Frequently Asked Questions

Poe Fest International is hosted each year by the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, and for the first time in generations, visitors will see the area around the tiny house transformed by a major expansion project. Construction around Poe House marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that will finally give Baltimore the world-class Poe museum the city deserves.

Because Poe House remains one of America's smallest literary museums, tickets are still limited and sell out every year, so reserve yours early. Throughout festival weekend, Poe Baltimore's Executive Director will be on hand to share plans for the future campus and answer questions about the project. Best of all, every ticket purchased and every festival pass helps support the museum and its expansion.

Poe Fest International 2026 celebrates the 185th anniversary of The Murders in the Rue Morgue, the story that introduced C. Auguste Dupin and forever changed literature by inventing the detective story. Starting October 1, visitors can explore Edgar Allan Poe's History of Mystery at Westminster Hall, a major exhibit examining Poe's five detective stories and the extraordinary legacy they inspired.

The festivities begin Friday, October 2 with Movie Nite, special tours, and exhibit openings before expanding into two full days of FREE festival programming on October 3 & 4.

Kick off festival weekend Friday night at Baltimore's beautiful M&T Exchange Theatre with the world premiere of a new Vincent Price documentary before it airs on TCM. Before  the screening, join Victoria Price, daughter of the legendary actor, for a special conversation as she shares personal stories about her father's remarkable career and enduring connection to Edgar Allan Poe.

Upgrade to the VIP Raven Reception to meet the filmmakers and special guests before the screening, then stay afterward for an audience Q&A. It's the perfect way to begin Poe Fest International.

Upgrade to the VIP Raven Reception to meet the filmmakers and special guests before the screening, then stay afterward for an audience Q&A. It's the perfect way to begin Poe Fest International.

As beloved as Poe House is, its size cannot contain the ever-growing audience for Poe. That’s why this year we’re unveiling plans for a new expanded museum campus. Visit our new outdoor gallery during the festival to explore the vision for Poe House’s future—and learn how you can help us bring it to life.

 When darkness falls, the cats come out to play! After festival day 1, the celebration continues after dark at historic Westminster Hall for The Black Cat Ball, the official party of Poe Fest International. 

This year's masquerade descends into The Cask of Amontillado, with delectable food and wine pairings, the unveiling of the Saturday 'Visiter' Awards winners, and an evening of dancing and dark delights. VIP guests enjoy an exclusive tour of the Westminster Catacombs and a special performance below stairs. Guests can also take advantage of discounted tickets to an early Poe-inspired performance at the Hippodrome before joining the festivities. The evening concludes with a graceside toast to Edgar Allan Poe! Ages 21+ only. 

Edgar Allan Poe is buried at historic Westminster Hall & Burying Ground, making it one of the most meaningful stops during festival weekend. Pay your respects at Poe's grave, explore the famous cemetery where he was buried three different times, and discover Edgar Allan Poe's History of Mystery, our new exhibit celebrating the 185th anniversary of The Murders in the Rue Morgue and Poe's invention of the detective story.

Created in partnership with the Poe Museum (Richmond), Enoch Pratt Free Library, the National Cryptologic Museum, and other collaborators, the exhibit is included with Westminster Hall admission. Be sure to download the festival's mobile app for self-guided tours and additional stories throughout the grounds.

Step inside the world of Poe with the Red Masque Festival Pass, your key to the festival's best experiences in one package. For the first time, your pass includes Movie Nite at the M&T Exchange Theatre, One Man Poe Performance tent, Poe Toaster Cocktail & Mocktail Tastings, The History of Mystery exhibit at Westminster Hall, and The Poe Death Exhibit and Raven Room at Carroll Mansion. Nurse that post-Black Cat Ball hangover at the Bloody Mary Brunch on Sunday.

Best of all—you’ll save $69 compared to purchasing each event separately. Prince Prospero himself would approve. 

The Poe Fest International Main Stage is where the party comes alive with live music, theatrical performances, literary readings, family entertainment, and gothic surprises throughout the weekend. Returning favorites join exciting new performers as Poe's stories are brought to life in unforgettable ways. Best of all, the Main Stage is completely FREE to enjoy. This year's stage program posts September 1!

 The historic (and fabulously haunted) Lord Baltimore Hotel once again serves as the official hotel of Poe Fest International. Located in the heart of downtown Baltimore and just minutes from festival venues, the hotel offers exclusive discounted rates for festival guests. Reserve through our official booking link to make the most of your Poe-filled weekend.

The Poe Festival grounds are just three blocks from Baltimore Street & Poppleton, easily reached by public transit and rideshare. The Charm City Circulator (Orange Line) is free and will bring you close to the festival entrance.

For Lyft, Uber, and other rideshares, use W. Lexington & Schroeder Streets for drop-off/pickup. Limited street parking is available, and a secure paid garage is located at the corner of Baltimore & Poppleton Streets, three blocks from Poe House.

Winners of the 2026 Saturday 'Visiter' Awards—honoring a new generation of writers and artists inspired by Edgar Allan Poe—will be announced during the Black Cat Ball. Throughout the weekend, many nominees will be exhibiting at the festival, giving visitors the chance to meet the creators behind today's most exciting Poe-inspired books, artwork, films, and more.

Poe Fest International also welcomes programming and participation from leading "Poe Places" and literary organizations from across the country, making this America's largest annual celebration of Edgar Allan Poe.

Poe Baltimore invites you to darken Poe’s chamber door at the eighth annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards, October 2 - 4, 2026.  The festival is family-friendly, three-days of programming with several FREE and ticketed events. Programming will take place at locations around Baltimore, and street faire at Poe House will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 4PM! The outdoor faire will feature Poe-themed performances, art, vendors and food, celebrating Poe’s life, works and his influence in the arts. If you enjoy Poe Festival programming, please consider donating to support this event. 

Additional, ticketed events and tours will also be offered through October. Please see the festival program for details. Stage schedules will post September 1. 

Festival programming will begin Friday, October 2nd, with tours, a MOVIE NIGHT, exhibit open, and special guests. The outdoor faire will be held from 11AM to 5PM on Saturday, October 3, and 11AM to 5PM, Sunday October 4, 11AM to 4PM. Check out our schedule and program here (will post September 1.)

The festival is held in front of the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. The physical address is 203 N. Amity Street, Baltimore MD 21223, and the event is in the closed intersection of N. Amity Street and W. Lexington. 

Streets in front of Poe House are closed to traffic for this event, so please use the intersection at W. Fayette and Schroeder Streets for Lyft/Uber Rideshare drop-off. 

There are additional events at locations away from festival grounds: 

• Movie Night at the M&T Exchange, 401 W. Fayette Street
• The Black Cat Ball is at Westminster Hall & Burying Ground , (where Poe is buried) at 519 W. Fayette Street. 
• The Poe Cemetery Tour and Exhibit is at Westminster Hall & Burying Ground (where Poe is buried) at 519 W. Fayette Street. 
• The Poe Death Exhibit is at Carroll Mansion, 800 E. Lombard Street

Poe Fest International attendees are encouraged to book hotel rooms through the festival’s host hotel, The Lord Baltimore Hotel. For your convenience, use this link for festival rates/rooms.

Other hotels in the Inner Harbor area provide easy access to public transportation which will bring you to Poe Fest International. 

Poe Fest International is rain or shine! However, if the National Weather Service issues an inclement weather warning within the festival area, an announcement will be made. All activities will pause until the warning has lifted.

Poe Fest International is a family-friendly event, though parents should expect gothic and Halloween-type decorations, costumes and vendors. The festival will have kid-friendly activities such as art-making and other workshops. Admission to festival grounds is FREE. We have something for everyone.

Ticketed events and tours are geared more toward mature audiences, with funeral decor and other death imagery where viewer discretion is advised. In the case of the Black Cat Ball, attendees must be 21+. There are no tickets priced for children.

No. Tickets are required to tour the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. This precious historic site is only 620 square feet, built in 1832. For the sake of preserving Poe House for future generations, we must limit access. 

There is limited street parking available at the festival. The closest paid parking garage is at University of Maryland BioPark Garage One, 1 N. Poppleton St (three blocks from the festival.) 

The use of public transit is highly recommended—the Charm City Circulator (Orange Line) picks up and drops off at the University of Maryland BioPark less than three blocks from the festival. 

Streets in front of Poe House are closed to traffic for this event, so please use the intersection at W. Fayette and Schroeder Streets for Lyft/Uber Rideshare drop-off. 

No. We encourage everyone to come on site with preferred payment option of either cash or debit/credit. We will not have ATMs on site.

Want to vend, volunteer, or perform at the festival? Please click here. 

Admission to grounds at Poe Fest International is FREE to the public. There are additional tours and other events that are ticketed, ranging in price per event. Please visit our ticket site for details.

You do not have to purchase tours or ticketed events to enjoy the festival. Festival grounds will include stage performances, workshops, vendors, and the return of the RavenBeer Garden.

No! Several events take place at locations away from festival grounds. Please check your ticket components for addresses and times. 

Tours, Bus Tours and Exhibit tickets have sold out before the festival in previous years, therefore no tickets have been available to purchase on-site. Attendees are encouraged to book tickets early to ensure access.

If tickets are available festival weekend, attendees may purchase at the festival INFO DESK. 

Attendees who register will be entered into drawings and subscribed to our festival news for last-minute updates. But you do not have to register if you are not interested in updates—attending Poe Fest International or viewing the livestream on our YouTube Channel is FREE.  

WARNING: You may have been a victim of a phishing, social media or internet scam. Please contact your credit card company immediately.

Tickets are not transferable, and we do not permit third parties to sell tickets, nor can we honor them. You can ONLY purchase tickets and/or tours via our website. 

The festival is rain or shine! All tours and fees are non-refundable. In the event tours are canceled or closed, an alternate date will be scheduled. 

Replacement tickets or changes cannot be provided for people who miss their tours.

The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival is a program presented by Poe Baltimore & The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. Festival proceeds support programming. Donate via payment method of your choice at http://poeinbaltimore.org/support.  

You can also donate via text.  Text “POEBALTIMORE” to 44-321.  

Absolutely! Checks can be mailed via post to: Poe Baltimore, PO Box 23773, Baltimore MD 21203

Poe Baltimore is a 501c3 non-profit organization created to fund, maintain and interpret The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, and to celebrate the legacy of one of Baltimore’s most famous residents.  We are dedicated to maintaining the museum as a vibrant experience for the thousands of visitors who come from around the world each year, and as part of a broader mission of city-wide events and educational opportunities. Donations to this organization are considered charitable. To learn more, visit: PoeBaltimore.org