The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 65th season by turning Labor Day weekend into a free outdoor music party, with two Pops in the Park concerts the whole family can drop in on. The shows are set for Downs Park on Saturday, September 5, and Quiet Waters Park on Sunday, September 6, with admission, park entry, and parking all free. The programs promise a mix of Broadway and Hollywood favorites, community readings, and youth ensembles to send summer off on a distinctly local note.
Artistic Director José‑Luis Novo called Pops in the Park “more than a concert,” describing the events as “a chance for thousands of neighbors, families, and visitors to come together through music,” according to Annapolis Symphony. The orchestra points out that last year’s Pops drew more than 7,000 people, so crowds can get sizable for these Labor Day shows. Organizers are urging attendees to pack a picnic, toss a chair or blanket in the car, and settle in for an easy day on the grass.
When and where
The Downs Park performance starts at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5. On Sunday, September 6, Quiet Waters Park will host pre-concert activities beginning at 5:00 p.m., with the symphony taking the stage at 5:30 p.m. If weather interferes, the rain date for the Quiet Waters concert is Monday, September 7 at 5:00 p.m., as reported by Eye On Annapolis.
What to expect
Sunday’s Quiet Waters program will open with the Annapolis Symphony Academy Aries Youth Chamber Orchestra, led by Heather Haughn, giving local students a shot at performing for a big audience. Organizers say food trucks will be on site, and guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, with well‑behaved leashed pets also invited, according to Annapolis Symphony. Alcohol is prohibited in Anne Arundel County parks, and visitors are advised to arrive early to dodge parking delays, per Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks.
Poetry and program highlights
Maryland Poet Laureate Lady Brion will appear at both concerts to narrate Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and to read two of her own poems, a pairing organizers say ties music to civic history, according to Eye On Annapolis. Lady Brion was named Maryland’s 11th Poet Laureate in 2024, per the Office of Governor Wes Moore. The rest of the program will draw on familiar favorites from Broadway, Hollywood, and the orchestral world to keep things accessible for families.
Community note
Pops in the Park has grown into a Labor Day weekend tradition and a seasonal high point for the arts in Anne Arundel County, bringing professional musicians and student ensembles together in public spaces. No tickets are required; organizers say the concerts are free and open to everyone, and they recommend bringing a chair, sunscreen, and a bit of patience for holiday‑weekend parking.
