A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of July. Event dates may be subject to change. Also, be sure to check out our 2025 Philanthropic Event Calendar here.
Chesapeake Bay Paddle
July 26th will be an epic day of paddle races and a post paddle festival to celebrate and help protect the Chesapeake Bay. This stand-up paddle, kayak, or canoe race has a 35-, 10- or 3- mile course around Kent Island. The race will raise money to be donated to The Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Conservancy, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, and Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club. Find more information and sign up at baypaddle.org.
Illuminate Annapolis
On July 19th, Gather at Anne Arundel Community College’s campus for Illuminate Annapolis. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate your mind, body, and spirit with a local arts and wellness festival. The day will feature energy work, body work, intuitive readers, crystals, essential oils, jewelry, gifts, and more. Find more information at illuminatefestivals.com.
Speak Your Truth
The 9th Annual Speak Your Truth will be held at ArtFarm Studio in Annapolis on July 12th. This event has a mission to stop the stigma of mental illness through a day of artistic expression. Speakers at the event will perform songs, poetry, comedy, and, even, dance. If you are not ready to speak, don’t worry. Listeners are just as important. Listeners help everyone feel connected, get educated, and be inspired to take action. Find more information at speakyourtruthcrew.org.
Photo courtesy of Lake Arbor Jazz Festival
Lake Arbor Jazz Festival at National Harbor
The 15th Annual Lake Arbor Jazz Festival will be July 16 through 20 at a new location this year! Visit the National Harbor to enjoy music, energy, and our community. The weekend will include a Friday Summer White Affair, Saturday evening concert, Sunday Jazz brunch, a Sunday evening finale, outdoor festival and so much more. There will be music by Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Veasley, Larry Braggs, Jeanette Harris, and so many more. Get a full list of events and performers at lakearborjazz.com.
Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Show
The Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association is hosting the 52nd Annual Steam and Gas Show on July 10th through 13th at their campus in Easton. The nonprofit, all volunteer organization, helps preserve the historic Eastern Shore’s rural heritage. The weekend will be filled with steam engines, live steam train models, antique gas engines and tractors, home arts demonstrations, live music, blacksmiths, a tractor pull, and so much more. Find more information at tuckahoesteam.org.
Talbot County Fair
July 10 through 12, get together at the Talbot County Fair! The fair will take place at the Talbot Agriculture and Education Center in Easton and will have plenty to do for the whole family. Enjoy a 4-H fashion show, pork barbecue dinner, hog show, games, dairy show and so much more. Find a full schedule of events and entertainment at talbotcountyfair.org.
Photo by Ted Mueller
Plein Air Easton
The largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States will be held in Easton starting with a kick-off block party on July 11th. Fifty-eight artists then will spend time throughout the week painting all over Talbot County, culminating with the prestigious Collectors’ Preview Party on 7/18. Be sure to view exhibits of their work at Plein Air Easton Headquarters and the Academy Art Museum. Find more information at pleinaireaston.com.
Big Band Night
To celebrate Independence Day, the Chesapeake Maritime Museum is hosting their Big Band Night on July 5th at their campus in St. Michaels from 7 to 10 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and picnic blanket for an evening of music, dancing, and fireworks along the Miles River. Get tickets and find more information at cbmm.org.
Kent County 4-H Fair
The annual Kent County 4-H Fair will be held at the Kent AG Center in Chestertown on July 16 through 19. The fair is a perfect family weekend with great food, 4-H and community exhibits, animals, tractors, games, and plenty of entertainment for all ages. Find a full list of vendors and things to do at kentcountyfair.org.
Regional Summer Concert Series
Tunesday Series – A floating concert series Tuesday evenings on Back Creek, Annapolis, 6 p.m. through August 26; chronicsailing.com/tunesday
Summer Sunset Concert Series – Sundays at Allen Pond Park, Bowie, 6 p.m. through Labor Day Weekend; cityofbowie.org/concerts
Summer Concert Series – 4th Friday at Annapolis Town Center, Annapolis, 5 p.m.; June through August; annapolistowncenter.com
Waugh Wednesdays – Wednesdays at Waugh Chapel, Gambrills, 6:30 p.m. through August 13th; visitwaughchapel.com
Thursdays in the Park – Thursdays at Queen Anne’s County Arts Council, 7 p.m. through September 4th; queenannescountyarts.com
Tides and Tunes – Thursdays at Annapolis Maritime Museum, 7 p.m. through August 21st; amaritime.org
Quiet Waters Summer Concert Series – Saturdays at Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, mid-July through end of August; fqwp.org
Bayside Summer Concert Series – Sundays at Downs Park, Pasadena, June 8th through August 17th; aacounty.org
Live on the Lawn – July 13th, July 19th, August 9th, and August 17th at Maryland Hall in Annapolis
Avalon Outdoor Concert Series – Saturday nights June 14th through August 30th on Harrison Street between Dover and Goldsborough Streets, Easton; avalonfoundation.org
Fourth of July Fireworks and Parades
Sherwood Forest/Severn River Fireworks – July 3rd, about 9:15 p.m. (dark), fireworks viewable by water on the Severn River at the Sherwood Forest community and Round Bay area
July 4th in Annapolis – Parade at the City Docks, 6:30 p.m., Fireworks at the City Docks, 9:15 p.m.
Stars and Stripes Forever Independence Day Parade – Parade in Severna Park, July 4th 10 a.m. to noon
Queen Anne’s County Fireworks & Family Fun Celebration – Live music, kids zone, fireworks at Chesapeake Heritage & Visitors Center, 6 p.m. July 4th
Rock Hall Fireworks – parades and celebratory fireworks over Rock Hall Harbor, July 3rd
St. Michaels Big Band Night & Fireworks – Music, dancing and fireworks along the Miles River, July 5th at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Easton’s July 4th Carnival – Fireworks, food, games and fun for the whole family! Through July 4th at 28539 Marlboro Ave, Easton (Lot behind Target)
Cambridge July 4th Fireworks – fireworks begin at dusk/dark, about 9 p.m. over the Choptank River at Gerry Boyle Park
Six Flags America July 4th Fest – July 4 through 6, nightly fireworks at Six Flags in Upper Marlboro
Baltimore 4th of July Celebrations – Live music and performances, fireworks at Waterfront Promenade, 4 to 10 p.m.
A Capitol Fourth – Washington, D.C.’s July 4th celebration features musical artists and the nation’s greatest display of fireworks, 8 p.m.
