Become More Active in Your Chesapeake Community This Spring

Spring on Maryland’s Eastern Shore brings returning osprey, waterways waking up from winter, and a fresh wave of opportunities to emerge from hibernation and get involved in your community. Whether you're a lifelong resident or newly settling in, now is the perfect time to connect, give back, and explore the vibrant local scene in Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties.

Birders of all experience levels will enjoy guided birdwatching walks at Adkins Arboretum.

Attend a Local Spring Event

As the weather warms, towns and communities across the Shore come alive with events that showcase local Chesapeake culture, food, art, and history. These springtime festivals and gatherings are perfect for meeting neighbors, supporting local businesses, and soaking in the season.

Earth Day Celebrations: Groups like ShoreRivers, Pickering Creek Audubon Center, and Eastern Shore Land Conservancy host cleanups, eco-fairs, and tree plantings.

Easter Egg Hunt: Queen Anne’s County families can head to the Easter Egg Hunt at Route 18 Park in Centreville on April 12, which features traditional egg hunts, prize giveaways, and a contest for the most creative homemade Easter bonnet.

Historic Garden Week Tours (Kent and Talbot): Explore private gardens, historic homes, and local horticultural history.

Adkins Arboretum Spring Migration Bird Walks (Caroline/Talbot County line): These guided walks, suitable for birders of all experience levels, explore various habitats, allowing participants to observe the diverse bird species passing through the area.

Check out local news outlets like The Star Democrat, The Kent County News or county tourism boards for up-to-date event calendars.

First Fridays are a great chance to get out and about and enjoy music, art exhibitions, and social events at several Eastern Shore downtowns.

First Fridays on the Eastern Shore

One of the most consistent and lively ways to get involved in your community is through First Fridays—a monthly celebration in many Eastern Shore towns that brings art, music, food, and people together. These regular gatherings are ideal for newcomers and long-time residents alike to build relationships, enjoy local culture, support small business and stay connected with what’s happening in town.

Chestertown First Fridays (Kent County)

Downtown Chestertown comes alive on the first Friday of each month. Art galleries stay open late, local musicians perform in the streets and at Sultana Education Foundation, and shops offer snacks, wine, and special promotions. It’s a relaxed, festive atmosphere where it’s easy to spark a conversation or discover a new favorite shop.

Easton First Friday Gallery Walk (Talbot County)

Easton’s First Fridays are all about art and connection. Enjoy gallery receptions, meet local artists, and explore the historic downtown as boutiques and restaurants stay open late. Many galleries offer refreshments and live music, turning the evening into a full-on celebration of creativity.

Centreville First Fridays (Queen Anne’s County)

From live music and food trucks to kids’ activities and vendor pop-ups, Centreville’s First Fridays are a family-friendly, feel-good evening out. It’s the perfect way to support small businesses and enjoy the community’s charm.

Check your town’s local website or social media pages for updated calendars and additional spring happenings.

Spring is a great time to volunteer! Join ShoreRivers and clean up a local waterway.

Volunteer and Make a Difference

Spring is also the perfect season to roll up your sleeves and give back to the community. Volunteering not only benefits the community—it’s also one of the best ways to meet like-minded people and build lasting friendships.Whether you're passionate about the environment, housing, the arts, or helping others directly, there are numerous ways to get involved:

ShoreRivers: Organize or join a river cleanup, plant native species, or help educate the next generation on protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

Talbot Interfaith Shelter: Volunteer your time preparing meals, offering transportation, or mentoring residents on their journey to self-sufficiency.

Rebuilding Together: Volunteer in fundraising, administration or construction with this organization, which repairs homes and revitalizes communities, preserves home-ownership and strengthens families.

Kent Island Heritage Society: You don’t need to be an expert to become a docent at this local organization, where you can share your love of local history as part of their volunteer docent program.

Springtime is a great opportunity to learn something new or develop a skill or interest you already have, like this CBMM boatbuilding class.

Explore Spring Classes and Community Groups

As part of becoming more active this spring, consider joining a local class or group. These not only help you learn something new but often lead to genuine connections with others:

Academy Art Museum in Easton offers spring workshops in painting, drawing, and ceramics—many open to all experience levels.

CBMM (Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum) in St. Michaels runs springtime boatbuilding classes and sailing workshops rooted in the region’s rich maritime culture.

Chesapeake College Continuing Education, Washington College Academy for Lifelong Learning or Chesapeake Forum – Build your skills or focus your interest in dozens of courses in creative writing, gardening, photography, history, and so much more.

Local Libraries – Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s County libraries host a variety of spring programs from seed swaps and book clubs to tech classes and craft nights.

Spring is a season of renewal. With warmer days and a full slate of community events and gatherings, and there’s no better time to reconnect with the Chesapeake’s vibrant local scene . Whether you’re attending a First Friday, joining a local cleanup, or learning a new skill, getting involved in your community can bring both personal growth and lasting impact. Here’s to a vibrant, meaningful, and community-centered spring!