November

2-3

Urbanna Oyster Festival

The 55th annual running of one of the Chesapeake's biggest bivalve fests will feature oysters (natch), two parades, a shucking contest, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and wine tastings. Urbanna Va. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 804-758-0368; www.urbannaoysterfestival.com.

2-4

Colonial Beach Rockfish Tournament

This annual rockfish tournament features two days of great fishing, plus a captains' dinner-dance, awards and more than $10,000 in prize money. Colonial Beach, Va. Sat.-Sun. Fishing 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 804-224-5000; www.rockfishtournament.org.

Oysterfest

Celebrate the fall oyster harvest with great food, family activities, skipjack and buyboat rides, live music, aquaculture and restoration exhibits, oyster tonging and oyster cooking demonstrations and retriever games. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Md. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-745-2916; www.cbmm.org.

Annapolis-Eastport Tug-of-War

Pick a side and join the annual Slaughter Across the Water (Spa Creek), pitting Annapolis against the feisty Maritime Republic of Eastport. Before and after the tugging, enjoy live music, food and fun on both sides of the creek. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; the contest begins at the "crack of noon." www.themre.org.

Decoy Museum Anniversary Dinner

Celebrate the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum's 26th anniversary with an evening of great food, auctions and prizes. Reservations required. At the museum in Havre de Grace, Md. Call for times. 410-939-3739; www.decoymuseum.com.

Caribbean 1500 Start and Race

Head to Hampton, Va., to cheer on the boats heading to Tortola in this popular cruising rally and race-and stay for the parties. Sailors will rally and race from Hampton's Bluewater Yachting Center to Tortola, BVI. Group start is scheduled for noon on Nov. 4. 757-788-8872; www.worldcruising.com.

9-11

Waterfowl Festival

Venues across Easton, Md., will feature over 300 artists' wildlife paintings, carvings, decoys, photography and more during this annual event. There will also be calling contests, retriever and fly-fishing demonstrations, and more. Easton, Md. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-822-4567; www.waterfowlfestival.org.

Reedville Oyster Roast

Get your fill of all-you-can-eat oysters, bean soup, clam chowder and more along with plenty of music, dancing, and fun, all to benefit the Reedville Fishermen's Museum. Reedville, Va. 2-5 p.m. 804-453-6529; www.rfmuseum.org.

Second Saturday

Enjoy an evening of gallery openings and receptions, late retail shopping, live music, restaurant deals and more. Downtown Cambridge, Md. 5-9 p.m. 443-477-0843; www.cambridgemainstreet.com.

Market Days

Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing will be busy with shoppers stocking up on local produce, fresh seafood and baked goods while enjoying live entertainment and local artwork. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Va. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 757-890-3500; www.yorkcounty.gov/tourism.

Trinity Church Ham and Oyster Dinner

Visitors to Trinity Church can enjoy this annual oyster feast with accompanying ham, turkey and desserts, all served family-style. Dockage for the event is available at St. Mary's College of Maryland docks. Trinity Church, St. Mary's City, Md. Noon-5 p.m. 301-962-4597; www.olg.com/trinitysmcmd.

Grand Illumination Parade

Kick off the holiday season in Norfolk with a grand parade, lighted floats, marching bands and Santa, and the lighting of the Norfolk and Portsmouth skylines for the holiday season. Norfolk. 7 p.m. 757-623-1757; www.downtownnorfolk.org.

Casey Neal Rogers Rockfish Tournament

This rockfish challenge will feature a $5,000 first prize and benefit the Casey Neal Rogers memorial scholarship fund. An awards dinner open to the public will follow. Smith Point Marina, Reedville, Va. Fishing 7 a.m.-4 p.m., awards dinner to follow. 804-453-4077; www.cnrtournament.com.

17-18

Marine Diesel Basics

Learn the basics of diesel maintenance and troubleshooting during this hands-on course. The Level II diesel engine course will take place Nov. 19-20. Annapolis School of Seamanship, Annapolis. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-263-8848; www.annapolisschoolofseamanship.com.

17-18

MSSA Fall Tournament

Anglers on over 200 boats will vie for nearly $100,000 in prizes during the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association's annual fall tournament. Weigh stations are open until 4 p.m. 410-255-5535; www.mssa.net.

22-24

Food and Feasts of Colonial Virginia

See how settlers might have prepared their Thanksgiving dinners in 17th- and 18th-century Virginia. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, Yorktown, Va. 9 am.-5 p.m. 888-593-4682; www.historyisfun.org.

23-25

Eastern Shore Studio and Vineyard Tour

Take a tour of Virginia's beautiful Eastern Shore while visiting 12 working artists' studios and a winery. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 757-678-7532; www.esartisansguild.org.

23-25

Made in Mathews Studio Tour

Artists all over Virginia's Mathews County will open their doors to visitors for this 11th annual open-studio weekend. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. 804-725-4229; www.madeinmathews.com.

Cape Charles Oyster Roast

The Cape Charles Historical Society hosts this annual roast, featuring fresh, local oysters and other great food, live music and a silent auction. Cape Charles Museum, Cape Charles, Va. 5-9 p.m. 757-331-1008; ccmuseum@hughes.net.