The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival returns to Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, September 19th and 20th, 2026. Now in its fourth year, the festival has drawn attendees from 38 U.S. states, Canada, and Europe, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading eco-focused destination festivals for progressive bluegrass, jamgrass, and American roots music. Early Bird two-day General Admission and VIP passes are on sale now at baygrassfestival.com through March 10th at 10 am, ahead of Advance 1 pricing.
Anchoring the weekend is Little Feat, whose genre-crossing blend of rock, New Orleans funk, swamp boogie, jazz, and blues helped lay the groundwork for the jam scene as it exists today. The band is on their announced farewell tour, making this beachside performance a genuinely singular opportunity. Joining them are Yonder Mountain String Band (returning after playing the inaugural 2023 festival), Béla Fleck with his bluegrass ensemble My Bluegrass Heart (featuring Michael Cleveland, Dominick Leslie, Jeff Partin, Mark Schatz, and Jake Stargel), and Sam Bush, the Father of Newgrass, a two-time International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee and three-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year.
The rest of the roster fills out across two alternating beachside stages: Mountain Grass Unit, Shadowgrass, TopHouse, SCYTHIAN, IBMA Award winners Sister Sadie, Fireside Collective, Midnight North, Jammy Buffet, Melody Trucks & The Fitzkee Brothers Band, and the festival’s official house band, Geraldine. Co-founder and talent buyer John Way describes the programming around a clear vision: open with rising local artists, close with the legends, and build a weekend that functions as music as self-care.
The festival runs on a conservation mission that has raised over $114,000 for Chesapeake Bay restoration since inception, with a portion of every ticket, beverage, and merchandise dollar supporting nonprofit partners Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Beyond the stages, the grounds include a beer garden and oyster bar, beachfront yoga, an artisan village, a KidZone, artist and nonprofit workshops, and a full VIP experience with chef-prepared meals, exclusive performances, and dedicated viewing areas.