Top Maryland Events and Festivals
Plan a trip around one of these events and festivals which are as diverse as Maryland itself.
To see some unique artistry—and occasional downright quirkiness—check out these annual events held across the state. From ice extravaganzas to celebrations of music and art, to an event all about marshmallow Peeps, Maryland’s event calendar is filled with fun.
FeBREWary is Maryland’s official month-long celebration of craft beer, and with craft brew events on tap across the state. From the mountains to the beach, FeBREWary in Maryland is the perfect opportunity to hoist a pint with good friends in great places.
Peeps aren’t just for eating, and this event proves it. Each spring at the Carroll Arts Center in downtown Westminster, spectators vote for their favorites among hundreds of marshmallow masterpieces, including sculptures, dioramas, mosaics and videos. Don’t forget to bring your sweet tooth!
This event at Great Marsh Park in Cambridge offers courses tailored for fun, fitness and endurance, ranging from the 11-mile Family Ride to the 56-mile Ironman Eagleman course and 100-mile Century Course. Cycle through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, named one of the "Last Great Places" by the Nature Conservancy. Start with a complimentary al fresco breakfast, bike the scenic paths, then finish off a great day with a picnic in the park.
Tour the lovely private gardens of historic Havre de Grace. Start at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum for your ticket and map. Then meander along the Susquehanna River on this self-guided tour that features fabulous gardens. Stop by the Garden Mart and Plant Sale for native plants and the food vendors for a bite to eat. There are nature-inspired presentations and demonstrations, too, for those with green thumbs looking for inspiration for their own gardens.
The Preakness is one of the nation’s largest, single-day, annual sporting events! Baltimore's Old Hilltop comes alive with the running of the Preakness Stakes, where the finest three-year old thoroughbreds compete.
DelFest is a beacon for bluegrass, and the epicenter of American mountain music. Celebrating not just the sound, but the soul of the music, DelFest is a five day experience of the soul of the Appalachian mountains.
How many of the 824 miles of yard sales can you handle? Each area offers its own treasures, food specialties and charm. Historic National Road Yard Sale is one of the greats and it begins in Western Maryland on and near Historic Route 40.
Celebrate the arts all month long with a unique initiative spearheaded by local artists and art collectives throughout Annapolis & Anne Arundel County!
Two Weeks of Orchestral Concerts - soloists, chamber, full orchestra - plus hundreds of open free rehearsals. Affordable, adventurous performances. Reservations recommended.
The annual OC Air Show features either the USN Blue Angels or the USAF Thunderbirds! The OC Air Show keeps getting bigger and better thanks to the hundreds of thousands of spectators who come out to make it a success!
This festival is a real crowd pleaser no matter what age you are. Hundreds of architecturally exquisite wooden classics, vintage race boats and more are on display on the land and in the water at St. Michaels in June. Festivities include live music, boat rides, food and family activities.
America's largest free arts festival, attracting 350,000+ attendees over three days. Features 150+ fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography; live music and more.
This renowned Annual White Marlin Open is the world's largest billfish tournament. Over 400 boats vie for $6.8 million in prize money. Registration fees for participating boats.
This August celebration ranks high on the list of fun summer things to do, and includes a “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest, boat rides, live music, kids’ activities, and—of course—fantastic seafood.
Vegan Soulfest is a celebration of culture and veganism. All vegan. All soul. Enjoy artists, speakers and cooking exhibitionists.
Held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry, this event, combines history, fine art and tasty Maryland BBQ. Check out the auction items like authentic quilts, crafts and Amish-made furniture, and let the kids take a ride on a pony or “barrel of fun,” and pedal tractor pulls. Everyone will enjoy the hay rides, miniature horse and cart rides, and the petting zoo—plus free admission and parking.
The 27 acre Village of Revel Grove comes to life each autumn with more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, an 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 more than 140 artisans exhibiting crafts in their own renaissance shops, taverns featuring cool libations, food and beverage emporiums providing a vast array of succulent and sweet treats to sate even the most hearty of appetites.
Drawing more than 10,000 pickle fanatics, this annual festival features pickle-based cocktails and a pickle-based lager, pickle eating and brine chugging challenges, music, comedy, food, and a fantastic kid zone with rock climbing, skee ball, and more. Join the party and see what the big “dill” is!
Billed as the largest Italian festival in Maryland, this event has it all. Featuring live entertainment, carnival rides, beer, wine and cocktails, Italian food, cooking and wine demonstrations, a bocce tournament and more…this festival is a sure-fire recipe for a weekend of delicious family fun.
Fiddling and blue grass music fills the street. Food and craft vendors, beer garden and games for the children.
The Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of the perseverance, education, and cultural heritage of Africans, African Americans, and Caribbean people of African descent.The festival features a full day of live music, dance performances, and vendors!
All you can eat seafood, side dishes, beer and soda. A Maryland must attend - see and be seen annual event named after Crisfield native, J. Millard Tawes, 54th Maryland Governor.
Celebrate amazing Fall Foliage with fall foliage tours, and much more. This annual multi-day celebration of autumn takes place in western Maryland and boasts incredible scenery and nature.
Summer lasts longer in Ocean City! Enjoy four days of family fun, arts, crafts, live music and food. Admission is free except for ticketed performances.
Nobody does holidays quite like National Harbor. Featuring a nightly tree light show in the heart of the Waterfront District, “I Love Christmas Movies” at Gaylord National, special menus, holiday hotel deals, and – of course – Santa at The Capitol Wheel. It’s a can’t-miss holiday tradition!
Kwanzaa is celebrated in the United States for seven days, starting December 26 and ending on January 1. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture offers a series of Kwanzaa programs including storytelling, crafts and traditional performances.