Maine festivals are a wonderful way to experience the state any time of year for locals and visitors alike.
Maine, the Pine Tree State, is known for its thick forests, mild summer temperatures and of course, the stunning autumn colors; but Maine is full of activity and excitement every month of the year, from frigid January to the flowering springtime, all the way to Christmas. Maine festivals are a wonderful way to experience the state any time of year for locals and visitors alike.
April in Maine is the time when signs of springtime become evident with the trees just beginning to bud and flowers poking their shoots through what's left of the snow. Flower and garden shows take place in Bangor and Fryeburg, the annual Fisherman's Festival brings Boothbay Harbor to life, and on Patriot's Day weekend, the beach town of Ogunquit celebrates with lots of food and fun.
By May, spring is in full swing, and the town of Bath celebrates with a citywide yard sale where merchants fill the town park with tents and fun. Greenville has its annual Moose River Canoe Race to help celebrate Moose Mainea, and Bar Harbor ushers in spring with its Warblers and Wildflowers Festival, complete with bird walks, boat tours and gallery tours.
When June arrives, festivals are everywhere. If you like music, you'll enjoy the Ogunquit Chamber Music Festival, the Sidney Blistered Finger Family Bluegrass Music Festival or the Bowdoin College International Music Festival. West Paris celebrates Old Home Days with fireworks, parades and classic cars, and don't miss the Old Port Festival in downtown Portland, offering more than 10 stages of entertainment, great food and a parade. And if you love lupine, visit Deer Isle's Lupine Festival for garden tours, arts and crafts, and a variety of children's events.
July brings Independence Day celebrations all over the state, with just about every town and community offering festivals, parades and fireworks displays. Madawaska has its annual Rock the Valley Music Festival, Saco celebrates with its Greek festival with mouthwatering authentic Greek food, and Waterville offers its Maine International Film Festival. Also in July are the Strawberry Festival in Rangeley and the Stonington Lobster Boat Races. The Presque Isle Northern Maine Fair and The Bangor State Fair come to town around the end of the month, and there are countless other activities throughout the month all over the state.
By August, all traces of black flies are gone and the weather is usually dry and sunny. This is when visitors will discover many of the fairs begin: Monmouth Fair, Topsham Fair, Skowhegan State Fair, Union Fair, Acton Fair, and Windsor Fair, to name a few. Rockland hosts the Maine Lobster Festival and Blueberry festivals can be found in various locations around the state. The Moosehead Lake Region offers it's Forest Heritage Days in August, with wood tours, a craft fair, and logging games, and Lewiston-Auburn celebrates with the Great Falls Balloon Festival, one of the largest in New England. Enjoy many lobster boat races along the coast, and the beautiful Loon Festival on the shores of the lakes of Belgrade.
September brings the hint of autumn with a chill in the air at night and crisper, clearer days. Freeport celebrates with its annual sidewalk sale of all the towns' merchants and outlet stores, its annual Lobstermen Triathlon, and its Fall in the Village Art Festival. The Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Brunswick has been celebrating bluegrass for over 25 years. Rockland offers its Jazz and Arts Festival and more fairs start popping up around the state, including Springfield, Blue Hill, Litchfield, Farmington, and many others.
The famous Fryeburg Fair is one of the highlights of October, kicking off the month with the largest agricultural fair in Maine. Don't miss the Moose on the Run race at Moosehead Lake and the Mount Desert Island Fall Celebration and Oktoberfest. Halloween is celebrated all over the state with haunted hayrides and harvest fests. Enjoy the autumn leaves as you drive from town to town, celebrating autumn in Maine.
November finds Maine getting chilly and most of the tourists go home, but for the hearty few who remain, Portland has its Maine Brewers Festival, celebrating Maine's micro-breweries. Much of the month is quiet, but Thanksgiving weekend bustles with activity around the state with parades, lights and festivals kicking off the holiday season.
December is lovely in Maine. Often the first snows begin to fall and Christmas decorations and lights are everywhere. The Sparkle Event in Freeport kicks off the Christmas season with a parade down Main Street, hot cocoa, and of course, a visit from Santa. Boothbay Harbor, York, Presque Isle, Eastport, and Wells offer Festivals of Lights, and Christmas in Kennebunk offers caroling, tree lighting festivities, music, food, and Santa.
January in Maine is cold, dark, and a time when it is much more cozy to be indoors. But Mainers are a hearty bunch who celebrate winter around the state. The Maine Winterfest in Falmouth and Cumberland counties has ice carvings, breakfast with the Freeport Fire and Rescue Squad, and other activities around the area. The Snowmobile Snodeo in Rangeley offers all sorts of snowmobiling events, sleigh rides, obstacle courses, and hot food.
February is often the coldest, snowiest month of the year in Maine. This is perfect for the 100 Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race from Greenville to Brownville Junction and back. There is a Mushers Bowl Winter Carnival in Bridgton and Fryeburg, and the International Snowmobilers Festival in Madawaska and Edmundston, NB. Skowhegan offers the F.A.B. Fun and Business Fair, an indoor event that includes entertainment from local talent, an auction, and best of all, it's free!
March brings the Moscow Wyman Lake Ice Fishing Derby, for those who have been ice fishing all winter. Many indoor events abound with the Portland Jewish Film Festival, the Lewiston Motor Sports Festival and the Portland Boatbuilders Show. Bridgton celebrates its annual Spring Fling with outdoor BBQs and music, in spite of the snow. By March, many Mainers are beginning to get a bit weary of the snow, but they are hopeful about the coming spring, and seek out the many Easter Egg hunts and Maple sugaring opportunities around the state.
Visit the beautiful state of Maine to find out why it is fondly known as "the way life should be," all year long.
