Events at Sandy Point

Sandy Point State Park hosts some of Maryland's best-known annual events. The year starts with the Polar Bear Plunge in late January and ends with the Lights on the Bay holiday drive-through from late November into January. In between come the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim in June and a run of September events: the Maryland Seafood Festival, the Bay Bridge Paddle, Skipjack Heritage Days and the Annapolis Bay Grass Festival. Outside groups run these events, so tickets and details come from each organizer.

Polar Bear Plunge (January)

The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Maryland. In 2027 it runs January 22 to 30, with the main Maryland Plunge on Saturday, January 30. Full schedule on the Polar Bear Plunge page.

Great Chesapeake Bay Swim (June)

The Great Chesapeake Bay Swim is set for June 14, 2026, organized by The Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, Inc. (BaySwim.com, 410-727-2404). Maryland DNR lists Sandy Point as its host location.

Maryland Seafood Festival (September)

The Maryland Seafood Festival is held at Sandy Point in mid-September 2026, run by ABC Events. Tickets and the exact dates come from the organizer at abceventsinc.com. Skipjack Heritage Days, listed by DNR for the same mid-September window, is part of the same organizer's festival pages.

Bay Bridge Paddle (September)

A paddle event near the Bay Bridge, also in mid-September 2026 and also run by ABC Events. Paddlers interested in launching on other days should see kayaking.

Annapolis Bay Grass Festival (September)

September 19 and 20, 2026, listed by DNR with its website at baygrassfestival.com.

Lights on the Bay (November to January)

The SPCA of Anne Arundel County's drive-through holiday light show, November 23, 2026 to January 3, 2027. About 70 displays on a two-mile drive, $25 per car. Full details on the Lights on the Bay page.

Park Programs

• Nature Center: in South Beach Plaza between the Concession Building and the South Beach playground, with hands-on exhibits about Chesapeake Bay plants and animals. DNR says it will not have daily hours this season; it opens for scheduled special events. Past events included beach cleanups, birdhouse painting, seining and fishing.
• Junior Rangers and Park Pals: a self-guided program for ages 3 to 6 (Park Pals) and 7 to 14 (Junior Rangers), April through October 2026. Print the passport from the park page, complete challenges and earn stamps.
• Self-guided birding walk: a free DNR guide to the park's habitats and over 300 bird species. See hiking and birding.
• Volunteering: litter cleanups, invasive plant removal and volunteer naturalist programs, through the Maryland Park Service volunteer site. Group cleanups and scout projects can be scheduled with the park.

Good to Know

• Entry may be extra. DNR notes that event prices may not include park entry. Call the park at 410-974-2149 if you are unsure.
• Summer weekends and holidays need a day-use reservation for park entry. See hours and fees.
• Holding your own event: request a Special Event form from the park office. Because the park is so busy, DNR does not often approve events between May and September.