Annapolis is getting a 14-show arts season that jumps from David Sedaris to Ailey II, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Terry Gross. Maryland Hall’s 2026–2027 lineup brings dance, jazz, classical music, comedy and live conversation to the city through next June.
According to Eye On Annapolis, the season opens next Friday with bestselling humorist David Sedaris and includes nationally recognized artists throughout the year. Acting Executive Director Christopher Miller described the programming as ambitious while remaining grounded in the community Maryland Hall serves.
Ailey II Leads A Nationally Recognized Lineup
Ailey II takes the Main Stage on Oct. 11, giving Annapolis audiences a chance to see the acclaimed contemporary dance company early in the new season. The company, founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, blends early-career dancers with the work of established and emerging choreographers, according to the Ailey Pressroom.
After Sedaris and Ailey II, the schedule continues with Ignite Annapolis #7 on Oct. 20, Makaya McCraven on Nov. 8 and the Canadian Brass Holiday Show on Dec. 1. A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio follows Dec. 4–5, while the broader calendar also includes Lyyra, Meyer, Marshall, Meyer and a Mendelssohn octet featuring the Isidore String Quartet and members of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, as detailed by Eye On Annapolis.
Jazz, Holiday Shows And A Fast-Moving Ticket Calendar
The 2027 portion of the season adds Cécile McLorin Salvant with pianist Glenn Zaleski on Feb. 10, Ami Dang on Feb. 26, Mikael Darmanie on April 7 and Braxton Cook on April 29. The lineup closes June 25 with An Evening with Terry Gross, a live conversation with the longtime Fresh Air host.
Ignite Annapolis #7, produced by Maryland Hall with Leadership Anne Arundel, will feature 15 speakers delivering five-minute talks on Oct. 20, according to the Ignite Annapolis organizers. Tickets for David Sedaris and Ailey II are already on sale; Maryland Hall members get early access to newly announced performances Thursday, Aug. 13, before public sales open Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The range is deliberate for a venue that describes itself as the region’s cultural core, with performances, classes, exhibitions and community programs under one roof, according to Maryland Hall. For Annapolis audiences, the new season offers a packed local alternative to making the trip to Baltimore or Washington for every major arts fix.
