For its third year, the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival returns to its beachfront location at Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2025. People from all over the region and across North America celebrate in this picturesque destination while listening to the best in progressive bluegrass, improvisational jam, and American roots music.
Annapolis Baygrass will welcome 14 bands and three artists-at-large over two days on two alternating beachside stages. Headliners include Greensky Bluegrass and Molly Tuttle along with other stellar acts like Railroad Earth, The Travelin’ McCourys (as well as their Grateful Ball), The Kitchen Dwellers, LaMP (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, and Ray Paczkowski), Sam Grisman Project, Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land, and more! There will also be three artists-at-large throughout the weekend performing with multiple acts, including Holly Bowling, Kyle Tuttle, and Patrick Rainey. It is lined up to be an incredible weekend!
Billed as “more than just a music festival,” Baygrass is a dynamic celebration of music, community, and purpose. Beyond its impressive lineup, the festival brings people together through a thoughtfully curated local food and beverage experience, engaging activities for all ages, and a strong educational focus on two vital causes—protecting the Chesapeake Bay and advancing mental health awareness.
Annapolis Baygrass has a lot of fresh news!
The stage schedules are out now, click here.
Important update from Annapolis Baygrass: Midnight North won’t be performing this year due to some family matters (all is well). But here’s the good news—Elliott Peck, the powerhouse singer/songwriter of Midnight North, is stepping up with a special “Elliott Peck & Friends” set on Saturday. Her all-star band includes Pete Lavezzoli (drums), Justin Mazer (lead guitar), Burt Lewis (bass), and artist-at-large Holly Bowling will be joining for the entire set!
See the workshop schedule here.
Baygrass artists and nonprofit partners will host interactive workshops and exhibits throughout the weekend at the Workshop Pavilion and Bay Guardian Village focused on music, Bay conservation, and mental wellness. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Baygrass has become one of the nation’s leading eco-focused festivals.
“At Baygrass, the energy of the crowd and the setting on the Chesapeake remind us why we do this,” says Ron Peremel, Founder & CEO. In 2024, fans traveled from 37 states and Canada to be part of this shared experience. Every ticket, beverage, and piece of merchandise purchased directly supported our nonprofit partners—Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay—helping us raise over $32,000 for Bay conservation. “That’s the heart of our motto ‘Every Jam Saves the Bay’—every note and every person here plays a part in protecting the Chesapeake for generations to come.”
Fun for the Whole Family:
Annapolis Baygrass offers activities for all ages, including beachfront yoga, beach and yard games, a craft vendor village, and more. The festival grounds are loaded with yard games, and there is a stretch of beach to play on. Imagine playing ping pong or cornhole while listening to your favorite jams, or take a break from dancing to toss the Frisbee on the beach or take a dip in the bay to cool off and relax.
The KidZone has plenty of crafts and art opportunities to occupy all ages of kids, including Monarch Madness, puppetry making, kaleidoscope construction, making messages in a bottle, and more. Plus, the Baygrass workshop schedule features educational and musical activities (including the Little Fiddle workshop) tailored just for young music fans. See the KidZone schedule here.
Friday Preparty Announced!
Baygrass has partnered with Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts Bowen Theater for the official Friday night Baygrass Kick Off Party with Fitzkee Brothers and Wicked Sycamore. There will be food trucks, beer, wine, and free parking. (Fri, Sept 19 from 7:30-11:30pm).
Food and Beverage Details:
Baygrass features an elevated culinary experience led by its local catering and concessions partner, Chesapeake Chefs Services, with fresh seafood, gourmet BBQ, wood-fired pizzas, grilled oysters and brats, Bavarian pretzels with crab dip, delicious vegan and vegetarian delicacies, and other locally sourced culinary options. Additionally, there will be a variety of other food vendors serving up delicious fan favorites from Thai food, burgers, wraps, salads, and sweets.
Attendees will enjoy tasty microbrews at the M8 Brewing Baytoberfest Beer Garden, the Blue Crab Beach Bar, the Tree Canopy Bar, and the VIP Lounge. Featuring an amazing list of OtherSide Beverage Project’s brews by Baygrass partners Dewey Beer Co., M8 Brewing, and Pickett Brewing.
There will also be fresh craft cocktails from Maker’s Mark, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jim Beam, and Gray Wolf Distillery, as well as delicious wines from Soul Summit. Guests can enjoy hard-craft seltzers from Untitled Art and organic hard cider from Shacksbury, along with non-alcoholic beer and mocktails from Sobar.
VIP Options & Upgrades Available!
Are you craving an elevated Baygrass experience? Go VIP at Baygrass!
Experience all the advantages of the Backstage VIP Village & Hospitality Pavilion, including so many amazing and unique perks, including exclusive parking and entrance, dedicated viewing areas, dedicated bars with discounted prices, and VIP bathrooms, along with a Baygrass poster, commemorative steel pint, and swag bag filled with other gifts.
This year we’re also excited to feature the Maker’s Mark Lounge in the VIP area, along with two full bars on either side of the concert field to keep the good vibes flowing all weekend long. Dewey Beers has partnered with Baygrass to sponsor the VIP backstage dinnertime sets performed by Geraldine (Sat) and Pressing Strings (Sun)!
Picture this: You're on the private VIP beach with your toes in the sand, sipping a frosty Orange Crush (your first two drinks are free). Exclusive VIP viewing areas put you right where you want to be for your favorite bands. Fresh-shucked local oysters and a gourmet chef-prepared meal satisfy your appetite—while the private VIP-only performances feed your soul. Between sets, you're chilling in the new Maker's Mark Bourbon Lounge or mingling in the Backstage VIP Village, with main stage music broadcast backstage so you don’t miss a note.
Special Events on the “The Way to Baygrass”:
To help get Annapolis locals excited for Baygrass, the festival is happy to announce M8 Brewing and Dewey Beer Tap Takeovers this September! Join Baygrass for these pre-parties featuring Dewey Beer on tap, plus chances to win festival tickets, swag, and more:
Tap Takeovers:
9/5 - Annapolis Market House | 5-8pm [INFO]
9/12 - Old Stein Inn | 7:30-10:30pm (live music) [INFO]
9/13 - Stan & Joe's | 1-10pm | fun all day! [INFO]
Blues for the Brave at Reckless Shepherd in Columbia, MD on 9/11 (6-11:30pm) [INFO]
Baygrass partner, The VA WAY, in collaboration with NAMI Howard County, is pleased to present Blues for the Brave on 9/11. Featuring Deanna Bogart, the Kelly Bell Band, and The Nighthawks, this night is more than just a show—it’s a gathering designed to raise awareness and elevate veteran peer support. Wear blue to show your support!
Take the Time for Mental Health:
“Joy isn't just about indulgence—it's about nurturing our mental health. We can tap into a boundless well of joy through the universal language of music—because "Every Jam Helps a Mind," says Baygrass co-founder/chief operations officer John Way, an Army veteran and mental health first aid instructor.
John is the founder of The VA Way and has partnered with Baygrass to bring together key mental health and well-being resources to the festival, including the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and NAMI Maryland, NAMI Anne Arundel County, along with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Recovery Anne Arundel, the Serenity Sistas, and the Call 988 initiative.
The VA Way sponsors both the Sober Safe Space (Serenity Sistas) and Yoga on the Beach (YogaRoots Movement) and will also present a Mental Wellness Workshop on Sunday.
