What started small 15 years ago has blossomed into one of Delmarva’s most popular arts festivals. In fact, it’s so popular that the festival is now held in both the spring and fall!
The Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival attracts nearly 100 artisans from across the country. These artisans converge on the campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to exhibit and sell their work.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(TICKETS REQUIRED):
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival – Spring Edition
April 12-13, 2025
Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival: Holiday Edition
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Craftspeople sell everything from major murals to bespoke jewelry to charming ornaments. When you purchase one of these pieces, you know you are giving your loved ones a true original, since each piece of sea glass is like a snowflake, no two are alike.
It’s also heartening to know that sea glass crafting is one of the most environmentally friendly art forms in the world. The beautiful glass is literally trash. Bottles that were discarded into the sea have been tumbled in waves before arriving on the shore as perfectly polished gems. Artists scour the coastline, collecting these pieces with the intention of giving them a new life.
In addition to perusing the extraordinary creations that craftspeople have made from these unique finds, you can also attend lectures and workshops on sea glass. Sea glass expert Mary McCarthy will be available to share her knowledge, including shard identification, across from the Hooper Strait Lighthouse. On Sunday at 11am, she will offer a lecture, “Sea Glass Royalty: America’s Best Finds Coast to Coast,” in the Van Lennep Auditorium.
The Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival is rounded out with live music, wine and beer tents and, of course, great food, much of which reflects the best of the Chesapeake Bay. New this year is a pirate and mermaid costume contest, so guests of all ages are invited to come in their most authentic or imaginative costumes.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Patriot Cruises
The Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival takes place on the 18-acre park-like, waterfront campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Admission to the museum is included with your festival ticket, so you can explore the numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a screwpile lighthouse, working shipyard, and floating fleet of historic vessels, which unveil the story of the region and its people.
The festival also celebrates the opening of Patriot Cruises for the season, with discounts available for festival attendees. This two-story steamship replica explores the Miles River and is based just next to the museum, with access from the same parking lot.
Where to Stay
If you’re coming in for the weekend, there are a few lodging options within walking distance to the festival. The Parsonage Inn and The Wildset are less than a 10-minute walk. Both properties have on site bicycles available for guests (availability may be limited). The Inn at Perry Cabin, Log Canoe Inn, Old Brick Inn, and Victoriana Inn are within a 10-20 minute walk, and some have bicycles or local shuttle transportation. A variety of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rental properties are available throughout Talbot County to meet the needs of your travel party.
