Get your groove on at one of these eight Maine summer music festivals. We’ve gotcha covered, from rock to folk, bluegrass to blues, pops 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 music festivals, this camping festival is just plain fun. Four days, four stages, 40 bands, including rock, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, folk, as well as the New England Flatpickin’ Championship and the New England Songwriting Championship; whew! In addition, there are workshops for all ages, barn dances, jam sessions, fireside field picking and jamming, and a free children’s music program.
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
When: early August
Where: Swans Island, accessible via ferry from Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island (note: on-island lodging is very limited).
• Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival
One of New England’s largest family musical events; four days, featuring local and national bands. Accommodations for all camping modes .
When: Twice—mid June and mid-late August
Where: Litchfield Fairgrounds, Litchfield
• 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: Livermore Falls area
• 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
