Sunfest in Ocean City

As the summer season draws to a close, Ocean City, Maryland, pulls out all the stops with its signature event, Sunfest! Taking place along the iconic Inlet Lot and beach, this beloved festival promises four days of live music, local food, arts and crafts, and non-stop fun from October 24th-27th, 2024. Whether you’re a long-time visitor or new to the area, Sunfest is the perfect way to savor the final moments of summer. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Event Hours:

  • Thursday to Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Music Lineup:

Sunfest features free live performances on two stages, with over 20 bands covering genres like rock, country, R&B, and fusion. Notable performances include July Moon, performing on Sunday, October 27, at 11 a.m.

Delicious Local Eats

No festival experience is complete without trying the amazing food, and Sunfest does not disappoint. From fresh seafood to sweet treats like funnel cakes, the food options reflect the best of Ocean City’s culinary scene. Don’t miss the chance to try local favorites like Maryland crab cakes or fried oysters.

Art and Craft Show

Sunfest is famous for its Arts & Crafts Tent, which features more than 200 artists showcasing their talents. You’ll find handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more, with many vendors offering unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a special souvenir or gift.

Activities

This festival is a fantastic family outing, with plenty of kid-friendly activities. Some daily activities include the beach maze, tractor rides, a turtle search, and bikes on the beach. They also have pet events like Dock Dogs, Howl-o-ween parade, and other casual competitions. Some more fun events include a pumpkin race, OC Jeep club Drive in Disguise and a bonfire with fireworks on Saturday!

How to Get There

Located at the southern end of Ocean City, the Inlet Parking Lot is the hub of all Sunfest activity. Parking can fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to take the Ocean City bus for easy access to the event.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend in Ocean City

It’s almost St. Paddy’s Day Weekend! This weekend marks the unofficial start of the season with lots of restaurants and hotels reopening for the big weekend. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to get your green on and throw back a pint, then look no further than Ocean City! From parades to live music, the town has everything you need to have an amazing weekend.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 16th 12pm

The big event of the weekend, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a beloved tradition in Ocean City that’s been around for nearly 45 years. The parade route starts on 57th Street and ends at the judging table on 45th Street. This parade is a highlight of the weekend featuring colorful and fun floats from countless local businesses and organizations, marching bands, and of course, lots and lots of green!

But the fun doesn’t stop with the parade. At the end of the parade on 45th Street is the Irish Festival, complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, performances by Irish dancers, and plenty of green parade souvenirs, and of course, we can’t forget a variety of beers.

With free admission, it’s the perfect way to kick off your St. Paddy’s festivities.

Seacret’s Irie-ish Music Festival

March 16th 12pm

For music lovers, Seacret’s Irie-ish Music Fest promises a day and night filled with amazing live entertainment. Starting at 12pm and featuring seven bands and four DJs, including a special appearance by the Ocean City Pipes & Drums, this festival is a celebration of local talent as well as Irish culture. With so many acts, there’s something for everyone. 

Check out their page to see the festival line-up!

St. Patrick’s Day 5K

March 16th 9am

Lace up your running shoes and join the St. Patrick’s Day 5K. This race runs along the scenic Ocean City Boardwalk. Starting behind Shenanigan’s Irish Pub on 4th Street, participants will run south toward the Inlet before heading north to 16th street and finally ending at 4th Street again. 

If you want to get active before your night of partying, then sign up for the run here.

Of course, these events aren’t the only thing going on around town. Plenty of businesses will have live music and special menus to celebrate Irish culture.

Live Music Around Town

No St. Patrick’s Day weekend would be complete without plenty of live music, and Ocean City delivers that and more! Here’s a few of the many restaurants and bars with special live music and performances throughout the weekend:

Bourbon Street on the Beach

Friday 15th

  • Dave Sherman – 4pm
  • Lennon & Leftovers – 7pm

Saturday 16th

  • Chris Button – 3pm
  • Jimmy Charles Band – 8pm

Sunday 17th

  • Chris Button – 4pm

Coin’s Pub

Friday 15th

  • No More Whiskey – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • First Class Trio – 2pm

Crawl Street Tavern

Friday 15th

  • Bill Dickson & MTT – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • Black Dog Alley – 8pm

Sunday 17th

  • Schizophrenic Boogiemen – 3pm

Fager’s Island

Friday 15th

  • 19th Street Band – 5:30pm
  • Tranzfusion – 9:30pm

Saturday 16th

  • Band With Names – 3pm
  • Radio Hero – 9:30pm

Harpoon Hanna’s

Friday 15th

  • Dave Hawkin -s 5pm
  • Dust N’ Bones – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • On the Edge – 1pm
  • Dave Sherman – 5pm

Sunday 17th

  • On the Edge – 1pm
  • Shortcut Sunny – 5pm

Papi’s Tacos

Friday 15th

  • Rogue Citizens Duo – 7pm

Saturday 16th

  • On the Edge – 7pm

Sunday 17th

  • One Night Stand – 4pm

Purple Moose

Friday 15th

  • Sugar Jack – 10pm

Saturday 16th

  • Sugar Jack – 10pm

Sunday 17th

  • Rogue Citizens – 2pm

Shenanigan’s

Friday 15th

  • Off the Boat – 5:30pm

Saturday 16th – starting at 11am

  • Tig Tigner & Off the Boat
  • Bagpipe Appearances

Sunday 17th

  • Tig Tigner & Off the Boat
  • Bagpipe Appearances

With this weekend being centered around bar crawls and drinking, please drink responsibly. We recommend making plans to stay in Ocean City, so you are close to all the action and can enjoy the weekend to its fullest without having to drive.

Check out our hotels that are currently open and book your St. Paddy’s Weekend stay today!

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