Exploring Local Festivals and Favorite Fall Events

Calling all crab, oyster, and coastal cuisine fans! Crab and seafood enthusiasts will unite at Northside Park for the 2nd Annual Ocean City Seafood Festival. Featuring more than 20 local restaurants and food trucks, this single-day culinary extravaganza brings the best flavors of Maryland straight to your plate.

Featured Local Vendors & Highlights:

• The Eats: Hooper's Crab House, Coastal Salt, Captain's Galley Crab Shake Shack, Baywater Seafood, Jimmy's Famous Seafood, The Sterling Tavern, Papi's Tacos, Boxhill Crabcakes, Fallen Pine Oyster, Ocean City Taphouse, Seaside Sweets, and more!
• The Vibe: A family-friendly atmosphere packed with steamed crabs, craft drinks, chef demos, and live music right on the water. Get your tickets here!

Experience an event unlike any other as Ocean City says goodbye to the summer season with the Summer Send-Off. This open-air spectacle turns the beach and sky into a massive canvas of light, color, and movement.

What to Expect:

• Glowing Hot Air Balloons: Illuminating the shore after dusk.
• High-Energy Laser Shows: Cutting through the night sky.
• Giant Sand Kites: Dancing high above the waves.

Note: While four days of fun are planned throughout town, the main weekend events are weather-dependent, so keep an eye on the local forecast and our social media pages!

OC Rock & Ride is the ultimate bike week event combining the thrill of motorcycle culture with an electric festival atmosphere. Whether you’re riding in on two wheels or simply coming for the music and food, it’s a sight to behold on Coastal Highway!

Event Highlights:

• Cruise along Ocean City’s famous, scenic boardwalk.
• Explore top-tier vendor setups featuring motorcycle gear and custom apparel.
• Dance to live music day and night while fueling up with delicious local bites. Get your tickets here!

Watch the Ocean City skyline explode with color during this world-class event! Ranked as one of the top 100 most popular festival venues on the planet, the 48th Annual King of the Wind Kite Festival welcomes aerial performers, hobbyists, and spectators of all ages to the downtown boardwalk.

What’s Happening Over the 4-Day Event:

• Giant Air Show Kites: Look out for massive floating creatures including Mermaids, Octopuses, Alligators, Trilobites, Mel the Giant Whale, Whisper the Winged Horse, Dragons, Snoopy, and Woodstock!
• Quad-Line Formation Demos: Up to 16 quad-line flyers standing side-by-side performing choreographed aerial maneuvers to music (think the Thunderbirds, but with kites!).
• Kid-Favorite Candy Drops: Large kites dropping treats right onto the beach for kids on Saturday and Sunday.
• And More: Sport kite lessons, kite trains, giant bubble shows, and the famous Running of the Bols.

Pro Tip: All kite displays are wind- and rain-permitting. If you want to join in, grab a kite from The Kite Loft and take flight in the designated Small Kite Field!

To cap off the fall season, Ocean City presents Sunfest—one of the largest outdoor festivals in the entire region! Attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the south end of the boardwalk, Sunfest is four full days of alfresco celebration right along the Atlantic Oceanfront.

Festival Features:

• Artisan Marketplace: Browse handmade crafts, jewelry, art, and decor from hundreds of national and local artisans.
• Live Entertainment: Enjoy continuous musical performances from regional acts and national headliners at the OC Performing Arts Center. Get your tickets to the headliner shows here!
• Famous Coastal Food: Sample local delicacies, festival treats, and traditional boardwalk snacks.

New this year, we have Wine on the Beach at Sunfest! Sip on your favorite wines or try something new and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Sunfest. This event allows you to browse the Sunfest crafters, enjoy live music acts, and all that Sunfest has to offer.

Wine on the Beach takes place from 11am to 7pm each day. Sampling is from 11 am - 6pm. Tickets are good for one day admission, either Friday or Saturday, and also include a commemorative wine glass and wine tasting samples.

Whether you’re coming for the fresh Maryland blue crabs, the glowing night sky, or the majestic giant kites, late summer and fall in Ocean City offer non-stop excitement for everyone. Mark your calendars and come join the celebration!