Things to Do, July 2022

We're not JULY-ing when we say that summer in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is jam-packed full of fun! Experience everything from concerts, festivals, historic tours, and other signature events. You are also cordially invited to join the City of Annapolis in celebrating the 4th of July, with everything from Dinner Under the Stars & Music at City Dock, to the Annual 4th of July parade and fireworks display. 

For a complete listing of July events, festivals, activities, and adventures, getaway seekers are invited to visit the VAAAC website and events calendar. For parking and navigating around Downtown Annapolis, especially during the July 4^th weekend, click here.

Independence Day Weekend Celebrations

July 1 - Musical Performance From Pet Rock (Glen Burnie) This band plays everything from Ricky Nelson and Elvis to the Beach Boys and Kenny Chesney, with hits from the ’60s through the ’90s.

July 2 – Loose Change- Party at the Boathouse in Deale (South County) Kick off the July 4^th weekend with live music from the acoustic duo, Loose Change, while sipping an Orange or Grapefruit Crush on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay!

July 2 - Dinner Under the Stars (Downtown Annapolis) Enjoy a charming dinner on the first block of West Street, under a canopy of white iridescent lights, set against the charming backdrop of historic Annapolis.

July 2 – 4 Historic Annapolis Independence Weekend (Downtown Annapolis) The William Paca House and Garden, Hogshead, and the Museum of Historic Annapolis will host a fun-filled weekend for the Fourth of July. Ranging from special family events like a Naturalization Ceremony to colonially clad living historians- join these historic sites for a lively Independence Day celebration!

July 2 - Independence Day Celebration (Edgewater) Start your Saturday afternoon with a fun-filled parade, tiki bar, fireworks show, and a live performance by the modern rock group, Drivetrain Band in the community of Edgewater.

July 3 - First Sunday Arts Festival (Downtown Annapolis) Take a walk around the first blocks of West and Calvert Streets and immerse yourself in over 100 vendors, live entertainment, art, culture & cafe' dining!

July 3 -  Annapolis Fireworks Cruise to Sherwood Forest (Downtown Annapolis) Step aboard a Watermark boat for the annual Annapolis Fireworks Cruise. On July 3rd, enjoy the Sherwood Forest/Severn River fireworks displays from the best seat in town.

July 3 - Laurel 4th of July Celebration (Laurel) This all-day event features a family-friendly parade, antique car show, live music, and a fireworks finale to celebrate the 4th of July.

July 4 – City of Annapolis 4th of July Parade (Downtown Annapolis) Enjoy a patriotic salute to our nation with marching bands, fire engines old and new, cars and vans, service clubs, civic groups, scouts, and more!

July 4 - USNA Blues & Gold Independence Day Concert (Annapolis Waterfront, City Dock) The United States Naval Academy Band will perform patriotic music followed by the Blues & Gold at the Annapolis City Dock on Sunday evening, July 4th at 8:00 p.m. The music will precede the traditional July 4th fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.

July 4 – City of Annapolis 4th of July Fireworks Display (Downtown Annapolis) Join the City of Annapolis in the annual Fourth of July fireworks launching from a barge in Annapolis Harbor! Take in the show from the shore or hop on one of the many boats available for cruises and watch the display from the Annapolis Harbor!                       

July 4 - 2022 Independence Day Celebration (Severna Park) Come join the city of Severna Park and Arnold’s Chamber of Commerce for the annual Independence Day Parade, where this year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Rich History”.

July 4 - Annual Independence Day Ride to Ft. McHenry (Severna Park, B&A Trail) Ride the B&A Trail from Severna Park through the urban trails and streets of Baltimore to historic Ft. McHenry and Fells Point in Baltimore City.

Signature Events

July 1-3 - Fl!p Circus (Arundel Mills) A new and exciting show with a modern, yet vintage feel where you can personally feel engaged with the artists in front of you, that is Fl!p Circus!

July 6 - H2G Youth Artist Showcase (Downtown Annapolis) Join Maryland Hall’s ArtReach team and Hood2Good (H2G) for a youth artist showcase!

July 9 - Culturefest (Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds) CultureFest features dynamic Live Performances by international Reggae, Soca, and Afrobeat artists! There will be a food court, craft village, and numerous bars offering drinks by expert mixologists.

July 9 –10 - Revolutionary London Town (Edgewater) Meet individuals from London Town's past and discover what they thought of the Revolution. Join in listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, try your hand at some colonial crafts, and play tavern games in the newly restored William Brown House. Great for families!

July 16 - Annapolis Irish Festival (Crownsville) 2022 marks the return of the Annapolis Irish Festival! Admission includes entrance and free parking to the event. This is a family-friendly event, with lots of great music, activities, and good food and drink!

July 20 - Arundel Grown Dinner for Maryland’s Buy Local Week (Greater Annapolis) An amazing farm-to-table dinner will take place against the backdrop of the beautiful Great Frogs Farm Winery, come attend the Annual Arundel Grown event to commemorate Maryland's Buy Local Week and support Agritourism in the county.

July 20 - Live Arts Maryland Season Preview (Downtown Annapolis) Enjoy a preview of Live Art’s Maryland's upcoming season at a Front Stairs Series concert. The series will open with Guys & Dolls. If you want to know what the latter half of the season holds...you'll need to join Live Arts under the stars on the Front Stairs to find out!

July 23 - Saturday Morning Tunes: Beatles For Kids Featuring Yellow Dubmarine (Downtown Annapolis) Maryland Hall and WTMD are partnering to present the reggae Beatles tribute band Yellow Dubmarine at Maryland Hall. Yellow Dubmarine plays reggae versions of all our favorite Beatles songs! This is an event filled with music that will be enjoyed by the entire family!

Recurring Seasonal Events

Dinner Under the Stars (Downtown Annapolis) The first block of West Street in the heart of downtown Annapolis is closed to traffic on Wednesday evenings in the summer and filled with tables reminiscent of the open-air cafes in France, Spain, and Italy. Treat yourself to an evening with family and friends under a canopy of white lights while enjoying live music and art demonstrations, against the backdrop of Historic Annapolis.

First Sunday Arts Festival (Downtown Annapolis) Held the first Sunday from May through November, thousands of visitors enjoy shopping along beautiful West Street in downtown historic Annapolis. Over 100 art/craft vendors, Cafe dining, and live entertainment to fill your afternoon.

Food Trucks (Earleigh Heights & Greater Annapolis) Discover new cuisine with a visit to an array of as many as 10 food trucks at Anne Arundel County Farmers Market in Greater Annapolis Friday nights!  And on the Farm in Earleigh Heights every Tuesday night, with a total of 24 trucks in the rotation! Great Food, More Variety!

Farmers Markets (Countywide: Seasonal) Support our local farmers by sourcing organic fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and poultry, local pies and jams, honey, and so much more with a trip to any of the local Farmers’ Markets!

Thomas Point Shoal Tours (Annapolis) Tours depart the Annapolis Maritime Museum either at 9:00 am or 12:00 pm, on a first-come basis. In just a 30-minute boat ride, you will get to experience the historical landmark that is still in its original location and is used for current navigation.

Tides and Tunes Summer Concert Series (Annapolis) The Tides & Tunes Summer Concert Series 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.

Day on the Bay to St. Michaels (Downtown Annapolis) Cruise across the Chesapeake Bay to St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore. The quaint historic village of St. Michaels offers fresh seafood, boutique shopping, and historic sites within walking distance during your approximate 3-hours of leisure time ashore, followed by the return cruise to Annapolis. Admission to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is included.

Historic Ghost Tour (Downtown Annapolis) Follow our spirited guide through the timeless narrow streets of this old and creaky town. You will visit sites that still to this day have unexplained phenomena. Join Watermark’s period-attired guides for four centuries of suspenseful and intriguing documented occurrences. You’ll be spooked by stories, not screams!

David’s Girls Night Out (Live! Casino) (Arundel Mills) Have a Girls Night Out at David’s in Live Casino, featuring $6 Wines & Sangria, $7 Cocktails & Snacks, $5 Bud Lights & Half Price Bottles of Wine. Grab your girls and reserve your table today!

City Dock Concert Series (Downtown Annapolis) It’s time for one of your favorite free events of the Summer! Starting on June 5th, please join in at Susan Campbell Park at the City Dock in downtown Annapolis every Sunday for a wonderful evening of music with a view of the Chesapeake Bay Sunday evenings from 6:00 pm to dusk through September.

Summer Concerts at Quiet Waters Park (Greater Annapolis) Join the Friends of Quiet Waters Park on Saturdays for a fantastic lineup of performing artists at the Annual Summer Outdoor Concert Series.

Fridays at The Captain's (Shady Side) Come down to The Captain’s each Friday this summer for a 12-night series of engaging activities--live music, art classes, local history, and more! Refreshments are available for purchase.

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Events Subject to Change. Contact event organizers for more information.