Events in Ellsworth, ME

Set amid Maine Craft Weekend, Downtown Bangor transforms into a lively open-air celebration of creativity. Over 75 Maine-based artists and artisan makers showcase their work along the sidewalks, while live music and a variety of food trucks create a festive atmosphere throughout the downtown. Exhibitors are selected by a jury and represent a wide range of mediums, styles, and price points. In addition to the visiting booths, the neighborhood’s arts-focused retailers offer more to discover, inviting attendees to step inside and explore. Artist applications open in late summer.

All Access brings a lively party to High Tide in Brewer, with an energetic vibe and a fun atmosphere throughout the event.

With the official start of the so-called F word nobody likes just around the corner, they are ready to welcome everyone.

This 14th annual 5K color fun run and walk supports people affected by cancer. Participants begin in white and are showered with colored powder along the course, then finish awash in color. After the run and walk, the finish area becomes a celebration with photo opportunities, friendship, and fun. The first 200 registrants receive a complimentary goodie bag, and some bags include gift cards at random. Those who register by the stated deadline receive a free event T-shirt. Participants can fundraise for the Purple Iris Foundation, with awards based on the amount raised. All proceeds benefit programs that help individuals in Maine who are dealing with the effects of cancer. The venue is Sea Dog Brewing Company Bangor, and packet pickup takes place at Sea Dog Bangor.

Making its debut in Bangor, this waterfront market will showcase more than 40 vendors along with a selection of food trucks and additional offerings. Further details will be shared.

Bangor Beautiful hosts a monthly gardening party dedicated to sprucing up one of the pollinator gardens the group has planted. Each gathering highlights a different spot, with recent locations including the Maine Audubon Mural, Good of the Hive, and several Welcome to Bangor sites. Seltzer and mocktails are provided.

This supportive gathering brings people affected by stroke together to share experiences and recovery resources. It is intended for those who have experienced a stroke, caregivers, and family members. Sessions take place in person at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, with a virtual option available for those who cannot be there in person. For questions, contact Angela Wheelden, BSN, RN, SCRN, nurse program manager with Northern Light Stroke Care, at 207.973.8278 or awheelden@northernlight.org.

At Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor, Mystery 207 presents an interactive murder mystery dinner that blends suspense and comedy. Guests step into the role of detectives while enjoying dinner, mingling with other attendees to gather clues and piece together the case. Professional actors from Mystery 207 guide the story and unveil clues throughout the evening as participants evaluate motive and opportunity to identify the culprit. Dressing up is welcome but optional. This experience is not a children’s show. Advance ticket purchase is required.

This in-person support group offers a calm, caring setting with others who know the experience of loss. Nothing needs to be fixed and there are no expectations, only presence, attentive listening, and genuine connection. You may speak when you are ready or simply sit quietly and feel the support of the community.

Billed as Maine’s largest Halloween celebration, this family friendly gathering features a lively market and a spirited community walk. The festivities begin with the market opening, followed by a group dance rehearsal. The walk then departs from the compass rose and leads to a witch dance on the center green before the market winds down.

After a full season of competition, the three-year-old finals bring the best of the best to the track. The top eight horses from each of four racing divisions will compete for the 2026 Sire Stakes Season championship. This culminating event highlights the dedication and accomplishments of Maine-bred horses, celebrating the hard work that carried them to the finals.

Life after cancer can bring lasting physical, mental, emotional, and financial challenges. This support group provides a welcoming place for people living in survivorship to talk with others who truly understand. Sharing experiences in a caring setting can ease feelings of isolation and fear while offering hope. It is intended for those who have completed treatment and want to connect with peers. Advance registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are also accepted.

A women’s leadership luncheon at Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor features Heather Paquette, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, for a Lean in and Learn conversation centered on purpose-driven leadership. Guided by her commitment to Always Press Forward, Always Give Back, she leads a team of hunger-relief professionals focused on tackling the root causes of hunger through innovative solutions, sourcing nutritious and culturally relevant food, and collaborating with a network of more than 600 partners across Maine. Her career also includes pivotal work at Ahold Delhaize addressing evolving retail consumer and associate needs in an omnichannel era, along with roles spanning marketing, brand management, cross-functional team leadership, and operating model redesign. At Hannaford, she served as Vice President of Retail Services, overseeing payroll, asset protection, pharmacy, retail communications, and operations support. Her accolades include recognition in the Griffin Report’s Women of Influence in the Supermarket Industry in 2021 and 2017 and the 40 under 40 list in 2016. She is a graduate of the NEW Executive Institute 2015-2016 and has shared insights as a keynote and panelist with UNE Health Majors’ Leadership Conference, the Network of Executive Women, the National Diversity Council, and the University of Southern Maine. Doors open first, followed by lunch and a program. Pricing is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. A table sponsorship for eight is $250. Registration is requested. Presented by Maine Savings, with table sponsorship from Machias Savings Bank.

At Cross Insurance Center, the Glow-N-Fire 2026 tour from Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live brings larger-than-life action with favorite trucks Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus. FMX riders add to the spectacle with daring jumps and stunts, and a fire-breathing, car-crushing robot dinosaur thunders into the show. Making its tour debut, Rhinomite enters the fray as a rhino-themed machine built to charge horn first. The result is a fast-paced arena experience filled with roaring engines, big-air moments, and excitement for all ages.

This once-a-year program explores the notorious 1937 case of Al Brady and his gang. It begins with a gathering inside the Thomas A. Hill House, where participants examine photos and artifacts connected to the FBI’s most wanted gangster of that year. A talk follows the trail of the crimes that led to the gang’s demise on Central Street on a bright October morning in 1937. The experience concludes with a walk to the site of the shooting to stand where history unfolded 89 years ago. Tickets are limited and cost $20 per person.

At Brewer Auditorium, this curated marketplace celebrates the strange, the beautiful, and the delightfully uncommon. Drawing inspiration from old-world cabinets of curiosity, it brings together artists and makers whose creations live just beyond the everyday. Handmade and art-driven work takes center stage, from dark themed art to oddities, curiosities, and carefully crafted objects for collectors who seek the unusual. The experience is created to feel like stepping into a cabinet of wonders come to life, where each table tells a story and every piece rewards a closer look. It is tailored for those drawn to the eerie, the enigmatic, and the beautifully strange.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire brings favorite Hot Wheels giants to life with Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus rumbling into action alongside freestyle motocross riders pulling off big-air stunts and a fire-breathing robot dinosaur that smashes cars. The tour also debuts Rhinomite, a rhino-themed newcomer charging into the fray. Expect fast-paced, family-friendly thrills from start to finish. Children ages 2 and up require a ticket, and child tickets apply to ages 2 to 12.

Brooke & Haley Music perform live at Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor, marking their first appearance at this venue.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire revs into the Cross Insurance Center with larger-than-life machines and stunts for all ages. See favorites like Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus in action alongside freestyle motocross athletes, plus a towering robot dinosaur that breathes fire and smashes cars. The lineup also welcomes Rhinomite, a new rhino-themed truck charging into the competition. Children ages 2 and up require their own ticket, and child tickets apply to ages 2 through 12.

A Halloween themed edition of Maine Hobby Fest takes place at Brewer Auditorium. Collectors of all levels will find sports cards, Pokémon and other trading card games, memorabilia, and a wide range of collectibles. Over 60 vendor tables, including sellers from around New England, offer chances to hunt for rare finds and trade with fellow enthusiasts. The event features raffles throughout the day, on-site concessions, a costume contest, and candy for kids, creating a family friendly atmosphere among thousands of items. Admission is $1. Hosted by Coastal Sports Collectibles.

John Mulaney brings his latest stand-up tour, Mister Whatever, to Cross Insurance Center. A four-time Emmy winner with Critics Choice and WGA honors, he is a writer, comedian, and actor with a wide range of work on stage and screen. He recently hosted, wrote, and executive produced the Netflix talk show Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, a follow-up to Everybody’s in LA that blended monologues, guest interviews, filmed sketches, and musical moments. He also appeared on Broadway in All In: Comedy About Love alongside Fred Armisen, Richard Kind, and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Up next, he appears in the Amazon MGM Studios film Madden directed by David O. Russell.

A returning exhibitor at the show will offer cabochons, handmade jewelry crafted from those cabs, and a range of rocks that includes carvings, spheres, and other pieces.

Dance with the Alumni Jazz Band at Next Generation Theatre at Between Friends Art Center. Admission is $12, and refreshments will be available.

Glass Paradox makes its debut at the Maine Harvest Festival at the Cross Insurance Center. Free admission. Browse autumn themed artware, everyday pieces, and a small selection of holiday items from Glass Paradox, while the broader festival highlights Made in Maine offerings to set a festive tone for the season. Look for Glass Paradox in the ballroom.

Skip the usual post-Thanksgiving crowds and parking hassles. Plaid Friday in Downtown Bangor celebrates locally owned and independent businesses with a relaxed approach to holiday shopping. Many downtown retailers plan extras such as extended hours, deals for shoppers wearing plaid, complimentary gift wrapping, and other surprises. The day also features the debut of the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway light show along with the lighting of the Holiday Tree in West Market Square.

Downtown Bangor marks the start of the holiday season by lighting the City of Bangor tree and showcasing a colorful animated light show set to music in West Market Square, sponsored by Hollywood Casino. The celebration is part of Plaid Friday in Downtown Bangor, providing a festive pause amid holiday shopping and plenty of options nearby for food, browsing, and entertainment. The tree lighting festivities return at the end of the annual Festival of Lights Parade.

Keep your holiday gift hunt local in Downtown Bangor, where small businesses make seasonal shopping feel welcoming and unhurried. Choosing presents here supports neighborhood culture and directly benefits the local economy. Family-run and independent shops, along with nearby restaurants, offer a calm setting to browse, enjoy a meal, and connect with familiar faces. It is a chance to find meaningful gifts and shop in a way that reflects your values, all while taking in a community-focused experience throughout Downtown Bangor.

Explore holiday and winter inspired artware from Glass Paradox at the 40th annual John Bapst Craft Fair. The booth is located in the auditorium, and you can spot it by the white lit trees.

Brewer Eagles Club #3177 hosts a throwback dance night featuring 80s and 90s hits. The playlist centers on nostalgic tracks with an emphasis on dancing.

Maine’s largest authors’ fair brings more than 85 local authors and publishers to the Bangor Public Library for a full day dedicated to the literary arts. Admission and all programs are free. Visitors can meet writers, get books signed, and support the community by purchasing personalized titles while enjoying readings, talks, and panels that fill the library during the winter holiday season. A wide range of genres will be represented, spanning fiction and nonfiction for adults and teens, romance, mystery, adventure, folklore, outdoor writing, self help, science fiction, fantasy, cryptozoology, children’s literature, cookbooks, horror, paranormal, history, and more. Expect plenty to explore with dozens upon dozens of books by Maine authors, along with raffle tickets, sponsor vendor tables, and day-of surprises. The fair also features the launch of "Thinning Light," a charity anthology benefiting the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. While admission and programming are free, many authors may not accept credit cards, so cash, Venmo, or PayPal are helpful for purchases. Programming details will be announced. The event is organized and hosted by Bangor Authors' Collaborative in cooperation with the Bangor Public Library, and the collaborative was founded by author Christopher Packard.