20th Annual Empty Bowls Festival Returns to Baltimore

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore hosts the popular family-friendly event featuring local cuisine, entertainment, and charitable giving.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:00pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a ceramic bowl repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the iconic handcrafted bowls that attendees can take home from the Empty Bowls Festival. The image utilizes flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday bowl into modern pop art.The 20th annual Empty Bowls Festival in Baltimore celebrates the community's generosity and commitment to fighting hunger through the iconic handcrafted ceramic bowls that attendees can take home.Baltimore Today

The 20th Annual Empty Bowls Family Festival, hosted by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, is returning on April 18th at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The event will feature a variety of soups and food from local restaurants, silent auction items, family-friendly activities in the Kid Fun Zone, and the opportunity for attendees to select a handcrafted ceramic bowl to take home. Admission is $40 per ticket, with children 9 and under free, and all proceeds will support the assistance programs and services of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore.

Why it matters

The Empty Bowls Festival is a beloved annual tradition that brings the Baltimore community together to support a worthy cause. The event raises funds for St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore's efforts to address hunger and homelessness in the city, making a meaningful impact on those in need.

The details

The 20th Annual Empty Bowls Family Festival will feature a variety of soups and food from local restaurant staples like Miss Shirley's Cafe, Linwoods, Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen, and Absolutely Perfect Catering. Attendees can also participate in a silent auction, with items including Baltimore Orioles merchandise, tickets to top Maryland attractions, and exclusive experiences like a private wine tasting. The Kid Fun Zone will be packed with family-friendly activities such as face painting, character meet-and-greets, live music, and more. Guests will have the opportunity to select their favorite handcrafted ceramic bowl painted by local schools and sponsors to take home after the event.

  • The 20th Annual Empty Bowls Family Festival will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 4 to 7 pm.

The players

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore

A non-profit organization that provides assistance programs and services to address hunger and homelessness in the Baltimore community.

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What’s next

Tickets for the 20th Annual Empty Bowls Family Festival are on sale now and are expected to sell out quickly. Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.

The takeaway

The Empty Bowls Festival is a cherished annual event that brings the Baltimore community together to support a vital cause. By attending the festival and selecting a handcrafted bowl, participants can directly contribute to St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore's efforts to address hunger and homelessness in the city, making a meaningful impact on those in need.