The greater Washington DC / Baltimore Metro Area music scene thrives and has fully recovered from the pandemic years.  Proof of our thriving music scene has been the emergence of new music festivals taking root throughout the region. One of the latest festivals to appear on the DMV's music calendar is the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival.  The inaugural edition was canceled at the last minute by a hurricane. However, last year's edition washed ashore into the region like a thunderous storm of music and celebration.  This year's edition is shaping up to be a Category 5 festival of epic proportions.

The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival will take at the gorgeous eastern beach at Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, on September 21st and 222nd, 2024.  

Over a beautiful fall weekend, fans will get to enjoy music from Oteil & Friends (Oteil Burbridge w/ Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna, Lamar Williams Jr.), The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Kitchen Dwellers, Sierra Hull, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Cris Jacobs & Friends, Trouble No More, The Lil Smokies, The Dirty Grass Players, Big Richards, Brown Eyed Woman, and Geraldine.  In addition to a stupendous lineup, there will be three artists at large this weekend, creating a world-class brass ensemble to the lineup featuring Jennifer Harstwick (trumpet & vocals), Natalie Cressman (trombone & vocals), and local legend Ron Holloway (saxophone).

While listening to some of the best local and national bluegrass music, fans can dance in the sand, enjoy fresh oysters and Maryland seafood, chase it down with local craft brews and wines, and enjoy fun activities for all ages. Festival goers will enjoy two days of exciting activities, which include yoga, beach and yard games, a fun kid zone, and interactive workshops with bay conservation non-profits and musicians.

Highlighting the finest in regional and national bluegrass, jamgrass, funkgrass, and Americana music, this conservation and community-focused musical event was listed as a “Don’t-Miss Bay Music Festival'' by Chesapeake Bay Magazine. A family-friendly festival, Annapolis Baygrass draws people from all over the country and the region to enjoy the unique beachfront destination. 

Part of all proceeds from ticket, food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organizations that work tirelessly to protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. So, just by having fun, you're helping the Bay. Baygrass has embraced the motto of "Every Jam Saves the Bay." With each jam along Sandy Point State Park, we will help our beloved Chesapeake Bay. 

This year, Baygrass features an elevated culinary experience, including Maryland crab cakes, roasted and raw oysters, gourmet BBQ, wood-fired pizzas, and other delicious vegan and vegetarian delicacies. Tasty beverage selections include microbrews, craft cocktails and wines, mocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. Yoga, music and educational workshops, beach and yard games, kids activities, local craft vendors, and more will all be available at the festival.

“The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival was born out of our team’s love of progressive bluegrass music, the desire to generate a fun community-oriented vibe, and a passion for protecting the Chesapeake Bay,” says festival co-founder and CEO Ron Peremel. “The Baygrass philosophy is to help people learn about conservation, sustainability, and mental health—in a way that combines education with fun. ’Every Jam Helps a Mind’ and ‘Every Jam Saves the Bay,’ as we like to say!”

More than a music festival, Annapolis Baygrass maintains its mission to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. As part of this mission, a portion of all proceeds from tickets, food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organizations, including Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival was founded in 2022 by Ron Peremel, John Way, and Ron Katz, who share a passion for music, a love of the local region, and a desire to give back to the community by creating a music festival with a purpose. They brought in industry veterans to join the team as well.  Baygrass’ environmental ethos is evidenced in its adoption of the sustainability model, making it one of the only green festivals in Maryland. Actions to reduce the festival's environmental footprint include using local food vendors and ingredients, compostable plates and utensils, reusable metal cups, refillable water stations, and a “no single-use plastic water bottles” policy.

By celebrating the local region, giving back to the community, and curating a fantastic lineup of musicians, Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival aims to be a pillar in the local and national music scenes and an annual music festival tradition for years to come!

In addition to the ticket option below, you can learn more about VIP, Camping and Lodging, and Transportation/Shuttles/Rideshare options.

We look forward to dancing with delight at Sandy Point State Park with you as we enjoy some of the finest in regional and national bluegrass and Americana and embrace what looks to be a permanent fixture in our local music scene.

See you all in:

To learn more about the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival, please see the following web resources:

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