20 Exciting Summer Festivals & Events in Maine | June, July, & August
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Summer in Maine brings gorgeous warm days at beautiful beaches with water that’s finally warm enough to swim in. Don’t let the fun stop at the beach, though! June, July, and August also bring amazing festivals and seasonal events in Maine for locals and tourists alike can enjoy.
The Pine Tree State is synonymous with fresh seafood, so you’re sure to find entire festivals devoted to celebrating Maine lobsters, clams, and oysters. Music, art, and food events are easy to come by during the summer too.
With so many unique, exciting, and family-friendly events to attend from Memorial Day through Labor Day, it’s hard to know which are worthwhile. Check out these summertime festivals, fairs, and special events in Maine that range from quirky to super popular and are sure to be a good time.
June Events & Festivals in Maine
LAUNCH! A Maritime Festival
Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Arundel
The LAUNCH! festival spans three towns with nearly a week of family-friendly fun embracing Maine’s maritime history. There’s music, cocktails, lobster rolls and hot dogs, and other food options to enjoy.
A boat parade, Blessing of the Fleet, bouncy houses and obstacle courses, arts and crafts for children, and other fun surprises for festival-goers to enjoy.
Maine Oyster Festival
Maine probably has you thinking of lobster, but don’t forget about Maine oysters! The Maine Oyster Festival is a three-day event that celebrates the tasty shellfish and Maine’s oyster farmers.
With activities like oyster tastings, shucking demonstrations, shucking contests, crafts for kids, and oyster farm tours, you’ll want to plan to attend each day.
Also, there’s musical entertainment throughout the day and food trucks for those who want something other than oysters to nosh on.
George H W Bush Celebrity Golf Classic
Kennebunkport
This annual June event takes place at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport and brings together pros and celebs for some friendly golfing, all for a good cause. The tournament raises money for Gary’s House, a hospitality home in Portland.
Past events have brought in past presidents, including former President George H. W. Bush himself and his son, former president, George W. Bush. The annual tournament is estimated to have raised more than $3.5 million for Gary’s House.
Resurgam Music and Arts Festival
Portland
This newer festival takes the place of Portland’s Old Port Festival and returns for its second year in 2023. This community-minded event showcases Portland’s vibrance and creativity with a free, one-day event.
With multiple stages showcasing live performances along with art showcases, food from local vendors, and more, there’s something here for everyone. More than 5,000 people attended the festival’s opening year, so it’s a good bet the festival will keep growing.
Trek Across Maine
This annual June fundraiser helps raise money for the American Lung Association and invites visitors to celebrate Father’s Day weekend by enjoying some beautiful Maine scenery from the comfort of your bike seat.
If you’re up for a long ride, riders can choose the traditional 3-day, 180-mile trek that starts and ends at Thomas Point Beach with stops in Lewiston, and Standish.
Riders can also plot their own course virtually and choose how far they want to ride. It’s fun for the whole family and it’s a great way to exercise.
Maine Folk
Do you love folk music? You have to check out Maine Folk, then. This open-air music festival attracts up-and-coming folk artists to share their talents. Along with the chill music, you’ll find arts and crafts opportunities and food vendors.
A highlight of Maine Folk each year is the Fireside Jamboree where everyone sits around a campfire and is welcome to join in a sing-along or play their own instruments with the Maine Folk performers.
Windjammer Days
The unofficial summer kickoff, Windjammer Days is a multi-day celebration of Maine’s maritime roots. This festival has fun for the whole family starting with Harbor Aglow — a beautiful evening of boats lit up with decorations in the harbor.
Children will love seeing the Gathering of the Fleet and annual street parade, participating in the cod fish races, and sampling a pancake breakfast. At night, stay for fireworks over the harbor on select evenings during the festival.
South Berwick Strawberry Festival
Since 1976, South Berwick has held its annual Strawberry Festival to raise money for local community projects and nonprofits. The festival attracts local artisans who sell crafts and handmade goods at booths set up around the festival grounds.
While perusing the artisan booths, you can enjoy music, food, and strawberry shortcake. Be sure to buy some freshly picked strawberries to take home after your day at the festival.
Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
Dover-Foxcroft
The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival celebrates this classic treat with an all-day affair filled with fun! Sample different recipes and flavors of whoopie pies, and cast your vote for your favorite in the whoopie pie contest. If you’re feeling hungry, participate in the whoopie pie-eating contest.
There is an Earn Your Whoopie Pie 3K Race/Walk for all ages, arts and crafts booths, live music, vendors, and food stands to explore as well.
July Festivals & Events in Maine
The Moxie Festival
Lisbon
A festival dedicated to the vintage cola Moxie? Yes, please!
Moxiefest is a three-day event that draws Moxie fans from all over New England and the United States. If you’re a Moxie lover, sign up for the Moxie chugging contest where you drink as much Moxie as you can in two minutes! No need for the kids to feel left out, they can try the whoopie pie-eating contest.
Each day brings new fun and entertainment. There are food trucks and vendors, a 5K race, a 30-foot climbing wall, live music, and a car show. Family-friendly activities include touch-a-truck, street performers, a kid’s fun run, fireworks, and the longest parade that you’ll find in Maine.
Related: Iconic Maine Foods
Yarmouth Clam Festival
Yarmouth
For over 50 years, the town of Yarmouth has hosted the popular Clam Festival. It serves over 6,000 pounds of clams during the multi-day festival.
Don’t like clams? No problem. There’s a pancake breakfast, homemade pies, lobster rolls, strawberry shortcake, and many food stands and trucks with varying menus.
And, the festival has fun and unique contests — like a clam-shucking contest and a diaper derby. Check out the car show, road races, parade, entertainers, musicians, and craft vendors too.
Ossipee Valley Music Festival
South Hiram
If you love music festivals, you have to check out the Ossipee Valley Music Festival. This event has four stages with folk, blues, bluegrass, world, and roots performers serenading crowds of people for four days.
You’re sure to see festival-goers of all ages and walks of life enjoying the music, workshops, yoga, food, crafts, and activities that this festival puts on.
Maine Forestry Museum Logging Festival & Parade
Rangeley/Dallas Plantation
The towns of Rangeley and Dallas Plantation have a rich history in logging and timber processing. The Maine Forestry Museum Logging Festival is their time to celebrate this history and bring lumbering to life.
With wood-carving demonstrations, a Lumberjack and Lumberjill Competition, and axe throwing, cutting, chopping, and sawing contests, there are many unique events to watch that you won’t find anywhere else.
To top it all off, the festival has live music, a beer garden, food to purchase, craft vendors, and a parade.
Maine Celtic Celebration
Many Mainers have Celtic roots and embrace that heritage and culture. The Maine Celtic Celebration is an annual family-friendly festival for all to enjoy whether you come from a Celtic region or not.
The celebration has entertaining events that you likely won’t find anywhere else. The Cheese Rolling Championship is a hilarious and quirky event where contestants attempt to roll a wheel of cheese down a slope.
Not interested in competing? No problem. Check out the Highland Games to see burly contestants shot put, pole toss, and compete in contests of strength.
Plus, there are many activities to enjoy and plenty of live music and dancing throughout the celebration. Food and Celtic items are available to purchase as well.
Maine Potato Blossom Festival
Fort Fairfield
A festival dedicated to potatoes? You read that right!
The Maine Potato Blossom Festival is an annual agricultural festival that’s been happening for over 70 years. Of course, the festival integrates potatoes into fun activities and contests. There’s a crowning of the Maine Potato Blossom Queen and a potato-picking contest.
Over the course of a week, there are basketball and softball competitions, live musical performances, class reunions, arts and crafts, a pancake breakfast, demonstrations from blacksmiths and farmers, and so much more. Stay for the fireworks over the Aroostook River on the final evening of the festival too.
August Events & Festivals in Maine
Maine Lobster Festival
Maine is known for its delicious lobster, so it only makes sense to have a festival to celebrate everything about this crustacean. For five days, the Maine Lobster Festival hosts thousands of visitors, kicking off with a pancake breakfast and featuring everything lobster at the eating tent.
Amateur chefs can try their hand at the seafood cooking contest. Children will love the big parade, the cod fish carry race, a lobster-eating contest, and a diaper derby.
Meanwhile, adults can participate in a road race, a fun run, the lobster crate race, or simply enjoy the music, vendors, and food. Also, be sure to see who is crowned the next Maine Sea Goddess.
Related: ULTIMATE Guide to Maine Lobster
Bangor State Fair
The Bangor Fair started in 1849 and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year. It’s one of the oldest fairs in the United States.
This agricultural fair features sheep, steer, lamb, heifers, goats, shows, truck and tractor pulls, an antique car show, and a demolition derby. Auctions, music, and plenty of activities for families take place throughout the day.
Enjoy typical fair foods — like fried dough, fries, lemonade, onion rings, burgers, and hot dogs. Thrill seekers will love the Midway Rides as well — like the Ferris wheel, pirate ship, and maze (rides are subject to change each year).
Skowhegan State Fair
Skowhegan
Rivaling the Bangor State Fair is the Skowhegan State Fair. It runs for 10 days and features rides, refreshments, and entertainment.
Check out the demolition derby, horse and dog shows, livestock events, and exhibition halls with vendors. There’s no shortage of things to explore and experience at this giant fair.
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
Machias
Wild blueberries can be found throughout Maine and have become a staple in specialty desserts and dishes, so the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival aims to celebrate the berry.
The famous pie-eating contest is an annual hit for children and adults. Learn about a real working blueberry farm with a tour of Welch Farm, which is available via shuttle bus from the festival.
Additionally, live music, auctions, a 5K, entertainers, crafts, vendors, and a comedy show are all featured at this light-hearted festival.
Great Falls Balloon Festival
It’s not every day that you get to see a hot air balloon launch and hover high overhead. At the Great Falls Balloon Festival, over 40 hot air balloons are launched over the course of three days.
Onlookers get to see the hot air balloons up close prior to the launch and can then watch in amazement as the colorful balloons soar.
Throughout the festival, there is live music, food booths, carnival rides, a parade, contests, and many activities for children.
Enjoy Festivals & Events in Maine All Summer Long
These are just a sampling of the most popular annual summer festivals and events in Maine. Dubbed Vacationland for a reason, this state is the best place to unwind, enjoy nature, and celebrate all summer long.
When visiting Maine, you’ll find that most of the action occurs in the coastal towns, harbors, and beaches. However, don’t discount inland Maine because there are fun, family-friendly activities happening all around the state of Maine during summer.
Whether you’re looking to sample whoopie pies or enjoy lobster cooked 10 different ways, there’s a food festival awaiting you in Maine. Or, dance the day and night away listening to music that you love at one of Maine’s many music festivals. Check out a state fair for the ultimate agricultural experience.
No matter what you’re looking to do, you’re sure to find a festival, event, or fair in Maine that will provide a day’s or week’s worth of entertainment and fun.