Maine Summer Events & Festivals
Discover Maine's best summer celebrations, from the famous Lobster Festival and Yarmouth Clam Festival to agricultural fairs and windjammer days.
Summer in Maine isn’t just about the scenery; it’s about the celebration. After long winters, Mainers embrace the warm months with an enthusiasm that borders on the religious. Every weekend from June through Labor Day, towns across the state host festivals celebrating everything from clams and blueberries to hot air balloons and blues music. These events offer a perfect way to experience local culture, taste regional foods, and mingle with residents.
June: Kicking Off the Season
Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days (Late June) This week-long event kicks off the summer sailing season. The highlight is the Parade of Sail, where a fleet of historic windjammers sails into the harbor under full canvas—a breathtaking sight. Fireworks, antique boat parades, and pirate duels round out the festivities.
Acadia Birding Festival (Early June) Held on Mount Desert Island, this is a premier event for nature lovers. Guided walks, pelagic seabird boat trips, and workshops attract birders from around the world to spot puffins, warblers, and eagles.
Whatever Family Festival (Late June, Augusta) Celebrating the Kennebec River, this festival features carnival rides, live music, and the wacky “whatever floats” river race.
July: The Peak of Summer
Yarmouth Clam Festival (Third weekend in July) One of Maine’s most beloved traditions. This free festival draws over 100,000 people for a massive parade, carnival rides, craft shows, and—most importantly—clams. Fried clams, steamed clams, lime rickeys, and the Maine State Clam Shucking Contest are the main attractions. It’s a quintessential small-town American festival on a grand scale.
Moxie Festival (Mid-July, Lisbon Falls) Dedicated to Maine’s official (and polarizing) soft drink. Expect orange t-shirts, a chugging contest, fireworks, and a parade. It’s quirky, local, and fiercely proud of the bitter-sweet soda.
North Atlantic Blues Festival (Mid-July, Rockland) A two-day music festival held right on the harbor. National blues acts perform while the audience sits on the grass overlooking the ocean. The Saturday night “Club Crawl” closes Main Street for a massive block party.
Maine Potato Blossom Festival (Mid-July, Fort Fairfield) Held in Aroostook County (“The County”), this festival celebrates the region’s potato farming heritage. The parade is huge, the mashed potato eating contest is intense, and the community spirit is welcoming.
August: The Harvest & The Sea
Maine Lobster Festival (First weekend in August, Rockland) The heavyweight champion of Maine festivals. Five days of feasting in the “Lobster Capital of the World.” The festival features a massive cooker that steams thousands of pounds of lobster, the Sea Goddess coronation, the Great International Lobster Crate Race (participants run across floating lobster crates), and headline entertainment. Tip: It gets crowded. Go on opening day or Sunday for a slightly more relaxed vibe.
Wild Blueberry Festival (Mid-August, Machias) Celebrating Maine’s other famous crop. This Downeast festival features blueberry pie eating contests, blueberry farm tours, musical comedy, and a craft fair. The “Blueberry Musical” is a local legend.
Great Falls Balloon Festival (Mid-August, Lewiston/Auburn) Dozens of hot air balloons launch over the Androscoggin River at sunrise and sunset. The visual of colorful balloons reflecting in the water is stunning. Ground-level fun includes food vendors, music, and carnival games.
American Folk Festival (Late August, Bangor) A massive, free festival on the Bangor waterfront featuring music, dance, and crafts from cultures around the world and across America.
The Agricultural Fairs
Late summer marks the start of Maine’s agricultural fair season, a tradition dating back to the 1800s. These aren’t just carnivals; they are celebrations of rural life with 4-H animals, pulling contests (horse and oxen), exhibition halls, and harness racing.
- Bangor State Fair (Late July/Early August)
- Topsham Fair (Early August)
- Skowhegan State Fair (Mid-August) - The oldest continuously operating fair in the US (since 1818).
- Union Fair (Late August) - Famous for the Wild Blueberry Festival.
- Windsor Fair (Late August/Early Sept)
Planning Your Festival Trip
- Book Early: For major events like the Lobster Festival or Clam Festival, nearby hotels book up months in advance.
- Parking: Most festivals offer satellite parking with shuttle buses. Use them. trying to park downtown during the Yarmouth Clam Festival is a recipe for frustration.
- Cash is King: While many vendors take cards, fair food stalls and small craft booths often prefer cash.
- Pets: Most major festivals (especially those with food) do not allow pets. Leave the dog at home or checking the specific policy before you go.