Events
MARCH
Maine Restaurant Week
Maine Restaurant Week is a celebration of the culinary talents of area restaurants. During restaurant week, restaurants offer specially priced three-course meals. Chefs work hard year round to take care of their customers. During restaurant weeks, they go above and beyond. The first restaurant week concept originated in New York City in the early nineties and caught on in Maine in 2009.
MAY
Camden is Blooming
Celebrate spring in downtown Camden with sidewalk sales and children’s activities in the village.
JUNE
Jazz in June
Come enjoy great 3 days of music, fantastic food and fun in our lovely mid-coast setting. Music in our beautiful Camden Opera House, at the Camden Snow Bowl and all around town. FMI
Paces for PAWS
5k Race & 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Belfast Rail Trail. Bring all your running friends out to participate in this fun, dog-friendly 5K and 1 mile walk to support our local animal shelter P.A.W.S. FMI
Historic Camden Walks
Fridays at 4:00pm, Late June–Mid-September Join us for an entertaining, educational one-hour walking tour of downtown Camden’s historic sites. Free of charge; donations appreciated. Reservations encouraged. Sponsored by the Camden Public Library and the Camden Area Business Group. FMI: 207-236-3440 or stop by the Library circulation desk.
JULY
Festival of Independence
Join us in Harbor Park on July 4 for music and fireworks. All overlooking lovely Camden Harbor.
Monday Movies in the Park
Movies the old fashioned way, starting at dusk in the Camden Amphitheatre, rain or shine (we move indoors if it is inclement), July and August. FMI: 207-236-3440
Harbor Arts & Books Fair
Over 100 artists and craftspeople display and sell their work in scenic Camden Amphitheater, Harbor Park, and along Atlantic Avenue. Stroll around the different vendor tents and shop for unique art and crafts while enjoying the view. FMI
Camden Garden Club House & Garden Tour
One of Maine's oldest and most famous annual summer tours. 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine. Unique views, waterfront properties, and in-town jewels make this tour a must-see event. The 70th Annual House and Garden Tour will feature 7 diverse and remarkable properties including small town cottages, an 1820s gem updated for modern living while maintaining the charm of its origins, a 60 acre transformation of one man’s unique and personal vision, a magnificent Arts and Crafts estate situated on 21 acres, overlooking beautiful Penobscot Bay. Camdengardenclub.org
Camden Shakespeare Festival
July - August The Camden Shakespeare Festival is a professional, non-profit theatre committed to producing Shakespeare’s plays chiefly in the Camden Amphitheatre. We believe that Shakespeare plays speak to everyone, because of their universal themes, their unforgettable characters and their extraordinary poetry. These plays are produced in association with the Camden Public Library. FMI
Camden Classics Cup
Classic yachts convene in Camden for several days of racing in Penobscot Bay and events hosted by Lyman Morse Boatbuilding. FMI
AUGUST
Merryspring Kitchen Tour
Tour kitchens in area homes and taste delicacies prepared by local chefs at every stop. merryspring.org
SEPTEMBER
Camden Windjammer Festival
Labor Day Weekend Camden hosts a windjammer celebration of maritime heritage. Throughout the day on Friday, Schooners from around Maine sail in and dock in our harbor—whether you’re a boat lover or not, it’s a spectacular site. After nightfall, fireworks officially kick off the weekend, and festivities continue throughout. 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. FMI
Camden International Film Festival (CIFF)
The Camden International Film Festival, better known as CIFF, showcases the finest international documentary cinema. Recognized as one of the top 25 film festivals in the world for documentary films and filmmakers, the festival highlights work that shows dedication to craft and a unique and artistic approach to telling a darn good story. The Festival utilizes beautiful and unusual 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. CIFF gets bigger and better every year! Pointsnorthinstitute.org/ciff
Harbor Arts & Books Fair
Over 100 artists and craftspeople display and sell their work in scenic Camden Amphitheater, Harbor Park, and along Atlantic Avenue. FMI Or call 207-236-3440
Maine Open Winery Day
Wineries across the state host tastings, tours, and special events to celebrate Maine Open Winery Day. It’s an opportunity for Maine’s winemakers to showcase their wineries and for customers to learn more about making wine from traditional and not-so-traditional products.
OCTOBER
Scenic Chairlift Rides at Camden Snow Bowl
Chairlift rides run Saturdays in October, 10am-2pm during the height of foliage season. Pancake breakfasts served in the lodge before the rides. FMI
DECEMBER
Christmas by the Sea
Christmas by the Sea is a December tradition in Camden that kicks off the holiday season, eagerly anticipated by families both near and far. This year is no exception: plans include a holiday parade, stores open late with ongoing sales, carriage rides, a tree-lighting in Harbor Park, carolers, the "real Santa”, and many crafts, fairs and activities throughout the Midcoast communities. For more information and up to date event listings, visit our Facebook Page.
JANUARY
Pies On Parade
The towns of Rockland and Camden, ME go pie-crazy with participating of area Inns and businesses offering tastes pies and other delectables. Best of all, every dollar raised goes to help hungry Midcoast Maine families through the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry. More than $200,000 has been raised for the AIO Food Pantry over the 15+ year tenure of this event. Tickets sell out quickly.
FEBRUARY
U.S National Toboggan Championships
February Toboggan races at the Camden Snow Bowl draw participants and spectators from around the world for this unique event that has been going strong for over 25 years. A field of up to 425 teams will race for the fastest times down the 400-foot-long wooden toboggan chute, which dates back to 1936, and fly across frozen Hosmer Pond to fantastic finishes. Come as a visitor, leave as a future racer - we know you'll be back! FMI
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
The Banff Centre is the largest arts and creativity incubator on the planet. Our mission is inspiring creativity. Over 8,000* artists, leaders, and researchers from across Canada and around the world participate in programs at The Banff Centre every year. Through its multidisciplinary programming, The Banff Centre provides them with the support they need to create, to develop solutions, and to make the impossible possible. Maine Sport Outfitters hosts the Rockport, Maine tour location at the Strom Auditorium. A program is chosen that reflects the interests of the local audiences from a selection of films on exploration and adventure, culture and environment, and mountain sports.
Camden Conference
The Camden Conference was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization whose mission is to foster informed discourse on world issues. Each year the conference provides a stimulating multi-day conference with in person and streaming interviews and seminars, centered on a timely topic. FMI
ONGOING
The Camden Opera House is Mid-Coast Maine’s Premier event spot. Visit their website to get information and purchase tickets for all shows. FMI