DAY TRIPPING

The PNC Pavilion at the Calvert Marine Museum has a variety of eclectic artists and offers the ability to raft up just a stone’s throw from the venue. Rafting up in Back Creek just outside the Calvert Marine Museum puts you close enough to hear the music and grab a mooring ball if you need to spend the night. Push across the creek to Spring Cove if you need a little breathing room but still want to hear the music.

WATER MUSIC IN PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA

Festival Park in Portsmouth, Virginia, plays host to one of the area’s best waterside live music festivals. Each Thursday through September, local entertainers and food vendors head to Olde Towne for an evening of music and fun. There’s a great spot for rafting up between Hospital Point and Tidewater Yacht Marina, along with a dinghy dock in case you decide to take your dancing to the streets.

Other great events throughout the year:

Maryland

ANNAPOLIS

Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade

December 9, 2023

6–8 p.m.

The magical Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade takes place in Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek on the second Saturday in December every year. This annual tradition has been delighting holiday revelers for more than 40 years.

Blue Angels

May 21–22

The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration highlights the U.S. Naval Academy's Commissioning Week festivities every year. They return to Annapolis skies with a roar on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

Baltimore

Mid-Shore Fishing Club Invasive Species Tournament

July 1–31

6 a.m.–5 p.m.

Each day you catch fish you snap a photo on your phone (JPEG only) and send to Bob Lawrence at 410-365-5723 or email to: webmaster@midshorefishingclub.com (Picture must have a measurement device showing the size of the fish and include the date picture was taken and a Landmark of some type aka Boat Ramp, channel marker, bridge, etc.)

Chestertown

Sultana Downrigging Festival

October 27–29, 2023

Now in its 23nd year, the Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Weekend Festival is one of the largest annual tall ship gatherings in North America. The festival features a long weekend of tall ship sails, tours, live bluegrass music, lectures, exhibits, family activities, regional food and more.

Kent Island

Bay Paddle

July 22–23, 2023

The Chesapeake Bay Paddle consists of two races; 1) A 24-mile solo and team race designed for outrigger canoes (OCs), surfskis, SUPs, kayaks, canoes (both single and multi-person) from Kent Island to Haven Harbor South in Rock Hall. 2) A 12-mile soloonly race designed for OCs, surfskis, SUPs, kayaks, canoes (both single and multi-person) from Kent Island to Haven Harbor South in Rock Hall.

ST. MICHAELS

Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair

June 2024

Wooden and fiberglass classics, vintage racers, and other antique boats return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Father’s Day weekend 2024 for one of the largest classic boat shows in the Mid-Atlantic region. The event features a wide range of vessels on display representing a multitude of makers and eras, plus a juried Coastal Arts Fair showcasing vendors whose products, services, and art represent boats, the water and coastal life.

Virginia ALEXANDRIA

23rd Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

December 2, 2023

5:30 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine on December 2 for the 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon as more than 50 brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, local food, music from 97.1 WASH-FM and hands-on activities from Alexandria boutiques.

Chincoteague

Annual Pony Swim

July 26, 2023

7 a.m.–1 p.m.

The Chincoteague Pony Swim was made famous by Marguerite Henry's “Misty of Chincoteague.” Tens of thousands of spectators from around the world gather on Chincoteague Island each year to watch this annual tradition.

Chincoteague Oyster Festival

October 7

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

The Chincoteague Oyster Festival is held to promote the seafood industry and mark the arrival of the oyster season. Come and enjoy oysters—raw, steamed, fritters, and fried; clam fritters, clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, salad bar, hot dogs, hush puppies, and boardwalk fries. Beverages are included in the ticket price with beer available for purchase.

Yorktown

Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade

December 2, 2023

7–8 p.m.

Watch as a fleet of decorated boats navigate around the York River and compete for best in show! This annual event has been a community tradition for more than two decades and brings neighbors together to celebrate the season.