Spring's long-awaited arrival means it's almost time for Ocean City's Springfest! Get ready to join the town of Ocean City, Maryland, for four days of food, family, fine art and fun at this year's event.

Here's everything you need to know about the resort town's 34th annual Springfest .

When is Ocean City's Springfest?

This year, Ocean City's Springfest — traditionally held during the first week of May — has been moved to an earlier time slot of April 24-27.

"The new dates bring excitement and opportunity to an event that has kicked off our season each year," Special Events Director Frank Miller said. "We look forward to offering the tradition that our residents and visitors love while sprinkling in the excitement of a new date and new opportunity."

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the four-day event is free.

Will there be live music at Ocean City's Springfest?

Springfest, located in the Inlet Lot at the south end of Ocean City’s historic Boardwalk, will feature a multitude of live entertainment options. Headliners for the evening shows require the purchase of tickets. Purchases can be made online at OCocean.com or through Etix.

Festivalgoers are invited to see STRANGELOVE (The Depeche Mode Experience) on Thursday night, multi-instrumentalist and multi-platinum selling artist Hunter Hayes on Friday night, and The Legendary Wailers featuring Junior Marvin and Passafire on Saturday night.

What else is in store at Ocean City's Springfest?

Springfest, one of the top arts and crafts shows in the United States, features more than 200 vendors showcasing their creations. The festival brings together artisans and exhibitors from coast to coast. A wide variety of handmade art will be available in many mediums, including clothing, textiles, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, pottery, specialty foods and wood.

Be sure to come on an empty stomach, as Springfest's food and drink vendors will be serving up a delicious assortment of creations onsite. Guests will get the chance to sample a wide variety of eats from all around the Eastern seaboard as they jam out to live music, browse handmade arts and crafts, watch an artist at work or take a stroll around the festival grounds.

Springfest to debut 150 ^th Anniversary Floral Garden

This year, to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary, an Anniversary Floral Garden will debut at Springfest. The garden will feature a floral wall adorned with Ocean City’s iconic Smile Logo, creating the perfect backdrop for a photo opportunity, the town said in a March 18 news release.

Guests will also be able to participate in hands-on workshops centered around succulent planting, flower crown creating and sea glass, allowing visitors to bring a piece of Ocean City’s floral beauty home. Lish with Pure Yoga will also be offering a rejuvenating sunrise yoga class on the beach.

Will transportation be available to/from Springfest?

Due to limited parking in the downtown area, Ocean City will offer Springfest transportation via the Coastal Highway Beach Bus for $4 all-day boarding. The bus's spring schedule will kick into gear on April 21. Come spring, buses will arrive at their stops approximately every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Bus service will not be available between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Visitors are also encouraged to take advantage of the town’s Park and Ride location on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Visitors may park their car for free and ride the shuttle — which travels out of the South Division Street Transit Station to and from the West OC Park-N-Ride Transit Station to Springfest — for $4 all-day boarding.

Special Event Express Shuttle Service is also available at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street, where visitors can park for free in the south lot and ride the express shuttle directly to Springfest for $4 all-day boarding. Visitors are reminded that the Boardwalk tram will not be in service during Springfest following the tram's indefinite suspension as of late 2024.

If you go:

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at .