Looking for some summertime fun the whole family will enjoy? Check our huge list of summer fairs, festivals and carnivals in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Choose from several events each weekend from Southern Maryland to Baltimore, DC to Annapolis and the Maryland Eastern Shore. We even include major events if you’re at Ocean City and the Maryland beaches looking for something different to do while at the beach.
Enjoy outdoor concerts and entertainment, crab festivals, arts festivals, multicultural events and county fairs in a family-friendly environment. (A few may be better suited to families with older children or a day out for the parents.)
This list includes 2023 summer fairs, festivals and carnivals in June, July and August.
As always, we suggest you call ahead to verify times and locations before attending an event. Be sure to check back often for updates as more events are added. Have fun!
Photo by Mark L. Dennis
June 2023 Fairs, Festivals and Carnivals
Annapolis Greek Festival – 2023
June 3-4. Family-friendly festival with Greek dance performers, cuisine, and music. Free. Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis. annapolisgreekfestival.org
Capital Jazz Fest – 2023
June 2-4. The Capital Jazz Fest is one of the premier black music events in the country, featuring over 30 live acts over three days. The Pavilion Stage features live contemporary jazz, while the Symphony Woods Stage (dark on Friday) features live R&B/soul music from the old-school and the new! Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia. capitaljazz.com/fest
Frederick Festival of the Arts – 2023
June 10-11. Juried fine arts festival featuring over 100 artists from across the country, live entertainment, artist demonstrations, children’s activities, food and fun. 10am-5pm. Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick. frederickartscouncil.org
Community Family Day – 2023
June 3. Music, crafts, kids’ games, and food. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Downs Park, Pasadena. facebook.com/FriendsOfDownsParkInc
Anne Arundel County Historical Society Strawberry Festival – 2023
June 10. Celebrate all things strawberry with crafts, demonstrations, strawberry wine and shortcake and children’s and adults’ entertainment. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Benson-Hammond House, Linthicum. aachs.org
Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival – 2023
June 3. This fun annual festival features a parade, music, food, games, contests, children’s activities, live demonstrations, beer garden and strawberries in every form. Free. 10 a.m. 1223 River Bay Rd., Annapolis. cscstrawberryfestival.com
Bowiefest – 2023
June 3. Carnival rides, performances, contests, food and drinks, an arts and crafts fair, business expo, and local organizations. Free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Allen Pond Park, Bowie. cityofbowie.org
Feast of St Anthony Italian Festival – 2023
June 9–11. Italian food, vino, beer, vendors, art display, bingo, bocce tournament and children’s activities. Free. Fri. 5:30-9p.m.; Sat. Noon–6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Exeter and Stiles Streets, Baltimore. promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org
St. Michaels Brewfest – 2023
June 3. Live music from 10 bands, delicious food, over 100 beers and more. Noon-4pm. $50-110. Downtown, St. Michaels. stmichaelsbrewfest.com
Sykesville Strawberry Festival – 2023
June 10. Games, pony rides, music, food, vendors and more. 9am-4pm. Free. Gamber Fire Department Carnival Grounds, 3838 Niner Road, Finksburg, melchurch.org
Paint Annapolis – 2023
June 4-11. Outdoor painting competition in which painters from across the country create works depicting Annapolis’s architecture and atmosphere. Free. See website for event schedule. Venues throughout Annapolis. mdfedart.com
Children’s Day on the Farm – 2023
June 4. Petting zoo, live entertainment, tractor parade, food, ox cart and pony rides and more. 11am-5pm. Free; some activities require a fee. Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard. 410-586-8501, jefpat.org
Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival – 2023
June 9-17. Two weeks of concerts, artist showcases, open rehearsals and more. Check website for locations, performers and times. Various venues, Easton. 410-819-0380, chesapeakechambermusic.org
Art on the Avenue Block Party – 2023
June 10. Block party held in conjunction with Annapolis Arts Week. Food, artists, drinks, vendors and juried art exhibition. 4–8 p.m. Free. State Circle, Annapolis. Annapolisartsweek.com
St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival – 2023
June 8-11. Authentic food, drinks, live music, dancing, Greek market, kidzone and more. Free. Noon-11pm. GreekTown Square and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Baltimore. facebook.com/GreekFolkFestival
End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival – 2023
June 10. Boat race, local vendors and more to raise money and awareness for hunger in the community. Free to attend. 9am-4pm. Board Walk, North Beach. endhungercalvert.org/dragonboat
St. Mary’s Crab Festival – 2023
June 10. Crabs, crab soup and other seafood dishes available for purchase. Regional crafters, a crab picking contest, and live music. $7. Children 12 and under free. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown. visitstmarysmd.com
HonFest – 2023
June 10–11. Celebrate the Hons of Baltimore with live music, food, children’s activities and all the beehives and bouffants you can handle. Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m; Sun. Noon–8 p.m. Hampden, Baltimore. honfest.net
Bands in the Sand – 2023
June 10. Benefitting the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Featuring live music, local cuisine, and cold drinks. $200. 5:30-10pm. Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis. cbf.org/bandsinthesand
Beltway BBQ Showdown – 2023
June 6-7. This Maryland BBQ festival offers live music, a Classic Car Show, food and craft vendors, and children’s area full of fun things to do. Favorite events occur under the Tasting Tent such as grilling demonstrations, the finger licking “Buck-A-Bone” ribs cooked by the competition, and the popular “People’s Choice” BBQ Sauce Boss contest which has 3 samples for $1. Admission $3–$10; ages 3 and under free. Noon–7 p.m. The Showplace Arena, Upper Marlboro. pgparks.com/710/Beltway-BBQ-Showdown
Frederick Summer Concert Series – 2023
Sundays in June, July and August. Weekly musical entertainment from a variety of artists, with food vendors available. See website for performance schedule. Free. 7 p.m. Baker Park Bandshell, Frederick. celebratefrederick.com/events/summer-concert-series
Tides and Tunes: Summer Concert Series – 2023
June 15–Aug. 17. Thursdays at 7pm. Thursdays weekly. Music from all genres against backdrop of the Chesapeake Bay. Free, $10 donation suggested. 7–8:30 p.m. Annapolis Maritime Museum, Annapolis. amaritime.org
Columbia Festival of the Arts – 2023
June 16–18. FREE LakeFest Weekend featuring three days of live music, an invitational fine arts & crafts show, kids’ entertainment and crafts, a variety of activities for all ages, and fabulous festival food fare. New this year is a Juneteenth Cookout hosted by our friends at The 3rd. columbiafestival.org
Antique & Classic Boat Festival – 2023
June 16–18. Tour antique and classic boats, while enjoying live music, food, vendors, workshops, demonstrations, and family activities. $19; $7 for ages 6–17; Free for ages 5 and under. Price includes 2-day admission. Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels. cbmm.org
Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival – 2023
June 24. Over 30 children’s book authors and illustrators, music, crafts, food and chances to win signed books and other prizes. Free. 10am-2pm. Easton Library, 100 West Dover St. https://chesapeakechildrensbookfestival.com/
OC Air Show – 2023
June 10–11. This annual air show features a wide array of military jet demos, aerobatic performers, formation flight teams and parachute teams. Free, premium beach viewing tickets available. See website for schedule. Beach near the Show Center, Ocean City. ocairshow.com
Lakefront Summer Festival – 2023
June 10–Sept. 23. Concerts, movies, dancing and weekly fun at the Lakefront. Performers and complete schedule TBA. Downtown Columbia Lakefront, Columbia. columbiaassociation.org
Eastport A Rockin’ – 2023
June 24. Three stages with over 25 local bands, vendor booths, food and a kids’ area. $20. Kids 12 and under free. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Back Creek and Second Street, Eastport, Annapolis. eastportarockin.com
Beerfest – 2023
June 24. Beer, food, vendors, activities and more. $10-25. Noon-6pm. Historic St. Mary’s City Museum, St. Mary’s City. stmaryscitybeerfest.org
Chesapeake Seafood Festival – 2023
June 11. All-you-can-eat crabs, plus beer, music and more. Family-friendly. Kids 3 and under, free. $42–$75. 12 pm.–5 p.m. Harbor Point, Waterfront at Central Plaza, Baltimore. mdcrabfest.com
Mud Day – 2023
June 11. Family-friendly muddy mayhem including squishy art projects, a play in the mud kitchen, create a terrarium, paint with mud, giant mud pit and more. Advanced tickets required. $10. 10am–5 p.m. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center, Dowell. annmariegarden.org
Bluegrass in the Blueberries – 2023
June 25. Live, local bluegrass music, blueberry picking, a moon bounce, hayrides, kid’s activities, hand-dipped ice cream, and local wineries. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Godfrey’s Farm, Sudlersville. godfreysfarm.com
Smithsonian Folklife Festival – 2023
June 29–July 4 and July 6-9. The Festival is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. We invite visitors to sing and dance along, try craft and game workshops, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange. Free. 10 a.m. National Mall, Washington, D.C. festival.si.edu
For more events and activities this month, check out the Chesapeake Family calendar. It’s loaded with hundreds of events.
Click “Next” below for July fairs, festivals and carnivals.
