Apr 7, Maine Festivals 2015
People living in Maine love to find reason for
celebration. And when they find it, they don't hesitate to
share their
fun with others. Regardless of the time
of year, winter, spring, summer or fall, Maine festivals are
taking
place all across the state.
Many are perfectly timed to take advantage of the changing
seasons...
...some coincide with the bountiful harvests
produced by the
land and sea...
...others commemorate historical and cultural
events, and year-long...
...annual holiday celebrations in Maine provide a
unique atmosphere in which to unwind!
From around the globe...
...tourists travel to "Vacationland" to be part of
the
most
popular Maine events, many visitors making them the
centerpiece of their Maine vacation.
Read hotel reviews and
check best rates for Maine hotel deals.
Most Popular and Best Festivals in Maine
Nowhere, but in places that enjoys a four-season
climate will you find people so quick to fully embrace each season.
That is exactly what happens in Maine!
The winter
blues and long dark nights are fought
off with statewide Winter Carnivals and hot chocolate, while spring
festivals are a time
for celebrating rebirth.
Summer
events in Maine include dozens of festivals
that honor favorite Maine foods. Strawberry Festivals, Blueberry
Fests, a Clam Festival, and the ever popular Maine Lobster
Festivals often steal the limelight!
Fall
festivals are traditional. Many
include cornstalks, scarecrows, pumpkin patches and hot apple cider,
all of which help justify the crisp autumn air.
As you read the list of festivals in Maine below,
keep in mind...
...this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms
of things to do in Maine.
Fairs, carnivals,
arts and crafts shows, road races, ski races, lobster
boat races, car shows and
boat shows, fireworks
displays...
...and
many other fun family friendly events are scheduled year-round.
For full monthly listings check out Maine activities
and
events.
Please
note... Many listings still reflect 2014 dates.
The 2015 Maine Festival dates are updated as information is available.
Summer Festivals in Maine
Most of the Maine festivals in summer are outdoor activities, which is
perfect...
...given the typically
gorgeous weather in Maine in
June, July
and August.
Yes, there are periods of rain, and/or fog...
...fog in
particular along the coast of Maine...
...and there are the occasional days with high
humidity, but overall, it's a pretty nice time of year for enjoying
outdoor events! And you won't be alone, as summer is peak
time for Maine tourist season!
To
see a festival location map, get driving directions and for event
details, please visit the Maine Activities and Events page (by month).
Note: Be sure to
check May listings for events that may carry over!
Pittston
Maine 4x4 Festival - Pittston, Maine - June 7-8, 2014 (Waiting
for 2015 dates)
Kennebunkport
Festival - Kennebunkport,
Maine - June 7-13, 2015
Bethel, Maine Moose Festival and Moose
Lottery - Bethel,
Maine - June 12-14, 2015
Margaretta Days Festival - Machias, Maine -
June 13, 2015
Old Port Festival - Portland,
Maine - June 14, 2015
Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Music Festival
- Litchfield, Maine - June 17-20, 2015
Whatever Family Festival - Augusta,
Maine -
June 17-July 4, 2015
Maine Blues Festival - Naples,
Maine -
June 19-21, 2015
Midsommar Festival - New
Sweden, Maine -
June 19-21, 2015
Bangor Beer Festival - Bangor, Maine -
June 20, 2015
PeaksFest - Peaks Island, Maine -
June 20-22, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Boothbay Windjammer Days Festival - Boothbay Harbor, Maine
-
June 21-27, 2015
La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival -
Saco and Biddeford, Maine -
June 26-29, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Kingfield Pops Festival of the Arts - Kingfield,
Maine -
June 27, 2015
Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
- Dover-Foxcroft,
Maine, Maine -
June 27, 2015
Saco Spirit Sidewalk Art Festival - Saco,
Maine, Maine -
June 27, 2015
South Berwick Strawberry Festival - South Berwick,
Maine -
June 27, 2015
Windham Summerfest - Windham, Maine -
June 27, 2015
Bowdoin International Music Festival - Brunswick,
Maine -
June 27 - August 8, 2015
Bar Harbor Music Festival- Bar Harbor,
Maine -
June 28-July 26, 2015
Note: Be sure to
check June listings for events that may carry over!
Acadian Festival - Madawaska,
Maine - July 2-5, 2015
Festival of Independence- Camden,
Maine -
July 2-July 5, 2015
Bar Harbor Seafood Festival, Craft Fair, 4th of
July Fireworks - Bar
Harbor,
Maine -
July 4, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Atlantic Music Festival - Waterville, Maine
July 6-August 2, 2015
Rangeley Strawberry Festival - Oquossoc
Park - Rangeley,
Maine
- July 9, 2015
East Millinocket Summerfest Celebration - East
Millinocket, Maine
July 10-12, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Maine Yogafest - Portland,
Maine
July 10-12, 2015
Moxie Festival - Lisbon Falls, Maine
July 10-12, 2015
Maine International Film Festival - Waterville,
Maine
July 10-19, 2015
North Atlantic Blues Festival - Rockland,
Maine -
July 11-July 12, 2015
Maine Potato Blossom Festival - Fort Fairfield,
Maine
July 11-19, 2015
Central Maine Egg Festival - Pittsfield,
Maine -
July 13-18, 2015
Alfred Festival - Alfred,
Maine -
July 17-19, 2015
Kingfield Festival Days - Kingfield,
Maine -
July 17-19, 2015
Yarmouth Clam Festival
- Yarmouth,
Maine
July 17-19, 2015
Quietside Flamingo Festival - Southwest Harbor,
Maine
July 18-19, 2015
Bucksport Bay Festival - Bucksport,
Maine - July 24-26, 2015
Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival - Grand Lake
Stream,
Maine - July 25-26, 2015
Northern Maine Fair and Music Festival - Presque
Isle,
Maine - July 25-August 2, 2015
Farmington Summer Fest - Farmington,
Maine - July 26, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Festival of Nations - Portland,
Maine -
July 26, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
York Days Festival - York Beach,
Maine -
July 26-August 2, 2015
Rockland Maine Lobster
Festival
- Rockland,
Maine - July 29-August 2, 2015
Note: Be sure to
check July listings for events that may carry over...
Picnic Music and Arts Festival - Portland,
Maine - August 1, 2015
Kennebunk Antiques Festival - Kennebunk,
Maine - August 1-2, 2015
Northeast Acadian Harvest Fest - Northeast Harbor,
Maine - August 1-2, 2015
Country Fest Maine - Litchfield,
Maine - August 1-3, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Sweet Chariot Music and Art Festival - Swan's
Island,
Maine - August 4-6, 2015
Wilton Blueberry Festival - Wilton,
Maine - August 7-8, 2015
Maine Antiques Festival - Union, Maine - August
7-9, 2015
KahBang Festival - Bangor,
Maine - August 7-10, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Frenchboro, Maine Lobster Festival - Frenchboro,
Maine - August 8, 2015
Winter Harbor
Lobster
Festival - Winter Harbor,
Maine - August 8, 2015
Portland Chamber Music Festival - Portland,
Maine
- August 13-22, 2015
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival - Machias, Maine
August 14-15, 2015
Belfast Harbor Fest - Belfast, Maine - August
14-16, 2015
MS Harborfest Weekend - Portland,
Maine - August 14-16, 2015
Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival - Brunswick, Maine
- August 15, 2015
CountryGrass Festival - Jefferson, Maine - August
15-17, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Scarborough SummerFest - Brunswick, Maine
- August 16, 2015
Great Falls Balloon
Festival - Lewiston-Auburn,
Maine - August 21-23, 2015
Royal River Music Fest - Yarmouth, Maine
- August 22, 2015
WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival Portland - Portland,
Maine - August 22, 2015
Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Music
Festival - Litchfield, Maine - August 26-29, 2015
Crown of Maine Balloon Festival - Presque Isle,
Maine - August 27-30, 2015
American Folk Festival - Bangor, Maine - August
28-30, 2015
Wells Chili Fest - Wells, Maine
- August 29, 2015
Fall Festivals in Maine
Some people think of
fall as the best time of
year to
visit Maine - for several reasons.
Once Labor Day passes summer crowds are gone,
Maine fall weather is usually delightful (with warm days and cool
evenings)...
...and there is still plenty to do.
Along with the Maine agricultural fairs and the
harvest
festivals that are plentiful during September and October...
...many seasonal Maine
tourist
attractions remain in operation until Columbus Day (typically
the 2nd weekend in October), providing for even more vacation fun!
To
see a festival location map, get
driving directions and for event details, please visit the Maine
Activities and Events page (by month) listed below.
Note: Be sure to
check August listings for events that may carry over!
Camden Windjammer Festival - Camden,
Maine - September 4-6, 2015
Lewiston-Auburn Greek Festival - Lewiston, Maine -
September 4-6, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Boothbay Harbor Fest - Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor,
Maine
-
September 4-13, 2015
Harvest Hoot 2014 Festival - Camden,
Maine - September 6, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 date)
Festival at the Falls - formerly the
Franco-American Family Festival - Waterville,
Maine - September 7, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 date)
Eastport Pirate Festival - Eastport, Maine -
September 11-13, 2015
Bikefest on the Pier - Old Orchard Beach,
Maine - September 12, 2015
Mount Desert Island Garlic Festival - Southwest
Harbor, Maine -
September 12, 2015
Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival - Wells,
Maine -
September 12-13, 2015
Alfred Shaker Hill Apple Festival - Alfred, Maine
- September 13-14, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
New Portland Lions Agricultural Fair and The Maine
Crafts Festival - North New Portland, Maine - September 18-20, 2015
Harvest Fest and Chowdah Cook Off - Bethel,
Maine - September 19, 2015
Acadia Night Sky Festival - Bar Harbor,
Maine
-
September 25-29, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 dates)
Maine Lakes Brew Fest - Casco, Maine - September
26,
2015
Punkinfiddle Festival - Wells, Maine -
September 26, 2015
Pemaquid Oyster Festival - Damariscotta,
Maine -
September 28, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 date)
Note: Be sure to
check September listings for events that may carry over!
16th Annual Freeport Fall Festival - Freeport,
Maine - October 4 -5, 2014
Harvestfest and Hill 'n the Ville - Waterville,
Maine - October 5,
2014
Acadia's Oktoberfest Food Crafts
Festival - Southwest Harbor, Maine - October 10-11, 2014
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta -
Damariscotta, Maine - October 10- 13, 2014
Fall Food and Wine Festival - Blue
Hill and Deer Isle, Maine - October 10-19, 2014
Fall Festival at Wolfe's Neck Farm - Freeport,
Maine, Maine - October 11, 2014
Boothbay Railway Village Fall Foliage
Festival - Boothbay, Maine - October 11-12, 2014
Fall Festival Weekend - Newry, Maine - October
11-12, 2014
Waterford Fall Foliage Road Race and Chili
Festival - Waterford Village, Maine - October 12, 2014
Maine Wildlife Park Halloweenfest - Gray, Maine -
October 17-18, 2014
Ghostport Festival - Bucksport, Maine - October
18, 2014
Harvestfest and Kidfest - York Beach,
Maine, Maine - October 18, 2014
OgunquitFest - Ogunquit,
Maine, Maine - October 23-26, 2014
Note: Be sure to
check October listings for events that may carry over!
Festival of Light Celebration - Rockland,
Maine, Maine - November 28-30, 2014
Winter Festivals in Maine
There
is nothing like the first snowfall of the season to get a true New
Englander excited and in the mood for holiday celebrations.
Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve and New Year's
Day certainly gain attention...
...as do Valentine's Day. President's Day, and the
school
winter vacation week.
Although winter weather in Maine
may not seem conducive to outdoor activities, you may be surprised at
how many winter Maine festivals take place
both inside AND out.
Mainers' know how to make great use of snow and
ice, and with an extra layer and a hot toddy, you are sure to enjoy
their idea of a good time!
To
see a festival location map, get
driving directions and for event details, please visit the Maine
Activities and Events page (by month).
Note: Be sure to
check November listings for events that may carry over!
Bridgton Festival of Lights - Bridgton, Maine -
December 6, 2014
York Festival of Lights - York Beach, Maine
- December 6, 2014
Annual Boothbay Harbor Festival of Lights - Boothbay Harbor, Maine
- December 6-7, 2014
Note: Be sure to
check December listings for events that may carry over!
Sugarloaf Children's Festival Week
- Carrabassett
Valley, Maine - January 12-16, 2015
Sunday River Children's Festival Week - Newry,
Maine - January 12-16, 2015
Welcome to Winter WinterKids Festival - Portland,
Maine - January 17, 2015
Winter West Festival - Westbrook, Maine - January
17, 2015
Winterfest 2015 - Scarborough, Maine - January 17,
2015
WinterFest 2015 - South Portland - January 30, 2015
New England Pond Hockey Festival, NEPHF -
Rangeley, Maine - January 30-February 1, 2015
Banff Film Festival World Tour - Ellsworth, Maine
- January 30-February 1, 2015
Camden Winterfest - Camden,
Maine
- January 31 -
February 8, 2015
Note: Be sure to
check January listings for events that may carry over!
Banff Film Festival World Tour - Bangor, Maine -
February 3-4, 2015
Banff Film Festival World Tour - Rockport, Maine -
February 6-7, 2015
Kennebunk Winterfest - Kennebunk, Maine - February
6-7, 2015
Auburn Winter Festival - Auburn,
Maine - February 6-8, 2015
Winterfest in Biddeford - Bidderford, Maine -
February
6-8, 2015
Mount Abram White Grass Festival - Greenwood,
Maine - February 7, 2015
New England Telemark Festival - Greenwood, Maine -
February 7, 2015
Banff Film Festival World Tour - Ellsworth, Maine
- February 8-9, 2015
NEVI Ski Festival - Carrabassett Valley,
Maine - February 8-12, 2015
Mellie Dunham Snow Shoe Festival - Norway,
Maine - February 13-15, 2015
Annual Chocolate Festival - Greenville,
Maine
- February 15, 2015
Ice Festival of Lewiston-Auburn - Lewiston, Maine
- February 20-22, 2015
Black Mountain of Maine Winterfest - Rumsford,
Maine - February 27-March 1, 2015
Spring Festivals in Maine
Even
during early spring
(known to locals as mud season in the Northeast), there are interesting
festivals taking place in Maine.
As spring progresses and the weather improves,
events become notably more summer like.
And although too early in the season for sun
bathing (however, not unheard of on an occasional April or May day),
everyone is anxious to return to their favorite Maine
coastal vacation spots...
...or to visit Maine's lakes and mountains in
hopes of enjoying them for something other than skiing,
snowmobiling and ice-fishing!
To
see a festival location map, get
driving directions and for event details, please visit theMaine
Activities and Events page (by month).
Note: Be sure to
check February listings for events that may carry over!
Maine Jewish Film Festival - Portland,
Maine
- March 14-21, 2015
Maine Science Festival - Bangor, Maine - March
20-22, 2015
Curran Homestead Maple Syrup Festival and Irish
Celebration - Orrington, Maine - March 21, 2015
Mid-Coast Model Festival - Owl's Head,
Maine
- March 28-29, 2015
Note: Be sure to
check March listings for events that may carry over!
Sunday River Parrothead Festival - Newry,
Maine - April 3-5, 2015
Emerge Fim Festival - Various venues in
Lewiston-Auburn, Maine - April 9-12, 2015
Sugarloaf Reggae Festival - Carrabassett
Valley, Maine - April 9-12, 2015
Boothbay Fishermen's Festival - Boothbay Harbor,
Maine
- April 25-27, 2014 (Waiting for 2015 update)
Green Neighbor Family Fest - Portland,
Maine
- April 25, 2015
Note: Be sure to
check April listings for events that maycarry over!
Maine Fiddlehead Festival Local Food Day- Farmington,
Maine - May 2, 2015
Kennebunk May Day Festival -Kennebunk,
Maine - May 2, 2015
Kid's Central Festival - Kennebunk,
Maine - May 2, 2015
Chowderfest on the Pier - Old Orchard Beach,
Maine
- May 9, 2015
Rise Above Fest - Bangor,
Maine - May 9, 2015
Old Orchard Beach Beerfest on the Pier - Old Orchard Beach,
Maine
- May 16, 2015
Maine Comic Arts Festival - Portland,
Maine
- May 17, 2015
Downeast Spring Birding Festival
- Cobscook
Bay
area of Downeast Maine - May 22-25, 2015
Sanford International Film Festival - Sanford, Maine, May 27 - 30, 2015
Acadia Birding Festival - Various locations
Mount Desert Island, Maine - May 28-May 31, 2015
Spring Festival at Wolfe's Neck Farm - Freeport,
Maine
- May 30, 2015
Piscataquis Heritage Hot Air Balloon Festival -
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, May 29 - 31, 2015
...as event cancellations can occur and
dates may change
due to weather conditions. Contact information for events is available
on monthly Activities and
Events in Maine pages.
Finding Places to Stay in Maine
With the exception of Maine's largest cities, much
of the state consists of smaller towns and villages that for the most
part do not have large-scale hotels.
Instead, in many areas you will find a nice
selection of quaint country inns and bed and breakfasts, along with
mom-and-pop motels and intimate hotels...
...which during the biggest Maine festivals,
especially those held during the summer months, receive room
reservations well in
advance!
For instance, according to the organizers of the
Rockland, Maine Lobster
Festival that event in itself draws over 60,000 people to
Rockland, over a 5-day period!
My recommendation is to begin your search for
the best places to stay in Maine, long before your Maine vacation
begins!
...or, find Maine Vacation
Home Rentals,
perfect for
families and groups.
Share your Maine
festival...
Just fill in the form below and submit it. I'll
see that the information not only appears on this page, but also on the
Activities and Events page for the month in which it takes place.
http://www.great-maine-vacations.com/maine-festivals.html