Things to do in April in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

Located in the heart of Maryland, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is the ideal destination for spring adventures. To simplify planning, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County has compiled a handy list of activities throughout the region this April.

Inaugural Event: A Maryland Wine Experience

April 15 - 16 – A Maryland Wine Experience (Annapolis) The Maryland Wineries Association presents A Maryland Wine Experience, showcasing the best of Maryland wine in a three-part consumer event. Focused on exploration and education, you are invited to attend all three parts of A Maryland Wine Experience. Winemakers, winery owners, and expert winery staff will be on hand to talk about their wines and offer a sneak peek into why they're so passionate about what they do. Tickets are priced between $30 and $290 and offer various curated wine experiences.

"Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County is thrilled to partner with our Grow & Fortify friends to welcome guests to savor Maryland wines in the historic city of Annapolis and encourage all to enjoy the many shops, attractions, and restaurants throughout the region," said Kristen Pironis, Executive Director of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. "We're proud that Anne Arundel County is home to a growing craft beverage industry, and we raise a glass to occasions like these that bring people together to support our state's thriving wine industry—Cheers!"

Annual Signature Events:

March 31- April 2 -- Maryland Day Weekend (Anne Arundel County) Commemorate Maryland's birthday this year with a celebration of art, heritage, and culture with free or $1.00 admission to museums, parks, heritage areas, and events throughout Anne Arundel County all weekend-long. With over 30+ events and activities daily, you will find something for everyone in your family to enjoy. For more information and a complete list of events by day and date, visit Maryland Day online.

April 26 - August 30 -- Wednesday Night Sailboat Races (Annapolis City Dock) Discover the Annapolis tradition of the Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Races from the deck of the Schooner Woodwinds. Woodwind and Woodwind II will be match racing every Wednesday night when there is an Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) Race (weather dependent). Both boats will start on the AYC starting line at 6:45 pm and then sail on a set racecourse while passengers enjoy the thrills of the weekly regatta. Racing begins on April 26, 2023. Tickets are $75.25 per person (the same price as their weekly sunset sails) and include a complimentary soft drink or bottled water. Tickets go on sale six days before the date you want to go sailing.

April 28 – 30 -- Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show (Annapolis) Jumpstart the boating season with the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show in historic downtown along the city's waterfront. Annapolis Boat Shows, a leading management company, has produced these in-water demonstrations since 1970, drawing over 150,000 people worldwide to the Chesapeake Bay who gather to see the latest and greatest in boats and related gear. As part of the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show, Cruisers University, held April 27-30, 2023, will have workshops providing professional lessons and opportunities for hands-on experience. Topics include learning how to troubleshoot and maintain engines, navigate in coastal and offshore weather, cruising courses, and classes on maintaining a boat above and below the waterline.

April 30 -- Santa Maria Cup Opening Ceremony (Annapolis) This racing regatta is the world's only professional sailing series for women. Join sailors from around the world at this international regatta on the Chesapeake Bay shores, May 1- 4, 2023. Annapolis is one of four host cities for this historic event. The Opening Night Ceremony will occur at the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis.

Calendar of Events:

April 1 -- MLK Parade and African Diaspora Festival (Annapolis) The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and African Diaspora Festival is coming to Annapolis with art, entertainers, music, and vendors beginning at noon on April 1 at Amos Garrett Boulevard. The festival will follow at City Dock and run from 1 to 8 pm.

April 1 -- Grammy Winner Samara Joy at Ram's Head On Stage (Annapolis) International recording artist and recent Grammy Award Winner Samara Joy will be headlining at Rams Head On Stage with her soulful and sultry jazz stylings, reminiscent of the golden era of Jazz. The 22-year-old songstress is quickly cementing herself as the first Gen Z jazz icon. This is a 21+ event.

April 1 -- Two Romantics -- Brahms & Prokofiev (Annapolis) Join the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra in concert at Maryland Hall performing Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 73 and Prokofiev's Concerto for Violin No. 1 in D major, op. 19.

April 1- April 3 -- Her Voice, Her Vision (Brooklyn Park) The Women's History Month exhibition highlights women artists and their vast talents. Join the Chesapeake Arts Center for a complimentary March 16 opening reception featuring beverages and light snacks from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Hal Gomer Gallery.

April 1-August 31 -- POW Challenge Scavenger Hunt at USNA (Annapolis) On the 50th anniversary of the repatriation of Vietnam War prisoners of war (February 12), the U.S. Naval Academy launched an interactive exhibit that engages audiences with the riveting history of the POW experience. "Returned with Honor" tells the story of defiant American Vietnam POWs and the unwavering commitment of their devoted wives and families. Hosted by USNA's Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, the challenge allows participants to witness firsthand accounts of the courage and ingenuity of Vietnam War POWs by scanning QR codes at 19 iconic Naval Academy locations. The combined scavenger hunt and walking tour of the USNA Yard commemorates the service and sacrifice of the 591 American POWs who returned home from North Vietnam as part of Operation Homecoming, which began February 12, 1973.

April 2 -- Wilma Lee Sets Sail (Eastport) Set sail in 2023 and join Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park for a cruise aboard the historic skipjack, WILMA LEE, in Annapolis. Built in 1940, she is one of 23 floating skipjacks and only five commercially dredging for oysters. The season runs April-October. Tickets are available at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park website.

April 2 -- Fire in the Kitchen Pickleball Classic (Eastport) The inaugural Fire in the Kitchen Pickleball Classic will be hosted by the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC) and Fire Station 36 from 8 am - 2 pm on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Pip Moyer Rec Center in Annapolis. The event features Women's and Men's Doubles and an Open Doubles First Responders bracket. All proceeds will help EVFC and Station 36 serve the Eastport community through programs promoting fire prevention education, safety awareness, and initiatives designed to protect public health.

April 7 - April 30 -- Our Town (Annapolis) A thoughtful and creative take on this charming Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Thorton Wilder, by Classic Theatre of Maryland, is an American classic that will leave you reminiscing days gone by. Tickets are available from $55-$75.

April 7, 14, 21, 28 -- Formal Lecture Series (Annapolis) On Friday evenings, gather in the Great Hall at St. John's College to enjoy a lecture or concert by visiting scholars, artists, poets, and faculty. Lecturers include the college's Annapolis dean, members of the St. John's College faculty, and professors from notable universities nationwide. An engaging discussion with the presenter, students, and faculty follows the 8:00 pm presentations.

April 8 -- Hammond Harwood House Easter Egg Hunt (Annapolis) In this family-friendly activity, participants will tour the Hammond-Harwood House, go on an Easter egg hunt in the garden, and paint the wooden eggs that are found. The event will run 10 am - 11:30 am; tickets are $10 - $15 each.

April 15 - 16 -- Graham Nash: Sixty Years of Songs & Stories (Annapolis) With two shows over two nights, you will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience from Legendary artist Graham Nash, founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Show time is 8 pm; tickets start at $135.00.

April 18 -- Life Along the River: The Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia (Annapolis) Historic Annapolis, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is pleased to present a special presentation with Renée Gokey, the Student and Teacher Services coordinator at the National Museum of the American Indian, on the Pamunkey Tribe of Virginia. This is a free online event; however, registration is required.

April 20 -- Colonial Cocktails: Orange Shrub and Rum Punch (Edgewater) This famous cocktail; class is brought to you by Historic London Town. Imbibe as they did at the colonial seaport with a classic colonial concoction. A perfect mix of history and culinary perfection, this event will sell out quickly. Price: Members: $25 Non-Members: $33, 6 pm - 7:30 pm.

April 22 -- Parijita Live in Concert (Severna Park) Parijita Bastola, Severna Park High School senior and semifinalist on NBC's The Voice, will perform live in Severna Park with Jackson Taylor Blues Co.! This night of music kicks off at 7 pm with Parijita's good friend and local musician, Tyler Zachry. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 - $45 each.

April 22 -- Rock the Harbor with Tranzfusion (Severn River). Presented by Cruises on the Bay by Watermark, Tranzfusion is back by popular demand for a 2.5-hour live music cruise in Annapolis. Cruise the bay and Severn River as you enjoy live music, cocktails, and dancing on the Harbor Queen! Tickets are $55; the cruise runs from 7 - 9:30 pm.

April 22 -- Swing Into Spring; Kick Gas in Annapolis (Inner West Street) A beloved Earth Day festival returns with music, activities, vendors, and more along the storefronts of Inner West Street. Annapolis Green will electrify Earth Day from 3–6 pm. Learn about the electric driving experience from the drivers of over 50 vehicles of all types and models, from cars to pickup trucks to electric motorcycles and e-bicycles. Enjoy kid-friendly Earth Day Activities and continue the night at one of the restaurants during Dinner Under the Stars from 5 - 8 pm.

April 21-23, & April 28-30 -- Artists on the Half Shell (Edgewater) Join over 30 Southern Anne Arundel County artists in a pop-up art show including creations in a range of media, such as painting, stained glass, jewelry, photography, sculpture, wood, mixed media, ceramics, textile, and more. Sponsored by the Muddy Creek Artists Guild.

April 27 -- 2023 Fly Fishing Film Tour (Eastport) The 17th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) presented by Costa, YETI, and Simms is back in action and hitting the road with a top-notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead. The 2023 show will feature locations from Cuba to Patagonia, Mexico to Australia, Alaska, Wyoming, the Deep South, Massachusetts, and beyond. The Annapolis Maritime Museum will host this year's film tour on April 27 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm; tickets are $30.

April 28 - 29 -- Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents Don Quixote (Annapolis) A family-friendly ballet full of bravery, fantasy, and love, this revered ballet classic centers on Don Quixote, an aging and eccentric nobleman, who imagines himself to be a valiant knight. With his trusted sidekick Sancho Panza in tow, Quixote embarks on a humorous and fateful journey. Evening and matinee performances are available; tickets range in price from $30 - $50, excluding taxes and fees.

April 29 -- Annapolis Book Festival (Annapolis) Every year, thousands of people enjoy this community Festival that celebrates the written word's beauty, power, passion, and excitement. The festival will celebrate its 20th year in 2023, bringing nationally renowned authors to the community to discuss their books and the craft of writing and featuring a day filled with children's activities, live music, food, and a huge used book sale. The Annapolis Book Festival is free to attend and open to all!