Signature Events
July 1 & 9 – Annapolis Blues Home Games (Annapolis) It's the summer of soccer in Naptown! New to town this summer, the Annapolis Blues is the latest National Premier Soccer League Expansion Club. With two home games this month at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, it's the perfect sporting event to grab a cold one at the Pre-Game Tailgate Party and watch a sporting event at a great price (Tickets start at $10)!
July 11 – Blues & Gold at the Annapolis City Dock (Downtown Annapolis) Overlooking Annapolis' beautiful waterfront, join the Blues & Gold as they perform classic blues and blues-inspired music by artists including B.B. King and Eric Clapton. All Naval Academy Band concerts are free and open to everyone.
July 12 & 19 – Wednesday Night Races – Watch Party (Downtown Annapolis) You don't have to be a sailor to get in on the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races fun! Join the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park's skipjack crew for two hours for a front-row view of sailors battling it out on the water. Your cruise includes complimentary beverages and the best views of Annapolis!
July 16 – Mana Farmer's Market (Edgewater) Support Anne Arundel County's local crafters and farmers at this monthly community market. Located at Mana Supply Co., shop artisan crafts and local produce, listen to music, and grab a bite to eat.
There's no place like downtown Annapolis for the Fourth of July!
Image courtesy of Bob Peterson.
Fourth of July
July 4 – Annapolis 4th of July Parade and Fireworks (Downtown Annapolis) Come join Annapolis' patriotic salute with a parade and booming fireworks. The parade kicks off at Amos Garrett and West Street, wraps its way (the wrong way) around Church Circle, and ends on Main Street. Anywhere on the parade route is the place to be! The festivities end with fireworks launching from a barge in Annapolis Harbor. More information about viewing spots and parking can be found by clicking HERE.
July 4 – Annapolis Fireworks Cruise (Annapolis) How about viewing the Fourth of July fireworks from the water? Step aboard a Watermark boat for the best seat in town as you cruise around the historic harbor. Enjoy a full bar, the best views, and America's independence all in one spot!
July 4 – Annapolis: An American Story (Annapolis) July 4 is the perfect day to discover the dramatic history of Annapolis and the stories of its diverse people who helped to shape our American story. This new exhibit at the Museum of Historic Annapolis is located at 99 Main Street and will immerse you in American history in our town.
July 4 – POW Challenge Scavenger Hunt at USNA (Annapolis) Continue learning America's history at the U.S. Naval Academy. Stop by The Yard to learn more about prisoners of war (POW) during the Vietnam War and the impact of the military's Code of Conduct. Complete 8 out of 19 engagements to get a discount at the USNA Gift Shop!
Take to the bay for a fireworks cruise or join a paddleboard flotilla!
Local Festivals & Events
July 1 – The Radical Voices of Blackness Speaks of Resistance and Joy (Annapolis) Take a trip to the Banneker-Douglas Museum to enjoy fine art by fifteen Black Maryland-based artists. Examine historic and contemporary themes of Black Joy and healing created in opposition to and despite oppression. Admission is free; however, donations are encouraged.
July 2 – City Dock Concert Series (Downtown Annapolis) Enjoy the sights of the Chesapeake Bay and the sounds of the H2G Summer Bash at Susan Campbell Park at City Dock in Downtown Annapolis. Pack up your chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening of free fun. The music starts at 6 PM sharp!
July 7 – LILIAC (Annapolis) 'The First Family of Rock' is coming to Annapolis! This 5-piece hard rock band is made up of all siblings who got their start on the Santa Monica Pier in California. Since going viral on social media, this family rock band has been busy taking their talents around the country. This 21+ show is happening at Rams Head on Stage at 8 PM.
July 7 & 9 – Revolutionary London Town (Edgewater) Experience the days of 1776 and explore what "independence" really means. Meet individuals from London Town's past and listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, try your hand at colonial crafts, and play tavern games in the newly restored William Brown House.
Revolutionary London Town arrives in port on July 7-9, 2023.
July 9 – Wine in the Wind: Women in Wine (Annapolis) Sip sip, hooray! Set sail on the Schooner Woodwind and sip on women-led wineries that have all broken ground in unique ways. Enjoy wine samples paired with "Magnificent Morsels" and chat with representatives to discuss wines and their pairings.
July 15 – African American Heritage Tour (Downtown Annapolis) Trace the journey of African Americans and explore their impact on Annapolis on this 2-hour walking tour. Your period-attired guide will highlight the importance of historic spots around Annapolis, including where slave ships entered 300 years ago, the Alex Haley statue, and uphill to the State House and a statue of Thurgood Marshall.
July 25 – Naval Academy Band Alumni Jazz Concert at the Annapolis City Dock (Downtown Annapolis) Fit for a pleasant summer evening, the U.S. Naval Academy Band Alumni will perform a jazz concert for all. The performance is free and open to the public, with no tickets required.
July 30 – The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. (Downtown Annapolis) Enjoy New Orleans' premier Mardi Gras Indian funk ensemble as well as the future of New Orleans music with The Rumble! This group brings a fresh sound with the bounce of brass fused with deep funk and Black Masking street culture. Tickets to the Rams Head on Stage performance are on sale now.
Dinner Under the Stars in historic downtown Annapolis.
Image courtesy of Jeff Voigt Photography
Recurring Seasonal Events
Dinner Under the Stars (Downtown Annapolis) On Wednesday and Saturday evenings through September 23, the first block of West Street shuts down to automobile traffic and welcomes visitors to dine, shop al fresco, and even play pickleball under a canopy of white lights reminiscent of the old cities of Europe (weather permitting).
First Sunday Arts Festival (Downtown Annapolis) Every First Sunday of the month through November, the first blocks of West and Calvert Streets are filled with street vendors, performers, musicians, and more! This festival encourages residents and visitors to shop locally, discover new restaurants, and support the arts (weather permitting).
Food Trucks (Countywide) Discover new cuisine and make everyone happy with a visit to Food Truck Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout Anne Arundel County.
Farmers Markets (Countywide) Summertime is the perfect time to set your sights on cleaner eating with a trip to our local Farmers Markets. Source organic vegetables and fruit, dairy, meat and poultry, local pies and jams, honey, and more!
Find your favorite Food Truck on our county-wide list!
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Tour (Annapolis) Tours depart the Annapolis Maritime Museum at 723 Second St Annapolis, MD 21403. The vessel "Sharps Island" will be moored at the closest pier to the Horn Point Marina. All the money collected helps support the preservation of the lighthouse. Each day has two cruise times to choose from, either 9:00 AM or 12:00 PM, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so get your name in early! (Tours are seasonal and run June-October, weather permitting).
Tides & Tunes Concert Series (Annapolis) June 15- August 17, The Tides & Tunes Summer Concert Series at Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park offers 10 weeks of popular music–from rock to folk to blues–with the incomparable backdrop of the Chesapeake Bay. Concerts are FREE; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Food and spirits are available for purchase. Beverage sales support the Museum's education program. No outside alcohol is permitted. Bring a chair or blanket.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (Annapolis) Classic Theatre of Maryland presents all 37 William Shakespeare plays in 97 minutes! Three madcap men in tights weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare's comedies, histories, and tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter! Tickets range from $55- and doors open at 6:30 PM. Ticket holders should arrive no later than 7:00 PM for the performance, presented in the courtyard of Reynolds Tavern, on Tuesdays through August.
Revel Grove is where Renaissance Adventure begins!
Looking Ahead
August 4-- Rotary Club of Annapolis 78th Annual Crab Feast (Annapolis) This crab feast is dubbed the World's Largest Crab Feast, and for good reason! It's an all-you-can-eat (and drink) event that invites folks from near and far to get their fill of Maryland's famous blue crabs – plus Maryland vegetable crab soup, sweet Maryland corn on the cob, beef barbeque sandwiches, all-American hot dogs, watermelon, draft beer, and assorted sodas and water—held rain or shine, 5 PM – 8 PM. Tickets are on sale now.
Saturday & Sundays from August 26 – October 22 – The Maryland Renaissance Festival (Crownsville) Hear ye! Hear ye! Step into the 16th-century Revel Grove and leave your modern woes behind. RennFest has something for everyone. From turkey legs to toasting with mead to jousting and cheering on your own Kingdom, it's no wonder this immersive experience is one of Maryland's most extravagant events. Tickets go on sale on August 1 and will sell out.
September 9 – 18th Annual Boatyard Beach Bash (Eastport) Break out your best tropical wear and join Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band members at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park as you soak in the sounds of Key West right on the Chesapeake Bay. Selling out for the past ten years, this is an Annapolis tradition you do not want to miss. General admission tickets include an open bar and a delicious meal.
September 9 – Navy Football Kickoff (Annapolis) It's a showdown between Navy and Wagner College at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Midshipmen's 2023 football season kicks off with a 3:30 PM game, giving you plenty of time to set up your tailgate and celebrate a new season!
October 5-8 – Annapolis Powerboat Show (Downtown Annapolis) The City Docks of Annapolis will be buzzing with excitement as boat lovers from around the globe return to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the US Powerboat Show. Spend days exploring powerboats of all varieties and shopping for boat supplies, navigation equipment, and other marine accessories.
October 12-15 – Annapolis Sailboat Show (Downtown Annapolis) If sailing is your style, the US Sailboat Show is just three days after the Powerboat Show. From seasoned sailors to first-time boat buyers, this five-day event highlights new and premier boats. Check out educational opportunities for all skill levels, like the highly sought-after Cruisers University. Make plans today to maximize your time at the Boat Shows.
