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21 Maine Towns with Amazing Food Festivals & Culinary Events

  • Writer: Gerry Caron
    Gerry Caron
  • 3 days ago
  • 6 min read

Map of Maine showing the 21 Food Festival locations

21 Maine Towns with Amazing Food Festivals & Culinary Events: A Culinary Tour Through Vacationland

Welcome to Vacationland – Come Hungry!

While Maine’s “Vacationland” signs welcome travelers at every border crossing, we’d argue the phrase should include “...and bring your appetite!” From blueberry pies to lobster rolls, Maine’s towns serve up an incredible menu of food festivals that reflect the rich culture and community spirit of the Pine Tree State.


Grab your forks—we're going town to town!

Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, wild blueberries, fiddleheads, or even garlic ice cream, these 21 Maine towns with amazing food festivals deliver local flavor, small-town charm, and unforgettable culinary experiences.


⭐ 21 Must-Visit Maine Food Festivals by Town


🦞 Auburn Lobster Festival

What started as an April Fool’s joke is now one of the quirkiest and most beloved events in inland Maine. The Auburn Lobster Festival offers a celebration of Maine’s most iconic crustacean, paired with local food vendors, live music, and community fun.

📍 Location: Auburn, ME

📅 Date: May 17, 2025


🌶️ Chili Chowder Festival

Spice things up with Bath’s Chili Chowder Festival, now part of the larger Autumnfest celebration. Local chefs and first responders compete in a flavorful showdown of spicy chili and savory chowders.

📍 Location: Bath, ME

📅 Date: October 5, 2025


🍽️ Forty Mile Food Festival

Sample locally sourced bites from farms and fisheries within a 40-mile radius of Brunswick. This sustainable food festival is perfect for locavores.

📍 Location: Brunswick, ME

📅 Date: June 8, 2025


🎃 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

Giant pumpkins turned into boats? Only in Maine. Damariscotta Pumpkinfest also features pumpkin desserts, pie-eating contests, and art displays.

📍 Location: Damariscotta, ME

📅 Date: October 10–13, 2025


🌭 Maine Red Hot Dog Festival

Celebrate the legendary Maine Red Snapper hot dog in Dexter. Expect food, costumes, music, and every kind of hot dog variation imaginable.

📍 Location: Dexter, ME

📅 Date: August 9, 2025


🍰 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival

More than 10,000 whoopie pies, music, games, and competitions! This beloved event celebrates Maine’s official state treat in grand style.

📍 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

📅 Date: June 14, 2025


🐟 Eastport Salmon & Seafood Festival

Seafood Sunday highlights this Down East festival with smoked salmon, crab rolls, and bay tours. Stay for the Eastport Pirate Festival the following week.

📍 Location: Eastport, ME

📅 Date: August 30–31, 2025


🌿 Maine Fiddlehead Festival

A true springtime celebration, this festival features fiddlehead tastings, live music, farm fun, and a charming kids’ vegetable parade.

📍 Location: Farmington, ME

📅 Date: May 3, 2025


🥔 Maine Potato Blossom Festival

This 10-day July celebration showcases the humble potato through food, parades, fireworks, and farming fun.

📍 Location: Fort Fairfield, ME

📅 Date: July 12–20, 2025


🥞 Ploye Festival

Discover Acadian heritage through the ploye—a pancake-like flatbread. Taste the world’s largest ploye and enjoy Acadian music and food.

📍 Location: Fort Kent, ME

📅 Date: TBA (Previously held mid-June)


🦪 The Maine Oyster Festival

Sample oysters every way imaginable during this summer staple in downtown Freeport. Don’t miss the oyster shucking contest and dance party.

📍 Location: Freeport, ME

📅 Date: June 28–29, 2025


🥤 Moxie Festival

Honor Maine’s official soft drink, Moxie, at this quirky festival featuring concerts, food vendors, and plenty of Moxie tastings.

📍 Location: Lisbon, ME

📅 Date: July 11–13, 2025


🫐 Machias Wild Blueberry Festival

Nearly 50 years strong, this Downeast festival celebrates Maine’s wild blueberries with pies, jams, farm tours, and family fun.

📍 Location: Machias, ME

📅 Date: August 15–17, 2025


🪵 Patten Pioneer Days

Bean-hole beans cooked in traditional logging camp style are the centerpiece of this festival near Baxter State Park.

📍 Location: Patten, ME

📅 Date: August 9, 2025


🌸 Rhubarb Festival

One of Maine’s newest culinary events, featuring rhubarb cooking demos, contests, and a stalk-eating competition.

📍 Location: Perry, ME

📅 Date: June 7, 2025


🧀 Maine Cheese Festival

Cheese lovers unite! Sample and buy from dozens of local cheesemakers, paired with wine, music, and a petting zoo.

📍 Location: Pittsfield, ME

📅 Date: TBA


🍷 Harvest on the Harbor

Maine’s premier seafood and culinary festival features celebrity chefs, oyster shucking, cooking demos, and more.

📍 Location: Portland, ME

📅 Date: TBA (Typically held in October)


🦞 Maine Lobster Festival

Five days of crustacean celebration on the Midcoast! Enjoy lobster rolls, crate races, live music, and craft beer tents.

📍 Location: Rockland, ME

📅 Date: July 30 - August 3, 2025


🧄 Maine Garlic Fest

From garlicky treats to artisan breads and bakery demos, Skowhegan hosts two flavorful fall events in a scenic lakeside setting.

📍 Location: Skowhegan, ME

📅 Date: October 4 - 5, 2025

🔗 Website: mainegarlicfest.com


🍓 South Berwick Strawberry Festival

Design your own shortcake, explore craft booths, and enjoy peak strawberry season at this sweet family-friendly festival.

📍 Location: South Berwick, ME

📅 Date: June 28, 2025


🦪 Yarmouth Clam Festival

One of Maine’s most iconic seafood festivals with 100,000+ visitors annually. Enjoy fried clams, a clam parade, music, and fireworks.

📍 Location: Yarmouth, ME

📅 Date: July 18 - 20, 2025

🔗 Website: clamfestival.com


Please note that for festivals with TBA dates, it's advisable to check their official websites or contact the organizers directly for the most up-to-date information.


🌟 Plan Your Foodie Road Trip Through Maine

From coast to countryside, Maine’s small-town food festivals offer unforgettable tastes and traditions. Most of these events are non-profit fundraisers, meaning your feast helps support the local community.

🔑 Insider Tips:

  • Many festivals are cash-only, so come prepared.

  • Follow each event’s social media pages for up-to-date schedules and vendor info.

  • Book accommodations early—lodging fills up fast during festival weekends!


📍 Ready to Savor Maine?

These festivals are just a slice of the culinary magic happening year-round across the state. For more trip-planning ideas, check out:


What to Do in Moosehead Lake Region & Beyond

Want more information? Check out our Moosehead News for the latest updates on seasonal events, local news, and detailed guides to make the most of your visit to the Moosehead Lake region.

  • ATV/Snowmobile:: Explore thousands of miles of pristine wilderness.

  • Boating/Canoeing/Kayaking: Explore the lake's serene waters.

  • Camping/Swimming: Find the best campsites for a wilderness retreat.

  • Fishing/Hunting: Discover prime fishing spots.

  • Hiking/Biking: Explore the wilderness.

  • Skiing/Sledding/Snowboarding/Snowshoeing: Miles of cross-country ski trails for those seeking a quieter adventure. Ski and snowboard rentals, plus lessons for beginners.

  • Local Attractions/Sightseeing: Learn about must-see sights in the region.


  • Stay updated with the latest happenings and news in the Moosehead Lake region. Learn more about what to do and where to go in the Moosehead Lake area and beyond.


Perfect Accommodation for Your Visit

Look no further for the perfect accommodation during your visit to the Monson, Shirley, Greenville, Rockwood, and Jackman areas of Maine. Moose River Lookout offers an idyllic retreat nestled along the serene Moose River at the base of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains in Rockwood.


Ultimate Outdoor Getaway

With direct backyard access to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS66) and a private dock on the river, adventure awaits right outside your door. Whether you're into hiking, golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, or snowmobiling, you'll find it all just steps away from our doorstep.


Book Your Stay

Experience the ultimate outdoor getaway in the heart of Maine's natural beauty. For inquiries or to make a reservation, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to Moose River Lookout, lodging Rockwood Maine a Vacation Home Rental, on Moose River with access to Moosehead Lake and Mt. Kineo!


Looking at a moose at the top of Mt Kineo from Moose River










Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, wild blueberries, fiddleheads, or even garlic ice cream, these 21 Maine towns with amazing food festivals deliver local flavor, small-town charm, and unforgettable culinary experiences.

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