First Thursdays

Join us in Canton Waterfront Park for WTMD's First Thursday Festival!

Presented by Brewers Hill.

It’s Free Music on the Waterfront!

Music Starts at 5:30 pm, and admission is free.
No outside alcohol and no coolers permitted.
ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS CONTAINERS.

First Thursdays are RAIN OR SHINE.

The 2019 First Thursday Festival season continues
on Thursday, September 5th!

FEATURING

West Stage

Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Super City
Emily Wolfe

Maryland’s Best Seafood & Agriculture Stage

Hollis Brown
Devon Gilfillian
Reality Jones

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2019
Lineup

  • May 2: Mt. Joy, Raul Midón, Cautious Clay, Jah Works, Strykers’ Posse, Shangoband

  • June 6: The War & Treaty, Sunflower Bean, Eli Paperboy Reed, Tyler Ramsey, Ron Holloway Band, and Illiterate Light

  • July 11: Black Pumas, Super City, Soccer Mommy, Van Hunt, Los Coast, Old Eastern

  • Aug. 1: Strand of Oaks, Bailen, Steve Gunn, Dylan LeBlanc, The Seratones, and Susto

  • Sept. 5: Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Super City, Emily Wolfe, Hollis Brown, Devon Gillfillan, Reality Jones

Order a
Poster

Order a 1st Thursday Poster!

WTMD’s First Thursdays
are made possible in part by

FIRST THURSDAYS FAQ

The park opens at 5:00pm and the music runs from 5:30pm to 10:30pm.

That’s incorrect. Our long-time partner Dooby’s will be selling beer, wine and cocktails during the shows. They will have five locations in the park so the lines will be short and move fast.

No coolers, outside alcohol, or glass containers are permitted.

We suggest you check out routes that go down St. Paul or Greenmount Ave and cut across to Conkling or another major southbound street.

  • 83 South to President Street
  • East on Fleet Street
  • Bear Right onto Boston Street

  • Exit 57 to Boston Street west

The best route is through the I-95 tunnel to the Keith Avenue exit. This will hook you around onto Clinton Street by the First Mariner Tower. Here’s a map:

Take 95 South to the Keith Avenue Exit. Stay to your right as it is the last exit before the tunnel. This will hook you around onto Clinton Street by the First Mariner Tower. Here’s a map:

The Water Taxi runs to 11 pm during First Thursday seasons. However, Water Taxi service to Canton Waterfront Park ceases at 8pm.

The latest bus schedules along with any updates can also be found on MTA’s website through the following link:

https://mta.maryland.gov/content/baltimorelink-schedules

Designated bike racks will be available for First Thursday attendees. Please do not chain bikes to fences or trees on Boston Street or in the park.

We will have plenty of food vendors at each event, TBA.

We strongly advise you to think twice about bringing your dog to the concerts. It’s a very crowded environment and pets may not enjoy it as much as you do.

Pets are not permitted in the VIP area. No exceptions.

Yes, a permit is required to anchor at Canton Waterfront Park during First Thursday Concerts.

A permit will be issued for all boats interested in viewing the First Thursday Concerts from the water directly in front of Canton Waterfront Park which begins 5/5 and continues every first Thursday of the month through September.

Boaters may purchase their permit per event by visiting Baltimore Recreation and Parks website (http://tinyurl.com/1stThursdayboatpermit) and follow the provided steps:

  1. Click on the side heading on the left side of page titled “Day permits”
  2. On the new page, expand the “Boating Permits” section
  3. Select the date for which you would like a permit and click register
  4. Customers will be prompted to sign-in
    1. Customers who have applied for permits or registered for a BCRP course in the past should login with their account information
    2. All other customers should create a new account
  5. Once a customer has signed in or created an account, he/she can add the permit to the cart and go through the check-out process
  6. Upon completion of check-out customers will be presented with a receipt confirmation and an attachment. The attachment is the actual Boating Permit. Customers can select “print attachment” and save the attachment to their phone or present a paper copy to Marine Police.

Boat Permits for First Thursdays Events are $20/event and will be enforced by the Marine Police. Boaters who are present at the event without a previously purchased permit will be able to use their smart phones to make payment which will instantly notify the marine police. Upon purchase, a permit will be issued via email.

Permits may be purchased in the Baltimore Recreation and Parks office, located at 3001 East Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217 or online at http://tinyurl.com/1stThursdayboatpermit .

The boat ramp is closed during First Thursday Concerts.

WTMD’s First Thursday Concerts are rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, tune in to WTMD 89.7 FM or check our Facebook page for updates.

Leadership Level donation benefits include VIP passes to our First Thursday Festival season. Call or email Kristin Laporte, Director of Membership, to discuss which level works best for you!

Producer ($1200 – $2399): 2 VIP Passes

Executive Producer ($2400 – $4999): 4 VIP Passes

All Access ($5000+): 4 VIP Passes

*The names of our Leadership Donor levels have changed and been streamlined. Backbeat, Backbeat+ and Soundcheck all fall under “Producer”. Backstage is now “Executive Producer”. All Access is the same.

*Please note: Pets are not permitted in the VIP area at First Thursday concert

If you would like to become a First Thursday Sponsor or have a 10’x10′ engagement tent at First Thursday, please contact Andy Grimshaw at agrimshaw@wtmd.org for more information.

For First Thursday Festival inquiries, including vendors,  media, volunteers and VIP access, please email FirstThursdays@wtmd.org.