If you combine something pumpkin spice-flavored, a cozy scarf, a bag of freshly-picked apples, a leaf-peeping drive, an apple cider donut, a bonfire, a jack o’lantern and a big ol’ flannel shirt, I believe what happens is you are spiritually transformed into a being of pure autumnal energy, and are elevated to a higher plane of fall-themed existence, where every candle smells like cinnamon buns and every outfit is perfectly layered to achieve infinite fall inspo.
Or, you know, you could skip all that and just attend one of the vast array of fall events throughout eastern and central Maine this year, which I have organized and listed for you here. There are so many of them I couldn’t even realistically fit them all without this story being WAY too long. I didn’t even include Halloween-themed events! I also didn’t include the Common Ground Fair, because it’s so obviously the greatest fall event in Maine (in all of New England, perhaps?) and all these smaller events deserve a little love, too! You can read my guide to all things CGF here.
That said, if I did miss something important, please leave a comment or email me at emilyburnham207 (at) gmail dot com. I’ll aim to fix it! Fall is secretly (or not so secretly) the best season in Maine. Yeah, I said it. You know it’s true.
Trails End Festival, Millinocket
The Katahdin region does big events right - from the fabulous Millinocket Marathon in December, to the Trails End Festival, this year set for Sept. 11-13 at Veterans Park in the ‘Nocket. It’s got three full days of live music, including roots, classic country, bluegrass and r&b bands from all over Maine. A parade for both people and for dogs, kid’s activities, food, vendors and a demonstration by the UMaine Woodsmen Team round out the lineup. Pair it with a jaunt to Baxter State Park or Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, and you have the makings of an epic weekend in the Maine woods.
I mean, come on. It’s dachshunds - hundreds of them, if the weather is good - taking over the Belfast Waterfront. A veritable army of wiener dogs, with their humans accompanying in events like the Grand Parade of Dachshunds, the Doxie Derby and the Canine Costume Contest, the latter of which non-wiener dogs may also enter. It’s free, but you can donate to the PAWS Animal Shelter to help them help pets. It’s set this year for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast. I mean, come on. Just look at them.
Maine Apple Sunday, statewide
Apple picking season peaks in Maine in mid-September, and the Maine Pomological Society celebrates it with the annual Maine Apple Sunday, this year set for Sunday, Sept. 13 at apple orchards all across the state. In the Bangor region and eastern Maine, some participating orchards include Conant’s in Etna, which will host a comedy and beer festival on Sept. 12, followed by apple-centric fall festivities on the 13th. Mullis Orchards in Corinna and Cayford Orchards in Skowhegan are also participating.
Stephen King’s Birthday Carnival, Bangor
Bangor’s most beloved resident turns 79 on Sept. 21, and for the third year in a row, 2 Feet Brewing and SK Tours are teaming up to plan a weekend celebration in his honor. This year’s event is set for Sept. 18-20, and kicks off with a book signing on Friday with Tom Deady, author of “40 Years of Pennywise,” at The Emporium Spooky Goods & More in downtown Bangor. On Saturday, The Emporium hosts a Stephen King memorabilia and book appraisal event in the morning and screening of “Dollar Baby” short films in the afternoon, and there’s a beer festival themed to Derry - Bangor’s sinister alter ego - is set for 4-8 p.m. on Columbia Street. The main event - the carnival and “Pet Sematary” pet parade - is set for 2-5 p.m., also on Columbia Street. Tickets are $55 and are all-inclusive of all events.
My sweet little hometown has hosted Fling Into Fall for more than 20 years, and it’s everything you’d want out of a traditional small town fall festival. Parade! Spaghetti supper! 5k run! Craft market! Bingo! Dance party! Wagon rides! A big bonfire! Pumpkins and apples galore! This year’s event is set for Sept. 25-26 throughout downtown Searsport.
Not to be outdone, Ellsworth has its own fall festival, also set for Sept. 25-26 and also featuring a plethora of autumnal activities. Autumn Gold features a pancake breakfast, storefront decorating contest, car show, golf tournament, a Kid Zone, a line dancing party and other fun events across town.
Old Town’s most precious asset is the mighty Penobscot River, and each year, the city celebrates it with a big ol’ festival. This year’s Old Town Riverfest is set for Sept. 25-27, and features fireworks, food trucks, live music, a parade, a car show, a craft fair, a big show from the UMaine Marching Band, a community-wide yard sale and more.
With 2,400 scenic acres along the Pushaw Stream, Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is a jewel in the natural landscape of the greater Bangor area. Yes, I may be biased, since I work with Hirundo to promote and support them as a nonprofit! There’s a reason I’m proud to be on their team, though - the fact that one of its core missions is to make outdoor recreation accessible to all, regardless of physical ability or cost, is something I really believe in. Hirundo’s Fall Fest is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, and will feature an array of educational, interactive activities for people of all ages, alongside food vendors, craft stations, boat rides in the pond, nature walks and more. I can say with 100 percent certainty that Hirundo is absolutely beautiful that time of year!
Searsport is a happening place to be this fall! The Penobscot Marine Museum hosts its second annual SardineFest from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, celebrating all things fishy. For several years now, the PMM has been engaging with communities statewide to remember and record Maine’s sardine industry. SardineFest shines a light on all of it, with family activities, demonstrations, live music, lectures, salty sardine tales, vendors and other exhibitors and, of course, sardine tastings. Best of all: it’s free, and this year there is 100 percent more Big Jim.
Living History Days at Leonard’s Mills, Bradley
As a certified history nerd, I love a historical re-enactment. The Maine Forest and Logging Museum at Leonard’s Mills in Bradley hosts one of the best such events in Maine, with this year’s Living History Days set for Oct. 3-4. This immersive weekend brings the museum to life with historical reenactors, traditional craftspeople, cider pressing, livestock demonstrations, and all the sights, sounds, and smells of a working 18th-century village. Who wouldn’t want to see a Lombard log hauler in action? If you’re that person we’re probably not going to be friends.
Downtown Bangor Sidewalk Arts Festival, Bangor
A dizzying array of vendors take over Central and Harlow streets in downtown Bangor for the fall edition of the Sidewalk Arts Festival, this year set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. There’s some excellent shopping to be done at this well-attended yearly event, and the people-watching is pretty great too!
Maine Maple Fall Fest, statewide
Pumpkin, apple and maple complete the trifecta of traditional fall flavors - think cozy, sweet, spicy, earthy. Maine’s maple sugarhouses host a fall version of their springtime maple weekend, with Maine Maple Fall Fest this year set for Oct. 10-11. Some participating sugarhouses in eastern and central Maine include Mattakeunk Maple in Lee, Honeybee Acres Farm in Orrington, Moosehead Maple in Jackson and Wilson Family Maple Syrup in Albion.
Acadia Oktoberfest, Southwest Harbor
This is one of the OG beer festivals in Maine, and it’s still as fun now as it was when it first started more than 20 years ago. Break out your pigtails and dirndls and lederhosen and get your Oktoberfest on over the weekend of Oct. 10-11 at Smuggler’s Den Campground in Southwest Harbor, which will feature a vast array of Maine craft brewers and cider makers.
All Roads Music Festival, Belfast
This much-loved Maine indie music festival now has both a spring and fall edition, with the Belfast version moving from May to October. Regardless of the time of year, it is literally the best opportunity there is to listen to the best Maine music all in one weekend. This year, 26 bands and artists play in venues all over downtown Belfast over the weekend of Oct. 16-17. Not only is the music fantastic, but it’s just fun to hang out in Belfast. Go get a margarita at Rollie’s in between sets. That’s what I like to do, anyway.