Powerboaters, anglers, and those dreaming of the boating lifestyle—get ready, because October 3-6, City Dock, Annapolis will be transformed into a boater’s paradise for the Annapolis Powerboat Show.
Nothing signals fall has arrived quite like the hundreds of boats and floating docks that take over downtown Annapolis each October. The air feels a little crisper, the leaves have begun to change, and there’s no containing the buzz of excitement in the air.
And we’re not just talking about shiny, new boats, which are cool in their own right. You’ll also find boating gear, apparel, service providers, used boats at Brokerage Cove, charter companies, educational opportunities, and so much more.
2024 marks 52 years of the Annapolis Powerboat Show, and here at PropTalk, we know our way around the show. It’s easily our favorite time of year, and after many years of attending, we’ve learned a thing or two that we want to share with all of you to make your visit to the show, not just productive, but fun! If you need more information, visit annapolisboatshows.com. If you have a question during the show or just want to stop by and say hello, come see us! We’ll be in our usual spot, Tent F6/F7 along Ego Alley.
We hope to see you there!
Dates and Times
Thursday, October 3: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 4: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 5: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets
Preview Day, Thursday, October 3: $33.25 online (plus $1.75 service fee), $40 at the gate
Two-Day Preview Day Combo Ticket: $51.50 (plus $3.50 service fee; valid for preview day, Thursday, October 3, and one other day October 4-6)
Two-Day Combo Ticket: $41.50 (plus $3.50 service fee; each ticket is valid one day only, October 4-6, not valid on Preview Day, October 3)
Preview Day and Combo Tickets do not include entry into the VIP lounge.
General admission: $25 online ($30 at the gate; box office located at Dock St., Exit bus at 2nd stop)
Children aged 7 to 15: $10 (ages 6 and under are free)
Military Personnel Day: $20 (Sunday, October 6; tickets available online and at gate. Must present valid ID at gate)
The Annapolis Boat Shows are encouraging everyone to please purchase their tickets in advance as the onsite box office is limited.
VIP Experience:
The VIP Experience, sponsored by LaVictoire Finance, is for the boat show visitor looking for VIP treatment. VIP tickets include admission into the boat show. All guests must be 21+ to enter the VIP Lounge. The mimosas and Bloody Mary bar will open 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with the full bar opening at noon. Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. with coffee, assorted pastries, and fresh fruit followed by a buffet lunch at 12 p.m. and afternoon appetizers daily. Relax in furnishings by Summer Classics and enjoy plant décor by Walnut Hill Landscaping. There will also be live music and the opportunity to speak with representatives at the show about obtaining the boat of your dreams. Cost: $200
FAQs:
- Pets are not allowed inside the show due to safety and health reasons, unless it is a certified service animal.
- Strollers are not allowed inside the show due to safety issues. Please park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area.
- It is recommended that all children wear lifejackets for safety.
- The Boat Show is open rain or shine.
- You do not need to print out your ticket; all tickets may be scanned from your phone.
- Backpacks and bags are allowed.
- You may leave the show and re-enter; you will receive a hand stamp.
- You may bring food and drinks into the show.
Parking
Boat show visitors are encouraged to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401) and take a free shuttle to and from the show. Shuttles will run one hour prior to show opening through one hour after the show closes.
Pre-sale of Stadium parking is offered at the discounted rate of $20 per day, $40 for oversize vehicles. Pre-sale of parking closes at 10 p.m. the evening prior to the day you plan to attend. After that, you may purchase parking onsite at the Stadium Gate 2 entry located at 200 Farragut Rd for $25/$50, credit card only. No cash will be accepted. Visit the 'Attend' page at annapolisboatshows.com for the direct link to reserve parking at app.parkmobile.io (available Thursday, Friday, and Sunday of the show; the U.S. Naval Academy has a home game in Annapolis on Saturday).
Parking is also available in the parking garages in downtown Annapolis. Be sure to plan ahead as parking garages downtown fill up fast. Visit annapolisparking.com for more information.
Getting Around
On land, it’s easy to hop on the Annapolis Free Downtown Shuttle that has regular stops around the downtown Annapolis area. The shuttle runs Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with typically a 10 minute or less wait during peak hours. Wheelchair lifts and bicycle racks are available. Find more “Getting Around” options (from the Free Magenta Shuttle to Bird Scooters) at accessannapolis.com/visiting-downtown.
On the water, we love the water taxis. If you’re at the show, the easiest place to catch them is at the water taxi stop between the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel and Spa Creek Bridge, or call (410) 263-0033. Or hail “water taxi” on VHF radio channel 68. Prices are $4 to $9 depending on the destination. For cashless water taxi fare payment, download the Where in Annapolis app and click on the water taxi icon in the bottom right. For a route map with rates, visit watermarkjourney.com. The water taxis run Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visiting From Out of Town?
Check out the Visit Annapolis page on the Boat Show website for a list of official show hotels and more.
Show Map
For a map of the show, click here.
On Display
Click the links below for links.
Insider Tips for the Boat Show:
Serious boat buyer? Preview Day, Thursday, October 5 would be a great day to attend as it is generally less crowded and thus easier to make appointments/chat with dealers.
Wear the right shoes: Choose a pair that is comfortable and easy to slip off and on (heels don't do so well on the floating docks). Remove shoes when boarding boats. If it’s cold or rainy, wear rain boots.
Share and save information: Bring your phone, notepad, pens, boat cards, and business cards to share and save information. Bring photos of your boat projects to show the experts. At the show, snap pictures of favorite boats and cool products. Serious buyers should make appointments with the boat brokers.
Dress in layers: October in Annapolis can be sunny and warm, crisp and cool, or sometimes rainy. Anything is possible. Bring sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved fleece, and a rain repellent top layer. A small backpack or tote can be very helpful for storing extra layers and any goodies you pick up at the show.
Bring cash: Many vendors will accept your credit card, but cash is easiest for small purchases. ATMs are available right outside the show. Think coffee, Painkillers, and the small marine gizmos that will catch your eye.
Bathrooms: Fancy port-a-johns are centrally located within the show. However real toilets are located on the first floor of the Harbor Master's office, just outside the show gates. They're free and open to the public.
Food: There are plenty of great dining options just outside the show gates. When you want something both quick and delicious, a PropTalk staff favorite is always the pit beef sandwiches from the Fleet Reserve Club.