performances by its artists, food, drinks and an auction. Maryland Hall, 801 Chase St., Annapolis; 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 each. annapolisopera.org

Sept. 25: Harford County Wine Festival

The 15th annual Harford County Wine Festival will feature hundreds of local and international wines, live music and a beer garden. 501 East Churchville Road; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $25. harfordcountywinefestival.com

Sept. 24: Outlaw Music Festival

The rock and country music festival with headliners Willie Nelson, Sturgill Simpson and Nathaniel Rateliff will take place at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy; 4 p.m. Tickets start at $23. https://blackbirdpresents.com/concert/outlaw-music-festival-tour-2021/

Sept. 26: Leon Bridges

The Texas soul singer Leon Bridges will perform in Baltimore on his Gold Diggers Sound tour. Bridges is known for his first critically acclaimed single, “Coming Home,” and throwback 60s sound. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl., Baltimore; 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $75. ramsheadlive.com

October

Oct. 2: Arts in the Park Festival

The seventh annual outdoor festival will feature musical performances, local vendors, face painting and more. Make sure to bring a chair to enjoy the live entertainment. Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park; 10 a.m. Free. Register online at chesapeakearts.org/artsinthepark

Oct. 3: A Modern Influence: Henri Matisse, Etta Cone, and Baltimore

This exhibition explores the 43-year friendship between Henri Matisse and Baltimore collector Etta Cone. Through over 160 pieces of art, the exhibit tracks the development of Matisse works within the Cone Collection. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. artbma.org

Oct. 14: David Sedaris

See bestselling author and humorist David Sedaris read from his newest releases and participate in a book signing. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.; 7:30 p.m. $45-55. bsomusic.org

Oct. 16: 19th Annual Das Best Oktoberfest

The annual German festival at M&T Bank Stadium will house all things beer. From noon to 6 p.m. sample over 100 international and local brews, enjoy live music, and watch the dachshund race. General admission tickets are available online for $39 and VIP tickets are available for $79. dasbestoktoberfest.com

Oct. 16: All Things Go music festival

The All Things Go music festival will be housed at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. Headliners include HAIM, St. Vincent, Charlie XCX and girl in red. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and the first shows will start at noon. Tickets start at $79.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. ticketmaster.com/all-things-go-music-festival-columbia-maryland-10-16-2021/event/15005ACA951520AB

Oct. 23: Bill Maher

Comedian and satirist Bill Maher isn’t afraid to push the envelope. From his TV show “Politically Incorrect” to HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher’s combination of staunch honesty and insightful commentary makes for big laughs. The Lyric, 140 W. Mt Royal Ave.; 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $45. lyricbaltimore.com/event/bill-maher/

Oct. 24: Mortified: Back to School

This comedy show is an excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories, and more) as shared by their original authors in front of total strangers. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.; 7 p.m. $17-20. creativealliance.org/events/2021/mortified-back-school

Oct. 28: Alex G

Singer-songwriter Alex G takes his indie rock jams to Baltimore. Known for his bedroom pop aesthetic and 90s influences, the artist is on his House of Sugar tour with opener Exum. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.; 8:30 p.m. $22. theottobar.com

November

Nov. 6-7: Waitress

Based on a 2007 indie film, this musical follows diner waitress Jenna as she navigates small town life and the opportunity to leave it behind. With music and lyrics from pop singer Sara Bareilles, Waitress is a heartwarming tale of finding oneself. Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. france-merrickpac.com

Nov. 10: Jung Yun: O Beautiful (In Conversation With Jeannie Vanasco)

Jung Yun, a Baltimore based writer and professor at George Washington University, will celebrate publishing her second book “O Beautiful, " with acclaimed memoirist Jeannie Vanasco. Yun’s debut family drama ”Shelter” was longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. The Ivy Bookshop, 5928 Falls Road; 6:30 p.m. Free. Register online theivybookshop.com

Nov. 12-14: The Medium

Baltimore Concert Opera presents Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium, a show about a medium and swindler who uses peoples’ grief to extract money. In one night, things change dramatically. 11 W. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore; 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 16 and will start at $29.50. baltimoreconcertopera.com/the-medium

Dec.

Dec. 4: Charm City Reindeer Run

Charm City Run will host its annual 5k both virtually and in person. The registration fee is $5 for both versions. West Shore Park, Inner Harbor; 8 a.m. https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Baltimore/ReindeerRunBCRP?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=Y

Dec. 4: Joe Bonamassa

Blues-rock artist Joe Bonamassa will perform at The Lyric Baltimore in celebration of his newest #1 Billboard album. 140 W. Mt Royal Ave.; 8 p.m. Tickets start at $79. ticketmaster.com/event/15005AC29C632649

Dec. 9: A Tribute to the Men of Motown

The Havre de Grace Arts collective presents a musical tribute to the famous men of Motown, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Four Tops. State Theater of Havre de Grace, 325 St. John St.; 8 p.m. $20-50. https://hdgoperahouse.org/event/thursday-night-live-a-holiday-tribute-to-the-men-of-motown/

Dec. 18: A Very Merry Drag Brunch

Rams Head on Stage will house Shawnna Alexander and Victoria Bohmore as they host a special holiday drag brunch. They’ll be joined for brunch by Miss Gay America 2019, Andora TeTee and more. 31 West St.; Annapolis; 12:30 p.m. $20. axs.com/events/408654/a-very-merry-drag-brunch-tickets?skin=ramsheadonstage

Editor’s Note:

These events were planned prior to our publication date. Please check with organizers for each event to confirm that it is still being held.