The temperatures are rising around the Bay region, which means one thing. It’s time for outdoor music festivals. No longer limiting themselves to single-night indoor concerts, musicians, DJs, bands and performers now work an entire festival circuit each summer to bring the jams, the beat, the vibes—what have you—to the masses in one location, usually over several days with camping, food vendors and VIP experiences. And it seems every year the opportunities to see big name artists multiplies—it can be challenging to get to every show in every location.
Chesapeake Country, the four venues below are our top outdoor dance floors where you should go to see and be seen this summer. So take note of the dates, buy your tickets early and get ready to dance.
Calvert Marine Museum Waterside Music Series
Solomons, Maryland
This summer concert series at the mouth of the Patuxent River is the museum’s most important fundraising event of the year and draws music fans from across the region. The popular series has hosted performers such as BB King, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and more.
Friday May 26 – Michael Ray, Avery Anna open for Dustin Lynch
Saturday June 24 – Ziggy Marley
Thursday July 27- Elle King opens for Lee Brice
Sunday August 20 – ATC The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
Saturday August 26 – Brett Young
Let’s Go Music Festival
Anne Arundel Co. Fairgrounds, Maryland
This three day (June 2-4) music festival features multiple genres of music, food trucks, vendors, games from Peake Social and artists like Jeff Huntington (aka Jahru). The current lineup includes: Collective Soul, Filter, Laughlin Colors, Honey Sol, Pretty Big Deal, Local Orange, Johnny Poulos, 311, Cold War Kids, Silversun Pickups, The Airborne Toxic Event, Lit, We Are Scientists, Kavoosi, All You Need, Black Dog Alley, Soundwaves, Julian Ewald, Chris Young, Kip Moore, Larry Fleet, Priscilla Block, The Brothers Moore, South 62, Jovon Newman, Brody Kean, Daphne Eckman, Left of the Dial and Tim Atkinson. Tickets available for single day or three-day packages, plus VIP experiences.
Beach It Country Music Festival
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Riley Green, Cole Swindell, Brothers Osborne and more headline this new three-day (June 23-25) country music festival in Virginia Beach. The Beach It Music Festival is three days of music on two stages for one memorable weekend. Beach It is introducing fans to trending newcomers on a stacked second-stage lineup called “Next From Nashville.” Hear some of country music’s most exciting new acts including Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Tyler Braden, Ben Burgess, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Madeline Edwards, Erin Kinsey, Pillbox Patti, Peytan Porter and Aaron Raitiere. For details and to purchase passes, visit BeachItFestival.com
Annapolis Baygrass
Sandy Point State Park, Maryland
This conservation-focused musical event (Sept 30-Oct 1) blends the finest progressive bluegrass music with a gorgeous beachfront venue and a core mission to protect and restore the Bay.
Watch 14 top touring bands on two stages over two days, with local food, microbrews, wines, craft cocktails/mocktails, workshops, craft vendors, and activities for all ages. Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Keller & The Keels and Melvin Seals & JGB top the 2023 Annapolis Baygrass lineup.
Other acts set to play the event include Fruition, Lindsay Lou, Cabinet, Cris Jacobs & Smooth Kentucky, Jon Stickley Trio, Arkansauce and more. Lindsay Lou will also serve as the Artist-At-Large. Ten percent of all proceeds from ticket, food, beverage and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organization partners that work to protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. VIP and general admission two-day tickets: $110-$365, plus $3 parking (cash).
