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 is a season of constant festivals. From June through Labor Day, every weekend brings another reason to celebrate, eat great food, hear live music, and meet locals.
June: Kickoff Month
Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days (late June)
Parade of Sail with historic windjammers under full canvas, fireworks, antique boat parades, and pirate duels.
Acadia Birding Festival (early June)
Guided walks and pelagic boat trips on Mount Desert Island to spot puffins, warblers, and eagles.
Whatever Family Festival (late June, Augusta)
Carnival rides, live music, and the wacky “whatever floats” river race on the Kennebec.
July: Peak Party Season
Yarmouth Clam Festival (third weekend in July)
Massive parade, carnival rides, craft shows, and clams every way possible. Lime rickeys and the Maine State Clam Shucking Contest are crowd favorites.
Moxie Festival (mid-July, Lisbon Falls)
Honors Maine’s official soft drink with orange shirts, a chugging contest, fireworks, and a parade. Quirky and proud.
North Atlantic Blues Festival (mid-July, Rockland)
Two days of national blues acts on the harbor plus a Saturday night club crawl that shuts down Main Street.
Maine Potato Blossom Festival (mid-July, Fort Fairfield)
County tradition with a giant parade, mashed potato eating contest, and warm small-town welcome.
August: Harvest and Sea
Maine Lobster Festival (first weekend in August, Rockland)
Five days of lobster in the “Lobster Capital of the World,” plus the Sea Goddess coronation and the Great International Lobster Crate Race. Go opening day or Sunday for lighter crowds.
Wild Blueberry Festival (mid-August, Machias)
Pie-eating contests, berry farm tours, musical comedy, and crafts celebrating Maine’s wild blueberry.
Great Falls Balloon Festival (mid-August, Lewiston/Auburn)
Hot air balloons at sunrise and sunset over the Androscoggin River, with food vendors, music, and carnival games.
American Folk Festival (late August, Bangor)
Free waterfront festival with music, dance, and crafts from across the country and world.
The Agricultural Fairs
Late summer launches Maine’s fair season: 4-H animals, pulling contests, exhibition halls, and harness racing.
- Bangor State Fair (late July/early August)
- Topsham Fair (early August)
- Skowhegan State Fair (mid-August) — oldest continuously operating fair in the US (since 1818)
- Union Fair (late August) — famous for the Wild Blueberry Festival
- Windsor Fair (late August/early September)
Planning Tips
- Book rooms early for the big events.
- Use satellite parking and shuttles; downtown parking at major festivals is painful.
- Bring cash for fair food and small vendors even if some take cards.
- Most festivals with food do not allow pets. Check policies and leave the dog home if unsure.