With the coming of spring, the world is opening back up again. The weather is nicer, outdoor attractions are opening their doors for the season and there are plenty of events to look forward to. Keep an eye out for these spring festivals throughout the state, as well as a few from the D.C. and Virginia, from longstanding local traditions to hidden gems!
March
Maryland Day
Local organizations and historic sites around the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area host events centered on Maryland history as part of this week-long festival (March 19-25), with some of this year’s kid-friendly attractions including art workshops, open houses and story times. marylandday.org
April
Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival | St. Michaels
The Chesapeake Bay Marine Museum hosts this unique arts festival (April 18-19) every year, spotlighting art influenced by the seaside. Much of the art made for the festival incorporates sea glass, shells and other natural materials from the shore. This year’s festival is set to feature more than 90 vendors and artists from across the country. cbmm.org
Maryland International Kite Exposition | Ocean City (Maryland)
What’s more fun than flying a kite on the beach? Kiters (people who fly kites) and artists flock to Ocean City for this annual event (April 24-26). Bring your own kite or check out giant kites made by professional artists! kiteloft.com/kite-festival/maryland-international-kite-exposition
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts | Laurel
Hosted by the Montpelier Arts Center and the Montpelier House Museum, this festival (April 25) is a must-visit for anyone who loves tea. There will be workshops and lectures on art and gardening, as well as live music at this free event. pgparks.com
GreenFest | Germantown
Many spring festivals center around nature, so it’s important to help protect and preserve that nature. Montgomery County’s annual GreenFest (April 25) is an environmental festival focused on sustainable living, recycling and the steps we can take to protect the world around us.
May
May Day in Annapolis
May Day (May 1) is celebrated around the world, but it’s especially notable in Annapolis, where it’s been an Old Annapolis Towne tradition since 1956. The Garden Club of Old Annapolis Towne organizes a competition every year to see who can make the best May flower basket, so the area’s historic district is full of flowers on May Day. visitannapolis.org
Flower Mart | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore’s oldest free public festival is a great place to grow your green thumb with a series of educational workshops on gardening and botany. There’s always plenty of live music and vendors selling art and food at this festival (May 1-2), including the Flower Mart’s iconic Lemon Sticks — a lemon half with a peppermint stick jammed into it. mountvernonplace.org/flower-mart
Garden Festival at Ladew Gardens | Monkton, MD
The Ladew Topiary Gardens are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and this spring festival May 2 is its longest-running fundraiser. Fairgoers can expect to find garden decor, antiques, rare plants and more at its vendor fair. ladewgardens.com/gardenfestival
Sligo Creek Festival | Silver Spring, MD
This nature festival and street fair (May 2) turns the Sligo Creek Open Parkway into a hub of activity, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions. Kids can explore construction and first responder vehicles, climb trees with professional climbing equipment and learn how to start their own garden at home. For adults, there’s live music, food and drinks and workshops about environmentally-friendly practices. montgomeryparks.org
Solomons Maritime Festival | Solomons, MD
Learn more about Southern Maryland’s history of sailing, fishing and more at this May 2 event hosted by the Calvert Marine Museum! Visitors can take a cruise on the William B. Tennison, watch Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs at work and take part in cooking demonstrations. calvertmarinemuseum.com
Havre de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival | Havre de Grace, MD
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck… it might actually be a decoy. Havre de Grace was once known as the “decoy capital of the world,” and it celebrates that history every year with a festival of nature-based art (May 2-3). decoymuseum.com/decoy-festival
Maryland Iron Festival | Thurmont, MD
This free festival (May 16-17) honors Frederick County’s history of ironworking with live blacksmithing demonstrations, music, food and more at Catoctin Furnace. Visitors can also take guided tours of Cunningham Falls State Park’s nature trails and gardens. catoctinfurnace.org
Destination D.C.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 to April 12) is popular enough to draw in visitors from across the country, including many from Maryland. The blooming of Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossom trees brings with it several unique events celebrating local art and D.C.’s ties to Japanese culture. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Despite its name, Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival (April 11-12) is not part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, instead being hosted by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese art, culture and traditions, as well as enjoy delicious food. sakuramatsuri.org
Past Washington, D.C. there are also festivals in Virginia that make for a fun spring destination.
Strawberry festivals are a popular pastime in the spring and summer, and the Lincoln Strawberry Festival (May 16-17) in Hamilton, Virginia, is a relatively new tradition. Pick your own strawberries, tackle a strawberry pie or ice cream eating contest and enjoy a variety of sweet treats featuring the seasonal fruit. lincolnstrawberryfestival.com
