DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE LOCAL THEATRES, AND UPCOMING TREE LIGHTINGS:
THEATERS
The Strand in Rockland
Watts Hall in Thomaston
The Colonial in Belfast
Bay Chamber Music Hall in Camden
TREE LIGHTINGS
Rockland: Nov 29
Thomaston: Nov 30
Friendship: Nov 30
Belfast: Nov 30
Camden: Dec 6
Rockport: Dec 7
Lincolnville: Dec 7
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens begins Saturday, November 16th!
Visitors and locals agree — it’s the best light show in the Midcoast, and it’s a can’t-miss event during the holiday season.
Tickets are available now on their website – but act fast! Many dates and time slots sell out quickly.
mainegardens.org
Camden's Christmas by the Sea Weekend
Since 1986, the premiere holiday celebration for Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville!
From Camden Maine Experience:
“Christmas by the Sea is an eagerly anticipated event weekend by families both near and far. A tradition in Camden that kicks off the holiday season during the first weekend of December. This year is no exception: plans include a holiday parade, stores open late with ongoing sales, carriage rides, a tree-lighting in Harbor Park, carolers, the "real Santa”, and many crafts, fairs and activities throughout the Midcoast communities. For more information and up to date event listings, visit our Facebook Page.”
Outdoor Holiday Market
Join us for a festive outdoor holiday market brought to you by Camden Famous and The Wharf at Lyman-Morse! On Saturday, Dec 7th, from 11am to 3pm, the Wharf will be turned into a cozy, European-style Christmas market. We can’t think of a better setting to enjoy the day than alongside the harbor with beautiful Camden Hills as the backdrop.
There will be at least a dozen local vendors, including favorites like Bridget from Union St Sourdough, the fine folks at Demetra Bread, Stacy Leafsong from Leafsong Farm, John and Riley from Gunner & Lux, Loraine and Ryan from Trillium Soaps, Hilary from The Cultivated Thread, Kate from Bixby Chocolate, Matt & Co from Sweet Monkey Business, Kate from GRAZE, Jordan from Jordan Adam Designs, Gabrielle Jolie, Allison from Lakin’s Gorges Cheese, and more. You can also grab a signed Camden Famous book while you’re there! Paula from Motifs will have her shop open, Clementina at Paper Plane will be serving holiday cocktails and wine, Salt Wharf will be open, and there will be hot cocoa served for the little ones. Aaron Snow will also be there taking posed and candid pics.
If you’re looking for a beautiful way to soak in the holiday spirit during Camden’s Christmas by the Sea weekend, mark your calendars: This is it!
Camden Winterfest
Ice carving, the Doggie Fashion Show, hot food, the polar plunge, and more. Visit facebook.com/camdenwinterfest to learn more.
34th Annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships
The U.S. National Toboggan Championships is the only organized wooden toboggan race in the country and possibly the world. The toboggan shoot is at the Camden Snow Bowl, a community owned year-round recreation center enjoyed by the public since 1936. To learn more, visit camdensnowbowl.com/toboggan-championships-2025
Camden Snow Bowl Chairlift Rides
Take a chairlift ride at the Camden Snow Bowl and witness the beautiful transition of the leaves in Camden from Ragged Mountain!
Date & Time:
Oct 27, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:
Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road in Camden, Maine
Belfast's Annual Early Bird Sale
From Our Town Belfast:
The early bird gets the deals! Annual downtown-wide sale in Belfast! Deep discounts and promotions* from retail shops and restaurants throughout Belfast. Always the first Saturday in December. Start your day at Downshift Coffee who will open at 5:30 a.m. to fuel workers and shoppers alike.
For more information, visit ourtownbelfast.org/early-bird-sale.
Camden Snow Bowl Chairlift Rides
Take a chairlift ride at the Camden Snow Bowl and witness the beautiful transition of the leaves in Camden from Ragged Mountain!
Date & Time:
Oct 20, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:
Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road in Camden, Maine
Camden Art Walk ~ October 2024
The Camden Art Walk is every third Thursday May through October in Camden, Maine.
From 5-7pm, Bay View Street is closed to traffic with live music, kids crafts with Miss Amy from Camden Public Library, and food truck Brother Shucker.
Galleries and shops are open all through town.
Learn more about Camden galleries here.
2024 Camden Oyster Festival
From the Wharf at Lyman-Morse:
Join us for a fun day on the wharf in Camden for the first annual Camden Oyster Festival. Enjoy locally sourced oysters from several purveyors, enjoy spirits from local distributors, while enjoying the scenery of Camden Harbor in the fall.
Camden Snow Bowl Chairlift Rides
Take a chairlift ride at the Camden Snow Bowl and witness the beautiful transition of the leaves in Camden from Ragged Mountain!
Date & Time:
Oct 13, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:
Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road in Camden, Maine
Camden Snow Bowl Chairlift Rides
Take a chairlift ride at the Camden Snow Bowl and witness the beautiful transition of the leaves in Camden from Ragged Mountain!
Date & Time:
Oct 06, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location:
Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road in Camden, Maine
Camden Harbor & Arts Festival
From the Camden Maine Vacation Guide:
This two-day event features over a hundred artists, crafts professionals and artisans, displaying, discussing, and selling their work in an open ocean air market, where the seaside scenery of Camden Harbor serves as the backdrop.
Saturday, Oct 5th & Sunday, Oct 6th
The Common Ground Fair 2024
The Common Ground Country Fair will be held at the Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine on September 20, 21 and 22, 2024. The fairgrounds are open Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s (MOFGA) annual celebration of rural living features 1000-plus exhibitors and speakers, and emphasizes vibrant communities, sustainable living and local economies, while highlighting organic agriculture.
To learn more, visit their website!
Camden Art Walk ~ September 2024
The Camden Art Walk is every third Thursday May through October in Camden, Maine.
From 5-7pm, Bay View Street is closed to traffic with live music, kids crafts with Miss Amy from Camden Public Library, and food truck Brother Shucker.
Galleries and shops are open all through town.
Learn more about Camden galleries here.
Annual Wienerfest in Belfast
Maine Wienerfest is a celebration of dachshunds and the people who love them! The 18th annual Maine Wienerfest will be held on Sunday September 10th, 2023 from 11am-3pm at the Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast.
Maine Wienerfest originated as an informal picnic and gathering for families who lived with these adorable, tiny dogs. Gradually, it grew to include other activities with the number of dogs and dog lovers increasing each year.
Today, this event is hosted by PAWS Animal Adoption Center, a nonprofit animal shelter serving the Midcoast for 48 years!
Activities to include:
Grand Parade of Dachshunds,
Canine Costume Contest,
Doxie Distance Dash,
Sales tent with Wienerfest items, and Raffle opportunities
Hotdog Stand
Village Soup Food Truck
The Maine Wienerfest will be held rain or shine with gates opening at 10:30am.
Admission is $5 for adults; free for children (12 & under) and dogs.
Camden Windjammer Festival - Day 2
Details to come. Feel to check this site for the most up-to-date info: https://camdenparksandrec.com/camden-windjammer-festival/
Camden Windjammer Festival Boats Arrive
Friday, August 30, 2024- 12:00PM-2:00PM and 2:30pm-4:30pm
Let us carry you back to the golden age of tall-ship sailing as we sail among the entire windjammer fleet entering Camden for Windjammer Weekend. • $55.00
Camden Art Walk ~ August 2024
The Camden Art Walk is every third Thursday May through October in Camden, Maine.
From 5-7pm, Bay View Street is closed to traffic with live music, kids crafts with Miss Amy from Camden Public Library, and food truck Brother Shucker.
Galleries and shops are open all through town.
Learn more about Camden galleries here.
Maine Boat & Home Show
The Maine Boat & Home Show is back, August 9 - 11, 2024.
If you love the coast of Maine, you won't want to miss this high-end, high-summer event in Rockland, Maine, the second weekend in August. Each year they gather Maine's finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, craftsmen, designers, furniture makers, jewelers, and marine gear vendors together in ONE place at ONE time! Meet them all in person at the annual Maine Boat & Home Show.
Elegant Boats
Live Music
Food Court
Fine Furniture & Jewelry
Just for Kids Area
It's the pages of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine brought to life and the largest in-water boat show north of Newport, Rhode Island, with more than 60 boats in the water and on land plus additional exhibitors in tents.
Rockland First Friday Art Walk
Many art studios and galleries for the evening; come and stroll Main Street and the neighborhood. The Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Contemporary Art are open through the evening.
Location:
Main Street, Rockland
Maine Lobster Festival 2024
The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of fun and feasting on the coast of Maine! This annual seafood festival takes place during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday.
All Day
Free Shuttle Bus
The festival provides free shuttle services to and from the festival grounds from the following locations. A bus arrives at each location approximately every 30 minutes.
South Elementary School (formerly Rockland District Middle School): 30 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841
Check days for detailed schedule:
Wednesday: 11AM – 10PM
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Bus arrives at each location approximately every 20 minutes. Saturday morning shuttle service will be limited due to the parade.
PAWS Golden Gala
Celebrate PAWS 50th Anniversary at their Gala & Auction!
Join them at Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville for an evening under the pavilion with fabulous food and drink from their friends at Stone Cove Catering. They've selected a menu of hearty hors d'oeuvres and sumptuous buffet stations.
Beer, Wine and Cocktails available from their cash bar
Camden Classics Cup
The Camden Classics Cup is one of the world’s most beautiful regattas - sailed where the mountains meet the sea off the lovely harbor town of Camden, Maine. The Camden Classics Cup aims to give sailors the time of their lives with terrific on-the-water racing, and stellar onshore events.
Presented by Lyman-Morse with support from the CYOA, the Camden Classics Cup is a celebration of both classic yacht racing and boatbuilding. Featuring 2-days of racing for sailboats and a panoramic backdrop for powerboats. Participants will have access to Lyman-Morse's facilities, and a full weekend of events in the lovely town of Camden!
Don’t miss the Parade of Sail Saturday, July 27th at 10am! Great viewing spots include the Wharf at Lyman-Morse and the Camden’s Public Landing! For more information, visit their website at camdenclassicscup.com!
Family Fun and Open Garden Day at Merryspring Nature Center
In celebration of Merryspring Nature Center's 50th Anniversary come join us for a Family Fun and Open Garden Day!
WHO: You!
WHEN: 1-4pm at July 20th
WHERE: Merryspring Nature Center
30 Conway Road, Camden ME 04843
Wander the trails and gardens, bring a picnic and join in on these fun activities.
1 pm – Building fairy houses and Forts in Fairy Village & nature,
journaling in the tent2 pm - Live Owls in the Hexagon with Chewonki
3 pm - Pie Social
To learn more, visit https://merryspring.org/50th-anniversary/
The Summer Show
For Sponsors and their guests
Reserve your spot and become a sponsor for The Summer Show: an unforgettable evening at the Farnsworth Art Museum. The evening raises critical funds for groundbreaking exhibitions and inspirational education programs that introduce the arts to generations to come.
Celebrate Jamie Wyeth: Unsettled
Music and dancing with Primo Cubano
Craft cocktails and delightful bites by Trillium Caterers
Mingle with friends under the tent at the Wyeth Center
Deck yourself out with your most festive cocktail attire
Art inspires, engages, and transforms community. In this spirit, we ask you to be as generous as possible. your philanthropy drives exhibitions, art education, and community programs at the Farnsworth, impacting the quality of life for tens of thousands.
$25,000 Eagle—10 Tickets
Experience Unsettled with exclusive access to the VIP area at the party and a complimentary catalogue signed by the artist.$10,000 Raven—8 Tickets
Preferred recognition at the event and an exhibition catalogue$5,000 Seagull—6 Tickets
Premium recognition at the event and private viewing of the summer exhibitions$2,500 Crane—4 Tickets
$1,000 Crow—2 Tickets
All sponsors are acknowledged at The Summer Show, in the Farnsworth Magazine, and on the museum donor wall for a full year.
Camden on Canvas: Plein Air Weekend
Roberta Goschke painting in Harbor Park. Photo by Lane Gower and Anthony Campagnoli
The Camden Public Library and artist Colin Page, owner of the Page Gallery on Bay View Street, will once again host Camden on Canvas, an annual plein air painting fundraiser for the Camden Public Library. Over the weekend of July 19 - 21, talented landscape artists will work on location in Camden and the surrounding area to paint midcoast Maine. The fresh paintings that are created over the weekend will be on exhibit, free and open to the public, on Sunday, July 21, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the Camden Amphitheatre. Everyone is invited to stroll through this scenic National Historic Landmark to view the new works. A ticketed reception will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, when hors d’oeuvres will be served and the paintings from the weekend will be sold during an exciting live auction. Proceeds from Camden on Canvas will be shared equally between the artists and the Camden Public Library’s Campaign for the Future. Camden on Canvas weekend is a celebration of the library, the arts, and the town of Camden. Visit librarycamden.org/CamdenOnCanvas for a complete list of artists, supporters, and events, and to purchase tickets for the reception.
Camden Art Walk ~ July 2024
The Camden Art Walk is every third Thursday May through October in Camden, Maine.
From 5-7pm, Bay View Street is closed to traffic with live music, kids crafts with Miss Amy from Camden Public Library, and food truck Brother Shucker.
Galleries and shops are open all through town.
Learn more about Camden galleries here.
Shop for Hope
Shop for Hope
New Hope Midcoast’s annual sale of new and gently used adult and children's clothing and accessories is held each summer. This event, a community favorite, is a great opportunity to purchase amazing items at incredible prices.
From their website:
Shop for Hope is July 11-13, 2024 at the Flanagan Center in Rockland.
We are now collecting donations of new and gently used high quality items for resale.
You can help make this year’s sale a success by donating your new and gently used high-end clothing and accessories from now through July 3rd!
Please contact developmentdirector@newhopemidcoast.org or call (207) 691.5969 to arrange for drop off.
Here’s some important FAQs:
Can clothing donations be for any season? Yes, thank you!
Do you accept clothing for all genders? Yes, thank you!
Do you accept clothing for adults and children? We accept new and gently used adult clothing and new items only for children.
What do you mean by high-end? We appreciate current styles and boutique quality as items will be resold.
What accessories do you accept? (Hand)bags, jewelry, scarves, belts, hats, and footwear (nearly new if used).
Do items need to be on hangers? No. Folded in a bin or box is fine!
Do you need hangers? No, thank you. We have many from previous years!
How do we get donations to you? Do I need to live in Rockland to drop off my donation? We can often accommodate a pick up closer to you and kindly ask that you contact us before coming. Our contact information is listed above.
May I get a receipt for my donation? Sure! Just ask at drop off!
Thank you for supporting our work with individuals affected by domestic abuse, and please join us for the sale.
To learn more, visit their website.
The Collage Artist as Storyteller with Katherine Minott
From Host Katherine Minott:
Join us for an invigorating class full of creativity, lively discussion, and hands-on art making. This engaging class is an invitation to create intriguing and surreal dreamscapes. With paper, glue, and scissors, you’ll tell a story–one imaginary or real. Relying on intuition, other times intention, you’ll choose your cast of characters, inviting them to engage with each other and/or with objects in the scene. This type of narrative collage invites viewers to make interpretations and connections, and to consider a particular plot or the unfolding of an event. It’s an exciting way to let your unconscious speak and to give voice to your limitless imagination.
All levels welcome!
Union Fair – Maine’s Wild Blueberry Festival 2024
A classic agricultural fair, complete with exhibition halls, crafters, demonstrations, livestock shows, farm animals, midway rides, harness racing, cooking contests, live music, demolition derby, fireworks, and the crowning of the Maine Wild Blueberry Ambassador. FMI, visit unionfair.org
The gates to the Union Fair open daily at 8:00 AM
2023 General Admission
Full Price Admission: $20.00 for all patrons eligible to ride carnival rides, regardless of age.
Children under 26” enter for Free, and are not eligible for rides.
All Access Admission ALWAYS includes FREE Parking, unlimited rides, entrance to the Exhibition Hall, Moxie and Matthews Museum’s, admission to ALL entertainment, livestock, pulling events, and MORE!
Senior Citizen Day: $10.00 (ages 62 and up). Does not include rides. Visit ticket office for upgrade. Must present numbered ticket.
There are no dogs allowed on the grounds except service animals and contestant participants.
Website:
unionfair.org
Location:
Fairgrounds Lane, Union
Third Annual Studio Tour ~ Islesboro Arts Collecte
Visit the lovely island of Islesboro and meet artists/makers and tour their studios.
Products are available for sale.
Fore more information, check out their website: islesboroartscollective.com or email: info@islesboroartscollective.com
Various locations, see map here.
Rockland First Friday Art Walk
Many art studios and galleries for the evening; come and stroll Main Street and the neighborhood. The Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Contemporary Art are open through the evening.
Location:
Main Street, Rockland
The Great Schooner Race
The 46th Annual Great Schooner Race
20+ schooners, captains, crews and passengers participate in the largest gathering of traditional schooners in America. Race begins at Rockland Breakwater at 10am and finishes there mid-afternoon.
For more details, visit their website.
Fireworks in Camden Harbor
Bring a blanket and chairs to Harbor Park to watch the fireworks over Camden Harbor. Starts at 9pm!