The 53rd Annual Waterfowl Festival offers three days of the best local wildlife, nature, art, heritage, food, and fun!
A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of November. Event dates may be subject to change.
Fish For a Cure Tournament
Fish For A Cure (F4AC) is a fishing and fundraising competition that benefits cancer patients and their families in our community. Over the last 17 years, F4AC has raised more than $5 million to support the Cancer Survivorship program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. The 18th Annual F4AC Tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party will take place at Safe Harbor Annapolis, the new tournament home, on November 9th. The shore party will have food and drinks, and most importantly, a dance floor, and will announce the winners of the day’s tournament. Find more information at fishforacure.org.
Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees
The 35th Annual Festival of Trees with Kennedy Krieger Institute is returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium on Thanksgiving Weekend, November 29th through December 1st. Hundreds of designer-decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses will be on sale and displayed, turning Cow Palace into a winter wonderland. Visit Santa, artisan vendors, and holiday entertainment! The three days of holiday cheer will benefit the patients, students, and programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Find more information at kennedykrieger.org.
Bay Bridge Run
Your only chance to run or walk across the majestic Chesapeake Bay Bridge this year is November 10th. The 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) race will take runners over the eastbound span of our Bay Bridge, which reaches 186 feet at the tallest point. This unique experience is only once a year, and allows you to travel from Anne Arundel County to Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County, and will finish with a huge post-race party. Find more information at bikesignup.com/race/md/annapolis/baybridgerun. Photo courtesy of Corrigan Sports.
Voices of Our Time: The Denyce Graves Foundation
On November 17th, Annapolis Opera will present a program of inspiring performances and interpretations featuring Shared Voices, an unprecedented collaboration between HBCUs and top schools of music in the United States founded by renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnership in creating meaningful opportunities in the arts. The performance will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis. Purchase tickets at annapolisopera.org.
CASAblanca Gala
Join Anne Arundel County CASA in celebrating 27 years of advocacy with the upcoming CASAblanca Gala at the Westin Annapolis Hotel on November 2nd. The night will be one to remember with dinner, drinks, dancing, and live and silent auctions. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) believes every child who has been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and within our community. Find more information and get tickets at aacasa.org.
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels gets in the festive spirit, hosting the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival on November 23rd. This fun-filled festival offers a terrific opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping while enjoying food, drinks, and live music on CBMM’s waterfront campus. Dozens of artisans and vendors from around the region and beyond will be on hand, selling coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more. Buy tickets and learn more at cbmm.org/SeaGlassFestival.
Paul Mecurio’s Permission to Speak Tour
After finishing a sold-out run off-Broadway, Paul Mecurio is bringing his Permission to Speak comedy tour to Maryland Hall in Annapolis on November 23rd, starting at 8 p.m. The live theater experience features hilarious and jaw-dropping stories from audience members alongside comedian, actor, and host Paul Mecurio who is a recurring performer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Get your tickets and find more information at ramsheadpresents.com.
Sultana Downrigging Festival Weekend
The largest annual gathering of Tall Ships in North America happens to be in Chestertown each year, so why not make the event even bigger by adding a top-notch Bluegrass festival to the weekend? November 1st through 3rd, The Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Weekend will take the streets of Chestertown with a weekend of music, sailing, ship tours, lectures, exhibits, and family activities. All of the events of the weekend will benefit the Foundation’s environmental literacy programs and the other educational nonprofits participating in the festival. Find more information and where to be this weekend at downrigging.org.
Waterfowl Festival
The 53rd Annual Waterfowl Festival offers three days of the best local wildlife, nature, art, heritage, food, and fun! This year, the festival will be in the streets of Easton from November 8th to 10th. This is a great way for locals and visitors to discover the town, through a tradition that has been going on for generations. Art collectors find exceptional wildlife art from renowned master artists, along with a variety of events and vendors with everything from fishing lures to all-terrain vehicles and boats. Those looking for entertainment can take in retriever demonstrations, Dock Dogs competitions, goose and duck calling contests, and street musicians. Holiday shoppers can find unique items for everyone on their list. And after an afternoon of fun and exploration, visitors can sample Eastern Shore cuisine, supplied by local nonprofit organizations raising important funds for their worthwhile causes. Find more information at waterfowlfestival.org.
Jazz in the Garden
Visit the William Paca House in Annapolis on November 3rd for a festive fall afternoon. Enjoy the musical stylings of Annapolis Jazz Collective while you stroll the garden. This family-friendly event will allow you to take in the autumn air as you sip, mingle, and listen to the jazzy, soulful sounds of the season. The Annapolis Jazz Collective plays tribute to this broad style of music by showcasing songs that have captivating harmonies, energetic rhythms, and creative improvisation. Find more information and get tickets at annapolis.org.
50th Annual Maryland Irish Festival
Celebrate Irish culture with great music, amazing performances, food, vendors, and more at the Maryland Irish Festival at Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium on November 8th through 10th. The festival is presented every November by Irish Charities of Maryland and features local, regional, and international Irish music, dancers, traditional cuisine, cultural exhibits, workshops, and vendors of Irish/Celtic goods. Find more information and get tickets at irishfestival.com.
Bull & Oyster Roast
Partners in Care’s annual Bull & Oyster Roast will raise money to help older adults live and thrive independently. The event will be on November 2nd from 6 to 10 p.m. at Bleues on the Water in Glen Burnie with music by A Classic Case. Partners in Care helps provide the support that is otherwise hard for older adults to find and navigate, in an easily accessed and welcoming way. Support the great cause and find more information at partnersincare.org.
Stars, Stripes and Chow Chili Cookoff
Want to put your taste buds to the test? Stars, Stripes and Chow Chili Cookoff will be on November 2nd from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This event is a chili cook-off fundraiser supporting homeless veterans who are overcoming obstacles to regain self-sufficiency through The Baltimore Station. Enjoy the best chili in Baltimore in addition to music and kids’ activities. Find more information and get tickets at baltimorestation.org.
Festival of Trees
The 2024 Christmas Festival of Trees will be held in The Gold Room of The Tidewater Inn from November 30th to December 3rd. The magical holiday setting will feature 50 beautifully decorated trees sponsored by individuals and businesses on display and for sale. This year, join the theme of “Holiday Traditions” with holiday entertainment, local artists, groups, and musicians with Friends of Hospice’s largest fundraiser, benefiting Talbot Hospice. Find more information at festival-of-trees.org. Photo by Jennifer Madino.
Eastern Shore Hospital’s Annual Fashion Show & Holiday Gift Bazaar
On November 14th, visit the Eastern Shore Hospital Center in Cambridge for the Annual Fashion Show & Holiday Gift Bazaar. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in English Hall, enjoy a seated lunch, 50/50 raffle, new, nearly-new, and designer clothing for men, women, and children at affordable prices. The gift bazaar will feature jewelry, scarves, ponchos, hats, purses, gloves, tops, and toys for everyone on your list! Find more information at visitdorchester.org or by calling 410-221-2357.
Celebration of Charity
On November 21st at 11:30 a.m., Chesapeake Charities will host its annual Celebration of Charity at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville. The celebration will honor exceptional volunteers, philanthropists, advocates, and nonprofits in the Chesapeake Bay region that have had a profound impact on the community. This year, the celebration will honor Maryland’s Watermen and Seafood Industry. The deserving awardees of the year are Jack Brooks (Advocate of the Year), Oyster Recovery Partnership (Nonprofit of the Year), Steve Phillips (Philanthropist of the Year), and Jeff Harrison (Volunteer of the Year). Find more information about the event at chesapeakecharities.org.
Horseshoe Heroes Award Banquet
The Annual Talisman Therapeutic Riding Horseshoe Heroes Awards Banquet will be honoring their amazing supporters by recognizing the Business of the Year, Neighbor of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. The banquet will take place on November 16th at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Kent Narrows and Marina in Grasonville. Share the love as awards are given to the most deserving members of the Talisman Team! Find more information at talismantherapeuticriding.org or call 443-239-9400.
Beef, Bonfires & Cigars
Haven Ministries’ Beef, Bonfires & Cigars will be at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville on November 9th from 5 to 9 p.m. This is one of the biggest fundraisers for Haven Ministries. Have Ministries is a coalition of churches and volunteers who offer hope to men, women, and children in Queen Anne’s County caught in the cycle of poverty. Find more information at haven-ministries.org.
Looking Ahead
A few events worth jotting down on your December calendar.
Nutcracker Tea – December 1st at Graduate Hotel in Annapolis; multiple seatings; whatsupmag.com
Festival of Trees – through December 3rd at Tidewater Inn in Easton; festival-of-trees.org
11th Annual Lights of Kindness – December 5th–8th at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville; rotarylightsofkindness.org
Chocolate Binge Festival – December 8th in Downtown Annapolis; annapolischocolatefestival.com
Christmas in St. Michaels – December 12th–15th in Downtown St. Michaels; christmasinstmichaels.org
Eastport Lights Parade – December 14th at Eastport Yacht Club in Eastport; eastportyc.org
Santa Swim – December 14th at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge; careandsharefund.com
