Winter in Maine took a while to arrive this year, but things are finally coming together, and it’s time to make a plan, or several, to get out there and have some fun.
From ice bars to festivals to toboggan races, there’s plenty to keep you occupied and entertained until you spot the first crocus and the Sea Dogs take the field.
We’ll have you dressing in layers while also hitting a few indoor spots as you navigate the coming weeks and months with a twinkle in your eye.
And if all else fails, you can always go ice skating or cross-country skiing, provided mother nature abides.
Chill out at the Samoset Ice Bar in Rockport. Photo courtesy of the Samoset Resort.
Glacier Ice Bar
Jan. 12-14 and Jan. 19-21. Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton St., Rockport, $30 for non-hotel guests. opalcollection.com/samoset/holidays-resort-activities
It’s the 10th anniversary of the annual ice bar at the Samoset Resort, and this year, there’s an arctic wild ice sculpture theme. Among the creations will be a life-size wild dog sled made from 25,000 thousand pounds of ice. You’ll be hanging out overlooking Penobscot Bay on the resort’s 230 acres while enjoying hand-crafted cocktails, beer and mocktails. Plus, it wouldn’t be an ice bar without ice luges, which will send boozy shots into special glasses. Chili, chowder and other nibbles will be available, and you can warm up by a fire pit while roasting marshmallows. Pick a night over the course of two weekends or take advantage of some lodging packages which include ice bar entry.
Sample several hot cocoas on Jan. 21 in Congress Square Park. Elina Manninen/Shutterstock.com
Hot Cocoa Sip-Off
1-3 p.m. Jan. 21. Congress Square Park, Portland, free, $5 suggested donation. congresssquarepark.org
Sweeten up your Sunday afternoon with a visit to a vibrant corner in downtown Portland (when parking meters are free) for the Hot Cocoa Sip-Off, presented by Friends of Congress Square Park. You can taste hot cocoa recipes from The Pink Waffle, The Whole Almond, Milk Bottle and Kittylamb and then cast your vote for your favorite. Please bring your own cup or mug or purchase a locally made one. Keep warm by the fire pits as a sugar high washes over you.
Enjoy a full moon snowshoe hike at Pineland Farms. AlexDreamliner/Shutterstock.com
Full Moon Snowshoe Hike
6 p.m. Jan. 25, Feb. 24, March 25. Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, $30. pinelandfarms.org
We’re optimistic about the ground being covered in snow for the trio of winter full moon snowshoe hikes on the gorgeous hiking and snowshoe trails at Pineland Farms. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow some (included with ticket) and be ready for an idyllic 3-mile trek. When the hike ends, a fire pit strategically placed for ideal moon and stars viewing will be waiting for you. Novice? Fear not, the hike includes a lesson on how to use them. Wear winter boots, snow pants, a warm jacket and, of course, hats and gloves. Headlamps are optional.
Competitors at the 31st annual U.S. National Toboggan championships at Camden Snow Bowl. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
33rd U.S. National Toboggan Championships
Feb. 2-4. Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road. camdensnowbowl.com
Want to go slip slidin’ away? Make this dream a reality in a huge way by entering the National Toboggan Championships in Camden. Not only will you slide down a crazy, steep chute onto a frozen pond as fast as lightning (well, almost), you’ll also enjoy some of the best winter camaraderie that Maine has to offer. Teams of two, three or four will compete for awards and legendary bragging rights, but even if you don’t want to slide, you can certainly be part of the fun by cheering your heart out. While you’re at Camden Snow Bowl, you can ski and snowboard, and on the nightlife front, The Mallet Brothers Band has a show on Friday at Camden Opera House. On Saturday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., hit the West Bay Rotary Chili Challenge. By the way, costumes are encouraged for riders, and there’s a parade to show them off on Saturday.
Biddeford WinterFest
Feb. 9-11. Downtown Biddeford. biddefordwinterfest.org
Biddeford Winterfest kicks off on Friday night with an adults-only sledding party that includes a beer from Blaze Brewing Company’s on-site bar. The Adams Street sledding hill will be ready, and sleds will be provided. On Saturday, the hill is open to everyone, and the day is packed with a performance by Nine Tigers Kung Fu, crafts at McArthur Public Library, the Art Bus, Pizza POLARpalooza (free pizza with voting for your favorite), assorted giveaways and a free raffle. Sledding and more fun continues on Sunday.
Maine Restaurant Week
March 1-12. Statewide locations. mainerestaurantweek.com
It’s the 15th year for Maine Restaurant Week and bellies around the state are rumbling with anticipation. Restaurants often need a boost this time of year before tourist season starts back up, and this is what Maine Restaurant Week is all about. Many restaurants offer special menus, enticing diners to come out of hibernation for a first-rate meal. Keep an eye on the website for info on other events like the dessert- and coffee-centric Crave and the Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off.
Portland on Tap will have plenty of beer and pretzels. Photo courtesy of Town Square Media
Portland On Tap
1 and 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $40 to $77.50, 21-plus. crossarenaportland.com
Hey beer lovers, this is the day you’ve been waiting for! Portland On Tap is a gathering of some of the country’s best brewers, including several from Maine, and you can choose from more than 100 craft beers to sample. There will also be live music and games, along with plenty of food available. Everyone receives a souvenir sampling glass, and if you splurge on a VIP ticket, you get early entry, access to a VIP area with exclusive brews, and a commemorative tote bag. For designated drivers, $10 tickets are available.
The 2023 Frosty Frolic, part of Flavors of Freeport. Photo courtesy of Flavors of Freeport
Flavors of Freeport
Feb. 16 and 17. Downtown Freeport. vistfreeport.com/flavorsoffreeport
Freeport packs a ton of tasty fun into one weekend during the Flavors of Freeport celebration. Freeport Foodie Lotto will have you collecting stickers from local businesses, with a top prize of $1,000. Frosty Frolic is an outdoor party with local food, sea farmers and fishermen, and music. The grand tasting event is called Fare & Ice, where you’ll get your fill of scrumptious samples. To cap it all off, Motor Booty Affair will help you burn off some food and drink calories during the dance party.
Winter Carnival
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17. Gilsland Farm, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, $9. maineaudubon.org
Maine Audubon presents its annual celebration of winter weather and wildlife. It’s open to all visitors, though kids in particular might enjoy feeling animal pelts and artifacts at the winter wildlife touch table. Everyone will practice identifying and following animal tracks and can help with the Great Backyard Bird Count. Cocoa, face painting and other activities will be available, and it all happens both indoors and on the farm’s scenic grounds.
The Snowshoe Festival in Norway. Photo by John Snell
Snowshoe Festival
Feb. 17. Norway. wfltmaine.org/snowshoe-festival
For decades, the town of Norway was dubbed the snowshoe capital of America because thousands of pairs were manufactured there. Although this hasn’t been the case in many years, the spirit of these times lives on, thanks in part to the town’s annual Snowshoe Festival. There’s a community supper and contra dance the night before, then the festival kicks into high gear on Saturday. Three categories of snowshoe races take place, and there’s also a snowshoe tug of war that pits local fire departments, athletic clubs and families against one another.
Maine Lakes Winter Carnival
Feb. 17. Highland Lake Beach, Bridgton. On Facebook.
Have a blast in Bridgton at the Maine Lakes Winter Carnival. Activities include a kids’ ice fishing derby, chili eating contest, family movie screening, horse and carriage rides and an ice bar. For the hearty souls out there, try the polar plunge. You’ll also be entertained by a juggler and wowed by fireworks.
A view from behind the scenes at Pep’s Pure Maple Syrup in Sabattus on Maine Maple Sunday Weekend in 2021. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Maine Maple Sunday
March 23 and 24. Statewide. mainemapleproducers.com
How sweet it is to visit a sugar house on Maine Maple Sunday, which in some cases is actually a two-day celebration. Sugarhouses all over the state will be open to the public with demonstrations and samples. Some have farm animals to visit with and offer activities, tours and music. It’s also a great opportunity to stock up, because nothing goes better with a steaming stack of pancakes than real Maine maple syrup. No offense, Mrs. Buttersworth.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.