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Concerts, parades, carnivals — Severna Park, Arnold and the surrounding neighborhoods have plenty of entertainment to make the summer and fall seasons worth celebrating.
Bands in the Sand
Kick off the summer in style with 1,600 other guests who will dance the night away and raise a drink to the health of the Chesapeake Bay during Bands in the Sand. This year’s fundraiser is set for June 8, from 5:30pm-10:00pm at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis. Tickets are all-inclusive and include a tax-deductible donation to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Last year’s Bands in the Sand raised over $500,000.
Meet The Kids
These are not your typical “kids.” Come to Kinder Farm Park on June 30 from 11:00am-3:00pm to meet newborn farm animals. Gate fees will be waived, allowing visitors to participate in crafts and activities; visit the sawmill, woodshop and blacksmith shop; tour the farmhouse; and take a 20-minute hayride around the park trails.
Fourth of July Parade
Dozens of volunteers help the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce put on this spectacle each year from about 10:00am-noon, with a kids decorated bike contest beforehand at the chamber office. Nonprofits, civic and youth groups, businesses and other organizations bedeck their floats with creative displays as they try to impress a panel of judges and vie for the honor of Best Overall, Best Theme and Most Patriotic. The route spans from Benfield Road to Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, and this year’s parade falls on a Thursday. So get your lawn chairs, blankets and festive outfits ready.
Earleigh Heights Carnival
Set for July 11-20, this annual carnival combines rides and games from Jolly Shows with tasty concessions for a time-honored event that all families can enjoy. As a bonus, the carnival also serves as a fundraiser that allows the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company to continue keeping the community safe, as it has done for more than 100 years.
Renegade Monster Truck Tour
The monster trucks are coming to the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville from July 12-14. See Stone Crusher, Hooked, Shredder, Stinger Unleashed and Shockwave. The event features a pre-show party, allowing ticket holders to see the 12,000-pound trucks up close.
Artscape
Since 1982, Baltimore has welcomed residents from across the state for a large, free outdoor festival known as Artscape. For its 40th edition, Artscape is showcasing artists, concerts, fashion, family friendly activities, films, improv and comedy, and more. Celebrate the arts during this year’s festivities from August 2-4.
National Night Out
To emphasize the importance of public safety workers and community members working together, National Night Out includes kids’ games, giveaways, food, police and fire vehicles on display and more. The Eastern District Police Station will hold the next National Night Out on August 6 at Kinder Farm Park.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
A tradition for the entire family, Maryland Renaissance Festival begins its 48th season on August 24 and runs Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday through October 20 for nine weekends of thrills, feasting, handmade crafts, entertainment and merriment in Crownsville. The 27-acre Village of Revel Grove will come to life with more than 200 professional performers on 10 stages, a 3,000-seat arena with armored jousting on magnificent steeds, and streets filled with village characters.
Maryland State Fair
In 2022, the Maryland State Fair changed from consecutive days to a three-weekend format. With a history that goes back more than 140 years, the fair combines agricultural activities, music, horse racing, lumberjack shows, shopping and a variety of other activities for an all-ages event in Lutherville-Timonium. The 2024 dates are August 22-25, August 29-September 2, and September 5-8.
Anne Arundel County Fair
Where else can you witness a tractor pull and a rodeo, see a livestock auction, browse a flea and craft market, and listen to music ranging from country to rock and pop? This year’s Anne Arundel County Fair returns to Crownsville from September 11-15.
Annapolis Songwriters Festival
Modeled after the Key West Songwriters Festival, the Annapolis Songwriters Festival introduces music lovers to the faces, voices and stories behind beloved songs. Annapolis has a variety of watering holes and intimate theater settings, making the bay-side setting perfect for this event, which returns September 12-15.
Annapolis Seafood Festival
A busy September week continues with the Maryland Seafood Festival from September 14-15 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Adults and kids alike can sample entries in the crab soup cook-off, taste oysters and listen to live music. Bounce houses and other activities will be available to keep kids busy and engaged.
Maryland Folk Festival
A free, three-day outdoor event, the Maryland Folk Festival celebrates the roots, richness and variety of American culture by showcasing the talents of 250 musicians, dancers and craftspeople. For the second year, the festival will come to Salisbury, this time from September 20-22. Attendees can look forward to performances, workshops and demonstrations, plus children’s activities, savory regional and ethnic cuisines and craft brews, non-stop dancing, storytelling and more.
Lifeline 100
Cyclists look forward to Lifeline 100 each year because they get to traverse scenic 65- and 100-mile routes. Lifeline 100 also includes 15- and 30-mile flat, paved trail rides and a free bike rodeo and family fun ride for children. The event is designed to spread cycling awareness, educating the public about safety and benefits. Lifeline 100 has also raised $300,000 for area nonprofits. Want to participate? The 2024 event will be held October 6.
Art in the Park
For the last three years, the Severna Park Voice and Cafe Mezzanotte have partnered to bring premier jazz musicians to the area for a day of music and delectable cuisine. This year’s headliner is The Grilled Lincolns, a six-piece band that melds elements of hip-hop, rock, jazz and reggae. Enjoy an afternoon of fun while raising funds for Partners In Care, a nonprofit that enables older adults to live independently. Art in the Park is scheduled for October 27.
Shoptoberfest
Twice a year, the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce organizes a community event that demonstrates the importance of the business community while offering games and giveaways. The fall variety is known as Shoptoberfest and is packed with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, music, giveaways and more. The chamber is planning to hold Shoptoberfest on October 26.
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