Events
Camden offers a variety of events year-round.
Camden has one of the biggest schooner harbors on the entire U.S. east coast. It is a challenge for all these windjammers to maneuver around the harbor, which makes for interesting sightseeing! Climb aboard these schooners and find out about life in the old days, or just enjoy a relaxing sail on beautiful Penobscot Bay.
Every Labor Day weekend, Camden hosts a windjammer celebration. Throughout the day on Friday, Schooners from around Maine sail in and dock in our harbor — it is an absolutely gorgeous site, whether you’re a boat lover or not. After nightfall, fireworks officially kick off the weekend, and festivities continue throughout.
We host the Harbor Arts Festivals in the summer and fall. The stalls are set up in the amphitheater and park, against the beautiful background of Camden Harbor. Stroll around the different vendor tents and shop for unique art and crafts while enjoying the view.
Camden is also home to two other fall festivals – the Camden International Film Festival in late September and the Maine Literary Festival in November.
Year-round the beautiful Camden Opera House stages a fantastic variety of shows, everything from traditional plays a la Shakespeare to Dutch female impersonators, from NPR’s “Says You!” to Camden’s own ”Dancing with the Local Stars.” Bay Chamber Concerts is another year-round presenter of fabulous music and dance. This July and August feature the 49th Summer Music Festival. And throughout the year, Bay Chamber is committed to bringing the very best in classical, jazz, world music, and dance to the Midcoast area. When you plan your trip to Camden, be sure to check both calendars!
Camden has a lot to offer in the winter, too. In December, the whole town is transformed into a festive and intimate fairytale town, complete with an enchanting star on top of the mountain overlooking the town. Christmas by the Sea, featuring a full weekend of activities, kicks off the season.
Winterfest is a local event held in the first weekend of February, followed by the US National Toboggan Championships later in the month. This amateur event started in the 1990s and has swelled into a serious affair, with people coming from all over the U.S and overseas, often with their wooden toboggans roped to the roof of their family SUVs. The 400-foot long, one-run toboggan chute is located at the Camden Snow Bowl skiing area. Under prime conditions, 40-50 mph speeds aren’t uncommon for this real rollercoaster experience. You might even see the flying nuns coming down the chute as dressing up is a big part of the fun.
Whatever your preference is, you will always find something to your liking to do in Camden. Please see the complete calendar of events — there’s something going on virtually every month of the year!
Events by date:
Christmas by the Sea
December 4-6, 2009
Christmas by the Sea in Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville. A community celebration of the holiday season. Holiday parade, Santa’s arrival (by boat) to the midcoast, free photos with Santa, open houses, craft fairs, Christmas at the Inns Tour, and Anne Dodson & Friends Annual Concert. Call 236-4404 or go to visitcamden.com for complete schedule of events.
Making Miracles
December 12, 2009
Local business communities will be celebrating the miracles of the holiday season. It starts with luminaries being lit at 3pm in downtown Camden. At 4pm Maine Pro Musica will be performing the Holiday Pops Concert at the Strom auditorium and following the concert, doors in Camden will stay open for holiday shopping and family dining. Participating businesses will donate up to 10% of their sales to United Mid-Coast Charities.
Winterfest
January 30, 2010
Winterfest is a community celebration of winter. The centerpiece of Winterfest activity remains the Community Ice Carving Event. Groups come together to carve blocks of ice into crystalline statues.With or without snow families are encouraged to come and play. This event is fun for all ages.
Toboggan Nationals
February 5-7, 2010
Every year the Toboggan Nationals boast a field of 400 teams and nearly 1,300 racers, with a spectator base of more than 5,000 over two days of heated competition. Without fail, the limited number of team slots annually sells out and the crowds of spectators makes the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area the most popular place to be each February.
Camden Conference
February 19-21, 2010
The 2010 Camden Conference titled “Afghanistan, Pakistan, India: Crossroads of Conflict” will engage with the many issues roiling in this turbulent region, as well as the role of US policies and programs.
Mid-Coast Wedding Expo
April 18, 2010
Be inspired… Create the wedding of your dreams! Join us for the Mid-Coast Wedding Expo and get to interact with 100 of the area’s finest wedding vendors. It is also a good moment to discover the beauty of the Camden area.
Maine Home and Design Mid-Coast Home Show
June 5-6, 2010
Are you interested in moving to the Camden area, or upgrading your home? This show is a must for people interested in any aspect of building, remodeling and enjoying their homes.
Festival of Independence
July 1-5, 2010
From Camden through Rockport, to Owls Head and to Thomaston. Midcoast organizations team up to offer the Festival of Independence. Five days of fun in the Midcoast over the Fourth of July holiday period. There will be concerts, family events, parades and two nights of fireworks throughout the Penobscot Bay region, with fun and affordable options for everyone!
Summer Harbor Arts Juried Arts & Craft Show
July 17 & 18, 2010
Over 100 artists and craftspeople display and sell their work in scenic Camden Amphitheater, Harbor Park, and along Atlantic Avenue.
Camden Windjammer Festival
September 3-5, 2010
Join us Labor Day weekend 2010 for a celebration of Camden’s maritime heritage and living traditions. When it comes to a community party the crews, captains, craftspeople, business owners, residents, neighbors, and visitors really know how to have a great, family-friendly time in one of the world’s prettiest harbors.
Maine Fare
September 2010, exact date to be announced
Maine Fare 2010, the annual celebration of Maine-grown, Maine-produced food and drink that brings together Maine chefs, food writers, journalists, producers and growers, and the general public for a weekend of lively eating, drinking and discussion.
Camden International Film Festival (CIFF)
October 2010, exact dates to be announced
The Camden International Film Festival, better known as CIFF,showcases the finest international documentary cinema. In just four short years, over 100 documentary films, both features and shorts, and 50 regional premiers from over 20 countries have been screened in beautiful and unique venues in Camden, Rockport and Rockland, Maine. Screenings are followed by intimate Q&A sessions with directors and industry professionals. Festivities over the weekend include panels, workshops, photographic exhibits, musical concerts and exclusive parties.
Fall Harbor Arts Juried Arts & Craft Show
October 2 & 3, 2010
Over 100 artists and craftspeople display and sell their work in scenic Camden Amphitheater, Harbor Park, and along Atlantic Avenue.
Maine Literary Festival
November 2010, exact date to be announced
At the fourth annual Maine Literary Festival in November 2009, writers and authors were from diverse cultures and ethnic experience, whose award-winning novels, non-fiction and poetry are astounding readers and critics with their beauty, insight and reflection.
Christmas by the Sea
December 3-5, 2010
Christmas by the Sea in Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville. A community celebration of the holiday season. Holiday parade, Santa’s arrival (by boat) to the midcoast, free photos with Santa, open houses, craft fairs, Christmas at the Inns Tour, and Anne Dodson & Friends Annual Concert. Call 236-4404 or go to visitcamden.com for complete schedule of events.
Making Miracles
December 11, 2010
Local business communities will be celebrating the miracles of the holiday season. It starts with luminaries being lit at 3pm in downtown Camden. At 4pm Maine Pro Musica will be performing the Holiday Pops Concert at the Strom auditorium and following the concert, doors in Camden will stay open for holiday shopping and family dining. Participating businesses will donate up to 10% of their sales to United Mid-Coast Charities.