Southwest Harbor and Local Area Events

There are a variety of events that take place in town and on the Island. Art shows/exhibits are very popular. Come for Octoberfest Columbus Day weekend and try some of our wonderful local micro-brews, local area wines and great food; or come for the Quietside Flamingo Festival in July. Help congratulate the runners in the MDI Marathon (26 miles and a qualifier for Boston!) each October as they cross the finish line in Southwest Harbor.

MAY 25-26 - Island Arts Association Craft Fair held on the Village Green in Bar Harbor 10 am to 5 pm

May 30 - June 2 - 21st Acadia Birding Festival - Maine's 1st annual bird watching festival (formerly the Warblers and Wildflowers Festival) established in 1998 is being held on Mount Desert Island this year! For more information, 207-233-3694 or visit the event's website.

JUNE 2 - Acadia National Park Half Marathon - 7th Annual. Visit the event's website and click on "Schedules/Events" or phone the race director at 207-288-3511 - a great experience on a beautiful course!

JUNE 15-16 - Art in the Park - 69th Annual held at the Village Green, downtown, Bar Harbor.

JUNE 22 - Island Arts NEW June Fair in Southwest Harbor-Pemetic School lawn 10am-5pm

JULY 4 - Fireworks over Southwest Harbor! Great seats available from your private deck or our breakfast deck at Kingsleigh Inn - book now and enjoy the show.

JULY 9 - Mount Desert Historical Society's Strawberry Festival- 43rd Annual, 1-3pm.

JULY 10-12 - Southwest Harbor's annual Quietside Flamingo Festival - Every year Southwest Harbor holds this fun filled festival that has something for everyone. Events include a kids carnival, craft fair, 4 mile run, and, of course, the grand Flamingo Parade on Saturday morning that you must truly see to believe. The weekend ends with the infamous Polo & Yacht Club cocktail party at the Causeway Club Barn. It is important to note that you neither need to play polo, nor own a yacht to attend. All that is required is festive attire and a desire for some fun!  See the Harbor House calendar listings for times and locations. Phone 207-244-3713 for more info.

JULY 27-28 - Gallery on the Green - Offered by the Coastal Fine art Alliance of Maine and sponsored by the Southwest Harbor Tremont Chamber of Commerce on the Pemetic School Lawn. Two days of outstanding art work--rain or shine. Saturday and Sunday, July 27 (9-5) and 28 (10-5). Call 207-989-4655.

JULY 25 - Annual Butterfly Release at Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Garden- Visit the seaside garden and witness the 3:30pm butterfly release. Refreshments - $30/person with children under 12 free. Reservations required by calling 207-244-9264.

AUGUST 4 - YMCAs 70.3 Triathlon- Swimming, Biking & Running - www.mdiymca.org/acadia-half-iron-triatholon for more information.

AUGUST 10 - Coastal Fine Arts Alliance of Maine's Gallery on the Green - 9am-5pm on 8/10 & 10am-5pm on 8/11 on Pemetic School Lawn.

AUGUST 11 - 12 - Gallery on the Green - Offered by the Coastal Fine art Alliance of Maine and sponsored by the Southwest Harbor Tremont Chamber of Commerce. Two days of outstanding art work--rain or shine. Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12. For more information phone 207-989-4655.

AUGUST 17-18 - Island Arts Association Craft Fair held on the Pemetic School Green, Southwest Harbor 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

AUGUST 25 - Fee Free Day at Acadia National Park- America's best idea - our National Parks! Come celebrate National Public Lands Day with free entrance to the park

AUGUST 31 & September 1- Island Arts Association Labor Day Weekend Craft Fair- held on the Village Green in Bar Harbor, continues on 9/1. Hours on 8/31 10 am to 6 pm and on 9/1 10am-5pm

SEPTEMBER 25-29 - 11th Annual Night Sky Festival - www.acadianightskyfestival.org

SEPTEMBER 8 - Open Lighthouse Day - Tour the Bass Harbor Lighthead from 9-3pm sponsored by the US Coast Guard.

SEPTEMBER 16 - Half Marathon and Fall 5K - 40th Annual. Visit the event's website and click on "Events". Begins at 7:30am.

SEPTEMBER 28 - Fee Free Day at Acadia National Park- America's best idea - our National Parks! Come celebrate National Public Lands Day with free entrance to the park.

OCTOBER 12 - Octoberfest Craft Fair - 10am-3pm on Pemetic School Lawn. Stop by and find the best local arts and crafts while you're enjoying the Octoberfest weekend celebration!

OCTOBER 12 - 24th Annual Octoberfest featuring Food, Maine Made Crafts and Musical Entertainment all under giant tents (rain or shine) at Smugglers Den Campground on Route 102 in Southwest Harbor. Recognized as one of the outstanding festivals in the country. Sample dozens of fantastic regional microbrews! From noon to 6:00 p.m. Call 207-244-9264 or 800-423-9264. Visit the website.

OCTOBER 20 - Annual MDI Marathon begins in Bar Harbor and ends in Southwest Harbor on Main Street in front of Pemetic High School. Help congratulate the runners as they cross the finish line! 26 miles and a Boston Marathon Qualifier. For more information visit the official website.

this page is updated regularly when event dates are posted...