Maryland Festivals

This page has information on Maryland festivals, expos and other outdoor events.

Each year, Maryland has an exciting schedule of festivals. Most festivals offer foods, drinks, music, crafts, artwork, gifts and collectibles.

Specialized festivals celebrate subjects such as fishing, hunting, boating, harvests, seafood, arts, crafts, music, regions, history, holidays and others.

What should I bring to a festival?

When planning for an outdoor festival it is a good idea to pack a few items even if you don't plan on needing them. Items to bring include lightweight collapsible chairs, layered clothes, sunglasses, sun block, sunglasses, hats, water, ice, snacks and a camera. Weather can change suddenly and is not predictable, so having more than you expect can save the day if rain or wind sets in.

What are Maryland festivals like?

When attending an outdoor festival for the first time, the best way to learn about what to expect is to read about past events, check reviews of festivals or other first hand accounts of past experiences. Some festival enthusiasts will have a network of friends that can share information.

How do I choose the best festivals?

Enthusiasts can find out about the top outdoor-related festivals in their area by visiting travel websites, news portals, regional blogs or niche websites. Other sources of festival information include newspapers, specialty shops, clubs, newsletters, online searches and word of mouth recommendations.

Social media can be an excellent source of information. In addition to a website, most Maryland festivals now have a presence on one or several social media sites. These can include Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites.

Will there be shopping at a Maryland festival?

Nearly all festivals offer at least some shopping opportunities. Many events will have a large selection of sporting goods vendors, crafters and other offerings. As the outdoor festival season gets into full swing, events will offer more and more items related to their themes.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become the region's premier outdoor event and the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country. Since the Festival's first season as a ramshackle village in 1977, the event has matured into a large theme show with more than 1,300 participants and 280,000 guests per season. The Festival has twice been recognized by the American Bus Association as one of the 100 best events in North America.

Maryland Autumn Wine Festival

This event offers wine tastings (included with admission), wine by the glass and bottle purchases from several Maryland wineries. Other features of the festival include a variety of arts and crafts, live music performances, and regional cuisine.

Silopanna Music Festival

The Silopanna Music Festival features a variety of bands performing on multiple stages, unique vendors, gourmet food trucks, and other attractions.

Maryland Seafood Festival

The Maryland Seafood Festival is a rich tradition in the State and has been held annually for 40+ years, with the most recent 30 years being held the weekend after Labor Day at Sandy Point State Park.

J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield Maryland

Held every year on the third Wednesday in July at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, this annual celebration is named in honor of Crisfield native, J. Millard Tawes - the 54th Governor of the State of Maryland. This event is an outdoor all-you-can-eat affair featuring crabs, clams, fish, corn on the cob, and watermelon and politicians.

Crisfield Waterman's Festival

The Crisfield Waterman's Festival serves steamed crabs, oysters, fried and on the half shell, fried fish, clam strips, grilled chicken and more. This October event is held on the Somers Cove Marina grounds.

St. Mary's County Crab Festival

The Crab Festival is a celebration of St. Mary's Crab Culture and Cooking. The event has steamed hard crabs, crab soups, crab cakes, and other seafood dishes available for purchase.

Havre de Grace Seafood Festival

The Havre de Grace Seafood Festival Festivities include vendors serving more than 150 different foods with an abundance of mouthwatering seafood delicacies and other great foods; Arts & Craft Vendors featuring artisan self-made products; A Charity Raffle with a great prize; 22 hours of free live entertainment; Silent Auction; A historic City located where the Chesapeake Bay begins; Wooden promenade on the waterfront; The Concord Point Lighthouse; Local storefronts to browse.