Photo credit: Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
VISIT ANNAPOLIS & ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CELEBRATES FOURTH OF JULY AND AMERICA250
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will kick off July with star-spangled energy as America250 takes center stage, making this year’s Fourth of July celebrations more meaningful than ever. From Independence Day parades and fireworks to historic tributes, cultural performances, and family-friendly festivities, the region becomes a living showcase of the nation’s Revolutionary heritage. And the celebration doesn’t stop on July 4—America250 events continue throughout the month with reenactments, concerts, talks, tours, and hands-on experiences that invite visitors to explore the county’s rich history all summer long.
Fourth of July in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Fourth of July celebrations across Anne Arundel County take on added significance this year as Annapolis and the greater Anne Arundel County region become a showcase for America250, a nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The holiday’s traditions, from the Independence Parade through downtown to the fireworks over Spa Creek, will be elevated with special programming that highlights the city’s deep Revolutionary-era roots. Visitors can expect enhanced historical tributes, patriotic performances, and community gatherings that honor Annapolis’ role in America’s story while celebrating the spirit of independence. With the Chesapeake waterfront as its backdrop, this year’s festivities promise a uniquely meaningful blend of reflection, pride, and star-spangled spectacle, making Annapolis and Anne Arundel County one of the most memorable places to mark America250 on the Fourth of July. Events include:
June 24
6:30 p.m. - Poets Afloat at the Annapolis City Dock waterfront
June 25
5:30 p.m. - Tavern Talks: Evacuation on the HMS Fowey and the Dream of Freedom at Historic London Town & Gardens
June 26-27
6:00 p.m. - Dreams of My Soul Show at St. John’s College
July 2
4:00 p.m. -- July 4th Red, White & Blue Celebration, Fireworks 2026: Fort Meade
6:00 p.m. – Music of the American Revolution: The 250th Anniversary at Historic London Town & Gardens
July 3
9:00 a.m. – Historic Annapolis Naturalization Ceremony at William Paca House and Gardens
11:00 a.m. – Historic Annapolis Presents – What’s Brewing: Mrs. Howard’s Coffeehouse at Hogshead Trades Museum
7:30 p.m. - ASO Brass Quintet Celebrates America250 at St. John’s Campus
8:00 p.m. - Annapolis Fireworks Cruise on Severn River with Watermark
8:45 p.m. - Movies Under the Liberty Tree: Hamilton at St. John’s Campus
9:00 p.m. - Annual 4th of July Fireworks at Sawmill Creek Park
July 4
9:30 a.m. – West Annapolis Bike Parade
10:00 a.m. – Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers at Maryland Hall
10:00 a.m. - Severna Park Independence Day Parade
10:00 a.m. - Cape St. Claire 4th of July Parade
10:30 a.m. – Eastport Bike Parade
10:30 a.m. - Self-Evident Truths: A July 4 Seminar on the Declaration of Independence
11:00 a.m. – Children’s Storytelling with Dovie Thomason at Chesapeake Children’s Museum
11:30 a.m. - America's 250th July 4th Celebration! At Founders Tavern & Grille
11:45 a.m. – A conversation with General George Washington & the Marquis de Lafayette (reenactors), hosted by Jamie Costello in Eastport
12:00 p.m. – Food Festival & Local Vendors at People’s Park
12:00 p.m. – Join Historic Annapolis for a Fourth of July Festival
12:00 p.m. - Maryland State House 250th Celebration
12:00 p.m. - Liberty Celebration at the Inns
1:00 p.m. – Concert of Revolutionary Music by David and Ginger Hildebrand in Old Senate Chamber
1:00 p.m. – One Country, Many Cultures: Live Music at People’s Park
1:00 p.m. – Galesville Heritage July Fourth Parade at Galesville Heritage Museum
3:00 p.m. - Concert of Revolutionary Music by David and Ginger Hildebrand in Old Senate Chamber
3:00 p.m. – One Country, Many Cultures: Storytelling & Oral Histories at People’s Park
6:30 p.m. – City of Annapolis Downtown Parade
6:30 p.m. - Fireworks Cruise with Schooner Woodwind
6:30 p.m. - Capital SUP 4th of July Cookout & Fireworks Show
7:30 p.m. – Wilma Lee Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise
7:45 p.m. – USNA Electric Brigade Concert at the Maryland State House grounds
8:00 p.m. - July 4th Annapolis Fireworks Cruise with Watermark
9:15 p.m. – Fireworks over Spa Creek
Additional America250 celebrations in July:
July 5: Colonial Afternoon Tea at the Maryland Inn
July 8: U.S.-wide reading of the Declaration of Independence
July 8: Film Screenings: The American Revolution by Ken Burns; Spirit of Service and Voices & Visions
July 10: USA 250th Birthday Celebration! at Anne Arundel County Public Library
July 11: Continuing the Celebration of Our Nation's 250th Birthday! At Benson-Hammond House
July 11: Tailoring the Revolution with Historic Annapolis at Hogshead Trades Museum
July 11: Films Screenings: The American Revolution by Ken Burns; Continental
July 11: Revolutionary London Town: Living History Weekend
July 12: Revolutionary London Town: Living History Weekend
July 14: Virtual Lecture – A House Divided: The Tilghman Family and the American Revolution
July 16: Colonial Cocktails: American Made at Historic London Town & Gardens
July 18: Historic Annapolis Presents- Camp Followers of the Revolutionary War at Hogshead Trades Museum
July 18: American History Trivia at Anne Arundel County Public Library
July 25: What’s The Tea: Alternate Tea Sources and the American Revolution at Historic London Town & Gardens
July 25: Hamilton Sing-along! at Anne Arundel County Public Library
Daily: Be Revolutionary: America 250 Exploration Trail
Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Events in July
July 1-6: America's 250th 4th of July Weekend Private Charters by Chesapeake Classic Yacht Charters
July 2: Find Your Balance: A Vin/Yin Yoga Session at Historic London Town & Gardens
July 2: Yappy Hour with Capital SUP
July 4: Sunrise Paddle with Capital SUP
July 4: Scandalous Annapolis by Watermark
July 5: First Sunday Farmers Market at Honey’s Harvest Farm
July 11: Speak Your Truth! 10th anniversary celebration
July 11: SUP Yoga with Allie with Capital SUP
July 11: Weird, Wacky, & Unusual History of Annapolis Tour by Watermark
July 11: Write by the Bay: Summer at its Best at Captain Avery Museum
July 11: River Days at Quiet Waters Park
July 12: Bounce & Paddle with Becky with Capital SUP
July 12: Monthly Open House at the Free School Museum
July 14: Bay Lighthouses Cruise by Watermark
July 16: Yappy Hour with Capital SUP
July 16: Chesapeake Bay Trio: River-Lighthouse-Bridge by Watermark
July 17: Wilma Lee Rum Runners Cruise
July 17: Annapolis Sunset Cruise with Live music with Fess Up by Watermark
July 18: Sunrise Paddle with Capital SUP
July 18: Out of the Weeds: Garden Maintenance 101 at Historic London Town & Gardens
July 18: African American Heritage Tour by Watermark
July 18: Candlelight: 90s Unplugged at Maryland Hall
July 19: Jazz Brunch at Captain’s Daughter
July 19: Anchors + Artisans at the Green at Annapolis Town Center
July 19: Third Sunday Farmers Market at Honey’s Harvest Farm
July 24: Annapolis Sunset Cruise with Live music with Sister Midnight by Watermark
July 25: National Thread and Needle Day at Benson-Hammond House
July 25: SUP Yoga with Tracy with Capital SUP
July 28: Full Moon Paddle with Capital SUP
July 31: Annapolis Sunset Cruise with Live music with Top Dead Center by Watermark
Mondays: Monday History Sunset Sails by Schooner Woodwind
Mondays: Coffee, Crafts, & Cruisers
Monday-Friday: Annapolis Explorers Summer Camp by Watermark
Tuesdays: Chronic Sailing Tunesday Floating Concerts on Back Creek
Wednesdays: Wednesday Night Sailboat Races by Schooner Woodwind
Wednesdays: Wednesday Night Races Sunset Cruise by Chesapeake Classic Yacht Charters
Wednesdays: Wednesday Night Races Watch Party on Wilma Lee
Wednesdays: Dinner Under the Stars
Wednesdays: Carload Crazies Skate
Thursdays: Tides & Tunes at Annapolis Maritime Museum
Thursdays: Thursday Night LIVE! Annapolis Town Center Summer Concerts
Thursdays-Sundays: Wilma Lee Heritage Cruises
Thursdays-Saturdays: Wilma Lee Sunset Cruises
Thursdays-Mondays: Best of Annapolis Tour: Colonial Annapolis State House & U.S. Naval Academy
Thursdays-Mondays: Colonial Annapolis & Maryland State House
Fridays: Friday Night Slice
Fridays: Spirits & Spirits by Watermark
Saturdays: Annapolis Sunset Cruise by Watermark
Saturdays: Kid's Activity Lab at Captain Avery Museum
Saturdays-Sundays: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Cruise by Watermark
Saturdays-Sundays: Scenic Severn River Cruise by Watermark
Saturdays-Sundays: Thomas Point Lighthouse Cruise by Watermark
Daily: Annapolis Harbor & USNA Cruise by Watermark
Daily: America's 250 Harbor Cruise by Darling Charters
Daily: Annapolis Darling Sunset Cruise by Darling Charters
Daily: Chesapeake Sunrise Photographic Experience by Darling Charters
Daily: Private Daytime Charter by Chesapeake Classic Yacht Charters
Daily: Private Sunset Charters by Chesapeake Classic Yacht Charters
Daily: Annapolis Scavenger Hunt: Red Bricks & Blue Views
Daily: Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt
About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County: Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is a nonprofit, partnership-focused destination marketing and management organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming destination and promoting tourism for visitors, partners, and the community. The tourism and hospitality industry in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County significantly impacts Maryland's economy. In 2024, visitor spending injected $4.3 billion into the state economy, attracting more than 7.2 million visitors, and sustaining more than 27,000 jobs (both directly and indirectly), according to the 2024 Economic Impact of Tourism in Maryland Report. That daily impact — an average of $11.9 million in visitor spending — strengthens small businesses, supports the hospitality workforce, and enhances quality of life for residents across the region. For more information, please visit www.VAAAC.org.
