Your Guide to an Annapolis 4th of July

Book your Chesapeake Bay charter now as we’ll surely run out of available boats soon for this glorious 4th of July week. Here’s a rundown of the week’s festivities and what you need to know about getting around Annapolis during this busy time.

There are endless ways to celebrate Independence Day in Annapolis: flag-flying, barbecues and picnics, boating, fireworks, and more! We hope to find you on the water with us as the fireworks light up the sky and harbor. Here is a guide to plan your celebrations, check out this Annapolis event parking guide.

June 30th

Fireworks and Big Band Night
When: 7:00 pm – 10 pm (rain date: July 1st))
Where: Tolchester Beach Bandstand, 213 N. Talbot Street, St. Michaels
Admission: $6 Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Members (CBMM) and guests, $10 non-members, $2 after 8:45 pm for fireworks watching, children ages 5 and under are free. Buy tickets. Proceeds benefit the children and adults served by CBMM’s education, exhibition, and restoration programs.

Listen and dance to the music of “The Shades of Blue Orchestra“. Two vocalists join the Baltimore-based orchestra with a wide variety of songs. The group’s repertoire of music includes swing, rock, ballads, Latin, retro, waltz, and more.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to lounge to enjoy this summer night capped off by fireworks. Kick off your holiday weekend with the entire family. Food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

For safety reasons, only service dogs are allowed during Big Band Night and other festivals. Leashed dogs are permitted during regular operating hours. For more information, call 410-745-2916.

July 1st

First Sunday Arts Festival
When: Noon to 5:00 p.m. (bonus: this event is held every first Sunday through November)
Where: West at Calvert Street
Admission: Free
Parking: Free at the state parking garage on corner of Calvert and Bladen Streets.

Family-friendly event featuring live local entertainment and a large variety of art from over 100 artists hailing from Annapolis, the state of Maryland, and surrounding region. Enjoy an ice cream, lemonade, or a nice meal at one of the restaurants’ local cafes as you explore.

July 3rd

Fireworks
When: 9:30 pm
Where: Sherwood Forest off Severn River
This Sherwood Forest community event can be enjoyed by non-residents especially if you are aboard on a sailboat charter.

July 4th

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>Annapolis 4th of July Parade
When: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Starting point: West Street at Amos Garrett. The parade route travels down West Street, goes the wrong way around Church Circle, then down Main Street, left on Randall Street, and ends in front of the Market House.

Come join this community-wide, patriotic salute to our nation celebrating its independence. This big parade has marching bands, fire engines vintage and currently in service, sports and antique vehicles, as well as floats and marching troops of service clubs and Scouts!

United States Naval Academy Band Concert

When: 8:00 pm to dusk
Where: Susan Campbell Park – City Dock
Enjoy patriotic songs and other favorites by the United States Naval Academy Concert Band.

4th of July Fireworks

When: 9:15 pm
Where: Annapolis Harbor (on or off the water)
Spectators will be dazzled with fireworks display launched from a barge in Annapolis Harbor. For best viewing, find a spot northeast of the Severn River, on the City Dock, along the Naval Academy Bridge, any street-end park facing Spa Creek, or (the best) aboard a boat in the Annapolis Harbor.