The Holy Trinity Heritage Festival returns to Baltimore on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1723 East Fairmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231. Saturday hours are 12:00 to 7:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 PM. Admission is free with donations encouraged. Now in its 53rd consecutive year, this annual food and cultural festival features traditional Russian and Eastern European foods prepared by parishioners, live entertainment, tours of the historic church dating to the 1860s, and a heritage gift shop.
- 53rd consecutive year: Annual food and cultural festival running since 1973 at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church.
- Free admission: Donations encouraged. Food and gift shop items purchased separately at remarkably reasonable prices.
- Authentic homemade food: Beef stroganoff, shashlik, pelmeni, blinchiki, kielbasa, traditional breads, and desserts — all made by parishioners.
- Church tours included: Regular tours of the historic church with Orthodox icons and liturgical art dating to the 1860s building.
- Near Johns Hopkins: 1723 E. Fairmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231. Street parking on surrounding residential blocks.
Years
Admission
Founded
Food & Culture
Holy Trinity Heritage Festival 2026 — Event Details
The Holy Trinity Heritage Festival occupies a unique space in Baltimore's fall events calendar. It's a community food festival rooted in a specific cultural tradition, hosted by a parish that has been serving Baltimore's Eastern European community since 1919.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Holy Trinity Heritage Festival (Annual since 1973) |
| Saturday | Oct 10, 12:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | Oct 11, 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
| Venue | Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1723 E. Fairmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231 |
| Admission | Free (donations encouraged) |
| Food | Dine-in or take-out — purchased separately |
What to Expect at the Heritage Festival
The festival's centerpiece is homemade traditional food prepared by parishioners. The menu spans beef stroganoff, shashlik (grilled meat skewers), pelmeni (dumplings), blinchiki (crepes), kielbasa, traditional breads, and an array of desserts — everything made from scratch by community members who've been perfecting these recipes for decades. Pricing reflects the parish's community mission rather than commercial event economics, and many visitors buy multiple dishes across both days.
The dessert table deserves special attention. Traditional Russian pastries, cakes, and sweets are prepared by parishioners whose baking traditions span generations. Arrive early — the most popular desserts sell out by mid-afternoon. Dine-in seating is available so you can eat while enjoying the live entertainment, or grab take-out to enjoy at home.
Church Tours and Heritage Gift Shop
Regular tours of the historic church run throughout both days. Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church dates to the 1860s — the building was constructed as a Methodist church before the Russian émigré community purchased it in 1919. The architectural and artistic traditions inside are genuinely striking: Orthodox iconography, the altar screen, and liturgical art represent a tradition most Americans rarely encounter. The Parish Kiosk offers icons, books, folk decorations, souvenirs, toys, and cultural items difficult to find elsewhere in Baltimore.
How to Get to Holy Trinity Church
The church is in Baltimore's Dunbar neighborhood at 1723 East Fairmount Avenue, about 2 miles east of the Inner Harbor and half a mile from Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Parking
Street parking is available along Fairmount Avenue and surrounding residential blocks. The Dunbar neighborhood is residential, so parking is generally easier than downtown or Fells Point. There is no dedicated lot — plan to park within a few blocks and walk. Spots close to the church fill by early afternoon on Saturday.
By Transit
MTA bus routes serve the Fairmount Avenue corridor. The closest stops are along Broadway and Eastern Avenue. From downtown, the CityLink Navy route or the 13 bus provide access to the neighborhood.
When a Car Service Makes Sense for the Festival
For groups combining the festival with other Baltimore stops — or groups that want to sample the festival's offerings without coordinating multiple cars — a chauffeured car service handles the logistics. The festival's proximity to Fells Point, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor makes a full-day itinerary practical: Holy Trinity for the food, Fells Point for a drink, Federal Hill for dinner. A dedicated party bus connects all three without anyone navigating Baltimore's one-way streets or finding three separate parking spots.
Nearby Baltimore Attractions
The church's east Baltimore location puts several destinations within easy reach. Fells Point is about 1.5 miles west — Baltimore's historic waterfront with restaurants, bars, and the Broadway Market. Patterson Park (155 acres, the Pagoda, fall foliage) is half a mile south. The American Visionary Art Museum is about 2 miles southwest, open Saturdays. For groups extending the afternoon into evening, the festival-to-Fells-Point-to-dinner flow is a natural full-day itinerary.
| Primarily there for the food | Arrive by 12:30 PM Saturday. Budget for multiple dishes — prices are remarkably reasonable. Bring a cooler for take-out. |
| Want the church tour experience | Tours run throughout both days. Take 15 minutes between meals — the icons and architecture are worth it. |
| Group from outside Baltimore | One vehicle, one driver — festival, Fells Point, dinner, home. Call (410) 451-0000. |
| Prefer a quieter visit | Sunday 12–5 PM draws a smaller crowd. Ideal for browsing the gift shop and taking the church tour at a relaxed pace. |
Make the Heritage Festival Part of a Full Baltimore Day
Bayside Limousines has been moving groups across the DMV for over 33 years — 500,000+ trips completed and 1,000+ five-star Google reviews. We own every vehicle in our fleet and employ every chauffeur directly. No brokers, no surprises. Combine the Holy Trinity Festival with Fells Point, Federal Hill, or any Baltimore stop — we handle the driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event details confirmed against the Visit Baltimore listing and russfest.org. Verify entertainment schedule and food availability directly with the parish before attending.