October
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends and Labor Day, August 23 through October 19
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Revel Grove, Crownsville
www.rennfest.com
800-296-7304
The region’s premier outdoor event and second largest Renaissance Festival in the country is celebrating its 38th season at Revel Grove. Travel back in time as you immerse yourself in the culture of a 16th-century English village, complete with King Henry VIII and his court. The festival includes 200+ entertainers, ten stages, a 3,000 seat jousting arena, 122 craft shops, 48 food and beverage emporiums, games, attractions and 85 acres of complimentary parking. Let merriment abound!
First Sunday Arts Festival
Sunday, October 5
Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
First block of West and Calvert Streets, Annapolis
www.firstsundayarts.com
410-741-3267
Enjoy live entertainment as you stroll along the first block of West Street and Calvert Street next to Whitemore parking garage and peruse the work of 100 local and regional artists. Local restaurants set up outside cafes that are perfect for people watching and an afternoon bite to eat. Free parking for the family-friendly event is available at the state parking garage on the corner of Calvert and Bladen Streets.
U.S. Sailboat Show
Thursday through Monday, October 9-13
10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
City Dock, Annapolis
www.usboat.com
410-268-8828
Now in its 45th year, the nation’s oldest and largest in-water sailboat show featuring exclusively new boats attracts more than 50,000 boating enthusiasts from around the world to America’s Sailing Capital each year. The event is recognized worldwide as the premier sailing showcase for seminars, boating attire and accessories, foul weather gear and boats of all sizes.
U.S. Powerboat Show
Thursday through Sunday,
City Dock, Annapolis
www.usboat.com
410-268-8828
Now in its 43rd year, the nation’s oldest and largest in-water powerboat exhibition features everything from luxurious motor yachts and trawlers to high-performance boats and offshore fishing machines. The show includes family cruisers, center consoles, inflatables and the world’s largest power catamaran section. Attendees will also find a wide selection of marine equipment, high-tech electronics, accessories, gear, and related services.
Oyster Festival
Sunday, October 19
12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $6
Captain Avery Museum, 1418 East West Shady Side Road, Shadyside, MD
www.captainaverymuseum.org
410-867-4486
Enjoy food, live music by local artists and unique crafts. Face painting and live crab races are a big hit with the kids. Demonstrations show the vital role oysters play in maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
Patuxent Research Refuge, National Wildlife Visitor Center Patuxent Wildlife Festival
Saturday, October 19
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/
301-497-5763
Enjoy live animals, children’s crafts, tram tours ($), scientific demonstrations and behind-the-scenes research tours of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. This is your once-a-year opportunity to see where endangered Whooping Cranes and Sea ducks are raised and studied.
Pumpkin Walk
Friday, October 24
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: $6
Hammond Harwood House, 19 Maryland Ave, Annapolis
www.hammondharwoodhouse.org
410-263-4683
Hundreds of children enjoy old-fashioned festivities including apple-bobbing, face-painting, story-telling, and even a musically accompanied costume parade down Cumberland Court and Maryland Avenue. Held rain or shine.
U.S. Naval Academy’s Halloween/All Saints’ Day Concert
Friday-Saturday, October 31 – November 1
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Admission
U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, 101 Cooper Road, Annapolis
www.usna.edu/Music/
Ticket Office: 410-293-2439
Enjoy a spectacular evening of music, light, drama and dance. One of the most popular events on the “Yard,” the concert features U.S. Naval Academy Chapel organist Monte Maxwell and the multi-talented midshipmen in a presentation that has drawn record-breaking crowds to the USNA Chapel. The concert uses special effects and a wide variety of music from multiple genres to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
