Everything You Need To Know About When the Maine Lobster Festival Happens

The Maine Lobster Festival is one of the most iconic summer events in the state of Maine This lively celebration of lobsters draws huge crowds eager to feast on fresh lobster and participate in fun activities If you’re considering attending the Maine Lobster Festival, you probably want to know exactly when it takes place so you can plan your trip. In this article, we’ll cover all the key details about the timing of this beloved lobster-themed festival.

An Annual August Tradition

The Maine Lobster Festival takes place every year in early August. Specifically it is always scheduled for the first weekend of August.

This means the festival runs from Wednesday through Sunday during the first full week of the month It spans five consecutive days total

By timing it for early August, the festival takes advantage of the peak of lobster season in Maine. This ensures the freshest lobsters are available for boiling, steaming, and eating!

The 2023 Dates

For specifics, in 2023 the Maine Lobster Festival will take place from:

• Wednesday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 6th

So if you want to attend the 2023 festival, be sure to mark those dates on your calendar.

The five-day event lets you enjoy multiple days of lobster feasting and fun activities. You can choose to visit for a single day or enjoy the full experience over multiple days.

Hours of Operation

The Maine Lobster Festival runs from late morning through late evening each day.

The specific hours of operation are:

• Wednesday-Friday: 11am – 10pm
• Saturday: 10am – 10pm
• Sunday: 10am – 5pm

This schedule allows you to enjoy the festival during the day or evening. You can fuel up on lobster for lunch and dinner!

Looking Ahead to 2024

If you can’t make the 2023 dates, start planning ahead for 2024!

The Maine Lobster Festival always takes place the first weekend of August.

So in 2024, the festival will run from:

• Wednesday, July 31st through Sunday, August 4th

Mark your calendars and make your plans to experience this iconic Maine summer festival next year.

Activities All Week Long

The Maine Lobster Festival packs in activities and events all day and night throughout its five-day run. Here’s a quick rundown of some key happenings so you know what to expect:

Wednesday & Thursday

• Live music performances
• Opening ceremony
• Amateur lobster cooking contest
• Eating contests like the lobster roll eating contest
• Carnival rides and games

Friday

• Parade through Rockland with floats and marching bands
• Dockside boat tours
• More live music and entertainment
• Maine sea goddess coronation

Saturday

• 10k & 5k road races
• Arts & crafts vendors
• International lobster crate race
• Cooking demos and samplings
• Big name music act performs

Sunday

• All-you-can-eat buffet brunch
• Last chance for rides, games, shopping
• Closing ceremonies in the evening

As you can see, there’s no shortage of engaging activities to keep you busy when you visit the festival!

Where Does the Festival Take Place?

The Maine Lobster Festival is held along the scenic Midcoast region of Maine. Specifically, it takes place in the charming coastal city of Rockland.

Festival events and activities span two waterfront parks in the city:

• Harbor Park – Main festival area with food tents, entertainment, carnival.
• Buoy Park – Site of the lobster crate races.

Rockland provides beautiful views of the harbor and easy access to fresh lobster right off the docks!

How To Get Festival Tickets

You’ll need to purchase tickets to enter the Maine Lobster Festival grounds. Here are the ticket options:

• Daily Tickets: $10 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6-12
• 5-Day Festival Pass: $45 for adults, $8 for kids

Tickets can be purchased at the festival entrance gates or online in advance. Buying your tickets ahead of time online can help avoid long wait times at the gate.

Make sure to take advantage of the festival pass if you want to enjoy multiple days of activities. It offers big savings compared to buying individual daily tickets.

Time Your Trip Right!

As you can see, the Maine Lobster Festival offers a quintessential Maine summer experience centered around delicious lobster. Make sure to mark those dates in early August so you can join in the fun!

With live music, carnival rides, races, parades, and of course mounds of freshly caught lobster, it’s a beloved tradition for locals and travelers alike. Time your Maine getaway just right so you can soak up all the excitement and flavors that the Maine Lobster Festival has to offer.