Annual & Holiday Events in Kent County Maryland

Paint the Town

April 25 - 28, 2019 
Fountain Park Chestertown, Maryland
www.chestertownriverarts.net

Various locations throughout Chestertown.

Artists paint the local scene for three days and make their paintings available for sale at the Wet Paint Reception and Sale on Saturday at the RiverArts Gallery. On Sunday, there is a two-hour Quick Draw; these paintings are then shown in Fountain Park from 11:00am-12:00pm. These works are judged, and also for sale. The public also has an opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Award.

Dogwood Festival of Galena

May 18, 2019

May 19, 2019 (Rain Date)
Main Street of Galena, Maryland

The annual Galena Dogwood Festival, is a fun, family-friendly event bringing together craft and food vendors from around the region to celebrate the start of the Upper Eastern Shore’s gorgeous spring weather and the beauty of charming Galena, Maryland and its dogwood lined streets.

Chestertown Tea Party Festival

May 24 - 26, 2019
Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday
Downtown Chestertown
http://www.chestertownteaparty.org/

The annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, marks the anniversary of one of the area’s most notable historic events, when the citizens of Chestertown—in an act to show resistance to British rule—tossed a ship’s cargo of tea overboard into the Chester River in 1774. The festival’s Tea Toss Reenactment is the centerpiece of the event, which also includes a Friday night Block Party, Saturday 5K and 10-mile races, craft beer and local wine samples, craft vendors, street performances, a parade and more.

National Music Festival

June 2 -15, 2019
Various locations throughout Kent County
www.nationalmusic.us

The National Music Festival transforms Kent County into a hub of music for two weeks every June. The nationally recognized event pairs gifted apprentice musicians with world-class mentors. These performers set out together for open, free, rehearsal and incredible performances in venues across the Eastern Shore.

Chestertown's "Music in the Park" Summer Concert Series

Alternating Saturdays June 8 - August 31
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Fountain Park in Chestertown, Maryland

Chestertown’s Music in the Park Summer Concert Series provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a variety of music from their lawn chairs during free performances by local and regional artists. Taking place on alternate summer Saturdays, these concerts highlight all types of music including big band, jazz, bluegrass and rock.

Pro-Am Rock Fish Tournament

June 7 - 9, 2019
Rock Hall, Maryland
http://marylandwatermen.com/rockfish-tournament.html

Take your fishing to the next level at the annual Maryland Watermen’s Association Pro-Am Rockfish Tournament. ‘Hook the Big One’ or catch the Jewel of the Chesapeake in this weekend long competition.

Fourth of July in Kent County

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Kent County by enjoying a weekend full of fun, including three days of fireworks and much more!

Kent County 4H Fair

July 18 - 20, 2019
Chestertown, Maryland
www.kentcountyfair.org

The 2018 Kent County Fair is open to the public from Thursday, July 19th through Saturday, July 21st. There is something for everyone as always from great food, arts and crafts, tractor pulls and midway rides. Do not forget the 4-H Livestock and Cake Auctions! It is a great and fun way to support our young 4-H members.

Betterton Day

Saturday, August 3, 2019
Betterton, Maryland

Join us for a fun-filled day at Betterton Beach! Parade starts down Main St. at 10:30am followed by rides, crafts, food and vendors at the beach. Free Admission. Parking and Rides Available.

Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend

August 9 - 11, 2019
Rock Hall, Maryland
www.rockhallpirates.com

Rock Hall’s Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend is a town-wide theme party now in its 11th year. The weekend long, town-wide, theme party features a Sea Shanty Sing A Long, Rum Tasting, Decorated Dinghy Contest, Caribbean Beach Party, Buccaneer’s Ball, 5K Run/Walk, Entertainment and Pirate Performers, Costume Contests, Treasure Hunt and much more!

Chestertown Jazz Festival

September 12 -14, 2019
Various locations throughout Kent County
www.chestertownjazzfestival.org.

A collection of Jazz performers gather in Kent County for the annual Chestertown Jazz Festival! The festival is held at Wilmer Park in Chestertown.

Chestertown HP Festival

October 4 & 5, 2019
Locations throughout Chestertown, Maryland
www.chestertownhpfest.org

Wizards and loyal Harry Potter fans will convene in Chestertown, Maryland for the Fourth consecutive Chestertown Harry Potter Festival. The fun filled weekend features a wide array of free and ticketed events sure to delight wizards and muggles alike. Event proceeds will benefit the Garfield Center for the Arts and the Kent County Fund through the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. The festival aims to celebrate the spirit and theme of Harry Potter while promoting the town’s local community and its arts.

Ghost Walks of Historic Chestertown

Every Saturday Night in October
October 5, 12, 19 & 26

Tours begin at 6:30 and run every half hour until 8:30
Downtown Chestertown, Maryland
http://www.kentcountyhistory.org/house_tour/index.php

There is more to history than meets the eye! Guides lead ticket holders through the darkened streets of Chestertown by candlelight, sharing strange accounts collected from historic district home and business owners. Behold true tales of murder and mayhem; and folklore that still lingers from the region’s British and African heritage.For information, visit www.kentcountyhistory.org.

Rock Hall FallFest

October 12, 2019
Rock Hall, Maryland

Rock Hall FallFest pays homage to the almighty oyster by inviting guests to savor oyster stew and fried oysters while browsing dozens of artisan and craft booths. While the oyster is the star of the show, this festival features all the highlights of Kent County, including a variety of live music performances, children’s activities and the opportunity to explore beautiful Rock Hall, Maryland.

Sultana Downrigging

November 1 - 3, 2019
Chestertown, Maryland
http://sultanaeducation.org/public-programs/sultana-public-sails/downrigging-weekend-2/

Sultana Downrigging Weekend fills Chestertown’s gorgeous waterfront with equally gorgeous schooners, ships and beautiful wooden boats. Now one of the largest Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festivals on the East Coast, this event welcomes participating vessels from throughout the region and provides festival attendees with the opportunity not only to see and explore these ships but to venture out on the water during scheduled sails. In addition to the ships, the festival also includes world-class musical performances, dynamite food from local restaurants and the chance to try local spirits.

Chestertown RiverArts Studio Tour

October 19 and 20 and October 26 and 27, 2019
Chestertown, Maryland

Taking place over the course of two October weekends, the Chestertown RiverArts Studio Tour includes more than 50 working studios throughout Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. Guests will be invited to explore creative studio spaces, watch artists at work, talk with them about their craft and purchase works at studio prices. Participation in the tour is free, and because it is self-guided, visitors can enjoy this art immersion at their own pace.

Visit the County of Kent, Maryland for the Holidays!

The spirit of the holidays can be found all over Kent County. Join us in celebrating this festive season.