Festivals & Events Calendar for the Region
Coastal Washington County, Maine & Charlotte County, N.B.
Coastal Maine's Washington County and New Brunswick's Charlotte County are host to a variety of annual festivals and events throughout the year. Also check out our Local Events and Exhibits pages for events in Lubec, Cutler, Trescott, Whiting, Pembroke, Dennysville, and Edmunds, Maine and Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.
Recurring
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Cultural Passport to the rich cultural heritage and artistic life, listing events and exhibitions by location, date and type for the Greater Passamaquoddy Region.
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Cobscook Institute, started in 1999 as Cobscook Community Learning Center, was created to find ways of improving life in the Washington County region. Today, it consists of three mutually supporting divisions with a common purpose: Transforming Rural Experience in Education®, Cobscook Experiential Programs, and Cobscook Center.
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The Garcelon Civic Center in the Town of St. Stephen provides a full range of health, wellness, and cultural services to residents and businesses with a NHL sized ice arena, walking & jogging track, swimming and fitness center, conference center, canteen, catering and pro shop.
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Bass fishing tournaments April into October throughout Washington County, Maine.
SummerKeys: The Mary Potterton Memorial Concert Series
Free concerts by faculty Wednesdays at 7:30 PM at the Lubec, Maine, Congregational Christian Church during the SummerKeys music vacation workshop schedule mid-June through August.
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Mid-June through mid-September, short bilingual (French-English) ranger talks about events that took place during the short-lived, but historically important, settlement (8 miles south of Calais, Maine).
Passamaquoddy Yacht Club Racing Events
A series of challenging, fun, and historic sailing events in the beautiful Passamaquoddy Bay area of Down East Maine and Canada.
Downeast Border Riders Saddle Club
June - October, monthly riding events (gymkhanas, horse shows, trail ride benefits, etc,) throughout Washington County, Maine.
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Six concerts featuring internationally known artists Tuesday evenings July into August at 7:30 PM in the Centre Street Congregational Church, in Machias, Maine. Fee.
Little River Lighthouse Open House
Get a (weather dependent) boat ride to the island for Little River Lighthouse Open House in July and August - different dates each year, depending on tides.
Friday Night Live, Sounds of Summer
A series schedule of concerts and films on the Milbridge Theatre Outdoor Stage in July and August.
January
Cobscook Bay State Park Winter Family Fun Day
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sliding, tote sled rides, horse drawn sleigh, and nature walks are just a few of the activities that you can participate in. Ski and snowshoe trailer for free loans. 4th Saturday in January.
February
Stronghearts Winter Sports and Fun
Valentine weekend Saturday at the Pottle Tree Farm in Perry, Maine to support families caring for children with congenital heart defects. Cross-country ski race, open trails, skating, snowshoeing, sledding, hiking, labyrinth walk, igloo making, ice fishing and Fireside Potluck.
Eastport Arts Center Annual International Dinner
This elegant, candle-lit buffet, usually the first Saturday in February, is made possible by the contributions of many enthusiastic cooks of ethnic food dishes inspired by cuisine from all parts of the world. Admission to the dinner is half price if accompanied by an ethnic dish.
St. George's Annual Winter Fest
Last Saturday in February in St. George, New Brunswick at Magaguadavic Place - 10 Jospinney Drive. Enjoy snow sculpting, a snowman contest and other outdoor activities, plus some indoor games and wonderful performances!
March
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Last weekend of March, join Maine maple syrup producers as they celebrate the springtime sap harvest!
April
Annual Smelt Fry & Fisheries Celebration
Fried smelts, coleslaw, rolls, organic blueberry cobbler and drinks plus a tour of the Wild Salmon Resource Center, the Pleasant River Hatchery, the Heritage Fish Camp with venison/moose stew, and fisheries displays.
May
Down East Spring Birding Festival
Over the Memorial Day long weekend, based in Washington County Maine, sponsored by the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and the Cobscook Institute, this birding festival offers a variety of habitats from ocean islands to boreal forests to a food-rich "staging area" for migrating birds.
Annual Smolt Bolt and Bloater Bash Race
A celebration of two great fish migrations - the Atlantic salmon smolt, and the river herring - by the Downeast Salmon Federation, followed by refreshments, including whole-smoked alewives, or Bloaters.
June
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Held at the University of Maine at Machias on the weekend closest to June 12th to celebrate the Battle of the Margaretta, first Naval Battle of the American Revolution, with a 10 AM parade, soldier re-enactors and period food, demonstrations and activities and games for children,
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A family fun day with foods, demonstrations, crafts, and games for young and old ! A celebration of Maine's incredibly versatile vegetable - Rhubarb! Held the first Saturday in June.
Eastport-Lubec ArtWalk Weekend
A weekend of art and music experiences in Lubec and Eastport. The 4th weekend of June; the 1st weekend of August.
July
Granite Town Festival, St. George, NB
Three days of festival activities - an antique car show, a Day Adventure Centre, Little People's Parade, seniors' tea, corn boil, duck race, four person golf scramble, Festival Fun Run, and tennis tournament - wrap up with fireworks.
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July 1st, celebrated throughout Charlotte County.
4th of July, Independence Day
4th of July celebrated throughout Washington County.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Celebration
1st Saturday after July 4th. Admire the candy-striped lighthouse with tours of the tower by the U.S.Coast Guard! Live music, food vendors, raffles, etc., in beautiful Quoddy Head State Park overlooking the easternmost point in the continental U.S., Sail Rock.
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Two day sailing race, sponsored by the Passamaquoddy Yacht Club in the middle of July past many of Passamaquoddy area's historic lighthouses to Grand Manan's Swallowtail light and back.
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Always held on Canada Day, July 1st, sponsored by the Passamaquoddy Yacht Club, this sailing race begins off Eastport and ends at St. Andrews with a barbacue at the St. Andrews Yacht Club.
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A community celebration held annually with a parade, live music, vendors, charity auctions, blueberry pie eating contest, blueberry pie sale, Milbridge 5K and much more!
August
Eastport-Lubec ArtWalk Weekend
A weekend of art and music experiences in Lubec and Eastport. The 4th weekend of June; the 1st weekend of August.
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, Machias, ME
Centre Street Congregational Church, rolls out the blue carpet each third weekend in August with a new musical, an all-day flea market on Friday, over 250 crafters Sat & Sun, and free outdoor, musical entertainment, contests, raffles, and all things blueberry.
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Celebrate New Brunswick Day at the end of July into beginning of August in the village of Grand Harbour with an island fishermen's competition, crafts, music events, awards presentations, a comedy evening, fire engine pull, lobster supper and a parade! Each year has a different theme.
Summers End Folk Festival, Grand Manan
Celebrate music and the arts as well as the closing of the summer season at the seaside Galloway's restaurant grounds with a wide range of performers, in an intimate outdoor setting, just steps away from the ocean. Bring your own chairs and suitable clothing (umbrellas?), and be ready to be entertained!
Grand Manan Island Birding Festival
An island in the middle of the Bay of Fundy with its own ecosystem and an inviting rest stop for migrating birds... what more could birders ask for? With a wide array of activities, guided tours, and talks by experts this festival promises world class birding in Grand Manan!
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Would you like to be inducted into the Chocolate Lovers' Society or be declared the Chocolate Lover of the Year? This week long celebration of chocolate will delight your senses as well as your funny bone.
International Homecoming Festival - Calais ME and St. Stephen NB
Family friendly events, activities, demonstrations and entertainment to celebrate the unique relationship between the two border towns separated by the St. Croix River.
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The Passamaquoddy tribe holds a three-day Indian Days celebration each August (Grand finale is always on the 2nd Sunday of August) at Sipayik (Pleasant Point).
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Three to five days of free art and music throughout the island to celebrate New Brunswick Day (first Monday in August).
Downeast Institute Annual Field Day, Great Wass Island, Beals
In early August celebrate shellfish in a clam shell throwing contest, boat ride around Western Bay, education and craft activities for children, a clam-shucking demonstration, a touch tank with local sea critters, music and locally prepared food.
Pembroke Trotting Association Farm and Horse Fair
Held at the Pembroke Trotting Association Fair Grounds located on Old County Road in Pembroke, with Trotter/Pacer races, New England style music, crafts, demonstrations, horse demos in ring, food, and children's area.
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Hosted by the Downeast Amateur Astronomers at the Cobscook Bay State Park, Edmunds for the Friday and Saturday closest to the new moon. Solar and evening observation, astronomy games and talks. FMI, call Charlie Sawyer at 207-214-1846.
Annual Blackfly Ball
Held at the historic Machias Valley Grange & Cultural Center at the height of the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, the annual Blackfly Ball is a riotous celebration of community and history near Bad Little Falls.
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Annual two-day sailing race sponsored by the Passamaquoddy Yacht Club includes a Saturday race for the Eleanor Cup and a Sunday race for the Franklin Cup held in the bay at Welshpool opposite the Roosevelt Park.
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Sponsored by the Passamaquoddy Yacht Club in early August, this sailing race is held within the Johnson’s Bay, Friar’s Bay, Friar’s Roads and Cobscook Bay area depending on weather conditions.
September
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Celebrate the weekend after Labor Day with a parade, a top-name band, fireworks display and a costume ball.
The Charlotte County Fall Fair, St. Stephen, NB
Held at the Ganong Nature Park, 6 miles from St. Stephen, the fair provides an entertaining and fun celebration of rural living with three days of exhibits, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, games, activities and lots of food. Starts the second weekend in September.
Eastport Salmon & Seafood Festival
Labor Day weekend, filled with activities, features the Salmon Sunday meal. Eat under the big tent at a table surrounded by friends, neighbors and visitors and look up at the unsurpassed view of the bay.
Lubec Harvest Howl
End of September celebrates with hayrides, food and craft vendors, raffles, face painting, horseshoe tournament, live music, pie eating contest, pumpkin decorating contest and the bake-it, veg-it and craft-it contests, games and music on Water Street in historic downtown Lubec.
Maine's Annual Open Lighthouse Day at West Quoddy Head
An annual event, which occurs on the second Saturday of September each year, offers the general public the rare opportunity to climb the towers of and learn about over two dozen historic Maine lights. It is an additional opportunity to tour the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Tower!
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Week-long ride offering the Maine experience, where you tour a different region of Maine each year. Simple moments that will change your life!
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An annual week-long cleanup of our local beaches where you can join the wave of volunteers in helping to keep our beaches clean! 3rd week of September.
Campobello Island Seaglass Festival
Three days of fun for all types of Beachcombers - Seaglass Talks, Beach Walks, Crafter's Markets and more! 2nd weekend of September.
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Join Canoe Kayak New Brunswick features paddling opportunities on some of New Brunswick's most beautiful waters.
October
Indulge - New Brunswick's Food & Wine Festival
Indulge in the finest cuisine New Brunswick has to offer and experience authentic Fundy Coastal hospitality in St. Andrews by-the-Sea.
FolkFest at St. Stephen's University
This celebration on the first weekend in October features live music, poetry, arts, crafts, food and wares. All are welcome, participation is encouraged, and admission is free! Open to all Crafters, Food sellers, Musicians, Poets and Story-tellers.
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Participants come to Iota at the Cobscook Institute to study all forms of short prose writing, including essays, prose poems, short stories, flash fiction and nonfiction, micro essays, and much more.
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1st Saturday of October 9-1, a real Downeast fair not to be missed with over 90 vendors selling everything and it is FUN!
December
Eastport's Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop, New Year’s Eve
Watch as a giant red Maple Leaf is lowered at 12 midnight Atlantic time (11:00 pm Eastern) and at 12 midnight Eastern time as an 8 foot Sardine is dropped to Eastport's downtown Bank Square from the third story of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art building to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in Campobello and Eastport!
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Extravaganza parade of boats, floats, lobsters and Santas lit up for fun for all ages!