The Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to CBMM on April 18-19. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., March 26, 2026 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is excited to kick off its festival season with the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival on April 18-19.

The region’s unique artistic style will take center stage during this popular celebration of all things sea glass on CBMM’s waterfront campus. The event offers a full weekend of family fun with fantastic shopping, great food and drinks, live music on two stages, and more.

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival runs 10am–5pm on Saturday and 10am–4pm on Sunday, with all tickets valid for admission on both days. Tickets are on sale now here, with discounted pricing for CBMM members. All guests save $2 by purchasing their tickets in advance online.

VIP tickets are back to level up the fun with exclusive swag, discounts, and access throughout the weekend for the ultimate festival experience.

“We can’t wait to welcome so many talented artisans, returning guests, and new friends for our 16th year of festival fun,” Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival Founder and Organizer Kim Hannon said. “We’ve formed a wonderful community through the years, and it’s always special to bring everyone together to celebrate.”

Festival VIPs enjoy exclusive swag, discounts, and access throughout the weekend. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

A spring tradition in its 16th year, Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will feature nearly 100 exhibitors from across the country. It’s a great opportunity to shop for unique finds, including sea glass and coastal-inspired jewelry, home décor, art, and more. More information, including a full listing of featured artisans, can be found at seaglassfestival.com.

Food and beverages from a variety of regional vendors will be available for purchase both days, including craft beer and specialty cocktails.

The musical lineup features both returning favorites and new voices. The historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand on Navy Point will feature Chris Sacks (10am-1pm) and Jordan Sokel (1:30-5pm) on Saturday and The Uncle Ward Show (10am-1pm) and Levi Stephens (1:30-4pm) on Sunday.

The Fogg’s Landing Stage on the opposite side of campus will spotlight Dave Hawkins (10am-1pm) and Anna Burgess (1:30-5pm) on Saturday and Kenny Haddaway (10am-1pm) and Alison Thoms (1:30-4pm) on Sunday.

Sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will share her expertise throughout the weekend.

Throughout the weekend, guests can experience the art of glassblowing with Glass Half Full Arts. Artist Eli Cecil will lead demonstrations sharing the process of creating these one-of-a-kind artworks out of molten glass.

On Saturday, guests can sign up for a guided glassblowing experience, helping to create their own custom glass piece to take home. The cost is $100 for these 30-minute sessions, which can be booked now at glasshalffullarts.com. Festival admission is included.

This program is offered with support from the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

Sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will be on hand to share her knowledge, including shard identification, throughout the weekend. Guests of all ages can select sea glass from McCarthy’s popular beachcombing table and use it to create a unique sea glass craft. She’ll also offer a series of films highlighting the world of sea glass available on demand in the CBMM Theater.

More family activities include a festival scavenger hunt and a mini mosaic craft with local artist Jen Wagner.

Don’t miss this spring tradition on CBMM’s waterfront campus!

While enjoying all the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival vendors and offerings, guests are invited to explore the exhibitions and historic structures spread across CBMM’s 18-acre campus.

Guests have a variety of ways to get out on the Miles River during the festival. We’re offering a pair of ticketed sails both days aboard 1955 skipjack Rosie Parks. Tickets for these 90-minute cruises, at 10am and noon, are $35 for CBMM members and $45 for non-members and include festival admission.

Patriot Cruises will present Narrated Historical Cruises at 12:30pm and 2:30pm on Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday. Guests can save $10 on adult and senior tickets for all three cruises by using coupon code SEAGLASS2026 at online checkout. (Please note this discount is not to be combined with any other offer.) Combo tickets that include festival admission and the cruise are also available.

Two-day Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. Guests who purchase their tickets in advance will have a special opportunity to enter the festival 30 minutes early at 9:30am both days. Ticket sales at the door begin at 10am. No single-day tickets will be sold to this rain-or-shine event.

For online sales, festival admission is set at $22 for adults, $19 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $10 for active and retired military members, and $9 for children ages 6-to-17, with all children 5-and-younger admitted free. The cost is $2 more for all tickets for in-person sales.

VIP tickets include two-day festival admission with early entrance, a commemorative festival cup and discounts at the bar, a swag bag with savings at select vendors, and access to the VIP Hospitality Lounge with a complimentary beer and wine bar. The cost is $40 for CBMM members and $60 for non-members.

CBMM members receive discounted pricing to this annual festival and others throughout the year. Adult member tickets purchased online are $10, and all children of members (17-and-younger) receive free admission.

CBMM members can also buy CBMM Festival Season Passes to make sure they’re part of all the exciting events celebrating the best of the Bay this year, including both Sea Glass Festivals, Antique & Classic Boat Festival & Coastal Arts Fair, Big Band Night, Watermen’s Appreciation Day, OysterFest, and Winter on the Chesapeake. These member-exclusive passes are just $50 apiece.

To support CBMM’s mission as a member and discover all the terrific benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbmm.org.

Throughout the weekend, additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running both days.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM festivals, including the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is prohibited.