A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of August. Event dates may be subject to change.
The Balloon Glow and Laser Show
The Balloon Glow and Laser Show at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, through August 4th. Freshtix.com; Get the whole family out for a great family fun time! See incredible Hot Air Balloons, check that bucket list and get a ride on an actual Hot Air Balloon!
79th Annual Rotary Club of Annapolis Crab Feast
The tradition of the summer is back for its 79th year. The Rotary Club of Annapolis’ Crab Feast will be held on August 2nd from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. This famous event is a major fundraiser for our local community, benefiting many nonprofits. The all-you-can eat feast will also have other food options, beer, water, soda, and a bake sale. Find more information and get your tickets at annapolisrotary.org.
Photo by Denise Hyde
Annapolis 10-Mile Run
Starting at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on August 25th, the Annapolis 10-Mile Run will be one of the best race experiences of Historic Annapolis and over the Severn River. The run, hosted by the Annapolis Striders, Inc., is conducted according to the road racing guidelines of the Road Runners Club of America and has been listed as one of the top ten 10-mile races in the country by Runner’s World Magazine. Register and find more information at annapolissriders.org.
CRAB Cup
The 18th Annual CRAB Cup will be held August 17th at the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating. The CRAB Cup is the second race in the local Triple Crown of Charity. Last year, 88 sailboats participated in a family-friendly competitive pursuit race. Stick around for the Shore Party that night with entertainment by the Caiso Steel Drum Band and Misspent Youth, food from Boatyard Bar & Grill, and more. Find more information at crabsailing.org.
Photo by John R. Lee
Carriages on West Street
As early travelers arrived in Annapolis by ship they were met by horse drawn carriages. Once their belongings were unloaded from their ship, they would proceed up Main Street to West Street and travel to Baltimore, D.C., or Philadelphia. Over the years, West Street has evolved, yet in many ways is still the gateway of Annapolis. To respect the travel history of Annapolis, the Corvette Annapolis club’s car show “Carriages on West Street” was born. The all-Corvette car show will take over Annapolis on August 11th. Find more about the car show at corvetteannapolis.com.
National Night Out Community Event
Celebrate National Night Out at Annapolis Library on August 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The night will have games, giveaways, and food all courtesy of community partners. Bring the whole family! Find more information at aacpl.net.
Photo by Cynthia LaRue
Maryland Renaissance Festival
It’s opening weekend of the 48th season of the Maryland Renaissance Festival on beginning August 24th. The festival runs Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day Monday) through October 20th. There will be nine weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment, and merriment in Crownsville, Maryland. The 27-acre Village of Revel Grove comes to life with more than 200 professional performers on ten stages, jousting arenas, and town streets. Find more information and a full schedule of entertainment at rennfest.com.
Photo by Edie Bernier
Maryland State Fair
The first weekend of the Maryland State Fair is here! August 22nd through 25th is the first weekend of the fair and all the activities that we have been missing since last year. Our state fair brings entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, from arts and home vendors to farm and garden displays, plus livestock and horse exhibits, rides, games, live entertainment, concerts, and live thoroughbred horseracing. The state fair is held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium August 22nd through 25th, August 29th through September 2nd, and September 5th through 8th. Find more information and buy tickets at marylandstatefair.com.
Photo courtesy Casey Cares
Casey Cares 15th Annual 5K
Runners and walkers of all levels and ages are invited to lace up their running shoes at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore on August 3rd to help raise money for Casey Cares Foundation. The 15th annual 5K/1-Mile run/walk at the zoo raises money for uplifting programs for critically ill children and their families. Race through the lions, tigers, and bears, oh my, and participate in award categories like most spirited, largest team, and more. Find more information, donate, and sign up for the race at caseycares.org.
Queen Anne’s County Fair
The Queen Anne’s County Fair is back at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park in Centreville on August 12th through 17th. The week will have livestock shows and sales, a pretty animal contest, cream of the crop, a cornhole tournament, rodeo night, and so much more on different days of the fair. Even enjoy an Eastern Shore Jousting Tournament on Friday night. There are more than enough events and activities to enjoy for everyone in the family, no matter your age! Find a full schedule of things going on at qacfair.com.
Photo by Charles Milsop
Pirates and Wenches Weekend
Come by land or sea to the Rock Hall Pirates and Wenches Weekend. Enjoy the town with a party everyone will enjoy. On August 9th through 11th, pirate performers, live entertainment, a pirate scavenger hunt, mermaids, and more will gather on Main Street and throughout town for a weekend you won’t forget. Bring the whole family out for some pirate entertainment. Find more information at rockhallpirates.com.
Photo by George Sass
Watermen’s Appreciation Day
On Sunday, August 11th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels will host Watermen’s Appreciation Day. At CBMM’s annual celebration of the men and women who make their living on the Chesapeake Bay and their heritage, guests are invited to enjoy a boat docking contest, steamed crabs by the dozen, live music, family activities, and more. The fundraising event is organized by CBMM in cooperation with the Talbot Watermen Association, with proceeds benefiting both organizations. Tickets are on sale now at cbmm.org.
Photo by Godfrey’s Farm
10th Anniversary Sudlersville Peach Festival
Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company is teaming up with Godfrey’s Farm for The Sudlersville Peach Festival on August 2nd and 3rd. The peach festival will have local bands providing live music, community nonprofit groups serving great homemade food (pit beef, peach cobbler), local vendors, and plenty of activities for the family. Be sure to show up Friday night for a firework presentation. Find more information at godfreysfarm.com.
Photo by Ben Major
Re!magined Runway
Chestertown RiverArts’ fabulous Re!magined Runway fashion extravaganza will be on August 3rd at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club. This year, the event will have a dinner service, music, dancing, laughter, and plenty of fashion. Get ready for a colorful evening raising funds for Chestertown RiverArts. Find more information at chestertownriverarts.com.
Photo by Rick Shearer
Charity Boat Auction
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s annual Charity Boat Auction is set for Saturday, August 31st, on its waterfront campus in St. Michaels. During this rain-or-shine event, a wide variety of donated vessels will be auctioned off to the highest bidders, with every sale directly supporting CBMM’s mission of preserving the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all. This is an absolute auction with no reserves or minimums—everything must go! Learn more at cbmm.org/CharityBoatAuction.
For our full calendar of events, click here.
