Swing into summer at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Big Band Night on July 5, 2025
ST. MICHAELS, MD
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is thrilled to invite the community to celebrate Independence Day on its waterfront campus with music, dancing, and fireworks at its annual Big Band Night on Saturday, July 5, 2025 from 6-10pm.
This star-spangled party offers fun for the whole family. Playing the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, the Shades of Blue Orchestra will provide a swinging soundtrack for the evening, starting at 7pm, and CBMM’s waterfront campus offers a great vantage point for the St. Michaels fireworks at dusk. There will also be children’s activities on Fogg’s Landing, including a variety of inflatables.
Tickets are available now at cbmm.org/BigBandNight and can also be purchased at the door. The rain date for the concert and fireworks is July 6.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to enjoy Big Band Night, which is generously sponsored by Eastern Shore Tents & Events. Food, ice cream, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors throughout the evening.
The Shades of Blue Orchestra has become a Big Band Night staple, sharing an array of tunes from the 1930s to today representing a variety of genres. The 18-piece, Baltimore-based Big Band combines brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments, along with talented vocalists, to produce a classic sound that has kept audiences across the region dancing since 1976.
Big Band Night admission is $7 for CBMM members with member children 17-and-under admitted free. The cost for non-members is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+) and college students with ID, $6 for children 6–17, and free for children 5-and-younger. All active and retired military members receive free admission to this event.
To access discounted pricing for Big Band Night and join the community shaping the Chesapeake, become a CBMM member today by visiting cbmm.org/memberships or contacting Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbbmm.org.
This year, Patriot Cruises is offering the perfect lead-in to Big Band Night with a 90-minute Happy Hour Cruise, beginning at 4:30pm. Each $42 ticket includes a complimentary cocktail as part of the festive fun on the Miles River. CBMM members save $6 with this season’s online promo code. Learn more about this cruise and another offering on Friday, July 4, at cbmm.org/BigBandNightCruise.
For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM special events, including Big Band Night.
Learn more about CBMM’s full slate of annual festivals celebrating the best of the Bay, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day coming on Sunday, Aug. 10, at cbmm.org/Festivals.
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