toasting on Ocean City Beach

September's Summer Sendoff

We may be in the “R” months, but you don’t have to let your summer slip away.

toasting on Ocean City Beach

The water is still warm, the sun is still shining, and Maryland is definitely the place to be in September. The month kicks off with Labor Day fun and keeps it going straight through to Oceans Calling Festival in OC. Check out these great suggestions for county fairs, beaches, wine festivals, golf courses, seafood festivals, art festivals, Orioles Magic, and let us know your favorites we might have missed!

 

1
Only-In-Maryland Seafood Feasts
April through December are the best months to eat fresh steamed Maryland blue crabs, and there's no shortage of supply at the crab houses along this byway.

We Marylanders are modest folk, except when it comes to one thing. We have hands-down the best seafood in the world, and there’s no better time to celebrate that than September. Check out these amazing seafood festivals that bring together great people, amazing music, big-time family fun, and did we mention the best seafood in the world?

2
Maryland State Fair
New swinger ride at Maryland State Fair
Maryland State Fair

The Maryland State Fair is usually the summer's crescendo offering great food, fun and family entertainment including: tame and thrilling rides, classic fair and local farm-fresh food, livestock, horse, farm, home and garden exhibits,  arts & crafts , live thoroughbred racing; national and  local concerts.

3
Maryland Wine Festival
toasting wine glasses
instagram-@charliencook

Every September, enthusiasts of local wine gather for the Maryland Wine Festival to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the historic Carroll County Farm Museum while exploring delicious local wine, shopping from juried artisans, sampling food from hand-picked vendors, and dancing to live music.

4
Maryland Renaissance Festival
woman blowing bubbles at MD renaissance festival

Hear-ye, Hear ye! The Maryland Renaissance Festival, a tradition for the entire family, runs weekends from late August through mid-October. Each year, the Village of Revel Grove comes to life with more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, a 3,000 seat arena with armored jousting on magnificent steeds and streets filled with village characters.  Join His Most Royal Highness King Henry VIII in the forests and glades with over 140 artisans exhibiting crafts in their own renaissance shops, five taverns featuring cool libations, 42 food and beverage emporiums providing a vast array of succulent and sweet treats to sate even the most hearty of appetites.

5
Maryland Folk Festival
Performers at the National Folk Festival
Edwin Remsberg

Celebrate the roots, richness, and variety of American culture at the Maryland Folk Festival in Salisbury. This annual, free, multi-day event features hundreds of musicians, dancers, and craftspeople. A wonderful array of hands-on children’s activities, parades, workshops, demonstrations, and culinary offerings will delight all ages!

6
Great Maryland Beaches
Horses on Beach
Laura Palescandolo

With thousands of miles of shoreline, Maryland has plenty of great places to sink your toes in the sand. From the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague on the Atlantic Coast, to the shores of the Chesapeake and her tributaries, to spring-fed swimming holes and mountain lakes, Maryland’s got sun, surf and plenty of sand just waiting for you!

7
Find Your Field of Dreams
Ball Snatch at a Baltimore Orioles Game
Mitch Lebovic

With the Baltimore Orioles holding down “The Yard” in Baltimore and six iconic minor league parks across the state, Maryland is the perfect spot for a baseball road trip. 

8
Get Out on the Water
stand-up paddleboard and kayak
National Harbor’s Boating in DC

Maryland's waterways are a defining feature of the Old Line State, and no visit is complete without leaving the land behind, even for just a little while. Here are 12 great ways to see the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland waterways.

9
Getaway on the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

No matter if you are looking for a quiet escape off-the-beaten-path at a cozy inn, a relaxing stay at a luxury hotel, a rustic camping or cabin experience, or a culturally-enriching holiday at a historic inn, the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop is the perfect destination for an early Fall getaway. These carefully curated itineraries will make planning your September Bay-cation a snap! 

10
Get Out on the Green
greystone golf course
Greystone Golf

As the weather cools, it’s time to plan a golf getaway. From lush green links in the mountains of Western Maryland to fantastic courses along our gorgeous coast, the Old Line State is a duffer’s dream. 

11
Oceans Calling Festival
Oceans Calling Festival
Oceans Calling Festival

A three day festival in partnership with musicians O.A.R. featuring over 30 performances on 3 stages, all on the classic Ocean City Boardwalk. Experience delicious east coast bites from local food vendors. Plus, learn tricks of the trade from world-renowned chef cooking demos that celebrate the region. Explore the Ocean City tradition featuring amusement park rides, games and more, all located inside the festival grounds.

12
Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival
Ballet on the Beach
BalletontheBeach.org

The Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival is a free outdoor professional dance performance on Assateague Island that acts as a conduit to connect the community, environment, and performing arts in one. In addition to professional performances, other festival activities include environmental talks, a community dance class, art activities for children, and a pointe shoe pavilion sponsored by Freed of London USA.