Easton's May Day Celebration
Downtown Easton, MD
May 1st through May 2nd
A tour of Flowers in downtown Easton!
The doors and windows of participating businesses will be decorated with vibrant, award-winning floral displays, along with a large flower display at the entrance of Thompson Park in partnership with Chesapeake Blooms and the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore! Wreaths, baskets, planters, and arrangements will be ready for viewing starting Friday, May 1st, and will remain on display throughout the weekend.
Friday, May 2nd
First Friday Gallery Walk "Art in Bloom"
Easton’s First Friday Gallery Walk will also be underway, with galleries open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with art exhibits and refreshments. Many of Easton’s art galleries will follow the fine arts and flowers theme with ‘Art in Bloom’, showcasing floral arrangements inspired by fine art in the downtown showrooms throughout the event.
Free Outdoor movie night
May Day also marks the start of Outdoor Movie Nights in Easton! There will be a free screening of the 2024 film The Wild Robot (sponsored by For All Seasons) starting at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the Talbot County Historical Society garden. Bring a chair and a blanket and join us for cinema under the stars.
Other events:
You can pick up flower stamp cards from our wonderful downtown retailers. Spend just $25 at any participating retail store to earn a stamp—collect three stamps, and you can exchange your completed card at the Visitor Center on 11 South Harrison Street for a lovely mini vase of fresh-cut flowers! The cards will be available at all participating stores on May 1st and 2nd.
Julie Parsons will be performing live in front of the Tidewater Inn from 4 pm to 7 pm
Restaurant week, happening April 27th to May 2nd, will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate the wonderful food throughout Easton. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a wonderful variety of local flavors from around the world. There’s something to satisfy every craving!
Calling all Swifties! The Avalon Theatre will host Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience – the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift on May 1st at 7 pm. They can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, they’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far (this event is ticketed).
Saturday, May 2nd
Other Events:
The Market at Dover Station will host their first annual Sidewalk Sale with vintage furniture and unique goods at 50% off outside of the Market from 10 am to 3 pm. You can also join the Market and Savington and Hill Floral Co for a hands-on floral design class! Learn pro tips from a sixth-generation local florist right here in Easton while creating your own arrangements to take home. Mimosas included (this event is ticketed).
The Avalon Theatre’s 26th annual Multicultural Festival will be on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Idlewild Park. This joyful celebration showcases and honors the diversity of the mid-shore community. The spring tradition fosters understanding, promotes unity, and celebrates the arts, music, and culinary delights across various cultures. Along with the entertainment and delicious cuisine, there will be plenty of activities, including children’s games, face painting, and cultural crafts.
-Ice Sculpture & Outdoor Schedule-
2024 Schedule
Live Sculpture Demonstrations
Friday Night & Saturday
The featured attraction of Friday night is the on-site carving of an incredibly detailed and interactive sculpture sponsored by the Town of Easton and the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. The second will be on Saturday in front of the Frampton Funeral Home. You’ll have a chance to see the artists work their magic as the sculptures take shape from huge blocks of ice! There will be live music, entertainment, and other fun events!
Friday :
Town of Easton/EVFD carving @ Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday :
Frampton carving @ Frampton Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m.
Outdoor Ice Skating
FriDay (5 to 9 p.m.) Saturday (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
visitors center parking lot (11 S. Harrison Street)
Come and enjoy the opportunity to skate outside in Easton during the festival! If you are worried about bringing your own skates. Special equipment is needed, street ice skates are not allowed. Skates will be provided for anyone who wants to go on the rink so just bring yourself and your friends. Admission for skating is also completely free. The synthetic ice rink is sponsored by Bluepoint Hospitality.
FIre Trail
FriDay (5 to 9 p.m.) Saturday (11 A.M. to 8 p.m.)
Downtown Easton
Our businesses have put together FIERY specials, fun, and more! Check out the fire trail and visit them all, check them off, and tell us your top three! Take a pic of you and your favorite attraction, #chesapeakefireandice, and tag @DiscoverEaston on Facebook or Instagram.
Kick things off by starting at one of our preview night locations along the trail! Get Ready for good times and good music at our Fire Pavilion Tent in front of the Waterfowl Building on 41 South Harrison Street. Kick off Valentine’s Day with electric live musical performances, live ice carvings, and a stocked ice bar with tasty beverages from Delmarva Craft and Lyon Rum from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Keep warm by the fire pits sponsored by Breoo and Aqua Pools and enjoy live music from many talented artists including Anna Burgess, DJ E Shore, Poppy Blue Eyes, and Jayla Elise.
Fire & Ice Special at Sailor: Warm up your Winter with COOL savings during Sailors’ 50% Off WINTER SALE! Also, get a sneak peek at a few items from their upcoming Spring selection.
Red Hot Sale at The Mercantile: Winter Clothing and Footwear 40% Off (Sale starts 2/13), Back Room Bargains— Select Styles 50% Off, Spicy Margarita Samples Friday & Saturday nights.
Sweet Treats From DragonFly: 10% off jewelry, accessories, archipelago, and gift cards from Feb 14th through Feb 16th. Chocolate and Light refreshments will be served!
Kids Night Out @ Kiln Born Creations: Drop the kids off this Valentine’s Day so you can have a date night! Kids night out will run from 6:00-8:00 pm. Pizza and a beverage will be served, then kids will be taught how to create the pre-planned project of the month. This month they will paint either a pug or corgi figurine and a heart add on! Must select which dog you’d like to paint at time of sign up. Click here to register.
The Sweetheart Sale at Lizzy Dee: Treat yourself to a sweet bargain during the Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival. Lizzy Dee’s Sweetheart Sale is back and not to be missed! $15.50! $19.50! $24.50! $29.50! $39.50!
*The Sweetheart Sale is a select group-different from our Annual Winter Sale…that’s right…two sales happening at Lizzy Dee!
Speakeasy @ Legal Assets: The speakeasy will open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Chesapeake Sons will also be performing!
Catch the fire with hot wings from Roma Alla Pala on 2A South West St. There will also be a Fire & Ice festival pizza special is smoked speck starting Friday, Feb 14 (topped with scamorza (smoked mozzarella), with roasted cherry tomatoes and topped with local Williwaw Farm snow pea tendrils).
The Stewart will once again have their Champagne Cart on Federal Street on Saturday, Feb 15th starting at 11 a.m. featuring oysters, champagne, beer, and wine.
Flying Cloud Booksellers will have a children’s story reading on Saturday, Feb 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Weather Gage will feature Mexican Hot Chocolate and Icey Blue Tea all weekend.
Bonheur will feature winter citrus & passion fruit pie! There will also be Valentine’s Day-themed tea on Friday the 14th (seatings at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.)
Visit the bourbon wall at Rude Burger on 4 South Aurora Street!
The Talbot Waterman will be shucking fresh oysters under the awning at the Avalon Corner (40 East Dover Street) on both Friday and Saturday.
Enjoy their amazing fire cider at Agave Juicing Company 218 North Washington Street.
Wittersgreen Gallery will be open 4-7 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. “Wild Sweethearts” greeting cards and free gifts for children will be available at 5 East Dover Street #301
Sip and Shop at Oxford Vintage with Doehrn Tea Company. 25 E Dover Street
Feeling spicy? La Bodega has you covered from margs to tacos on 216 East Dover Street.
The Ivy Cafe will be open Friday night, stop in and grab dinner and a drink on 12 & 14 W Dover Street!
Get unique, discounted Chesapeake Fire & Ice cocktails with special collectible glassware and giant Custom whiskey ice at Tiger Lily, Legal Assets, Doc’s, and Hunter’s Tavern. Sponsored by Lyon Rum.
Eat Sprout will be on the patio of 22 N Harrison on Saturday the 15th from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. with a table, display, free snacks, and drinks.
Music & Entertainment
Cascading Carlos: Friday (5 to 8 P.M.) & Saturday (Noon to 4 P.M.) in Thompson Park
Live Music: Friday (6 to 9 p.m.)
& Saturday (Noon to 4 P.M. & 5 to 8 P.M.)
Enjoy free outdoor music & entertainment during the festival weekend! Our list of talented performers includes:
Friday Night Performances:
J. Coursey Willis will play at the Fire Pavilion Tent Friday Night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DJ E Shore will be playing tunes and filling the streets with music in front of The Talbot County Courthouse on Washington Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chuck Thomas will play some tunes at the new Eat Sprout patio on North Harrison Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.!
Saturday Performances:
DJ E Shore will be playing tunes and filling the streets with music in front of The Talbot County Courthouse on Washington Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Night Cats will be rocking and rolling in the Fire Pavilion Tent from 12 pm to 4 pm
Jayla Elise will be in the Fire Pavilion Tent from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Anna Burgess will play some tunes at the new Eat Sprout patio on North Harrison Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.!
Poppy Blue Eyes will be taking us into the evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Award-winning and crowd favorite Cascading Carlos will perform Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Carlos has fascinated and entertained children and adults alike for over two decades – don’t miss out on both of his performances! Friday will feature fire and Saturday will be a daytime show in Thompson Park – try your hand at juggling with his friendly interactive show. Click here to find out more about Carlos.
The Children’s Icehouse will be at the Waterfowl Building on 40 South Harrison Street on Saturday the 15th. From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Children of all ages can take a break from the cold with free craft projects, games, giveaways, snacks, and more!
Children will have plenty of cool activities from noon to five. The Talbot County Free Library will host a story time reading of Karen Kilpatrick’s When Glitter Met Glue and a book giveaway during the day. Two Pair Collectibles will also be doing trading card giveaways as well as free raffles and a Fire and Ice Pokemon Trading card game tournament. Gluten Free Bakery Girl will also offer treats and the wonderful folks from Merry Maids will offer free hot chocolate. There will also be a mini full-court basketball game, splat game, and connect four!
Talbot Humane also returns this year with their furry friends for their kissing booth! Meet some of the cutest, friendliest animals on the Eastern Shore in front of the Waterfowl Building on 40 South Harrison Street. You can find these lovely creatures Saturday the 15th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
-Ice Sculptures & Self-Guided tour-
Ice sculptures are unveiled Friday evening during the Ice Block Party. It's your first chance to see the creative ice designs and watch the live carving demos starting at 5:00 p.m. When the sun sets, each sculpture is illuminated with LED lights and offer great photo-ops for families!
The sculptures remain on view Saturday and the ice skating rink will be open!
Sunday morning is your last chance to see the sculptures. As the weather is unpredictable, please note that the ice sculptures will look their best Friday evening and Saturday morning.
