Updated for 2024
Attending fun festivals held annually in Rockland and Camden, Maine, is one of the best ways to get to know the area. Understanding the significance of each celebration brings you closer to appreciating the Maine lifestyle. Lobsters, lighthouses, and windjammers play an essential role in the history of the Midcoast area. Hence, it is not such a stretch to understand why they are celebrated so widely and with such gusto.
We welcome each new season at Berry Manor Inn with arms wide open. As we close the door on winter, we know that spring brings us closer to the fun and funky summer fetes. And, when summer ends, fall follows with its brand of festivities. Our heritage is closely tied to the sea, so we treasure each opportunity to honor our roots. But when it comes to festivals, we celebrate anything that brings us joy, especially during the holidays.
If you plan to visit Midcoast Maine this year or next, consider timing your getaway to coincide with one of the annual festivals held in Rockland and Camden. Depending on when you can take some much-needed vacation time, here’s a roundup of our favorite festivities planned year-round.
So, visit us soon and enjoy one of our fun festivals!
January
- Camden Winterfest: Held in late January, Winterfest features family-fun favorites. Take a polar plunge, watch the ice carvers, and dress your dog for the doggie fashion show. Head down to the Camden Amphitheater on the library grounds and make merry with food vendors, artisans and crafters, music, and more.
February
- U.S. National Toboggan Championships: This annual sell-out event features over 400 teams and nearly 1300 racers, attracting over 5000 spectators. Watch teams of 2-, 3-, and 4-members compete for bragging rights for the best times.
March
- Maine Maple Sunday Weekend: Always held the fourth Sunday in March, sugar shacks around the state open their doors for tours and tastings. But be ready for more than just maple candy, as many purveyors also produce luscious maple lip balm, maple mustard, and decadent maple cream.
June
- Jazz in June: Welcome summer with three days of music, food, and fun held at various venues throughout Camden, including the beautiful Camden Maine Opera House.
- Rockport Donut Festival: Celebrate one of the all-time sweet treats, the humble donut, at this fun festival filled with music and plenty of opportunities to indulge your sweet tooth.
July
- North Atlantic Blues Festival: Get your fill of live music featuring blues artists nationwide. The Public Landing overlooking the harbor in Rockland holds the festival.
- Friendship Sloop Days: Friendship Sloop owners gather at the Rockland Breakwater for two days of races featuring the famous sloops named for the town in which they were originally designed.
- Harbor Arts & Books Fair: A juried arts show on the grounds of the Camden Public Library, held again in October.
- Camden Classics Cup: An incredibly beautiful regatta against the backdrop of gorgeous Camden Harbor. An exciting array of races held over two days, the regatta attracts sailors from all over.
August
- Maine Lobster Festival: Feast on lobster and seafood at this much-loved event held at Rockland’s Harbor Park.
- Maine Blueberry Festival: Food, games, carnival rides and more delight fairgoers at this annual celebration of agriculture.
- Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors Show: Rockland’s Harbor Park event features up to 70 boats in the water and more on land. This 3-day coastal-themed event highlights boat builders, architects, designers, arts and craft exhibitors, entertainers, and food vendors
September
- Camden Windjammer Festival: Celebrate Camden’s maritime heritage, starring the hometown fleet. Live music, a boat parade and fireworks highlight this annual event. It is a must-do event for all fans of sailing the coast of Maine.
- Camden International Film Festival: A gathering of storytellers and industry leaders, this 4-day event showcases unique non-fiction films and documentaries. Offering an opportunity to network and interact with others, CIFF brings together a new and professional cadre of filmmakers.
- Common Ground Country Fair: This authentic country fair celebrates rural living. Featuring over 1000 exhibitors and speakers, the fair takes over the Common Ground Education Center in nearby Unity, Maine.
October
- Harbor Arts & Books Fair: A juried arts show on the grounds of the Camden Public Library, also held in July.
November
- Festival of Lights: Welcome the holiday season when Santa arrives by sea at Rockland Harbor. Horse-drawn carriage rides, a Christmas tree auction, and an annual parade of lights highlight this festive event. This event is annually held on Thanksgiving weekend.
December
- Christmas by the Sea: This is Camden’s signature holiday event. Carolers stroll the streets of downtown. Highlights include the kickoff parade and the Christmas tree lighting in Harbor Park. It’s a weekend full of great holiday shopping and cheer.
- First Night in Rockport: Designed to welcome the new year, this end-of-December event features holiday décor, food trucks, fire pits, and fireworks.
There’s no shortage of fun festivals in Rockland and Camden, Maine, held throughout the year in the Midcoast region. Get out your calendars and plan your winter, spring, summer, and fall getaways. Book your favorite room at our luxurious bed and breakfast, and you’ll be ideally situated to enjoy all the fun festivals, no matter what season you choose to visit.