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On this page you'll find both the large, well-known activities and events in Maine and New Hampshire, and those that are small and unpublicized.
These are the things that I think would be of interest not only to families with children, but to couples as well. Most of these will be special one-time events and activities, as opposed to ongoing happenings.
York Beach, Maine is featured, of course, but there are also some excellent Maine tourism opportunities in nearby towns and cities, all within 10-30 minutes from your vacation base in York.
- Hotel Guide to York Maine
- Maine Tourist Attractions - All Kinds of Vacation Fun
- Head Out To Sea On A Maine Windjammer
With yours truly as your friendly neighborhood York Beach, Maine tourism guide, you can easily plan your vacation or weekend getaway to include some of these fun activities and events in Maine.
One last thing...
Maine tourism doesn't necessarily mean you have to stay in Maine the entire time.
The venues listed below are all less than an hour from York -- some much less -- and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the top national acts that play here. Check them out for live music, dance, cinema and theater - there's always something going on, year-round:
- The Music Hall - Portsmouth, NH
- Ogunquit Playhouse - Ogunquit, ME
- Jonathan's Restaurant - Ogunquit, ME
- Merrill Auditorium - Portland, ME
- Blue Ocean Music Hall - Salisbury Beach, MA
October 1-2, Southern ME - ArtFest. Open studios in York, Kittery and Eliot will be available for viewing. For a complete list of participants, visit http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/artfest.
October 1-9, Southern ME - AntiqueFest. Special events and offers from dealers along the southern Maine coast. For a complete list of participating dealers, visit http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/antiquefest.
October 8, Portsmouth, NH - 22nd Annual WHEB Chili Cook Off. Presented in conjunction with Strawbery Banke Museum's Fall Festival and held on the grounds of Strawbery Banke, the WHEB Chili Cook-Off presents more than a dozen restaurants from the Seacoast and beyond who serve up their best chili in decorated booths for thousands of attendees to sample. And once again this year, we'll be offering Redhook beer to complement the chili goodness and round out the day. For info on hours and admission: www.prescottpark.org/chilli.cfm
October 8-10, York Beach, ME - SaleFest. York Beach merchants end-of-season sidewalk sale days.
October 14-15, York Village, ME - York Village MarketFest. Presented by the York Village Business Association, in conjunction with Old York Historical Society and First Parish Church. This fall festival is being held in the center of historic York Village and will feature live music, historic reenactments, artisan demonstrations and other special events. Artists, photographers, crafters and food vendors are invited to apply. Focusing on the historic character of York Village, this event coincides with a town wide weekend festival which is expected to attract 40,000 to 50,000 people.
October 15-16, York Beach, ME - HarvestFest/KidsFest. This festival includes a variety of activities, live bands, an ox roast, bean hole beans and a mix of approximately 200 vendors: including food vendors, juried crafters, marketplace vendors, Go Green Expo Exhibitors and local non-profit organizations. Harvestfest also includes a corn toss challenge, a POW-WOW, hayrides & much more. Kidsfest will take place both days during Harvestfest and will include kids games, crafts, special entertainment and Pumpkin Stroll on Saturday night. FMI: www.gatewaytomaine.org.
October 15, Portsmouth, NH - New Hampshire Brew Fest. Sample over 90 brews from more than 28 breweries at the NH Brew Fest 2011. Held on the grounds of beautiful Redhook Ale Brewery, this event is being presented as a special fundraiser for the Prescott Park Arts Festival in partnership with Master Brewers Association of America and WHEB's The Morning Buzz. For info on hours and admission: www.prescottpark.org/brew2009.cfm
October 21-23, Ogunquit, ME - 8th annual OgunquitFest, a fun-filled weekend of fall-themed events. Activities include pumpkin and cookie decorating, costume parade, classic car show, craft bazaar, haunted house, high heel race, bed race, ghost tours, wagon rides, storytelling, and a scarecrow contest. FMI: www.visitogunquit.org.
October 23, York Beach, ME - Classic Car Show. Sponsored by the T.S.C Car Club. On-site registration 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the York Beach ballfield. $5 per car. Show from 9:00-2:00 p.m. FMI: www.tsccarclub.com or email fbarbarisi@metrocast.net.
November, Kittery, ME -- Shopping Events at the Kittery Outlet Malls. Overnight weekend shopping package deals with area hotels, all night shopping on Thanksgiving night, day after Thanksgiving specials! FMI: November Events at the Kittery Outlet Malls
November 4-5, Ogunquit, ME -- 2nd Annual Invitational Fine Art & Craft Sale. Held at the beautiful Ogunquit Museum of American Art, this high quality craft show features bags and purses, furniture, glass, gourds, jewelry, metal, paintings and prints, pottery, textiles, and more. Preview on Friday, November 4th, from 5 to 8 pm, $10 admission. Music provided by Seasmoke. Food provided by Roost Cafe & Bistro. Sale on Saturday, November 5th, from 10 am to 4 pm, $5 admission. FMI: Ogunquit Museum Invitational Fine Art & Crafts
November 5, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
November 13, Ogunquit, ME - Celebrations By The Sea Wedding Expo. A wide variety of local vendors and professionals to help plan your special day. Refreshments, live music and a gift for the bride. FMI: www.visitogunquit.org.
November 26, Cape Neddick, ME -- Annual Lighting of Nubble Lighthouse. Beginning at 5 p.m. with christmas carols, hot chocolate, cookies, Santa's arrival and the raising of a lighted Christmas tree from the depths of the ocean! Then the switch is thrown and world-famous Nubble Lighthouse is illuminated for the holiday season in hundreds of tiny white lights. Mark your calendar for this classic southern Maine event. Shuttle bus available. FMI: http://nubblelight.org/#Anchor-ANNUA-25590.
November 26, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
November 27, York Beach, ME -- Fall In Love Wedding Showcase. Join York Maine wedding photograhers and wedding professionals for a complimentary champagne toast, flavor tastings, and new ideas for your York Beach wedding. Cash bar. Free admission for pre-registered bridal couples and two friends; $5 p.p. at the door. 10-2, Union Bluff Meeting House, 4 Beach Street, York Beach, ME. FMI: 1-207-363-4422.
December 2-4, Kennebunkport, ME -- Annual Christmas Prelude. A premier southern Maine tourism holiday event. Art shows, Christmas tree lightings, wandering minstrels, Santa's arrival by lobster boat, historical tours and trolley rides, holiday parades, pancake breakfasts, craft fairs, concerts and so much more. See our Kennebunkport page for more information.
December 3, York Village, ME -- 2011 Festival of Lights Celebration. York Maine businesses and community members celebrating the beauty of the season and their beloved town of York Maine.
Huge variety of holiday-themed daytime events and sales, wonderful small town Christmas parade through the town center in the late afternoon, all accompanied by Christmas carols in the air. Capped off by a very special community theater performance of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at York High School. Come one, come all! FMI: http://parksandrec.yorkmaine.org/special%20events.html.
December 3, Portsmouth, NH -- Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade. Tree lighting in Market Square at 5:00 p.m., followed by the parade at 6:00 p.m. Parade kicks off from the 800 Plaza on Islington Street. FMI: www.cityofportsmouth.org.
December 3-4, Ogunquit, ME -- Annual Christmas by the Sea Celebration. Holiday events and activities for couples and families throughout the town of Ogunquit. FMI: http://visitogunquit.org/event.php?id=7
December 3-4, Portsmouth, NH -- Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke. Hundreds of candles light your way through the lanes as you stroll through 350 years of American history in one of New England's best waterfront historical settings. Hearth cooking demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, all sorts of wintertime traditional activities, music, food and historical celebrations. After dusk only. FMI: www.strawberybanke.org.
December 9-11, Ogunquit, ME -- Annual Christmas by the Sea Celebration. Holiday events and activities for couples and families throughout the town of Ogunquit. FMI: http://visitogunquit.org/event.php?id=7
December 9-11, Kennebunkport, ME -- Annual Christmas Prelude. A premier southern Maine tourism holiday event. Art shows, Christmas tree lightings, wandering minstrels, Santa's arrival by lobster boat, historical tours and trolley rides, holiday parades, pancake breakfasts, craft fairs, concerts and so much more. See our Kennebunkport page for more information.
December 10-11, Portsmouth, NH -- Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke. Hundreds of candles light your way through the lanes as you stroll through 350 years of American history in one of New England's best waterfront historical settings. Hearth cooking demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, all sorts of wintertime traditional activities, music, food and historical celebrations. After dusk only. FMI: www.strawberybanke.org.
December 10, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
December 17, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
December 17-18, Portsmouth, NH -- Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke. Hundreds of candles light your way through the lanes as you stroll through 350 years of American history in one of New England's best waterfront historical settings. Hearth cooking demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, all sorts of wintertime traditional activities, music, food and historical celebrations. After dusk only. FMI: www.strawberybanke.org.
January 7, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
January 21, York, ME -- Winter Gateway Farmer's Market. Featuring a wide variety of locally grown organic meats, vegetables, prepared foods, crafts, gifts, ceramics, jewelry and more. At the American Legion Hall (next door to Hannaford supermarket). For full vendor list, http://www.gatewaytomaine.org/events/winter-gateway-farmers-market.
February 17-19, Ogunquit, ME -- Annual Mardi Gras Celebration. Music, parades, ice sculptures, crowning of King & Queen, much more fun and celebration with none of that pesky warmth they have in New Orleans! FMI: http://visitogunquit.org/event.php?id=4
April 13-15, Ogunquit, ME -- Annual Patriot's Day Weekend. Honor the Patriots who fought at Lexington and Concord with history and fun all rolled up into one! Watch historical characters come to life, colonial musters, and fife & drum concerts, a craft show, Revolutionary War reenactments, kids' carnival, cookouts and delicious food.
MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME-MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME! MORE MAINE TOURISM TO COME!
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