Maine Winter Events You Won’t Want to Miss (2026) | Festivals, Snow Sports & Seasonal Fun
- Gerry Caron
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Maine Winter Events You Won’t Want to Miss (2026)
Who says winter in Maine is the off-season? ❄️ From high-energy snow sports and legendary outdoor traditions to food festivals, film screenings, and family-friendly carnivals, Maine comes alive all winter long. Whether you’re planning a snowy getaway or looking for weekend fun close to home, these can’t-miss Maine winter events prove that cold weather only turns up the excitement.
Below is your ultimate guide to Maine Winter Events you won’t want to miss 2026, complete with dates, locations, and what makes each one special.
🎸 Fire on the Mountain at Sugarloaf
📍 Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley
📅 January 29 – February 1, 2026
One of Maine’s most beloved winter music events, Fire on the Mountain returns for its sixth year at Sugarloaf. This Grateful Dead–inspired celebration blends live jam bands, tribute performances, après-ski vibes, and slope-side fun. Ski all day, dance all night, and enjoy a festival atmosphere that keeps truckin’ through the heart of winter.
🛷 U.S. National Toboggan Championships
📍 Camden Snow Bowl, Camden
📅 February 6–8, 2026
Watch adrenaline soar as teams race handmade wooden toboggans down a 400-foot ice chute at thrilling speeds. The U.S. National Toboggan Championships are equal parts sport, spectacle, and coastal winter tradition. Spectators are welcome—and brave competitors can even enter for a shot at the title.
🎬 Banff Mountain Film Festival – Camden
📍 Camden Opera House, Camden
📅 February 6–7, 2026
Warm up indoors with inspiring films celebrating mountain culture, outdoor adventure, and environmental storytelling. This curated stop of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour pairs perfectly with Camden’s winter sports weekend.
❤️ Paint the Town Red
📍 Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Arundel
📅 February 2026 (All Month)
Romance takes center stage as southern Maine’s coastal towns glow red for February. Paint the Town Red features dining specials, shopping promotions, cozy lodging packages, and Valentine’s-themed events—perfect for winter getaways and date nights.
🎶 Biddeford WinterFest
📍 Downtown Biddeford
📅 February 6–8, 2026
Downtown Biddeford transforms into a winter playground with sledding on an artificial hill, live music, and restaurant specials throughout the city. Biddeford WinterFest blends urban energy with classic cold-weather fun.
🏒 Rangeley Pond Hockey Festival
📍 Haley Pond, Rangeley
📅 February 6–8, 2026
Stick-handling skills meet small-town charm at the Rangeley Pond Hockey Festival. Teams compete on outdoor ice while spectators enjoy scenic views, local food, and après-game fun throughout Rangeley.
👟 Maine Snowshoe Festival
📍 Norway, Maine
📅 2026 Date TBD
Hosted in what was once America’s snowshoe-manufacturing capital, this quirky and beloved festival includes snowshoe races, yoga, contra dancing, and winter merriment for all ages.
❄️ Somerset SnowFest
📍 Skowhegan, Canaan & Madison
📅 February 14–21, 2026
This multi-town winter festival packs in excitement with downhill kayak races, skijoring competitions, box sledding, kite flying, and family-friendly activities across central Maine.
🐦 Winter Carnival at Maine Audubon
📍 Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, Falmouth
📅 February 14, 2026
Nature lovers can explore winter wildlife through snow science demos, animal tracking, touch tables, and citizen-science bird counts during this educational and family-friendly winter carnival.
🧊 Thompson Ice House Ice Harvest
📍 South Bristol
📅 February 15, 2026
Step back in time at this authentic ice harvesting tradition, where volunteers cut and haul ice from Thompson Pond using hand tools—a living history event drawing visitors from around the world.
🧊 Belfast Ice Festival
📍 Downtown Belfast
📅 February 27 – March 1, 2026
Downtown Belfast sparkles with ice sculptures, ice bars, and live carving competitions during the State of Maine Ice Carving Championship.
🍽️ Flavors of Freeport: Fare & Ice
📍 Freeport, Maine
📅 February 20, 2026
Freeport’s top chefs and food producers shine during this flavorful winter event, paired with live music and festive ice displays.
🎆 February Festival at Saddleback
📍 Saddleback Mountain, Rangeley
📅 February 20, 2026
A family-friendly nighttime celebration featuring fireworks, slope-side light shows, campfires, and après-ski fun.
🏮 Bath Winterfest
📍 Bath, Maine
📅 February 22, 2026
Expect comedy, lantern parades, historical demos, concerts, and creative winter fun throughout downtown Bath.
🐕🦺 Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races
📍 Fort Kent, Maine
📅 February 28, 2026
One of the most prestigious sled dog races in the Northeast, the Can-Am Crown features 30-, 100-, and 250-mile endurance races starting on Fort Kent’s Main Street.
❄️ Plan Your Maine Winter Adventure
From snowmobile festivals and ice carvings to film screenings and foodie weekends, Maine winter events in 2026 offer something for everyone. Bundle up, embrace the season, and experience why winter is one of Maine’s most magical times of year.
What to Do in the Moosehead Lake Region & Beyond: Your Complete Guide to Outdoor Adventure & Local Attractions
Planning a trip to the Moosehead Lake region in Maine? You're in for an unforgettable experience packed with adventure, breathtaking natural beauty, and cozy lodging options. From high-adrenaline ATV trails to peaceful paddles on glassy waters, the Moosehead Lake area is a four-season playground perfect for outdoor lovers, families, and anyone looking to unplug and explore.
Want more insider tips? Discover top recommendations at Moose River Lookout, your go-to resource for:
🛶 Boating & paddling routes
🎣 Fishing hotspots
🏕️ Wilderness camping sites
🥾 Trail maps for hiking & nature walks
🍽️ Local dining & shopping recommendations
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.
🏡 Where to Stay: Moose River Lookout – Your Basecamp for Adventure
Rockwood Maine Lodging • Moosehead Lake Rental
Located in Rockwood, Maine, Moose River Lookout is the ultimate vacation home rental for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Nestled on the Moose River, this cozy home features:
Private Dock with access to Moosehead Lake
3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | Sleeps 7
Free WiFi & TV
Backup Generator
Easy driveway dual access for trailers, boats, ATVs, & snowmobiles
Direct access to ITS66 Snowmobile Trails
Year-round availability for summer AND winter sports
Perfect home base for skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, and wildlife watching
Whether you're hiking Blue Ridge, casting a line in Moose River, or hitting the snowmobile trails—Moose River Lookout is where your Maine vacation begins.
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!
Phone: 800-544-0300
Email: mooseriverlookout@gmail.com
Address: 4054 Rockwood Rd Rockwood, ME 04478
Website: Moose River Lookout
👉 Check local event pages often, as schedules and activities may expand closer to event dates.