It won’t be long before school stars back up, the air becomes a bit more cool and crisp, and the leaves start to change to their rich warm hues! That also means Annapolis, Marland area fall festivals are in full swing!! If you are as excited for Fall as I am, you’ll definitely want to check out the list of fun family fall celebrations complied by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC)! You won’t want to miss these local celebrations offering unique culture and cuisine experiences!
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day, August 25-October 21
Back for its 42nd year, the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country immerses visitors in the culture of Revel Grove, a 16th-century English village, complete with King Henry VIII and his court. Merriment abounds as guests stroll a 24-acre site featuring more than 250 performers on ten stages. Jugglers, magicians, musicians, comedians and artists thrill audiences at every turn, while 130 craft shops, 42 food and beverage emporiums and a host of games and attractions give festivalgoers every opportunity to dress, dine and celebrate as in the courts of old. A major highlight is watching chivalrous knights bring Maryland’s official sport to life in the jousting arena. 10 AM – 7 PM, 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis. www.marylandrenaissancefestival.com.
Maryland Seafood Festival
Saturday, Sunday, September 8-9
Let the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay tingle your taste buds during a weekend full of delicious seafood dishes, interactive cooking demonstrations, exciting competitions, kids’ activities and more. Come prepared to identify your favorite crab soup during the 51st annual event’s ever-popular crab soup cookoff. A host of local craft beers and wines will help ensure you end up with perfect pairings – all on the beautiful shores of the Chesapeake Bay! Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday, 10 AM – 7 PM. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis. www.mdseafoodfestival.com.
Anne Arundel County Fair
Wednesday-Sunday, September 12-16
Experience the ‘good old days’ all over again at the 66th annual Anne Arundel County Fair! Learn secrets of the trade from 4H Club members. Master the art of hog calling. Cheer on your favorite sow in the pig races. From camel rides, amusement rides and interactive car racing, to homemade wines, home-brewed beers and wood carving demonstrations, the Anne Arundel County Fair is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to celebrate the county’s rich agricultural heritage. Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville. www.aacountyfair.org.
Amps and Ales Craft Beer and Music Festival
Saturday, September 15
The popular Amps and Ales Craft Beer and Music Festival is back for a second year at a new location – the Arundel Mills Entertainment District. The event features unlimited samples of more than 40 craft beers from 14 area breweries, including DuClaw, Flying Dog, Heavy Seas, Jailbreak and Monument City. New this year, wine lovers can enjoy tastings in Linganore Winecellars’ Wine Garden.
On the music scene, Kanye Twitty, Jah Works and Black Alley will perform live throughout the day. In addition to getting their music fix, concertgoers will have an opportunity to get their fill of delicious eats served by ten popular food trucks, including Mother Shucker’s P.N.B. Seafood, Tiny Brick Oven, Baltimore Crab Cake Company and Anegada Delights. Individuals who love a challenge will be invited to help break the record for the “World’s Largest Flip Cup Game.” Presented by Symmetry Agency, Humdinger Productions, Live! Casino & Hotel and Arundel Mills Mall. 1 PM – 7 PM, Arundel Mills Cinemark parking lot near the north entrance of Live! Casino and Hotel, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. www.ampsandales.com.
Greenstreet Gardens Fall Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, September 22-October 28
Experience family fun on the farm! Get lost in a six-acre corn maze, tackle the underground slide and explore the new woodlands. Hop aboard the cow train and enjoy the beauty of a hay ride through the fall countryside. Jump on a pillow and into the corn box. Get your face painted, or check out the tire tower. 10:30 AM – 5 PM, Greenstreet Gardens, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian. www.GreenstreetGardens.com.
Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival
Saturday, September 29
The rich heritage of Kunta Kinte comes to life in a family-friendly cultural festival celebrating the history and heritage of individuals of African-American, African and Caribbean descent. Featuring live music and dance as well as ethnic foods and wares, the 29th annual event focuses on the life and times of Kunta Kinte, a Gambian slave whose story is captured on the pages of author Alex Haley’s book, Roots: Saga of an American Family. Sponsored by Kunta Kinte Celebrations. 10 AM – 7 PM, Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, Annapolis. http://kuntakinte.org.
Annapolis Italian Festival
Sunday, September 30
The fifth annual event honors Santa Madre Cabrini (Frances Xavier Cabrini), an Italian-American religious sister who helped Italian immigrants settle in the United States. Enjoy delicious Italian food and desserts, “exotic” Italian cars, ‘how to’ demonstrations, continuous music and a host of shopping opportunities. Parking is free. 10 AM – 5 PM, Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge 2225, 620 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis. www.annapolissonsofitaly.com, www.festaitaliana-annapolis.com.
16th Annual Oyster Festival
Sunday, October 21
Enjoy food, live music by local artists, unique crafts, face painting and demonstrations highlighting the vital role oysters play in maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Seafood lovers are invited to feast on raw and fried oysters, oyster stew, fried oyster roll sushi, cream of crab soup, Maryland crab soup, and much more. Hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade desserts will also be available. 12:30 PM – 5 PM, Captain Avery Museum, 1418 East West Shady Side Road, Shady Side. http://www.captainaverymuseum.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is a non-profit destination marketing organization that generates revenues for the local economy by promoting Annapolis and Anne Arundel County to leisure and business travelers across the country and around the world.
Which festival are you most excited to enjoy?
I received the above information as a blogger via VisitAnnapolis.org
Candy says
These would be so fun to attend if we lived close to Maryland. Enjoy for those who can attend. Sounds like fun
robin rue says
It sounds like there is a lot of fun going on down in Annapolis. I haven’t been that way in a long time, but I would love to go back.
Tomi C says
WOW! So many festivals! I would love to go to the Seafood Festival and the Kinta Kunte Festival. I never heard of that one before. My mother in law would have a blast at that one.
Melissa Chapman says
Seafood is what I think of when it comes to Maryland and the Oyster and Seafood Festivals look like they should not be missed. It is great there are so many festivals to start the fall season.
Tasheena says
So many wonderful festivals. I would love to attend all of them. The 16th Annual Oyster Festival looks like something that the Mister would love though.
Jeanette says
Why was sounds like there’s a lot of things to do out there. I don’t live close enough to be able to visit any of them but I would love to do something like that where I live too. I love exploring the area I live in.
Terri Steffes says
That seafood festival has my name on it. I would be all over that if I was anywhere close. You lucky people!
Alli Smith says
The seafood festival, the oyster festival, and Italian festival are calling my name. You can tell I’m all about that food, especially seafood! These are all great festivals!
Amber Myers says
I would love to go to any of these. I am all about fall festivals. I like going to the ones where I can buy stuff. You can find the best things there.
Chubskulit Rose says
Seafood festival sounds so fun. I love seafood so this is perfect, unfortunately, there’s no festival like that here.
Angela Ricardo Bethea says
All of those sounds amazing! I’d totally love to go to one of them, looks like tons of fun.
Lisa Favre says
The Amps and Ales Craft Beer and Music Festival is totally a festival that my husband and I would love to attend. Wish we had something like that in our area!
Trina says
These look like so much fun! I love the fall season, it always has the best festivals and activities.
Carol Cassara says
They definitely are things you shouldn’t miss! I mean, a SEAFOOD FESTIVAL?! Count me in! There’s so much to expect and to be excited about this coming fall especially if you’re planning to visit Annapolis!
Karen Morse says
I’d love to free up my schedule for these festivals if I could! I mean, you can’t really miss these especially since they’re all so much fun especially the festivals that include food! Lol. Definitely a list worth keeping!
Peter says
If I were in Maryland I’d be all over that seafood festival. The renaissance festival and the oyster festival would be right after
Maddy Gutierrez says
I live in NYC and this is just a short drive away. My husband would love to go to this event! Looks like such a blast!
Heather says
I want to go to all of these, especially the seafood festival. I have to see if we have anything local.