Hit the Midway at the Maryland State Fair

Roller coasters, deep-fried decadence, prized pigs and all the stuffed bears you can win — that’s right, the Maryland State Fair is in the air! All that plus live horse racing and concerts featuring Hanson, the Marshall Tucker Band, LoCash and Night Ranger. Find all the state fair details here. And if you’ve been looking for an excuse to get out and explore the state, there’s no better way than taking in some county fairs, because even if you venture away from home-base, you’ll always feel welcome at Maryland’s county fairs.

Photo courtesy of Baltimore County Tourism

Sing, Dance and Dine at the National Folk Festival in Salisbury

Don’t miss the National Folk Festival, an American tradition since 1934, as it continues its three-year run in downtown Salisbury, September 6-8. Take in seven stages with continuous music. Experience the best of Maryland folkways at the Maryland Traditions Folklife Area & Stage along with musicians, artists and foods from around the nation and the globe. Find out more at our National Folk Festival page.

Photo courtesy of Edwin Remsberg

Set Sail for These Iconic Chesapeake Traditions

Explore the length and breadth of the Chesapeake, America’s mid-Atlantic jewel, on the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop. Thrill to the site of elegant, white-hulled skipjacks racing for the title of “fastest in the fleet” during the Deal Island Skipjack Races. Cheer for the speediest (and most delicious) crustaceans at Crisfield’s annual Hard Crab Derby. And fill your belly with the Bay’s best at the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. These Chesapeake traditions are simply not to be missed.

Photo courtesy of @shardanasailingcharters-instagram

Maryland’s Summer of Music Soars Toward Its Crescendo

The epic sounds of summer continue with AFRAM and Moonrise Festival in Baltimore, both August 10-11; Caroline Summerfest in Denton August 16-17; the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival in Easton August 30-September 1; the Chestertown Jazz Festival September 12-14; and the big finale at Ocean City’s Sunfest September 19-22. Get all the details at Visit Maryland’s official Summer of Music page.

A Month in the Sun for Family Fun

As August rolls on and we get closer to back-to-school days, it’s the perfect time to squeeze in lots and lots of Maryland family fun! Whether it’s an unexpected trip to the boardwalk in OC, a ride on the rollercoasters at Six Flags America, making a splash in Deep Creek, getting to downtown Baltimore for the National Aquarium and more, or any other of the truly limitless Maryland summer options, you can’t go wrong with family fun under the Maryland sun!

Take a Mid-Week Vacay and Make it a Golf Day

Maryland is home to truly world-class golfing, including four courses by the legendary Pete Dye! If you love hitting the links, there’s no time like the present, and no place like the Old Line State! Get on over to VisitMaryland.com for great golfing options from Ocean City courses by the beach all the way to the mountains out west.

Enter to Win on Maryland Mondays!

Don’t miss your chance at free tickets for amazing events across the state. Every Monday on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the Maryland Office of Tourism is joining with our sponsors to give away great Maryland travel experiences. We call them Maryland Mondays, but you can enter all week. This week's contest is for a pair of tickets to Rock the Harbor with Tranzfusion or four tickets to Rivah Run and a Summerfest Gift Basket. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to enter.