On Saturday, CBMM’s campus will be filled with dozens of artisans and craftspeople showcasing and selling coastal and sea-glass related items.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Nov. 15, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosts the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival on Saturday for a fantastic day of shopping, food, fun, and holiday cheer.

From 10am–4pm, CBMM’s waterfront campus will be filled with dozens of artisans and craftspeople showcasing and selling coastal and sea-glass related items, with an emphasis on festive arts and crafts heading into the holiday season.

In addition, there will be a wide selection of food and beverages available for purchase, including beer and cocktails, plus live music on two stages. And, guests, of course, are encouraged to explore all of our exhibitions and historic structures, including the working Shipyard and historic floating fleet, during their visit.

Tickets are available for purchase now and at the door on Saturday. (CBMM members receive discounted ticket pricing for this and other special events on campus.) Click here or visit seaglassfestival.com for more information on Saturday’s festivities.

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival provides a unique opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping. (Photo by George Sass)

For both returning and first-time guests, we wanted to share some FAQs about the Holiday Edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival to help everyone get the most out of their time on campus.

Where should I park? 

Parking is available at CBMM. Please note that CBMM’s parking lot will reach capacity during large events. Overflow parking is located at St. Michaels Middle/High School on Seymour Avenue.

Shuttles will run on a loop from 10am–4:30pm and drop guests off in CBMM’s parking lot. Additional public parking lots and street parking are available throughout the town. Find more things to know about visiting CBMM festivals here. 

Where do I enter campus? 

For the festival, CBMM will have entrances open on both sides of campus. Guests are encouraged to enter through CBMM’s new Welcome Center for a first look at the new building overlooking Fogg’s Cove and the chance to shop in the new Museum Store inside. (Please note that the Welcome Center’s exhibition spaces are not yet open to the public.)

Guests who have purchased their tickets in advance will have a special opportunity to enter the festival 30 minutes early at 9:30am. Ticket sales at the door begin at 10am.

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

What vendors will be at the festival? 

Following a successful spring festival in April, the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to showcase artisans from around the region and beyond featuring jewelry, home décor, art, and much more. This edition features more than 60 artisans spread across Navy Point and Fogg’s Landing and provides a unique opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping. The full vendor list can be found here.  

Most vendors accept both cash and credit. There is an ATM available at CBMM’s Museum Store. Stop by festival headquarters at the Ophiuroidea tent to check out official festival merchandise.

Will there be live music? 

Yes! This festival will feature live music throughout with four local acts performing on two stages. Chris Sacks Band (10am–12:30pm) and Dave Hawkins (1–4pm) will play at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, while Joe Hickey (10am–12:30pm) and Jayme D (1–4pm) will perform on the Fogg’s Landing Stage.

Sea glass experts Richard LaMotte and Mary McCarthy will be available for shard identification throughout the day. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

What is this sea glass shard?  

 Sea glass experts Richard LaMotte and Mary McCarthy will be available for shard identification throughout the day next to festival headquarters beside the Point Lookout Bell Tower. Stop by to chat about all things sea glass!

What’s next at CBMM?

The CBMM community is invited to come back to campus on Dec. 2 for CBMM’s Welcome Center Grand Opening. This free event, running 10am–4pm, will be a celebration of the transformational new building and the theme of “Winter on the Chesapeake” with food demonstrations, hands-on activities, campus tours, live music, and more. And, save the date for next spring’s Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, which will be held on April 20-21, 2024.