Family events in Bangor, ME

Celebrate local creativity in downtown Bangor, Maine during the August First Friday Art Walk. Community volunteers collaborate with the Bangor Art Society and dozens of local businesses to present a monthly showcase of artists across participating venues. The roster of artists and locations changes each month, so each walk offers something new to discover.

Chase Stetson is scheduled to perform at the Bangor State Fair in Bangor, Maine. The show starts at 7:00 PM.

This family-friendly hike explores the Orono Bog Boardwalk. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Registration is required.

Take a guided walk through downtown Bangor to trace how the 1911 fire started and spread after a spark ignited a streamside hay shed. Along the way, you’ll learn which structures survived and how the city and its residents recovered from the damage. The tour runs from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and meets at the Thomas A. Hill House. Tickets cost $12 and must be purchased ahead of time.

A limited-capacity spay and neuter clinic for cats serving the Bangor area will take place in the Bangor Mall parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, and Oriental Jade. Presented in partnership with Cat Life Maine Inc., the clinic can accommodate up to 35 cats, so early registration is encouraged. Pricing is $150 for a spay package and $125 for a neuter package. The event supports efforts to reduce pet overpopulation and promotes healthier lives for community cats and pets in the region by providing an affordable option for essential care.

Designed for cheerleaders 6 and older, this summer camp focuses on building confidence with existing abilities and developing new techniques in tumbling and jump skills. The cost is $100 for members and $150 for guests. Register in 2025 to secure this pricing.

Culinary Kids Camp introduces budding cooks to a week of tasty exploration and kitchen know-how. Participants practice essential skills like mixing and measuring, try child-friendly recipes, and build confidence they can carry beyond the kitchen. The camp is part of the Creative Explorers Specialty Camp series, a program that also supports artists, inventors, and makers through hands-on projects and imaginative activities that spark new interests and strengthen creative abilities. Supportive staff guide age-appropriate projects each morning, encourage self-expression, and nurture curiosity and discovery. Designed for ages 5 to 10, the camp is priced at $180. Families with an Old Town - Orono YMCA Family Membership receive a $50 discount on all Creative Explorers camps. For questions or to share any allergies or dietary restrictions, email Nicole.McClendon@otoymca.org.

Explore Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor on a guided walking tour that shares lesser known stories of residents who made a name for themselves, for better and for worse. Hear how to interpret the symbols carved into gravestones and pause for views across the city. Founded in 1834, this 300 acre landscape is known as the second oldest garden cemetery in the United States. Architect Charles G. Bryant shaped it as part of a nationwide effort to create green havens within urban areas, places designed for reflection by the living as well as a resting ground for the departed. The tour meets at the Superintendent’s Lodge within Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor. Admission is $12 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance. Attendance is limited to 25 guests. Tours are cancelled when thunderstorms are likely, but continue in rain. Rogan’s Memorials is the tour sponsor.

Spend some time outdoors with the Bangor Garden Gnomes at the UMA Bangor Garden and Labyrinth. It’s a casual drop-in event in the garden area between the Fitness Center and College Center, and there’s no experience needed. Kids and dogs are welcome, and registration isn’t required.

Thursday Kids Studio Summer Camp offers a series of ten Thursday camps, each split into two separate sessions built around a fresh theme every week. Art teacher Ashley leads hands-on projects that blend learning with creativity, inviting kids to explore favorite topics through a variety of mediums. Participants can register for a single session, a double session, or the entire series. Each Thursday features two distinct two-hour blocks with different projects, and the day typically includes at least three to four creative activities tied to the theme. A lunch break sits between the sessions. Those attending both sessions have a supervised break, and families provide a cold lunch. For severe food allergies, efforts are made to seat participants separately during meal and snack times. Kids should arrive ready for messy making, since acrylic paints do not wash out of clothing. This camp is designed for ages 7 to 12. Older participants are welcome, though projects are tailored to the 7 to 12 age range. Motivated six-year-olds may be considered based on readiness, such as being able to tie a knot and cut shapes with scissors independently.