On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the 24th Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival presented by Creative Alliance in collaboration with Friends of Patterson Park kicked-off fall season proper in Southeast Baltimore. The Patterson Park tradition included lantern making, a kids and family costume contest with bilingual MCs, and signature sidewalk concerts.
The latter featured the talents of Abu the Flute Maker, Bayberries and Faires, Boh Re Mi A Cappella, and Foes and False Lovers. The festivites also included dance performance by Jóvenes en Acción and Extended Family Native American Dancers, an arts & crafts market, pop-up blackjack tent, and an array of food and treats from local vendors, as well as food trucks lined up on Linwood Avenue. At sunset a luminous parade procession made its way through the park and into the night ending with a high energy dance performance by TSU Dance Crew on stage at Pulaski Monument ending in a community dance party.
The Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival captures the essence of Baltimore—a city known for its celebration of diversity, unwavering creativity, and unparalleled independent spirit. Produced by the Creative Alliance in collaboration with The Friends of Patterson Park, this event not only embraces inclusivity but also serves as a platform for vibrant cultural expression. It takes special care to recognize and honor the Latin American and Native American communities that enrich the tapestry of Baltimore.
