With 2026 already underway, there’s no time to waste in setting priorities for the coming year. By priorities, of course, we mean planning out the concerts and festivals you want to attend.
Entertainment is a serious business. You need to take it seriously by marking your calendar now and buying tickets early, before they sell out.
So we’ve compiled a list of some big events already scheduled for Maine throughout 2026. This list doesn’t include some big annual events like the Yarmouth Clam Festival or the Moxie Festival in Lisbon Falls, both usually held in July, because specific dates haven’t been announced yet.
The Back Cove Music and Arts Festival, held at Payson Park in Portland for the first time last August, is set to come back this year. The Portland City Council unanimously approved a three-year contract renewal for the festival in October, though no dates for this summer have been announced yet.
But here’s what we know for sure, so far.
Dylan Scott with 12/OC
March 14, Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St., Bangor. $50.75 to $73.95.
The members of Maine’s own 12/OC will be heading out in March on the biggest tour of their young careers so far, as a supporting act for country singer Dylan Scott. The group was founded by Portland brothers Will and Reid Nichols, who started playing gigs when they were 10 and 13. The band has been building a loyal following in Maine for several years and moved to Nashville about a year and a half ago. The national tour includes stops in San Diego, Cleveland, Tampa and Fort Worth, Texas. crossinsurancecenter.com
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend
March 21-22, farms and sugarhouses across Maine. Free.
This will be the 43rd annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend, with farms and sugarhouses open to the public from southern York County to the state’s northern reaches. Many offer tours of the sugarhouse and boiling set up, while others have wagon rides, live animals or entertainment. And all have syrup and lots of sweet treats for sale. You can find a farm or sugarhouse near you, or in a town you’ve always wanted to visit, by checking out the interactive map at mainemapleproducers.com.
David Sedaris
April 8, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland. $57-$67
The bestselling humorist and social satirist is promoting his recent book of short stories, “Happy Go Lucky” along with his first children’s book, “Pretty Ugly.” His stage shows usually include readings from new, unpublished stories, and conversations with the audience. There will be book signings before and after the show. porttix.com
Nick Offerman
April 16, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland. $38-$68
The comedian is best known for playing Ron Swanson on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” But he’s also a hardcore woodworker who is friendly with some Maine craftsmen. He’s a fan of noted Maine furniture maker Christian Becksvoort and got him to appear in a “Parks and Recreation” episode as himself. Offerman is performing in Portland as part of his “Big Woodchuck” tour, which is billed as “an evening of comedy with woodworking and bookish mirth.” porttix.com
Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
June 13, Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, Dover-Foxcroft. $6, free for 12 and under.
Bakers from around New England gather in this Central Maine town each year, since 2009, to celebrate Maine’s official state treat. (The official state desert is blueberry pie). There are rides, games, music, vendors and whoopie pie eating contests. mainewhoopiefestival.com.
Maine International Film Festival
July 10-19, Waterville
This film festival, in its 29th year, attracts actors, directors and moviemakers from around the world. Last year Oscar-nominated actor Clive Owen got the festival’s Mid-Life Achievement Award. Other famed actors who’ve appeared at the festival over the years include Lili Taylor, Sissy Spacek, Malcolm McDowell, Glenn Close and Ed Harris. The schedule of films and ticket information is not up yet, but the regular venues include the Maine Film Center and the Waterville Opera House. miff.org
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic
July 19, Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor. $56.75-$213.45
The undisputed king of pop song parodies, Yankovic’s career has already spanned more than 45 years. With his polka vibe and trademark accordion, he has won Grammys and charted in the Billboard Top 40. Some of his biggest hits were parodies of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” (“Eat It”) in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (“Like a Surgeon”) in 1985 and “Ridin” by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone (“White & Nerdy”) in 2006. He has sold more than 12 million albums. waterfrontconcerts.com
Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics
July 23, Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor. $35-$235.50
This 80s extravaganza will have you sailing to Africa and talking in your sleep. Cross had a string of hit pop ballads in the late ’70s and early ’80s, including “Sailing,” “Arthur’s Theme,” and “Think of Laura.” Toto’s 1982 number one hit “Africa” has had a resurgence in recent years, including becoming a favorite of marching bands. The Romantics were known for the 1983 radio hit “Talking in Your Sleep” and the 1980 party favorite “What I Like About You.” waterfrontconcerts.com.
Maine Lobster Festival
July 29-Aug. 2, Harbor Park, Main Street, Rockland. Free.
This annual celebration of Maine’s iconic and world-famous crustacean began in the late 1940s. The event features seafood cooking contests, arts and crafts, live music, children’s events, a parade and the Great International Lobster Crate Race. The latter involves competitors racing across a string of lobster crates bobbing in Rockland Harbor. And of course lots of lobster and other food for sale. mainelobsterfestival.com
Guster On the Ocean
Merrill Auditorium and Thompson’s Point, Portland, Aug. 7-9. $49.50-$125
This will be the 8th year that the rock band Guster has made Portland the home of its summer festival. At least part of the reason is that Guster singer and guitarist Adam Gardner lives in Cape Elizabeth. But this year the event has a twist. It will begin on Aug. 7 with the band playing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium. Then there will be two outdoor shows, with other bands, at Thompson’s Point on Aug. 8 and 9. Look for the full festival lineup later in the spring. statetheatreportland.com
Ray LaMontagne
Sept. 28-29 at State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland. $125-$250
LaMontagne began his music career playing clubs around Portland, after spending time working at a Lewiston shoe factory. The shows in Portland were originally scheduled for 2025 and will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first full-length album, “Trouble.” He’s slated to play every song from the album, plus others in his catalog. His 2010 album “God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise” won a Grammy for best contemporary folk album. statetheatreportland.com
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.