Navy Marine Corps Stadium field on game day at Military Bowl 2019

Annual Events & Festivals

What is Annapolis Known For?

We get that question a lot; thankfully we have curated some of our most popular events and festivals for you to discover here in the heart of Maryland.

Besides our historic charm and travel-friendly airport code, BWI (Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport), there is much to see and do in this beautiful seaside town. Annapolis & Anne Arundel County are ideally situated on the Chesapeake Bay, which makes it the ideal venue for concerts, parades, and festivals.

Our St. Patrick's Parade is one for the ages and draws in the best pipe and drum crews from across the northeast! Or maybe the arts are more your speed? Then the Annapolis Film Festival or Annapolis Arts Week, with its Plein Air painting exhibition, will knock your socks off. Then there is the Maryland Renaissance Festival which is truly a festival for the (dark) ages!

Adventure in Annapolis abounds year-round, so scroll down for some of the most popular events and festivals in the Mid-Atlantic and begin planning your stay in the Chesapeake Bay Region!

A black man playing a guitar sings into a microphone

Annapolis Songwriters Festival

Modeled after the hugely successful Key West Songwriters Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the world, the Annapolis Songwriters Festival serves to bring our love for music to the bay! Like Key West, Annapolis has its own...

Eastport Yacht Club lights Parade along the Annapolis City Dock

Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade

The magical Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade takes place along the Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek on the second Saturday in December. Marvel as the boats suddenly appear out of the cold winter night, illuminated with thousands of colored...

Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival

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Images of runners running in previous run

Naptown Half Marathon & 10K/5K

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an aerial view of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

The NCAA Division, III Football Committee, has chosen Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland as the host for the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in December 2022.

Giant US Flag in Stadium

Military Bowl

The Military Bowl, sponsored by Peraton, returns to Annapolis and the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium every December.

Bruschetta and a cocktail at the Chart House.

Annapolis Restaurant Week

Foodies of many different tastes are readying their palates for a week of deals and savory dishes.

A group of people wearing green walking in a St. Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Parade

If there's one thing Annapolis knows it's Irish Pubs and a good time, and the annual Annapolis St. Patrick's Parade is one of the highlights of the year!

Historic London Town

Maryland Day

Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area has partnered with regional heritage organizations and businesses to celebrate the founding of Maryland.

Annapolis Film Festival film preview

Annapolis Film Festival

Over 70 films from 28 countries around the world will be screened at various locations throughout downtown Annapolis.

Boats at Sailboat show in a harbor

Spring Sailboat Show

Visit the world's largest in-water boat show in America's Sailing Capital, Annapolis, Md.

The Pride of Baltimore Tall Ship docked in Annapolis

Annapolis Up Rigging

With such a rich maritime history, it is only fitting that we commemorate Annapolis' birth as a colonial port city with an epic festival dedicated to tall ships, boat tours, music, and merriment. Join us May 3-7, 2023 for this annual...

A group of men and women throw their hats in the air upon graduation from the Naval Academy.

Commissioning Week

Commissioning Week involves a full week of celebratory events and culminating with graduation of the United States Naval Academy.

A person holds a rainbow flag beneath a rainbow balloon arch.

Annapolis Pride

The Annapolis Pride Parade celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, engaging residents, businesses, and groups to unite in welcoming and embracing diversity in Annapolis.

Plein Air Painter David Diaz

Annapolis Arts Week

Annapolis Arts Week is an annual celebration of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s talented and diverse local arts community.

A BMX Park in a field surrounded by green trees

USA BMX East Coast Nationals

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