10 great Maine summer music festivals

Get your groove on at one of these 10 summer weekend music festivals happening in Maine. We’ve gotcha covered, from rock to folk, bluegrass to blues, classical to out, and taking place in venues ranging from oceanfront to mountaintop, offshore island to city downtown.

• Kingfield POPS!

The Saturday late afternoon concert featuring the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and guest artists caps two days of arts and entertainment that begins with an ArtWalk on Friday night and continues with an ArtsFestival, including displays and demonstrations on Saturday. The concert begins at 4:30and ends with fireworks

When: late June

Where: Kennedy Farm, Kingfield, Maine

• North Atlantic Blues Festival

Some of the nation’s top blues performers come to Rockland for this two-day harborfront festival. Expect great music complemented by the usual array of food, drink, and craft vendors. Complementing the day-long concerts are a Saturday night pub crawl, open to attendees and featuring music by top blues musicians, as well as bands performing on the street.

When: mid July,

Where: Public Landing, Rockland, Maine

• Ossipee Valley Music Festival,

Considered one of New England’s top family bluegrass festivals, the program includes top bluegrass bands, The New England Flatpicking Championship, the New England Songwriting Championship, and new in 2011 a band contest. In addition, there are workshops for all ages, dances, jam sessions, and a gospel sing.

When: mid/late July

Where: Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds, South Hiram, Maine

• East Benton Fiddlers Festival and Contest

Held every year since 1971, this family run festival lays claim to being the oldest music festival in Maine. It’s a low-key, inexpensive, family oriented day of great fiddle and bluegrass music from top Maine musicians. In addition to live concerts, there are a fiddler’s showcase, fiddle contests for adults and children, and field picking.

When: Always the last Sunday in July

Where: Littlefield Farm, East Benton

• Saltwater Celtic Music Festival

This young one-day event featuring internationally renowned performers promises to be one of the highlights of New England’s Celtic music calendar. May it grow and prosper!

When: late July

Where: Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick

• Sweet Chariot Music Festival

Singers, songwriters, musicians, and other performers gather on Swans Island each year for this annual music fest that includes a bit of this and a touch of that, all flavored by the sea. Not the easiest to get to, unless you have a boat, but spill-over performances and dances happen on Vinalhaven and the mainland, too. As the festival’s site states: “The Sweet Chariot Music Festival: not for the faint of heart. Bring your boat, your voice, your moxie, your mojo.”

When: early August

Where: Swans Island, accessible via ferry from Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island (note: on-island lodging is very limited).

• Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival

Young Maine bluegrass performers take to the mountain stage on Friday, followed by nationally renowned artists on Saturday. Although new on the Maine music festival scene, it’s come on strong.

When: mid August

Where: On the mountain, Saddleback Ski Area, Rangeley, Maine

• Frantasia

The largest Out Music festival in Maine (and perhaps far beyond), Frantasia is an exploration in sound, music, movement, and visual arts. If you’re scratching your head on that, organizer Fran Szostak (Fran-tasia, get it?) describes Out Music as that which falls outside the boundaries of the usual genres. Drop any preconceived ideas of what a particular genre should be or how a specific instrument should sound, and be prepared for anything.

When: Usually third weekend in August.

Where: University of Maine, Farmington, and Treat Memorial Library, Livermore Falls.

• American Folk Festival

This isn’t folk as in Peter, Paul, and Mary, but rather a celebration of the multicultural folk traditions found in America today. Performers share their music, dance, and storytelling traditions on four stages complemented by displays and demonstrations  of traditional crafts, and much more.

When: late August

Where: Riverfront, downtown Bangor

• Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Special

Brought back by popular demand, this is one of the biggies on Maine’s extensive bluegrass festival scene. Expect top acts and a jam-packed weekend of bluegrass at this coastal Maine campground.

When: Labor Day Weekend

Where: Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick, Maine