ANNAPOLIS, MD– February in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County brings a powerful lineup of events honoring Black History Month, from groundbreaking exhibitions and immersive heritage tours to hands‑on programs that highlight the people and stories that shaped the region. Paired with Annapolis Restaurant Week and FeBREWary celebrations, the month offers a vibrant mix of history, culture, and flavor across the county.
How Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County will BE REVOLUTIONARY in February…
Revolutionary Maryland – Freedom of the Press Then and Now: Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County will host this traveling exhibition at the Visitors Center from February 6–25 as part of the Maryland 250 commemoration. The exhibit explores the evolution of one of America’s foundational freedoms, tracing its origins in the Maryland Colony through its influence on contemporary society. Developed through a collaboration of civic organizations, the exhibition will tour the state throughout the anniversary year before moving to the Museum of Historic Annapolis for display from February 26–March 16.
Events Celebrating Black History Month…
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum debuts its powerful new exhibition, She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory, opening February 7 and running through January 2027. This visionary show brings together contemporary Maryland-based and internationally recognized Black women artists whose work examines 250 years of American history through a Black feminist lens, bearing witness to the past, illuminating its impact on the present, and imagining Afrofuturist futures. It’s a compelling centerpiece for Black History Month, offering visitors a chance to engage with bold, deeply personal, and politically resonant works that honor the voices and experiences of Black women across generations.
Black History Month at the Museum of Historic Annapolis: February 7
Celebrate Black History Month at the Museum of Historic Annapolis on February 7, where families can enjoy hands‑on activities and explore stories that honor the African American community’s enduring impact on the city. Visitors can join the museum’s Race and Rights Guided Tour at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., a 50‑minute experience that traces the powerful legacy of local civil rights leaders. From 12:00–2:00 p.m., guests can also meet a living historian portraying Marita Carroll, a Black civil rights activist who took part in the Annapolis lunch counter sit‑ins of the early 1960s, helping spark meaningful change across the city and beyond.
African American Heritage Tour by Watermark: February 21
Experience Annapolis’s rich African American history on Watermark’s African American Heritage Tour, offered on the third Saturday of each month. This two-hour guided walk traces the stories of influential Marylanders whose impact reached far beyond the city, beginning at Market House Park across from City Dock — the historic arrival point of slave ships 300 years ago. Guests will visit landmarks including the Kunta Kinte–Alex Haley Memorial and sites connected to Thurgood Marshall, gaining a deeper understanding of the people and places that shaped the nation. It’s a powerful, place-based journey through resilience, legacy, and community.
Experience Annapolis’s deep African American heritage with Our Legacy Tours, led by acclaimed local historian Janice Hayes‑Williams and her family, seventh‑generation descendants of enslaved Africans from the region. These immersive walking tours share the stories, resilience, and cultural contributions of African Americans who shaped Annapolis, blending historic insight with present‑day perspectives from guides recognized for their expertise and community stewardship. It’s a powerful, place‑based way to honor Black History Month and connect with the city’s living legacy.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County published its Civil Rights Guide in 2024, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. VAAAC spearheaded a multicultural advisory committee of local historians, artists, writers, and business and community leaders to gather a comprehensive list of the county's Civil Rights sites for the guide. As a result of the collaboration, the guide is a 24-page, full-color printed publication that includes maps, historical information, photographs about the Civil Rights movement, and inspirational stories of resilience and resistance for visitors to explore. The guide was applauded by Maryland Governor Wes Moore and received two honors: the “Heritage Tourism Product of the Year Award” from both the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area and the residents of Anne Arundel County.
Other notable events in February…
Annapolis Restaurant Week: February 21-March 1
Annapolis Restaurant Week returns February 21–March 1, inviting diners to explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene through prix‑fixe menus at more than 30 participating restaurants. From cozy cafés to waterfront favorites, guests can enjoy two‑course breakfasts and lunches or three‑course dinners at accessible set prices, making it the perfect time to revisit beloved spots or discover new openings across the city. With Annapolis continuing to grow as a food‑lover’s destination, this annual celebration offers something for every palate — and every budget — during one of the tastiest weeks of the year.
FeBREWary — Maryland's Craft Beer Month
FeBREWary, Maryland’s month‑long celebration of craft beer, invites visitors to sample seasonal pours and special releases across the state — and don’t miss the Anne Arundel County breweries listed below for standout local sips.
Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Events in February
Feb. 1: First Sunday Farmer's Market
Feb. 1: Naptown Flea Vintage & Vinyl Market
Feb. 1: Naptown Vinyl Record Show
Feb. 1-8: Hot Chocolate Festival
Feb. 7: Gentle Yoga with Breathwork and Meditation
Feb. 7: Scenic Rivers Winter Walk 2026
Feb. 7: Scandalous Annapolis by Watermark
Feb. 8: Junior League of Annapolis Galentine's Day Brunch
Feb. 8: Second Sunday Samples at Honey’s Harvest Farm
Feb. 10: Profs & Pints Annapolis: The Love Lecture
Feb. 11: New Volunteer Open House at William Paca House
Feb. 12: Sanborn Map Workshop at Historic Annapolis
Feb. 14: Weird, Wacky, & Unusual History of Annapolis Tour by Watermark
Feb. 15: Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special
Feb. 16: Presidents’ Day at the Museum of Historic Annapolis
Feb. 19: Yoga in the Vineyard at Dodon
Feb. 20: Sip & See Series at The Vineyards at Dodon
Feb. 20-22: USNA Winter Musical
Feb. 21: Lecture - Holding the Line: The British Army in North America, Winter 1775-1776
Feb. 22: A Celebration of Founding Father, George Washington
Feb. 22: Wedding Showcase at BWI Airport Marriott
Feb. 27: USNA Gospel Choir Winter Concert
All month: Ken Friedman: 92 Events
Thursdays: Yin and Peaceful Yoga in Downtown Annapolis
Saturdays: Kid's Activity Lab at Captain Avery Museum
Saturdays: Saturday Sunrise Yoga in Annapolis
Saturdays & Sundays: Best of Annapolis Tour: Colonial Annapolis, Maryland State House & U.S. Naval Academy by Watermark
Saturdays & Sundays: Colonial Annapolis & Maryland State House by Watermark
Sundays: Anne Arundel County Farmers Market
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. For more information, please visit www.VAAAC.org.
