Late Summer & Fall Festivals
The Maine Lobster Festival marks the peak of summer festivals in Maine, so from August 2-6, visit Rockland in the Midcoast region for a celebration of the state’s favorite crustacean. The 32nd Annual Forest Heritage Days at Moosehead Lake on August 11-12 highlights the state’s logging history.
The Annual Blueberry Festival in Rangeley is August 17 while the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, honors the “blueberry belt” of the state with treats, pie-eating contests and more from August 18-20, 2023. It’s all about hot air at the Great Falls Balloon Festival August 18-20 in Lewiston-Auburn.
The Belfast Harbor Fest on the third weekend in August includes boatbuilding demonstrations. Catch the Camden Windjammer Festival and Fireworks on Labor Day Weekend and Maine Open Lighthouse Day on September 9. Go to Visit Maine for more on festivals.
Maine Craft Weekend
The annual Maine Craft Weekend will run on October 7 and 8, 2023. This is a great opportunity to visit private artist studios, glass-blowing studios, outdoor installation sites, non-profit craft organizations, craft-based schools, craft beer breweries collaborating with artists, and pop-up shops. Featured cities this year are Belfast, Biddeford, Ellsworth, Freeport, Gardiner, and Monson. The organizers encourage participants to plan a route to include a pottery wheel lesson and a glass-blowing demonstration in the morning, swing by a brewpub for lunch, peruse a craft show in the afternoon, and stay in an artist-hosted Airbnb off the beaten path. Visit Maine Craft Weekend for more information.
Maine Farms & Fiber Arts
Maine’s farmers and fiber artisans are rooted in long-standing traditions and reveal much about the culture of the state. Visitors are encouraged to visit farms, farm stands and specialty shops, and to try their hand at a workshop and learn how knit a sweater using handspun Maine wool or even learn how to make wine or cheese. Staying overnight at a working farm B&B is a great way to get closer to the land. The Maine Fiberarts’ Tour is a great way to meet the artists in their studios and watch them create beautiful textiles. There are fairs, festivals and workshops throughout the year that highlight Maine’s farm-fresh products and fiber arts. Visit Maine has created a number of itineraries: New Gloucester, Sumner and Paris Hill; Portland and Freeport: and Brunswick, Bath and Waldoboro. Go to Visit Maine for details.
