Gardens Aglow
Experience the best light show in Maine— featuring trolls, flora, fauna, lighthouses, and much more! This walkable, family-friendly experience is sure to be remembered for years to come.
L.L Bean Northern Lights Celebration
Free events and activities for the whole family—letters to Santa, light shows, festive photo ops, cocoa, tree lightings, pictures with Santa, and more!
Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Festival of Trees
Local businesses decorate and donate Christmas trees to the festival—which takes places at the Armory on Elm Street in Norway.
Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Christmas Prelude
A two-hour long parade with plenty of floats, trucks, music, and fun for the whole family. The parade begins on Main Street and ends at Moore Park. This year’s theme is 250 years of America.
Belfast Holiday Tree Lighting
The perfect small-town holiday tree lighting—complete with cookies, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a magical countdown in beautiful downtown Belfast.
Waterville Parade of Lights
Thousands of families from the central Maine region look forward to Santa and Mrs. Claus’ annual arrival and seeing over 35 floats created by community members and organizations file down Main Street, from Union to Spring Street.
Camden's Christmas by the Sea
This beloved festival spans Camden, Rockport, and Lincolnville with Santa arriving by boat, parades, craft markets, and coastal charm.
Bridgton Festival of Lights
Bridgton Recreation is expanding their holiday celebration from one day to a full weekend of holiday events taking place in downtown Bridgton.
Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights
Home to L.L. Bean’s Northern Lights, Freeport transforms into a glowing winter town complete with parades, a festival of trees, and family-friendly events.
Bar Harbor Village Holidays
Bar Harbor brings out its winter charm with a tree lighting, carriage rides, and late-night shopping.
Boothbay Boat Parade and Fireworks
Experience the annual lighted boat parade— watch light-covered boats cruise through the harbor. The fireworks will be set off over the harbor and begin shortly after the parade ends.
Ellsworth Downtown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
One of Maine’s largest parades, drawing families from across the region. This year’s theme is Gingerbread dreams and candy cane wishes. The parade will take place at 4:00p.m., followed by the tree lighting ceremony shortly after.
Presque Isle Holiday Light Parade
Bring the whole family to the annual holiday light parade on Main Street in Presque Isle. Line up starts at 4:30p.m. and the parade will begin promptly at 6:00p.m.
Ogunquit Fest
OgunquitFest is a beloved fall celebration held every October. The festival features a classic car show, a huge artisan craft fair, children’s games, and a wildly popular costume parade alongside pumpkin and scarecrow displays. Visitors also enjoy seasonal treats, live entertainment, and coastal foliage views, making it a perfect way to experience Maine’s fall spirit by the ocean.
Harvest Fest
A free family-friendly festival that features live music, various local craft and food vendors, and activities for all ages.
Harvest on the Harbor
Portland’s one and only food and drink festival—Harvest on the Harbor brings together and showcases local restaurants, craft breweries, distillers, cheesemakers, aquaculturists, and hospitality experts from across Maine.
Damariscotta Pumpkin Boat Regatta
One of Maine’s most unique events—the pumpkin boat regatta provides all ages with endless laughs and entertainment. Watch as “pumpkin captains” try and steer their giant gourd down the Damariscotta River in a series of races that are sure to leave you wanting more. The regatta can be viewed harbor-side, or via a “live feed” into The Lincoln Theater, where spectators are able to watch the event, seated in the warmth and comfort of the historic theater.
Swine & Stein Brewfest
Gardiner’s Swine & Stein Brewfest features samples from some of Maine’s best breweries, wineries and distilleries in an open air beer garden along historic downtown Water Street. Visitors can enjoy hours of great live music, local food trucks, and fun events—such as the highly competitive Beard and Mustache Competition.
Fryeburg Fair
Maine’s largest agricultural fair is an annual event that families look forward to all year long. Offering a non-stop rotation of demonstrations, food vendors, entertainment, and activities for all ages—there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Fryeburg Fair.
Freeport Fall Festival
Each year on the first weekend in October, Visit Freeport brings together over 225 of the best New England artists, makers and local food producers for a free, three-day festival in downtown Freeport that features live music, activities for kids, and more!
Cumberland Fair
Celebrating its 154th season, the Cumberland Fair is an autumn tradition that blends agricultural heritage with family-friendly fun. Fair goers can enjoy livestock shows, including cattle, sheep, and poultry competitions, alongside exhibits of pumpkins, produce, and crafts that celebrate the region’s farming roots. With its mix of hands-on activities, delicious local foods, and vibrant events, the Cumberland Fair offers a quintessential Maine fall experience for the whole family.
Common Ground Country Fair
The Common Ground Country Fair is a unique celebration of sustainable living and local agriculture, offering a rich array of artisan craft demonstrations, hands-on workshops, live music, and plenty of fresh-baked treats and eats. With its emphasis on sustainability, local craftsmanship, and community engagement—the Common Ground Country Fair offers an enriching and immersive Maine festival experience unlike any other.
Farmington Fair
The Farmington Fair is a classic celebration of the state’s agricultural traditions, offering a lively mix of events, food, and activities for all ages. Visitors can explore livestock exhibitions, including dairy cows, goats, and poultry, alongside displays of pumpkins, produce, and crafts that highlight local farming and artisan skills. With its combination of agricultural showcases, tasty local foods, and hands-on activities, the Farmington Fair offers a warm and festive taste of Maine’s fall culture.
Sunday River Brew Fest
Four weekends of craft beer tasting, live music, scenic lift rides, contests, competitions, and a craft fair—all taking place amongst a beautiful, foliage-filled backdrop.
Skowhegan State Fair
The Skowhegan State Fair is one of Maine’s oldest and most celebrated agricultural fairs. Known for its livestock competitions, showmanship events, horse pulling, harness racing, and iconic fair food—it’s a quintessential state fair.
Fort Fairfield Annual Christmas Light Parade
The parade usually takes place on Main Street in downtown Fort Fairfield and is followed by cookies and cocoa with Santa at the Community Center.
Fryeburg Fair
The Fryeburg Fair features the best of farming traditions and agricultural history, competitions, horse pulls, show horses, horse racing, oxen, steer, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits, sheep, Woodsmen's Field Day, Firemen's Muster, Grand Parade, rides, food & entertainment. Every day at Fryeburg Fair offers a multitude of options for every age and it's all outlined on their website. Be sure to check out their Facebook & Instagram pages.
Cumberland County Fair
The Cumberland Fair is a long-standing autumn tradition showcasing livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, and demonstrations of Maine’s rural heritage. Visitors can also enjoy carnival rides, games, live entertainment, and an array of classic fair foods, making it a vibrant family-friendly event. Visit their website for more information.
Common Ground Fair
The Common Ground Fair is the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s (MOFGA) annual celebration of rural living featuring 1000-plus exhibitors and speakers, and emphasizes vibrant communities, sustainable living and local economies, while highlighting organic agriculture. Click here to learn more.
Farmington Fair
The Farmington Fair highlights the state’s agricultural roots with livestock shows, produce displays, and traditional craft demonstrations. Visitors can also enjoy carnival rides, games, live entertainment, and a variety of classic fair foods, creating a festive late-summer experience for all ages. Visit their website to learn more.
Oxford County Fair
The Oxford County Fair celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage with livestock exhibits, produce displays, and hands-on demonstrations of traditional skills. Fairgoers can also enjoy carnival rides, games, live entertainment, and a wide variety of classic Maine fair foods. Visit their website to learn more.
Windsor Fair
The Windsor Fair is one of the state’s largest agricultural fairs, featuring livestock shows, produce displays, craft exhibits, and demonstrations of traditional farming skills. Visitors can also enjoy carnival rides, games, live music, and plenty of classic fair foods, making it a lively end-of-summer tradition for families and fairgoers alike. Visit their website for more information.
Acton Fair
A classic late-summer agricultural fair featuring livestock shows, produce displays, and demonstrations of traditional farming skills. Visitors also enjoy carnival rides, games, live entertainment, and plenty of Maine’s favorite fair foods, making it a fun-filled tradition for families and fairgoers alike. For more information, visit their website.
Skowhegan State Fair
A classic late-summer agricultural fair featuring livestock shows, produce displays, and demonstrations of traditional farming skills. Visitors also enjoy carnival rides, games, live entertainment, and plenty of Maine’s favorite fair foods, making it a fun-filled tradition for families and fairgoers alike. For more information, visit their website.