Crab festivals in Maryland are aplenty, especially during the summer months.
So, I decided it’s time to put these annual crab festivals together in one big list, sorted by date, so that we Marylanders can plan ahead!
Crab Festivals in Maryland
If you were born and raised here, you certainly know this familiar term in Maryland: ‘Crab Feast’.
It’s a magical, happiness-inducing tradition that families all over our state partake in every summer.
Needless to say, my fondest memories growing up are sitting outside on the deck with my family, picking crab meat from a pile of steamed, Maryland blue crabs for hours, while talking and laughing.
It’s safe to say that it’s truly a rite of passage when growing up in Maryland.
Although times have changed and the population of Maryland crabs from the Chesapeake Bay has taken a hit over the years, enjoying a good summer crab feast is still a must!
So why not treat yourself and take the fam to the best of the best that Maryland has to offer!
What is a Maryland Crab Festival?
If you’ve never been to a Maryland Crab Festival, you’re probably not quite sure what to expect.
Well, you can expect LOTS of food! And not just crabs!
Depending on the festival (some are huge while others are small and intimate), here’s a list of all or some of the great food you can expect to enjoy:
- Steamed Crabs
- Crab Cakes
- Crab Cake Egg Rolls
- Crab Nuggets
- Crabby Pretzels
- Crab Soups – Cream of Crab Soup & Maryland Crab Soup
- Crab Mac & Cheese
- Crab Quesadillas
- Clam Bake
- Old Bay Wings
- Ceviche
- Oysters
- Shrimp
- Shrimp Salad
- Shrimp Tacos
- Fish
- Fish Tacos
- Fish & Chips
- Lobster Rolls
- Lobster Bisque
- Clam Chowder
- Salads
- Potato Salad
- Loaded Potatoes
- Cucumber Salad
- Hushpuppies
- Corn on the Cob
- Rolls
- Baked Beans
- French Fries
- Burgers
- Hot Dogs
- Cheesesteaks
- Meatballs
- Pit Beef
- BBQ Ribs
- Turkey Breast
- Fried Chicken
- Ham
- Ice Cream
- Kona Ice
- Kettle Corn
- Smith Island Cake
- Watermelon
For some festivals, the ticket price includes AYCE (All You Can Eat).
Whereas other crab festivals in Maryland charge a la carte and let you decide how much you want to eat.
What Can I Expect At A Crab Festival?
In addition to the amazing food, you’ll also find that some or most of these festivals offer:
- Local Wines
- Cold Beer – Draft Beer & Bottled Beer
- Spirits
- Water
- Sodas
- Iced Tea
- Lemonade
- Food & Drink Tastings
- Food Trucks
- Food Vendors
- Chef Demonstrations
- Crab Picking Demos
- Great Live Music
- Vendors
- Artisans
- Shopping
- Kids Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Entertainment
- Fireman’s Parade
- 5K Crab Run
- Cruises
- Crab Race
- DJ
- Dancing
- 50/50 Raffles
- Door Prizes
- Pull Tab Games
- Games
- Giveaways
- Car Shows
- Contests
- Petting Zoo
- Opportunities for Sponsors
- Some allow pets
Also, some of these festivals offer VIP tickets as well as discounted tickets for:
- Designated Drivers
- Senior Citizens
- Veterans
- Military
While many of these festivals are family friendly and pet friendly, others require that attendees be 18+ or 21+, so be sure to read all of the details before you buy your tickets.
1. Bushels & Brews
Bushels & Brews
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Hummingbird Inn
14 N Aurora St
Easton, MD 21601
(410) 376-5632
2. Choptank Cruise & Crab Feast – June 14, 2024
Choptank Cruise and Crab Feast
9am-5pm
Organized by Howard County Government
Bain 50+ Center
5470 Ruth Keeton Way
Columbia, MD 21044
Join us for a spectacular crab feast lunch prepared by the Suicide Bridge Restaurant aboard the Choptank Riverboat Company’s reproduction of an authentic 80-foot turn-of-the-century paddle wheeler. Fully enclosed lower deck with air conditioning and stunning views of the Choptank River and Maryland’s Eastern Shore! A perfect summertime event! Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or [email protected].
3. The St. Mary’s County Crab Festival – June 8, 2024
The St. Mary’s County Crab Festival
St. Mary’s Fairgrounds
42455 Fairgrounds Rd
Leonardtown, Md
[email protected]
The Crab Festival is a celebration of St. Mary’s Crab Culture and Cooking.
Expect to find plenty of steamed hard crabs, crab soups, crab cakes, and other seafood dishes available for purchase. Before or after your meal, browse among our regional crafters! If you’ve been looking for that special, handmade gift or item with a ‘Crabby’ theme, you’ll probably find it here!
4. The Crab Place Crab & Cruises – May thru Sept 2024 (20 Themed Events)
The Crab Place Crab & Cruise
Most start at 4:30 pm and end at 9:30 pm
Each date is a different theme
The Crab Place Restaurant
504 Maryland Ave
Crisfield, MD 21817
(410) 968-3167
5. Middletown Volunteer Fire Company Crab Feast – July 13, 2024
Middletown Volunteer Fire Company Crab Feast
3:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Middletown Volunteer Fire Company
Activities Building
1 Fireman’s Lane
Middletown, MD 21769
(301) 371-6907
6. Baltimore Magazine’s Crab Fest
Baltimore Magazine’s Crab Fest
12pm to 6pm
Rash Field
201 Key Hwy
Baltimore, MD 21230
7. Annual Crab Feast – September 20, 2024
Annual Crab Feast – Organized by National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
7pm to 11pm
Rosedale Gardens
8037 Philadelphia Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21237
(443) 426-4110
[email protected]
8. Annapolis Crab Feast – August 2, 2024
Annapolis Crab Feast – World’s Largest Crab Feast
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
550 Taylor Ave
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 263-4783
9. Maryland Seafood Festival – September 14-15, 2024
Maryland Seafood Festival
10am
Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis, Md
ABC Events 443-699-3158
[email protected]
10. Birdland Crab Feast – April 21, 2024
Birdland Crab Feast
2pm
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
6526 Holabird Ave
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 633-4040
Lastly, if you’re looking for a great, local crab house for a good crab feast minus the ‘festival’ part, click on over to Best Steamed Crabs in Frederick, Md.
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I loved, loved, loved this “post!!!”
I can’t wait to try the crab stuffed salmon!! I’m drooling!!
I had NO idea there were so many wineries in Frederick? We need to set a time, ha!!
Thank you for all your hard work researching everything and the fabulous pictures!!!