A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of April. Event dates may be subject to change.
ArtFest
A day of creativity is back at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. ArtFest, part of Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area Maryland Day Celebration activities, will be on April 2nd from 1 to 4 p.m. This free event is for all ages and showcases the arts at Maryland Hall with art and dance demonstrations, live entertainment, art sales, hands-on art activities, and much more. Find more information at marylandhall.org.
Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show
The Spring Sailboat Show that everyone has been waiting for is coming back to City Dock in Downtown Annapolis April 28th through 30th. The Spring kick-off event has become a tradition that sailing enthusiasts from the Mid-Atlantic look forward to. This in-water show will showcase the sailing industry’s latest boats, gear, and tech. Find more information at annapolisboatshows.com.
Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition
The 35th Annual Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition is the best way to hear the most talented rising stars in the classical vocal world. The competition will be held at Maryland Hall in Annapolis on April 16th, starting at 3 p.m. This event is free to the public and showcases singers selected by a panel of renowned judges from hundreds of outstanding applicants across the nation. Find more information at annapolisopera.org.
Annapolis Book Festival
Now in its 20th year, the Annapolis Book Festival brings nationally and internationally renowned authors for panel discussions and book signings. Interactive, multi-generational, and free of charge, the festival has something for book lovers of all ages. Combining compelling author panels with live entertainment, children’s activities, huge new and used book sales, and food trucks, the festival attracts more than 3,000 attendees each year. The festival takes place on Saturday, April 29th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the campus of Key School in Annapolis. Learn more at keyschool.org/annapolisbookfestival.
Fly Fishing Film Tour
The 17th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) presented by Costa, Yeti, and Simms is coming to the Chesapeake Bay area. At 5:30 p.m. on April 27th, the doors open to the Annapolis Maritime Museum in Annapolis for great food, local beer, and fly fishing films showcasing locations including Patagonia, Mexico, Australia, Alaska, Wyoming, the Deep South, Massachusetts, and more. The viewing party will begin at 7 p.m. and feature top-notch short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead. The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind. Get your tickets at flyfilmtour.com.
Songbird Festival: A Women’s Experience
Listen and watch live performances, storytelling, and enjoy our community coming together at the Songbird Festival on April 22nd. The festival will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Maryland Hall in Annapolis, and will support women’s issues. The mission is to connect all women by providing a platform for storytelling and artistic expression, and a safe space to find commonality and community. Get tickets and find more information at songbirdfestivalwe.com.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., continues through April 16th with plenty of events and the namesake, beautiful trees in bloom throughout the Tidal Basin. April 8th features Petalpalooza at the Capitol Riverfront at the Yards. This day-long, all-ages celebration brings art and music to multiple outdoor stages, plus interactive art installations. The night will end with the Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show, set to music at 8:30 p.m. On April 15th, the Official Parade will march along Constitution Avenue featuring grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers. Find more information on all of the events at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
ROAR for Kids 2023
Lions ROAR, elephants ROAR, tigers ROAR... and you, too, can ROAR for Kids with Kennedy Krieger! Join the organization on Saturday, April 29th at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s ROAR for Kids, a 5K race and low-mileage walk for individuals of all ages. The event is back at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville. All proceeds from the event will support research and programs to help kids at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Learn more and sign up at kennedykrieger.org.
Maryland Chicken Wing Festival
ABC Events is presenting the 9th Annual Maryland Chicken Wing Festival at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville on April 1st from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy wings from some of the best chicken wing establishments, including The Original Buffalo Wing from Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. This family-friendly event will be packed with activities, live music, and plenty of food and drink. Find more information and order tickets at abceventsinc.com.
Walk for the Woods
Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust for the signature community event celebrating the joy of the outdoors and our local, protected woods. On April 29th, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy a day of free, guided- and self-hiking at Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville. Experts in wildlife, native plants, birds, and more will be on site with educational displays. Trail maps and educational signage will be posted along the trails. Find more information and register at srlt.org.
Red Shoe Shuffle 5K
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland’s 12th Red Shoe Shuffle will be at the organization’s headquarters in Baltimore on April 16th. Participants to run for the kids. Ronald McDonald House seeks to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Find more information and register at rmhcmaryland.org.
Rock from the Heart Benefit Concert
The Inaugural Rock from the Heart Benefit Concert featuring Night Ranger will be on April 22nd at 5:30 p.m. at The Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore. The night will raise funds to support aortic disease awareness and education initiatives while spending the night rocking with one of America’s legendary hit makers. Find more information and order tickets at france-merrickpac.com.
Chestertown A&E Spring Art Walk
Chestertown Arts and Entertainment District is presenting the year’s first Art Walk on April 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Downtown Chestertown. Dozens of artists and artisans will be selling work at galleries, storefronts, restaurants, and around town venues. There will also be plenty of live music. The year’s next Art Walk events will be September 16th and December 16th so be sure to make it to this Spring’s event. Find more information at kentcounty.com or email hester@kentculture.org.
Tri-County Classic
The biggest cycling event on the Eastern Shore this month will be held April 29th. Chesapeake Cycling Club’s Tri-County Classic will start and end at Talbot County Community Center in Easton. Riders may choose a 100-, 65.7-, 39.2-, or 23-mile course through the towns of Ridgely, Easton, and Oxford. Sign up today at ridec3.org.
Bay Bridge Boat Show
One of the largest in-water shows north of Florida marks the beginning of the boating season on the Chesapeake Bay: The Bay Bridge Boat Show. The show will be April 14th through 16th in Stevensville. Attendees can enjoy the views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as they climb aboard a wide array of powerboats from fishing boats to pontoons and luxury cruisers. There will be food and beer stations and promised fun. Find more information at annapolisboatshows.com
Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival
The 12th Annual Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival is April 22nd and 23rd at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. The popular festival features artisans from around the country showcasing coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more. The festival will also have live music, access to all of the exhibitions and historic structures on the campus of CBMM and more. Find more information and a full list of artisans at seaglassfestival.com.
LandJam
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy will be hosting LandJam on April 29th from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is the organization’s annual family-friendly gathering to celebrate the land of our beautiful, bountiful Eastern Shore. LandJam will be held at the Wye Island National Resource Management Area where attendees will be treated to live music by Justin Singleton and the Shorebillies, as well as local Eastern Shore food, drink, and crafts. There will also be plenty of activities like guided trails, bird walks, and wildlife displays. Find more information at eslc.org.
