From outdoor festivals to indoor classical music concerts, Annapolis hosts all sorts of entertainment this week. Enjoy cooking events alongside your kids, enjoy specialty cruises and tours around Annapolis, attend a green garden party, or simply take aesthetic pleasure in the beauty of May Day downtown–all of this is at your fingertips!

Annapolis Entertainment

With the showers of April over, it’s easy to enjoy outdoor festivals, like the 2014 Naptown barBayq, hosted at the county fairgrounds. This event blends food (think barbecue, artisan sandwiches, and more), family-friendly activities (like a moon bounce, face painting, etc.), and great live music by groups like Swampcandy and Sweet Leda. The music, food, and fun happens around the clock on both festival days–May 3 and 4, from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Proceeds benefit children’s charities. Head to http://barbayq.com to learn more.

Downtown Annapolis celebrates the beginning of May with the annual May day baskets. This tradition has roots in Europe, but Annapolis celebrates it every spring with downtown businesses dressing up their doors with bountiful bouquets of flowers and decorations. This event requires no money or time considerations on your part–just walk around downtown and enjoy may day baskets.

Over at Maryland Hall, classical music takes the spotlight with this week’s performance, done by Nakamatsu. This performer will play the music of Rachmaninov in an elegant concert that features much-acclaimed piano music. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday and includes a second performance at the same time on Saturday. Tickets are available on www.marylandhall.org.

If you’d like to spend your days on the water (who wouldn’t?) enjoy one of Watermark’s several cruises. Some sail around the Bay, others visit area lighthouses, and others cruise out to Spa Creek. Aside from the types of cruises to choose from, numerous departure times are available too. See which cruise fits your schedule this week by heading to http://cruisesonthebay.com.

To complement the sailing tours, participate in a walking tour, also offered by Watermark. Tours around historic downtown Annapolis are available daily. The springtime weather makes it easy to take pleasure in outdoor tours. Head to http://annapolistours.com to find the one you’d like best.

It’s not just Watermark that offers delightful cruises around Annapolis waters–Schooner Woodwind presents a few of their own that are sure to please. This week, attend the “May Lighthouse Cruise,” which takes participants to up to three lighthouses starting at 10:30 a.m. The lighthouse tour is accompanied by a guest lecture from the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, who will teach participants about the past, present, and future of the lighthouses. Lunch is provided in the ticket price, which is $89. To book this cruise, head to www.schoonerwoodwind.com.

Annapolis Green

With enjoyable events like the one below, it’s easy to go green in Annapolis. For those who haven’t attended the last few years of the Anniversary Garden Party at Scenic Rivers Land Trust, this Saturday is your chance. This year marks the 25th garden party, an event full of plein air painters, art auctions, tours of the luscious property, picnics, wine samplings, desserts, and many more enticing elements. The price is $75 and benefits the land trust. The party is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Crownsville at Hidden View Farm. Head to www.annapolisgreen.com to learn more about this party.

Annapolis Families

The Chesapeake Children’s Museum offers two chances to cook with kids this weekend, happening on May 2 and 3. On Friday night, the CCM welcomes parents to relax and learn new cooking techniques alongside the kids. This event occurs from 6 to 9 p.m. and costs $15 per person. The next day, a parent and kid cooking class is held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $10 per person. For more info on either cooking event, head to www.theccm.org.