This is an annual calendar of events taking place on and around the Chesapeake Bay that are water related or related to the Bay's cultural, ecological, or maritime culture. The calendar includes a wide variety of events including festivals, boat races, boat shows, fishing tournaments, exhibitions, seminars and workshops. Chesapeake Bay EventsApril
April 5. Project Clean Stream. Annual stream and shoreline clean-up in central and eastern Maryland. Sponsored by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Gloves and trash bags provided. More Information. April 11 - 13. Spring In-Water Boat Show. In water boat show at the Tides Inn on Carter Creek, in Irvington, VA. Boats from more than 15 dealers. Friday 2:30 to dark, Sat. and Sun 10:00am to dark. More Information. April 12. Bull and Oyster Roast. Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy's annual all-you-can-eat event to benefit the skipjack Martha Lewis. Food includes oysters, clams, gumbo, beef, smoked turkey, ham, and deserts. There will also be live and silent auctions, music, and raffles. Event is held under a heated tent. Advance ticket purchase is required. Hutchins Park, Havre de Grace, MD. More Information. April 12. Blackwater Cleanup Day. In honor of Earth Day, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge volunteers will clean up litter in the refuge. 9:00am to 3:00pm. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, MD. More Information. April 19. Privateer Day and Pyrate Invasion. A pirate themed celebration at Fell's Point will include tall ships, pirate re-enactors, live music, strolling entertainers, games, storytelling, costume contests for kids and adults, food, pirate gear and nautical arts and crafts. A Pyrate Invasion at many bars and restaurants will begin at 6:00pm. 11:00am to 6:00pm. Fells Point, Baltimore, MD. More Information. April 19. Earth Day Celebration at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. learn about native plants, the art of "BayScaping," and the unique environment of the upper bay and the Susquehanna river region. 11:00 to 5:00pm. Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, Havre de Grace, MD. More Information. April 19. Boatyard Bar & Grill Spring Fishing Tournament. Annual catch and release tournament to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Annapolis Police Department's fishing camp. An outline of the winning fish will be painted on the rafters at the Boatyard, which will host the after tournament party. Annapolis, MD. More Information. April 19. Bay Day. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum host this annual Bay themed version of Earth Day. There will be demonstrations, food, lectures, and more. 10:00 to 5:00pm. St. Michaels, MD. More Information. April 19 - 20. Portsmouth Power in the Park. The Virginia Boat Racing Association will hold its annual State Championship races in the waters off Portsmouth City Park. Noon to 6:00pm. Portsmouth City Park, Portsmouth, VA. More Information. April 24 - 27. St. Michaels Food & Wine Festival. The Annual St. Michaels Food & Wine Festival will be held at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, providing a beautiful backdrop to a host of exquisite foods, wines, and a taste of the Chesapeake Bay. More information. April 24 - 27 - Bay Bridge Boat Show. Bay Bridge Marina, Stevensville, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, 10-a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm Sunday. Kent Island/Stevensville, MD. April 26 -- Annual Oxford Day. Parade, foot race, music, and lots of other events. Held each year on the fourth Saturday of April. More Information. Oxford, MD. April 26. Nanticoke River Shad Festival. Dorchester County celebrates the return of the American Shad to the Nanticoke River. Taste traditional planked shad and enjoy music, local food, arts, crafts, and exhibits. 10am to 4pm. Vienna, MD. More Information.
April 26. Shrimp Boil. Sponsored by the Cape Charles Historical Society. Features food, silent auction, and live music. Transportation from Bay Creek Marina available. Call for ticket information 757-331-1008. Cape Charles, VA. April 26 -27. Crabtown Seafest and Hampton In-Water Boat Show. Annual Hampton In-Water Boat Show, live music, lots of seafood, nautical arts and crafts vendors, children's area, and more. Sat. 10am to 6pm, Sun. Noon to 6pm. More Information. Hampton, VA.
MayMay 2 - 4. Richardson Maritime Museum Creekside Boat Show. Boat show, maritime arts and crafts, and outdoor and environmental organization displays. Friday, Noon to 8:00pm, Sat. 10:00am to 7:00pm, Sun. 10:00am to 4:00pm. Held at the Ruark Boatworks, corner of Maryland Ave and Hayward Street. Cambridge, MD. More Information. May 2 - 4 -- Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival. City Dock. Celebrate the Bay at this interactive family event. Includes a display of in-water historic and modern boats, children's activities Blessing of the Fleet, entertainment, live music and more! More Information. Annapolis, MD. May 2 - 4. Annual Decoy and Wildlife Art Festival. Havre de Grace Middle & High Schools and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Premier carvers & wildlife artists, live and silent auctions, carving competitions, retriever demonstrations and special Mother's Day raffles offered each day. Free shuttle buses. Fri. 6-9:00pm; Sat. 9am - 5pm; Sun. 10am - 4pm. More Information. Havre de Grace, MD. May 2 - 4 -- MSSA Spring Rockfish Tournament. State wide tournament in Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. Seven different skill level categories, plus catch and release and kid's divisions. Lots of cash prizes. Weigh in stations located around the Bay. More Information. May 2 - 4 -- Rod 'N Reel Pro-Am Tournament. Annual fishing tournament features over $30,000 in prizes. Rod 'N Reel Marina, Chesapeake Beach, MD. More Information. May 3. Day Cruise on the Liberty Ship John W. Brown. Voyage into history on the John W. Brown. Featuring music of the 40's by a live big band. Re-enactors demonstrate equipments and vehicles. Air show with flybys of WWII aircraft, continental breakfast and all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. Tour the ship including engine room, museums, cargo holds, crew's quarters, and bridge. Cruise profits maintain this Liberty Ship Memorial. Departs from Baltimore, MD. More Information. May 9 - 11 -- Hospice Regattas National Championship. 19 skippers and their crews will represent the hospice regatta winners of 2007, sailing for national honors and publicizing hospice care. Racing will be held on the Chesapeake Bay, off Annapolis. More Information. Annapolis, MD. May 10 - Solomons Maritime Festival. The Calvert Marine Museum's campus will come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of Southern Maryland traditions. Taste traditional foods, learn how to pick crabs and shuck oysters like the pros, enjoy local gospel and old time music, hear world class water fowl calling, see Chesapeake Bay retriever trials in action, watch model boats skim the waters of the boat basin, talk with traditional crafts people as they demonstrate their skills. For the kids, there will be traditional games, races, ice cream making, toy boat building and more. Solomons, MD. May 10 -- Baltimore County Waterfront Festival. Annual festival featuring marine and environmental exhibits, a docking contest, arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, food and fireworks. A water taxi will ferry visitors from their boats to the festival. 10:00am to 6:00pm. Wilson Point Park, Middle River, MD.
May 10 - 11 -- Piney Point Lighthouse Waterfront Festival. Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park. Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday Noon to 4:00pm. Maritime exhibits, demonstrations, children's activates, food and lighthouse tours. St. Mary's County, MD. May 10 -- Art on the Half Shell. The Middlesex Art Guild presents this annual art festival featuring over 80 artists’ displays, performing arts, a children’s art center, food, and entertainment. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Event information. Urbanna, VA. May 10 -- Nautical Flea Market and Auction. Annual fundraiser for youth programs. Anyone is welcome to set up a table and sell used marine products (for a small vendor fee). An estimated 50 boats will be auctioned off as well. Flea market opens at 8 a.m.; auction begins at 10 a.m. 804-462-7018. Yankee Point Marina, Lancaster, VA. More Information. May 10 -- Back Creek Folk Festival. Party to benefit Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB). Featuring Them Eastport Oyster Boys and other live entertainment. Also live and silent auctions, door prizes, local art displays and more. Port Annapolis Marina, Annapolis, MD. More Information. May 10 -- Leukemia Cup Kayak Tour. A paddle tour to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Bring your kayak to the Deltaville Maritime Museum, Deltaville VA. Call for times 804-288-6323. May 10 -- Leukemia Cup Junior Regatta Challenge. Youth sailors from Virginia high school programs will compete in round the buoys action for charity. 8:30am to 1:30pm. Christchurch School, Christchurch, VA. May 10- Piney Point Lighthouse Waterfront Festival. Visit historic Piney Point Lighthouse for tours, maritime exhibits, children's activities, demonstrations and live music. Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. May 10 -- Virginia Wine Festival. Wine tastings, gourmet food, live entertainment, and new releases from Virginia wineries at Town Point Park on the Norfolk waterfront. More Information. Norfolk, VA. May 16 -- The Constellation Blast. Annual fundraising event for the U.S.S. Constellation includes a catered dinner, dockside party, special tours, cannon firings, and live and silent auctions. Call for tickets. 410-539-1797. More Information. May 17 -- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Open House. Visit the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) during its annual open house, featuring facility tours, hay rides, boat rides, laboratory tours, a scavenger hunt, children's activities, a kayak race and live entertainment. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. More Information. May 17 -- VIMS Marina Science Day. This annual event at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is a fun and educational day for families. Visitors can examine high-tech science equipment, tour a laboratory, collect and observe aquatic animals in the York River and discover the importance of wetlands in VIMS' teaching marsh. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester, VA. More Information. May 17 - 18 -- Maritime Model Boat Expo. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the North American Steamboat Modelers Association are hosting this event which features radio-controlled models operating under their own steam power, electrically powered models and sailing models, including skipjacks. Models will also be on display and for sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD. More Information. May 17 - 18 & 31 -- Thomas Point Lighthouse Tours. See the restoration work that has been accomplished on the Thomas Point Lighthouse since it was acquired by the City of Annapolis. Reservations are required for these one hour tours. Tours are scheduled for 9:00am, Noon, and 3:00pm. Departs from the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Tickets are available at www.chesapeakelights.com. May 18 -- Bay Hundred Ladies Rockfish Tournament. The Bay Hundred Chapter of Ducks Unlimited sponsors this annual ladies fishing tournament. Men are allowed to participate as captains, mates, and guests at the after party. Fishing starts at 6 a.m.; weigh-in by 1:30 p.m., party to follow. 410-820-8544. Harrison's Chesapeake House, Tilghman Island, MD. May 20 - 21 -- Blue Angels Air Show. The Blue Angels precision flight team will demonstrate their high-speed maneuvers over the Severn River for the U.S. Naval Academy's Commissioning Week. Practice shows on Tuesday at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Official show is Wednesday from 1:45 to 3:45. Annapolis, MD. May 23 - 25 -- Chestertown Tea Party. Come downtown to commemorate the local merchants' revolt against the British tea tax. A reenactment, parade, concessions, and crafts highlight the day on Saturday. Raft race on Sunday. More Information. Chestertown, MD. May 24 -- Elizabeth River Run. A 10k race attracting up to 1,000 participants, who run along the Elizabeth River, the race's namesake. Includes a post-race party at the NTELOS Pavilion. A benefit for the Portsmouth Museums Foundation. 8 a.m. More Information. Portsmouth, VA. May 25 -- Soft Shell Spring Fair. 12 noon - 5 pm at the City Dock, fresh local seafood, arts and crafts, Hall of Fame Awards, Entertainment and plenty of great seafood. More Information. Crisfield, MD. May 30 - Harford Hospice Regatta. Enjoy a shore side party and dinner under the stars as you watch this local qualifier for the National Hospice Regatta. Race takes place off the Concord Point Lighthouse. 6:30pm to 10:30pm. More Information. Havre de Grace, MD. May 31 - One-Design Challenge. A new Leukemia Cup event hosted by the Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Raises funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA. More Information. May 31 - June 1 -- Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival. Enjoy local wines, food, and entertainment on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Noon to 6:00pm both days. Terrapin Nature Park, Stevensville, MD. More Information. May 31 - June 1 -- Blackbeard Festival. Pirates take over the downtown waterfront in this family festival. More info. Hampton, VA.
June June 5 - 8 -- The Yacht Show at National Harbor. A boat show for big boats only. The presenters say that the show will feature only "discriminating yachts of imposing size." The yachts will be available for sale or word wide charter. National Harbor, Washington D.C. More Information.June 5 - 7 -- Tangier History Museum Opening. Opening event for Tangier's new museum. A new walking history tour will be unveiled, and new water trails, with kayaks and canoes provided free to visitors. Plus, food, live entertainment, arts and crafts displays, fireworks, crab races, and more. Tangier Island, VA. More Information. June 6 - Art on Fishing Bay. Evening filled with fun, food, music and art. Sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA 5:30 to 9:00pm. More Information. June 6 - 8 -- Annual Norfolk Harborfest. Parade of sail, live entertainment, fireworks and more. Town Point Park. More info. Norfolk, VA. June 7 -- Wade-In Festival. With local politicians leading the way, everyone wades into the bay together to gauge water clarity - a measure of the Bay's recovery. Bird hikes, canoe excursions, restoration tours, children's games, and more to raise awareness of our relationship to the environment. 10:00am to 2:00pm. Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville. More Information. Kent Island area, MD. June 7 -- Virginia's Clean the Bay Day. Chesapeake Bay Foundation sponsored clean up day. Volunteers across the state help with clean ups. More Information. June 7 - Blindfolded Dinghy Race. Grab a partner and try to navigate through a racecourse with a blindfolded rower. Event benefits the Humane Society of Dorchester County. There will also be food, games, and prizes. Registration starts at 10:00. Races start at 11:00pm. Trenton Street Park. Cambridge, Md. More Information. June 7 & 14 -- Maryland Free Fishing Days. No license is required in Maryland to fish on these days, in honor of National Fishing and Boating Week. June 8 -- Annual St. Mary's Crab Festival. Governmental Center Lawn, Leonardtown. Noon to 6:00pm. Local crab and seafood, music, classic cars, arts and crafts, and on-seafood items. Email for more information. St. Mary's County, MD. June 8 -- Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. 4.4 mile swim and 1 mile Bay Challenge. Sandy Point State Park to Kent Island. Charitable events benefits the March of Dimes. More information. June 13 - 14 -- Reedville Bluefish Derby. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this tournament will offer 30 cash prizes including prizes for largest bluefish, rock fish, and croaker. Buzzard's Point Marina, Reedville, VA More Information. June 13 - 14 -- Leukemia Cup Regatta. One of the largest races on the Bay. Around the buoys racing. Raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club and Annapolis Yacht Club. Race begins at 11:00am Saturday. Annapolis, MD. More Information. June 13 - 15 -- Rock Fish Tournament. $10,000 first prize. Rock Hall's Rockfish Tournament. Sponsored by Maryland Watermen's Association. Rock Hall, MD. More information. June 13 - 15 -- Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival - Annual event featuring more than a hundred antique and classic boats, as well as wooden boat building demonstrations, maritime craft vendors, live music and food. Ches. Bay Maritime Museum. St. Michaels., MD. June 13 - 15. Potomac River Festival. Annual festival begins Friday night with a parade. Continues through the weekend with arts and crafts, bands, an antique car show, and fireworks on Saturday night. Colonial Beach, VA. More Information. June 14 -- Maritime Heritage Fest. Historic St. Mary's City. 10:00am to 5:00pm. Sailors and pirates, big and small boats, sea shanties, hands on activities and demonstrations. Admission includes entry to the festival and all museum exhibits. St. Mary's County, MD. June 14 -- Hospice Regatta of Greater Hampton Roads. Annual sailboat regatta with more than 40 boats racing on a closed course in Hampton Harbor to raise money for local hospice organizations. Hampton, VA. More Information. June 14 - Bay Music Festival. A day filled with blues music and family fun. Sponsored by the Lions Club of Centreville. Held at Queen Anne's County 4-H Park. 4:00pm. Centreville, MD. More Information. June 20 -21 -- Cock Island Race. Called the " Best Sailing Event on the East Coast" by landlubbers and sailors alike, this waterfront classic features Friday & Saturday night live entertainment. Portsmouth, VA. June 21 -- Leukemia Cup Poker Run. Charity Poker Run, sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Powerboat Association. More Information. June 21 -- Bands in the Sand. Chesapeake Bay Foundation fundraising event on the beach at Phillip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis. Live music, food, drinks, and an art auction. Advance ticket sales only. Annapolis, MD. More Information. June 21 -- Vintage Race Boat Regatta. Vintage hydroplane racing, plus food, antique and classic cars and boats on display, craft vendors and more. Great Marsh Park, Cambridge, MD. 10:00am. June 21 - Cardboard Boat Race. This annual race features homemade cardboard boats of all types. Raises money for Special Olympics of Maryland. Held at the Strand, Oxford, MD. Races begin at 11:00am. June 21 - Rivahfest. This annual celebration kicks off with a Firemen's Parade on Friday night. Saturday activities include maritime demonstrations, live entertainments, arts and crafts, children's activities, a farmer's market, and historic walking tours. Tappahannock, VA. More Information. June 28 -- Tilghman Island Summer Seafood Festival. Spend the day enjoying live music, local seafood, crafts, Little Miss Tilghman contests and the fireman's parade. Benefit the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Company. 11 AM - 6 PM. Kronsberg Park. Tilghman Island. More Information. June 28 -- Canal Day. A day of music, food, drinks and fun along the streets of historic South Chesapeake City, MD. Chesapeake City, MD. More Information. June 28 - 29 -- Log Canoe Races. Graceful, historic log canoes race on the Miles River. Watch from the water or on shore. Saturday race 2:00, Sunday 10:00am and 2:00pm. St. Michaels, MD. More Information.
Select Another Calendar: January through March July through September October through December
Sign up for BayDreaming.com's monthly Chesapeake Bay newsletter for updates on news, a monthly Calendar of Events, and new site features.
| 
