There’s always something fun going on in Maryland and D.C., whether it’s a food festival, a holiday parade or a celebration of culture! Here are some of the best family-friendly festivals throughout the year, so your family will always have something to look forward to.
Arts & Culture
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival — St. Michaels | cbmm.org
This unique festival in April centers on art that uses sea glass, including jewelry and home décor. More than 100 artisans regularly table at this event, which also features live music and a Pirate and Mermaid Costume Contest.
Artscape — Baltimore | artscape.org
The largest arts festival on the East Coast, Artscape is a hub for artists across different mediums to show off their creations and do live demonstrations. Typically held over the summer, the festival last year moved to late May.
More to Explore
- Patrick’s Day Parade (March – Baltimore, MD)
- AFRAM (June – Baltimore, MD)
- Columbia Festival of the Arts (June – Columbia, MD)
- Maryland Italian Festival (September – Aberdeen, MD)
- Maryland Irish Festival (November – Timonium, MD)
Fun & Unique
Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race — Baltimore | kineticbaltimore.com
Sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum, this annual race in May sees artists taking to the streets with unique mobile sculptures to see who can reach the end of the 15-mile racecourse first.
National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race — Frederick | highwheelrace.com
This unique Frederick tradition features hundreds of bikers riding through the town on high wheel bikes, often wearing silly costumes. This event, the only one of its kind in the U.S., is held in July.
Maryland Renaissance Festival — Crownsville | rennfest.com
This fantastical Renaissance fair features live performers, artisans selling unique goods and plenty of medieval fun. Renn Fest takes place on weekends in August, September and October and often sells out quickly.
More to Explore
- Maryland Sheep and Wood Festival (January – West Friendship, MD)
- Maple Syrup Festival (March – Thurmont, MD)
- PEEPshow (April – Westminster, MD)
- Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race (May – Baltimore, MD)
- Brunswick Railroad Days (October – Brunswick, MD)
- Baltimore Faerie Faire (November – Towson, MD)
- Annapolis Chocolate Binge Festival (December – Annapolis, MD)
State and County Fairs
Maryland State Fair — Timonium | marylandstatefair.com
While it started out as an agricultural fair, the Maryland State Fair, often held late August to early September, is now known as a hub of delicious fair food and fun rides. It hasn’t abandoned its agrarian roots, either — there’s still plenty of educational exhibits and fun, farm-themed events like the pig race.
The Great Frederick Fair — Frederick | thegreatfrederickfair.com
The Great Frederick Fair has been a local tradition in September for more than 200 years and has expanded immensely since its humble origins. The fair has a different theme every year and features a carnival, live concerts and even motorsports shows.
More to Explore
- Talbot County Fair (July)
- Carroll County 4-H Fair (July to August)
- Howard County Fair (August)
- Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (August)
- Anne Arundel County Fair (September)
- Calvert County Fair (September)
Seasonal
National Cherry Blossom Festival — Washington, D.C. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Traveling to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms is a popular tradition for many families, and cherry blossom season is full of fun arts and culture events! The festival takes place during cherry blossom season, starting in March and ending in April.
Chestertown Tea Party — Chestertown | chestertownteaparty.org
Held on Memorial Day Weekend, this event commemorates the Chestertown Tea Party, a protest held in response to the Boston Tea Party. Among the festival’s many activities is its main event, a reenactment of the protest where participants can throw tea into the Chester River.
More to Explore
- Annapolis Memorial Day Parade (May – Annapolis)
- Flower Mart (May – Baltimore)
- Towsontown Spring Festival (May – Towson)
- National Independence Day Parade (July – D.C.)
- Catonsville Fall Festival (September – Catonsville)
- Annapolis Pride Parade (October – Annapolis)
