Special Events and Festivals
Listed below are special events which highlight the summer season in the Bar Harbor area. The talents and skills displayed during these special events help explain the draw Mount Desert Island exerts on the arts community around the nation. Here is a beautiful location with appreciative audiences who are receptive to a host of performing arts and crafts. The coast of Maine boasts a high density of creative individuals who have enriched the arts and crafts of our entire country. In Bar Harbor, works by these talented people are available to enjoy, and in some cases, to take home.
Information courtesy of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Abbe Museum Community Open House
June 7th 10am-6pm
An all-day open house welcoming the public to see exhibits and get to know the Abbe Museum downtown - 26 Mt. Desert Street. Free.
www.abbemuseum.org
11th Annual Legacy of the Arts
June 20 - 27
A community-wide celebration of art and culture. A musical salute to all dads on Father’s Day, concerts, workshops, meet the artists and more throughout the week. Celebrate with us the wealth of artistic resources that Bar Harbor offers. 288-5103.
www.barharborinfo.com
59th Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Art Show – Art by the Sea
June 20 & 21, Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Held on the Village Green, this art show features more than 35 artists displaying and selling their original works in oils, watercolors, acrylics, photography and other media. For more information call 288-5103.
www.barharborinfo.com
Band Concerts on the Village Green
July & August, Every Monday & Thursday, 8pm
Good old-fashioned fun for the entire family; small-town traditions transport us back to bye-gone days. Sit on the lawn, people-watch, and enjoy the community band doing its stuff. 288-5103.
www.barharborinfo.com
Bar Harbor Music Festival
July 1 - July 26
Francis Fortier, Artistic Director. Celebrating its 43rd season, this acclaimed series of classical and pop concerts have a full schedule for the summer. The series will include such offerings as a Tea Concert, Jazz night, a “Pops” concert, “New Composers”, “An Evening at the Opera” and several presentations by the Bar Harbor Festival String Orchestra, lead by Francis Fortier, Conductor and Violin Soloist. 288-5744.
www.barharbormusicfestival.org
4th of July Celebrations
July 4th A full day of events is planned starting with a Blueberry Pancake Breakfast from 6-10am at the Athletic Field, the Independence Day Parade at 10am, a Seafood Festival beginning at 11:00am, lobster races at 12pm and a Band Concert on the Town Green in the evening. The finale is fireworks over Frenchman Bay off the Town Pier, usually starting around 9pm. 288-5103.
www.barharborinfo.com
Annual Native American Festival and Maine Indian Basketmakers Market
July 11th, 10am to 4pm at the College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street
Co-hosted by the Abbe Museum, the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA), and the College of the Atlantic, this festival is considered Maine’s largest annual gathering of Native American artists. Meet the artists while learning about and purchasing Wabanaki baskets, carvings, beadwork, dolls and other of handmade items. The day-long event includes Native music, dance, storytelling, craft demonstrations, and food. A silent auction is open to bidding until 3 PM; winners need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit the MIBA Education Program. Free hourly shuttle bus available from Conners-Emerson School on Eagle Lake Road. The festival begins at 10am with early-bird shopping from 9-10am. 288-3519.
www.abbemuseum.org
35th Annual MDI Summer CraftFest
July 18 & 19, 10am - 5pm at the College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street
Penobscot Valley Crafts Association presents over 40 of Maine’s best crafters! For more information call 244-0175.
www.pvcacrafts.org
34th Annual Directions Craft Show
July 31st, August 1 & 2, Mount Desert Island High School, Rt. 233
This outstanding craft show, in its 34th year, is one of the best in the state, offering superb crafts from over 80 of Maine’s finest crafts people; stained glass, pottery, handwoven items, clothing, jewelry, handmade papers, and much more. Opening Friday evening (5-9pm), and then 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. 763-3433.
www.mainecraftsguild.com
Jesup Memorial 40th Annual Book Fair
August 15
This popular one-day event runs from 9am to 4pm. Thousands of books, records, magazines, videos, audiobooks, puzzles, a large baked goods table and more! It provides readers with the opportunity to find some great bargains in books and help the local library at the same time. Jesup Memorial Library, on Mt. Desert Street, is open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, and 10am-7pm on Wednesdays. 288-4245.
www.jesup.lib.me.us
Bar Harbor Jazz Festival
August 20 - 27
Days and evenings—Criterion Theatre, Village Green, The Quarterdeck, Lompoc, Rupununi, Havana, Little Anthony’s etc. A 7-day festival of jazz with concerts and events happening all around town, from the Village Green to the Criterion Theatre. 288-5829.
www.barharborjazzfest.com
Island Arts Association In The Park
September 5th, 10am to 5pm
Handmade crafts by Maine artisans on display at the Village Green, Main & Mt. Desert Street. Contact the YWCA MDI for more information, 288-5008.
Lulu Lobster Boat Ride/Local Fire Dept. Fundraiser
September 11th, Harborside Hotel Dock, 55 West Street
Help Lulu help out brave firefighters prepare for future needs and make 9/11 a day to strengthen and honor our firefighters while enjoying a fantastic boat cruise in Frenchman Bay. For the eighth year all 9/11 proceeds will be donated to our local volunteer fire department.1-866-235-2341
www.lululobsterboat.com
Art in the Park
September 19 & 20, Sat. 9am to 5pm; Sun. 10am to 5pm
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Art Show. Over 35 artists will display and sell their original works on the Village Green, Main & Mt. Desert Street. 288-5103.
www.barharborinfo.com
Mt. Desert Island Marathon
October 17 & 18
Six island communities will host the 8th annual MDI Marathon. A weekend of special events ending with the 26.2-mile race through some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere—what a great time of year for this event, the fall foliage will be bursting with colors! This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
www.mdimarathon.org