8 things to do at Sunfest in Ocean City

Don’t cry because summer’s over – smile because fall is here, and that means it’s time for Sunfest.

Sunfest is the biggest festival in Ocean City and it’s been the best way to end the summer for more than 40 years with food, music, arts and crafts vendors and games and amusements for the kids. In October, Ocean City is at its best with mild temperatures, cheap hotels and businesses still open for the season, so you know I’m not lying when I say that it’s honestly the best time to vacation in OC. Here are just 8 of the seemingly unlimited things you can do during Sunfest weekend. For information on hours, parking and transportation, check right here.

Rock out

One of the biggest draws of Sunfest is all the live music during the four-day weekend. And it’s all FREE! Check out the music line up here.  

Chow down

There will be food. Lots of food. Over 30 vendors are expected to line the Inlet parking lot with wares ranging from Eastern Shore classics (that’s crabs, clams and everything else under the sea) as well as pit beef, gyros, kabobs, Asian cuisine and everything else you can think of. Most shops on the boardwalk will still be open too, so there’s no need to worry if you end up craving caramel popcorn or funnel cake.

Get crafty

Nearly two hundred artists come from all over the United States to sell their arts and crafts at Sunfest every year. Several years back, the festival was even named #1 of the 100 Best Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows in the U.S. by Sunshine Artist magazine. You can expect demonstrations by vendors, a kids craft venue and the opportunity to take home a souvenir as vendors will have tents set up all four days of the festival weekend.

Take one last dip

Bring your bathing suit, or better yet, just wear it out. Sunfest is held at the Inlet Lot, so it’s practically right on the beach, and Ocean City can still get pretty warm in October.

In fact, you’ll find that the water temperature can be warmer in October than it is in July. By October, the water temperature peaks in the mid-70s, so enjoy the warm water while you can and take one last swim of the year.

Explore Ocean City

Again, the majority of the boardwalk will still be open for business by the time Sunfest hits. Most restaurants and nightlife hubs will still be open in Ocean City, too. Don’t limit yourself to just the Inlet lot. Take advantage of the Sunfest celebration, of course, but during the four days of the festival, you’ll probably want to explore a little outside of the parking lot.

And who says nothing happens in the off season? Besides Sunfest, there are several other events are happening in town that weekend in October. Check them out here. 

Explore outside Ocean City, too

If the Ocean City beach gets too crowded, visit the ponies on Assateague. Enjoy the fact that while the ocean water is still warm, the sand isn’t scalding hot the way it is in the summer.

Trek up to Berlin and check out America’s coolest small town. 

Seek shelter indoors

If the weather does not cooperate when you are here for Sunfest, there’s still plenty of indoor activities to spend a rainy day visiting. Check out Trapped Escape Room on 118th Street, Flagship Cinema in West Ocean City, while away the hours at the Kite Loft on the Boardwalk, or just find a great restaurant where you can watch the rain fall as you sip on a cocktail. Find out more things to do on a rainy day in Ocean City here. 

School and work might be back in full swing after an all-too-short summer, but there’s no better way to celebrate the end of an incredible season than at Sunfest.