Looking for fairs and festivals in Maine to attend this year? I have a great list for you. From food, music and lots of fun, these festivals are great for everyone. So whether you live nearby or you are are planning to visit the pine tree state, there are so many great annual festivals to take part in. So here is a list of 20 top fairs and festivals in Maine not to miss.
Great fairs and festivals in Maine to visit
1. Spring Fest Weekend
When: March 31 – April 2, 2023
Where: Newry, Maine
Spring Fest is a celebration of the return of spring. The weekend includes live music and huge parties along with spring skiing and riding. This celebration is one of the largest in the Northeast snow country. So for a last hooray on the mountain, join for an afternoon of music, food and fun.
2. Maine Maple Sunday Weekend
When: May 25 & 26, 2023
Where: Various sugarhouses around the state
This year celebrates the 40th annual Maine Maple Sunday. The event is always held the fourth Sunday in May with some sugarhouses hosting events both Saturday and Sunday. The weekend offers samples of maple syrup. And also learning how it is made.
Activities at the sugarhouse may include games, activities, music, tours and more. As each sugarhouse may celebrate a little differently. So it you love maple syrup and are curious about its goes from tree to bottle, then this is a great festival to attend.
3. Maine Oyster Festival
When: June 23 – 25, 2023
Where: Freeport, Maine
This is the 2nd annual Maine Oyster Festival located downtown Freeport. The event is all about delicious Maine oysters. They will be available to purchase from sea farms and food trucks. And some will serve them raw, grilled, fried or smoked.
You can even get oyster shucking instructions so you can eat more at home. The event has shucking contests, farm tours, food truck and live music. It’s an oyster foodie festival for sure.
4. Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
When: June 24, 2023
Where: Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
The Whoopie Pie Festival is the largest annual event in Piscataquis County. At this one day festival you can sample all kinds of whoopie pies. There will be a variety of flavor creations and you get to vote for your favorite. But thats not all the festival has to offer. There is a 3K walk/run event followed by rides and games including whoopie pie eating contests. And over 100 vendors of arts, crafts and food. The festival is fun for everywhoopie.
5. Windjammer Days Festival
When: June 25 – July 1st 2023
Where: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
The annual Windjammer Days Festival is an official kick off to summer for the Boothbay region. The festival honors maritime history with a week of events bringing together community and welcoming visitors. During the week you can enjoy various activities inlcuding Harbor Aglow boat parade, gathering of the fleet, cod fish races, street parade and fireworks over the harbor. Its a great event for everyone to welcome summer.
6. North Atlantic Blues Festival
When: July 15 & 16, 2023
Where: Rockland, Maine
North Atlantic Blues Festival is held at the Public Landing in Rockland overlooking the beautiful Rockland Harbor. This annual 2 day blues festival is one of the most prestigius blues festival on the east coast bringing in the best in blues music. Last year Ruthie Foster and Tommy Castro performed. This year, the current year line up includes Chris Gill and Southern Hospitality. The festival also hosts a club crawl on Maine Street on Saturday night. Tickets purchased before July 10th get a little discount. You can purchase a day or weekend pass.
7. Yarmouth Clam Festival
When: July 21 – 23, 2023
Where: Yarmouth, Maine
This annual event event takes place the full third weekend in July. The Yarmouth Festival is a family-friendly event that raises money for over 35 non-profit organizations including churches and school groups. Therefore your supports help the entire community.
Activities at the festival include a parade, craft fair and fine arts show, one of the largest carnivals in the state and live entertainment. There are also a handful of events such as the fireworks display, car show, diaper derby and so much more. So mark your calendars for 3 days of fun!
8. Maine Celtic Celebration
When: July 21- 23, 2023
Where: Belfast, Maine
The Maine Celtic Celebration is a family friendly weekend event celebrating the celtic heritage. At the festival you can enjoy food, fun, games, dancing and celtic music along with Saturday evening fireworks. So bring the family, listen to some music and learn a little about the Celtic culture.
9. Maine Lobster Festival
When: August 2 – 6, 2023
Where: Rockland, Maine
Maine Lobster Festival takes takes place the fist weekend in August from Wednesday to Sunday. The 5 day festival is full of activities including seafood cooking contest, live music, parade, crate race, road races and more! And of course, delicious Maine lobster!
Fresh hot lobster is served daily along with other yummy treats. And there is also an all you can eat pancake breakfast. Its 5 days filled with lobster and fun!
More fairs and festivals in Maine to attend
10. Great Falls Balloon Festival
When: August 18 – 20, 2023
Where: Lewiston, Maine
Join the town of Lewiston for 3 days of hot air balloons and festival fun at the Boo-Loon Bash. Its the 29th Great Falls Balloon Festival. Each day includes a Balloon Launch (weather permitting) Along with other events such as Pancake Breakfast, Moonglow, Love of Animals Event and Family Fun Day Event. Hot air balloon rides are available morning and evening launches, so get your tickets before sell out.
11. Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
When: August 18 – 20, 2023
Where: Machias, Maine
The Machias Wild Blueberry Festival began 45 years ago as a way to celebrate the harvest of blueberry crops in Maine. It has grown year after year into what it is today. If you like blueberries, then this festival is for you. The festival features events for the entire family including live music and comedy, parade, food vendors, craft show, race, farm tours and more. And of course a pie eating contest. So come hungry and leave happy.
A few new things this year: Fresh Maine blueberries will be for sale by the pint. And food vendors will be on site and be there for the full 3 days. So lots of great improvements this year!
12. Seacoast Blues Festival
When: August 24, 2023
Where: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
This family friendly festival takes place outdoors in the historic ballpark in Old Ocrhard Beach. Its a fun day of blues music, entertainment and local food. Tickets are on sale through eventbrite and there are 4 bands this year with muisc from 2pm to 8pm. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and make it a great music filled day.
13. Maine Open Lighthouse Day
When: September 9, 2023
Where: 24 Lighthouses throughout Maine
Every year in early September the United States Coast Guard, Maine Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation sponsor Maine Open Lighthouse Day. This one day a year event allows the general public the rare opportunity to climb and learn about two dozen lighthouses located throughout the state of Maine. So mark your calendars to enjoy this unique experience.
14. Blue Hill Fair
When: August 31 – September 4, 2023
Where: Bill Hill, Maine
Blue Hill Fair is a true country fair and always takes places over Labor Day Weekend. There are activities and events for the entire family including entertainment, antique tractor pulls, sheep dog trials, carnival rides, livestock, fair food and so much more. It’s a fun festival to enjoy over the holiday weekend.
15. Common Ground County Fair
When: September 22 – 24, 2023
Where: Unity, Maine
Common Ground Fair is Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners annual celebration of rural living. The fair features 100+ exhibitors and speakers. With a focus on community sustainable living, local economies and organic agriculture. It’s a great fair to learn a little and have some fun. Other fair events include live music, donkey and mule show, draft horses and the only organic foot race in Maine.
16. Cumberland County Fair
When: September 24 – 30, 2023 & October 1st for Harness Racing
Where: Cumberland, Maine
Cumberland Fair is an annual farmers fair held the last week of September. In 2022 it celebrated its 150th season. The fair has a variety of events including the Demolition Derby, live entertainment, harness racing, pig scramble, fair rides, pumpkin contest and more. It’s a great family festival. For the full schedule of events, be sure to check the website.
17. Fryeburg Fair
When: October 1 – 8, 2023
Where: Fryeburg, Maine
Blue Ribbon Classic is Maine’s largest of agricultural fairs and 2nd largest in all of New England. This week-long event is always the 1st week of October. The fair features the best of Maine farmers. And it also includes farming traditions, agricultural exhibits, competitions, harness racing, pig scramble, horse puling, petting zoo, midway rides, musical performances and the Main Street parade. Its an entire week of fun for the whole family.
There is even camping at the Fryeburg Fair. Looking for other festivals or fairs to camp? Check out these camping music festivals, hot-air balloon festivals with camping and even airshows with camping!
18. Fall Foliage Festival
When: October 7 – 8, 2023
Where: Boothbay, Maine
Fall is a wonderful time to visit Maine. And in early October you can attend the Fall Foliage Festival in Boothbay Harbor. The festival setting is an authentic Vintage Village with historic Maine buildings, antique car museum, model railroad and village goats. Guests can also enjoy dozens of vendor booths, live music, entertainment and fabulous fall food. It’s one of the best festivals for celebrating Fall in Maine.
19. Harvest on the Harbor
When: October 26 – 28, 2023
Where: Portland, Maine
Harvest on the Harbor celebrates Maine culinary culture by bringing awareness to the expanding restaurant and hospitality scene in greater Portland. The festival showcases distillers, brewers, oyster farmers and great purveyors. This foodie event will be sure to impress so stay tuned for more details to come. Tickets go on sale this summer.
Looking for even more fall festivals in Maine?
22 Great Fall Festivals In Maine To Enjoy In 2023
Or planning a trip to Portland?
Best things to do for a Portland Maine Itinerary
20. Sparkle Celebration
When: December 1 – 10, 2023
Where: Freeport, Maine
The Sparkle Celebration is one of Maine’s most popular holiday event. This week long festival kicks off on Friday December 1st with the Parade of Lights followed by Santa bringing to life the famous Talking Christmas Tree.
It is a week filled with holiday activities such as decorating contest, Stealth Elf, Sparkle Stroll and Sparkle Frosty Frolic. The event is a fantastic way to step into he holiday season and also have some fun.
In Summary
As you can see there are so many great fairs and festivals in Maine. I hope you enjoy this post and find a few fairs and festivals in Maine to visit! Happy Fair and Festival-ing!
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