Ravens, casks, walled-up ex-friends … grab a glass of sherry (perhaps avoid Amontillado) and celebrate all things Edgar Allan Poe during the fifth-annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival and Awards (or, in shorthand, Poe Fest International). It’s all happening in Baltimore Oct. 8 and 9, with a mix of in-person and virtual events. To commemorate the 173^rd anniversary of Poe’s death, this year’s festival includes music, theater, vendors and tours.

© Poe Baltimore

The darkly fun weekend salutes the grand opening of Virginia Poe Bicentennial Death Exhibit, highlighting Virginia’s role as the main muse in her husband’s work.

Festival highlights include The Black Cat Ball at Westminster Hall: Til Death Do We Start on Oct. 8. This year’s theme is Gothic Wedding, so be sure to pack your finest black crêpe finery for a walk down the Gothic Red Carpet. Saturday performances on the main stage include The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre’s presentation of “Blood, Sweat and Fears;” “The Tell Tale Heart” by Ballet Embody; and “A Descent into the Music Maelstrom” by Valentine Wolf. On Sunday, festival-goers can enjoy “POE-etry in the Parlour” by Half Light Theatre, Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum” performed by Threedumb Theatre, and music from Baltimore City Pipe Band.

© Poe Baltimore

Weekend programs in Baltimore will be presented by The Edgar Allan Poe House and The Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia; The Poe Cottage in Bronx, New York City; the Poe Studies Association, United States Military Academy at West Point; Enoch Pratt Free Library; and the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.

Event central is Poe’s former Baltimore home, located at 203 North Amity St. This National Historic Landmark brick structure is maintained by Poe Baltimore, and operated as Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum.

No plans to be in Baltimore on festival dates? Enjoy the online version, even if that means dancing in the dark on your own.