Summer in Annapolis is basically a free concert ticket — you just have to know where to show up. Seven different organizations are putting on weekly outdoor music this season, from a floating stage on Back Creek to a sunset show at the Maritime Museum to a Friday night picnic at Goshen Farm.
We rounded up every series in town with a regular date and a real lineup. Save this page, bring a chair, and let's go.
Last updated: July 14, 2026
Tunesday
Photo: Chronic Sailing
Tuesdays, 90 minutes before sunset | Free | No drinks or food for sale
It doesn’t get much better than this. The best way to watch is to take your canoe, kayak, or boat out on Back Creek and get as close to Chronic Sailing’s catamaran as you can. Second best is to walk through the Ellen O Moyer Nature Park and hang out on the dock.
Aside from having the best venue, this lineup is stacked.
Schedule
May 12: Brandon Hardesty (reggae, ska, punk | of Bumpin Uglies)
May 19: Skribe (garage folk Americana)
May 26: Mike Heuer (alt folk-pop, indie soul)
June 2: Jordan Sokel (folk, blues, soul | of Pressing Strings)
June 9: The Grilled Lincolns (rock, hip-hop, funk, reggae, R&B, blues)
June 16: Kristi Allen (Americana, blues folk)
June 23: Luke Borchelt (Country)
June 30: Shelby Morgan (Synth-pop, indie-pop)
July 7: Nate Finn (Rock, pop | of All You Need)
July 14: DJ Crawdads
July 21: Callum (Indie pop, folk, jazz, R&B)
July 28: Ryan Keith (outlaw country)
August 4: Jimi Haha (alt rock | of Jimmie's Chicken Shack)
August 11: Joey Harkum (Americana, folk)
August 18: The Betas (electric folk)
August 25: Sydney Smith (soul-folk)
September 1: Higher Hands (soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop)
Tides & Tunes
Thursdays, 7-9 PM at the Annapolis Maritime Museum (723 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403) | Free (donations appreciated) | Drinks and food for sale
Naptown Scoop photo
An absolute Annapolis icon. These concerts are wildly popular so expect a big crowd. If you plan to bring a chair, arrive early or you won’t have room to set it up. Also worth noting: Tides & Tunes is a zero-waste event so bring a cup or buy a reusable one there.
Parking is also extremely limited so walk or bike if you can. Uber or Lyft if not. You can come by boat but there is very limited docking at the Maritime Museum and it is for First Mate and above Museum members only ($200+ annually). We’ve known folks to dock their boats first thing Thursday morning and catch an Uber home to secure a good spot.
Schedule
June 11: Dublin 5 (Irish rock)
June 18: A Classic Case (classic rock)
June 25: All You Need (rock, pop, alt rock)
July 2: The Grilled Lincolns w/ Michael McHenry (rock, hip-hop, funk, reggae, R&B, blues)
July 9: One Night Only (rock, pop-rock)
July 16: Timmie Metz Band (rock, soul)
July 23: Sweet Leda (rock, funk, soul)
July 30: John Frase Project (Motown, modern pop, rock and roll)
August 6: Honest Lee Soul (funk, soul, blues, hip-hop, rock)
August 13: Jarflys (rock)
August 20: Jah Works (roots reggae, dancehall, dub, rocksteady)
Watermark’s Friday Night Live
Fridays, 7:30-9 PM | $43+ | Drinks and snacks for sale onboard
Photo: Watermark Journey
The only paid concert series on this list — but also the only one where the venue moves. Watermark teamed up with WRNR 93.5 FM to put local bands on a 90-minute sunset cruise out of downtown Annapolis. Grab a drink from the onboard bar, watch the sun drop behind the State House, and let the band do its thing.
One catch: no pets.
Schedule
May 15: Rickshaw Lizard (jam, funk, four-part harmony)
May 22: Rock Steady Project (Go-Go, R&B, funk)
June 5: GroundRent (Baltimore rock 'n' roll acoustic duo)
June 19: Naptown Brass (New Orleans-style brass; voted Best Local Band by What's Up Annapolis three years running)
July 10: Mark Gregan (solo saxophone with Next Level Entertainment)
July 17: Fess Up (rock covers)
July 24: Sister Midnight (rock)
July 31: Top Dead Center (rock hits, '70s to today)
August 7: GroundRent (Baltimore rock 'n' roll acoustic duo)
August 21: Rick and the Revolving Doors (funk, rock, soul party band)
August 28: Rickshaw Lizard (jam, funk, four-part harmony)
September 4: Naptown Brass (New Orleans-style brass)
September 11: Songwriters on the Severn
September 18: Rock Steady Project (Go-Go, R&B, funk)
Tickets and band bios at watermarkjourney.com.
Thursday Night Live at Annapolis Town Center
Photo: Annapolis Town Center
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM | Free | Drinks and food for sale
Who said an outdoor concert series had to be waterfront? This one’s closer to the highway than the Bay but it’s every bit as awesome as the others. Forget a chair? Rent one from the SPCA for $2 and support local animals.
Schedule
June 4: Sweet Leda (rockin' soul)
June 11: The Chucks (pop rock)
June 18: Groove Spot Band (funk, Motown)
June 25: Unity Reggae Band (reggae)
July 2: Remains of Radio (R&B, pop)
July 9: Don't Back Down (Tom Petty tribute)
July 16: Honest Lee Soul (funk, soul)
July 23: Mambo Combo (Latin)
July 30: Dan Heely (rock, blues)
August 6: 8 Ohms (R&B, pop)
August 13: Justin Taylor (rock, modern country)
August 20: Joe Falero Band (Latin)
August 27: The Players Band (ska, reggae)
Goshen Farm
Fridays, 6:30-8:30 PM | Free | BYO drinks and food
Photo: Goshen Farm
The only series on this list with two bands per night! Also probably the most laid back vibe on this whole list. If you want a nice family-friendly way to wind down a week. This is it.
Schedule
June 26: 1st World Problems | Up to 11
July 10: Acousticafe | Cape Tree
July 24: CBJC | Cold Brew 42
August 7: Guava Jelly | Capt. Chesapeake and the Sea Monsters
August 21: Dirk Schwenk & Friends | Befuddlers
September 11: Savage In Nature | 24 Karate
Quiet Waters Park
Saturdays, 6-8 PM (5:30-7:30 PM starting August 15) plus one Sunday show on Sep. 6 | Free (including park entry) | Food for sale
Photo: Friends of Quiet Waters Park
Probably the most popular concert series on this list. QWP has a nice big space for concerts and it gets packed, especially for summer concert icons like the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Pops in the Park.
There are no seats so bring a blanket or folding chairs. Leashed pets are welcome. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in Quiet Waters Park.
Schedule
July 25: Black-Eyed Suzies (bluegrass)
August 1: The Roadducks (classic rock, Motown, R&B, country)
August 8: Clones of Funk (funk | Parliament/Funkadelic tribute)
August 15: Kelly Bell Band (blues, soul, funk, hip-hop, rock)
August 22: Young Cats and Old Souls: Generations of Jazz in the Park (Jazz)
August 29: Naval Academy Blues & Gold Band (Blues ensemble)
September 6: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (Classical)
BLOOMHAVEN at Maryland Hall
Select Sundays | Tickets required (kids 12 and under free) | Food and drinks for sale
Maryland Hall turned its front lawn into a summer hangout last year, and it's back with four genre-spanning Sunday shows. Each night brings a different scene — Grateful Dead jams, a Go-Go barbecue, a jazz set, and a season-ending bluegrass picnic — plus local food vendors, returning community partners, and (yes) the Croquet Club of Annapolis. A four-show bundle gets you the whole season for the price of three.
Schedule
July 12: Grateful Dead Night with Better Off Dead, 2 sets (Road to Baygrass)
July 26: Go-Go Barbeque with JoGo Project & Pressure Band
August 16: Jazz & Jams featuring Natalie Brooke Band & Ahmed Warshanna Trio
September 13: The Annapolis Fiddler's Pick-nic & Birthday Bash, hosted by Sarah Larsen of The Black-Eyed Suzies (Road to Baygrass)
Hatton-Regester Green
Photo: Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails
Sundays, 4-6 PM | Free
This one’s fantastic to walk or bike too since the pavilion is right on the B&A Trail. Limited benches are available so definitely bring a blanket or folding chair.
Schedule
May 17: Jeff Herbert (Folk, pop, Celtic)
May 24: Ginger & the Other Dave
May 31: Guava Jelly (Caribbean reggae, pop, rock, Motown)
The Quick Cheat Sheet
If you only remember one thing per series:
Tuesday — Tunesday on Back Creek. Bring a boat.
Thursday — Tides & Tunes at the Maritime Museum. Bring cash (and a cup), leave the dog.
Thursday (again) — Thursday Night Live at Town Center. Bring nothing.
Friday — Goshen Farm. Bring a picnic. OR Watermark’s Live Music Cruise. Bring a light jacket (it can get windy on the water).
Saturday — Quiet Waters Park. Bring a chair.
Sunday — BloomHaven at Maryland Hall. Bring a ticket. OR Hatton-Regester. Bring a bike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see free live music in Annapolis this summer?
There are six free outdoor concert series running across town from May through September: Tunesday on Back Creek, Tides & Tunes at the Maritime Museum, Thursday Night Live at Annapolis Town Center, Goshen Farm on Friday nights, Quiet Waters Park on Saturdays, and Hatton-Regester Green on Sundays. Full schedules above.
Where is Tunesday and how does it work?
Tunesday is a floating concert on Back Creek hosted by Chronic Sailing aboard their catamaran. Music starts about 90 minutes before sunset on Tuesdays from May through September. The best way to watch is from a boat, kayak, or paddleboard — second best is the dock at Ellen O Moyer Nature Park.
Is Tides & Tunes free?
Yes — free to attend at the Annapolis Maritime Museum every Thursday from June 11 to August 20. Donations are appreciated. Food and drinks are for sale, and the event is zero-waste, so bring or buy a reusable cup.
What's the best place in Annapolis to see live music on a Friday?
Two options: Goshen Farm hosts free two-band nights every other Friday with a laid-back, BYO-everything vibe. Watermark's Friday Night Live runs a paid 90-minute sunset cruise with a local band on board — same night, different mood.
Are kids and pets welcome at these concerts?
Most are kid-friendly. Pets: leashed dogs are welcome at Quiet Waters Park (which does not allow alcohol), but the Watermark sunset cruise is a no-pets event. Each venue handles this slightly differently — check above before you load up the car.
What if it rains?
Outdoor series typically cancel or postpone for rain — check each organizer's social media for day-of updates. The Watermark cruise generally sails rain or shine.
See you out there.
