Visitors to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum can combine a day of sea-glass activities and artisan shopping with access to the museum’s exhibitions and historic structures when the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to St. Michaels on Saturday, Nov. 21. The fifth annual Holiday Edition is scheduled to include glassblowing demonstrations and two sails aboard the 1955 skipjack Rosie Parks.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum lists the festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with artisans selling handmade jewelry, coastal art, home décor and sea glass creations, as well as food vendors, craft beer and specialty cocktails. The festival’s own event page, ophiuroidea.com, lists the hours as 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the discrepancy remains unresolved. Eye On Annapolis also reports that this is the festival’s fifth year.
Music is scheduled on two stages. At the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, Chris Sacks is set for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by Levi Stephens from 1 to 4 p.m. At Fogg’s Landing Stage, Alison Thoms is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by Anna Burgess from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sea glass, stories and glassblowing
Artist Eli Cecil will give glassblowing demonstrations, supported by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center through the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council, according to the museum’s event listing. Cecil also gave glassblowing demonstrations at a previous Holiday Edition.
Sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will discuss shard identification and collecting and lead an all-ages craft activity at Chapel Cove using pieces from her beachcombing table. The museum says festival admission includes access to its exhibitions and historic structures, including Stories from the Shoreline, which features McCarthy’s personal collection and experiences. Sea-glass-related films will be available on demand in the Craig Fuller & Diane Terpeluk Theater.
The exhibition’s wider shoreline story
According to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, its long-term Stories from the Shoreline exhibition is in the Welcome Center and includes beachcombing among its subjects. The exhibition also documents other snapshots of life at the water’s edge, placing McCarthy’s collection and experiences within a broader account of the region’s shoreline.
Sails and cruises on festival day
Two 90-minute ticketed sails aboard the historic 1955 skipjack Rosie Parks are scheduled for 10 a.m. and noon; those tickets include festival admission. Patriot Cruises, which is holding the final weekend of its season during the festival, is scheduled to offer a narrated historical cruise on the Miles River at 2:30 p.m. Combination tickets pair that cruise with festival admission.
Advance online adult admission is $22, compared with $24 at the door. General admission and gate ticket sales begin at 10 a.m.; advance ticket holders may enter at 9:30 a.m. Advance tickets cost $19 for seniors 65 and older and students age 17 and older, $10 for active and retired military, and $9 for children ages six through 17. Children five and younger enter free. Museum members pay $10 for advance adult tickets, and children 17 and younger enter free. VIP admission costs $40 for CBMM members and $60 for nonmembers. It includes early entry, a vendor-discount tote bag, a hospitality lounge with complimentary beer and wine, a commemorative festival cup and discounts at the festival’s cocktail bars.
Parking and visitor information
Free overflow parking is available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with complimentary shuttle service to and from the museum grounds. Non-service dogs are not permitted on festival grounds, and visitors may not bring outside alcohol onto museum property. The festival’s event page also lists its seventh annual Spring Edition for April 17-18, 2027.
