A list of our favorite events around Annapolis, Eastern Shore and beyond for the month of April. Event dates may be subject to change.
Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show
Get ready for an Annapolis favorite. The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show returns to our historic seaport town April 26th through 28th at City Dock. The show will showcase new and brokerage boats including catamarans, monohulls, family cruisers, daysailers, and inflatables. Beyond the boats, there is so much more to see. Shop gear and equipment, meet with boating clubs, charter companies, fellow sailors, and marine professionals alongside live entertainment, seminars, and a festive tasting tent. Find more information and buy tickets at annapolisboatshows.com.
GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge
GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will be at Quiet Waters Park on April 6th. Set a goal for yourself to run your first 5K or to just do something fun, while you help raise awareness with your friends and family. Your participation helps spread Down syndrome acceptance and awareness throughout the community. Find more information at gigisplayhouse.org.
Annapolis Film Festival
The 12th Annual Annapolis Film Festival takes over Annapolis, April 4th through 7th. This festival is not just a showcase of cinema, it is a powerful catalyst for change, a mirror that reflects our world and our shared humanity. This festival has been nurturing a sense of belonging, inspiring artists to create, audiences to connect, and storytellers to amplify their voices for 12 years. Over the four days, there will be over 70 films featured at venues throughout town. Full details and tickets at annapolisfilmfestival.com.
Annapolis Book Festival
Now in its 21st year, the Annapolis Book Festival is back on April 27th at Key School in Annapolis. The festival brings nationally 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, ComicKey!, huge new and used book sales, and food trucks, the festival attracts more than 3,000 attendees each year. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more information at keyschool.org/annapolisbookfestival.
Voices of Our Time: Vocal Competition All-Stars
On Sunday, April 14th, Annapolis Opera is hosting the Voices of Our Time: Vocal Competition All-Stars concert at Asbury United Methodist Church on West Street. There will be performances, starting at 3 p.m., by 2023 2nd place winner Tenor Lawrence Barasa, 2017 2nd place winner Soprano Katerina Burton, and 2023 1st place winner Mezzo-Soprano Winona Martin. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear your past favorite Vocal Competition winners in concert! Find more information at annapolisopera.org.
Londontowne Symphony Orchestra: Brilliance Unleashed
Londontowne Symphony Orchestra is bringing Brilliance Unleashed to Maryland Hall on April 14th at 3 p.m. The performance will have guest artists from Ballet Theatre of Maryland and include the annual Young Artist Competition winners, as well as conductor Anna Binneweg (pictured) leading the orchestra through works by Stravinsky and Ravel. Find more information and get tickets at lso-music.org.
Photo by The Cannon Club
Hospice of the Chesapeake Golf Tournament
Become a member for the day at an exclusive golf resort while helping a not-for-profit with a 45-year history of caring for your neighbors. Hospice of the Chesapeake is hosting a golf tournament at The Cannon Club in Lothian on April 18th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include a full breakfast and lunch, awards dinner, beverages on the course, range time, greens fees, golf carts, and goodie bad. Reserve your spot and make a difference in someone’s life. Find more information at hospicechesapeake.org/cannon-golf.
Anne Arundel Asian American Festival
April 7th is the first ever Anne Arundel Asian American Festival at the Anne Arundel Fairgrounds. From 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., embrace the vibrant cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The day will include Asian food vendors, artist performances, and unique arts and crafts. Find more information and get tickets at aapifest.com and eventbrite.com.
Minor League Home Openers
We are truly surrounded by baseball. We have, in addition to the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles, the Delmarva Shorebirds and Bowie Baysox opening their seasons this month. On April 5th, the Baysox will have their home opener against the Reading Fightin Phils at 7:05 p.m. The Baysox will play Reading in Bowie through the weekend, with fireworks at the 6:35 p.m. game on Saturday and Bark in the Park for their 1:05 p.m. game on Sunday. On April 9th, the Shorebirds will have their home opener in Salisbury against the Salem Red Sox at 7:05 p.m. The Shorebirds will play Salem through Sunday. Root, root, root for the home team! Find both teams’ schedules at milb.com.
Maryland Chicken Wing Festival
A locals’ favorite is in their 10th year this month. On April 6th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Maryland Chicken Wing Festival will be at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville. The day will be a family-friendly event with wings, activities, music, food trucks, and plenty of drinks. Don’t forget about the chicken wing eating contest and sauce making activity! Find more information and get tickets at abceventsinc.com.
Bay Bridge Boat Show
The Bay Bridge Boat Show is taking over the Bay Bridge Marina in Stevensville on April 12th through 14th. Come aboard a wide array of powerboats of every style and size, whether it’s a fishing boat, trawler, pontoon, or luxury cruiser. Find more information and buy tickets at annapolisboatshows.com.
Photo by CBMM
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
Since 2010, the Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival has been a highlight of artisans and craftspeople from near and far. This year, the festival will be on April 20th and 21st at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, exhibiting and selling coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more. The Spring edition will showcase more than 90 exhibitors from around the country. Find more information and get tickets at cbmm.org or ophiuroidea.com.
Photo by Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
On April 2nd, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be performing at Avalon Theatre in Easton. The current ensemble has been playing together for over 20 years and has become a national institution in their homeland. The Ukulele Orchestra has performed thousands of sold-out concerts across the world. Their music has been featured in films, plays, and commercials, and they are ready to play for us on the Eastern Shore! Get tickets to the 7 p.m. show at avalonfoundation.org.
Paint the Town
Chestertown RiverArts invites artists to Paint the Town April 25th through 28th. Paint the Town is a plein air event, and the cityscape of Chestertown offers a great variety of scenes to paint. The streets of Historic Chestertown as well as the 18th and 19th century homes make Chestertown a great destination, and a beautiful muse for your blank canvas. Find more information at chestertownriverarts.com.
The 15th Annual Kent County Poetry Festival
On April 5th through 7th, Kent County’s Poetry Festival will be held at Kent Cultural Alliance in Chestertown. Naomi Shihab Nye will be the featured poet. Nye was named Poetry Foundation’s “Young People’s Poet” of 2019–2021. There will be plenty of events through the weekend, including readings by Nye, an interview with NPR’s Maureen Corrigan, an open mic poetry at Ortiz Studios, and more. Find more information at kentculture.org.
WineFest 2024
WineFest 2024 in St. Michaels will be hosted at The Old Brick Inn on April 27th and 28th. The exclusive wine-tasting weekend will feature small-production wines from popular producers worldwide. The tasting will be in a wine tour format with wines from Italy, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Spain, California, Oregon, and South Africa. Surprise guests will also be in attendance to offer their expertise in guiding you through varietal grapes and wines. Find more information and get tickets at winefestatstmichaels.com.
Chestertown Earth Day
The 14th Annual Chestertown Earth Day Festival will be in Downtown Chestertown on April 20th. The day will be dedicated to celebrating our planet. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a community trash/recycle walk at Fountain Park, enjoy free paper shredding and recycling of household batteries and fluorescent bulbs, exhibitors of solar energy and other alternative energy contractors, energy auditors, and more. This day is also the perfect time to display your electric vehicles, both car and bike. There will also be an electric boat race on the Chester River with live music throughout the afternoon. Find more information at townofchestertown.com.
