With a dramatic rocky shoreline damaged by scenic seashores, a wealthy seafood custom and ski resorts and state parks rising into the hills, Maine is called Vacationland for good motive. Summer season and early fall are nice occasions of 12 months to benefit from the state’s pure magnificence, however should you can deal with the chilly, winter presents an entire totally different view and set of actions.
Whether or not you come for the summer season solar, the autumn colours or year-round historical past, this month-by-month information, overlaying the climate situations and key occasions, will assist you select one of the best time in your go to to Maine.
For contemporary seafood and out of doors adventures, come from June to September
Maine’s Vacationland comes alive in the summertime months, as holidaymakers collect throughout the state. From the sandy seashores of southern Maine to the forested mountaineering trails within the north and the seafood shacks all alongside the coast, there’s loads to take pleasure in, and loads of folks will likely be having fun with the expertise alongside you.
The crowds deliver excessive costs, so you may must guide effectively prematurely at lodges and campgrounds. The summer season is pretty quick and candy in Maine – the climate is mostly sizzling and humid from late June by means of August. Deliver an urge for food as {the summertime} seafood bonanza makes for scrumptious mealtimes.
October and Could are one of the best months for seasonal shade and avoiding crowds
Maine’s shoulder season is likely one of the greatest occasions to Maine should you favor a quieter expertise and decrease costs. Early October brings rainbow-colored foliage, apple selecting and cooler climate, whereas Could is a superb time to take pleasure in Maine with out the summer season crowds, with many seasonal companies opening their doorways for the season round Memorial Day. Deliver a heat coat as some components of the state can nonetheless see snow in spring or fall, particularly within the north and at increased elevations.
November to April is chilly in Maine, however nice for snow sports activities
Winter is the off-season for coastal and southern Maine, however the excessive season in western and northern areas, the place out of doors recreation within the snow is the principle draw. Maine is house to among the greatest ski resorts on the East Coast, and northern Maine is common for snowmobiling. Many mountaineering trails are groomed for the snow season, and will be traversed utilizing snowshoes or cross-country skis.
January is snowy and busy within the ski resorts
By January, winter sports activities are in full swing throughout the state of Maine. All the ski mountains are open and, relying on the snow high quality, many cross-country snowboarding trails are open as effectively. Within the cities, it’s time to get cozy by the fireside at glad hour and admire the snow from inside.
Key occasions: New Years’ Day Lobster Dip in Outdated Orchard, Snodeo in Rangeley
February sits below darkish, chilly skies
The times are darkish and the climate is chilly in February, however there are many winter festivals and enjoyable out of doors actions to take pleasure in. Kennebunkport comes alive for the Paint the Town Red celebrations and lots of lodges all through the state host ice bars.
Key occasions: US National Toboggan Championship on the Camden Snowbowl, Paint the City Purple in Kennebunkport, Acadia Winter Festival in Acadia Nationwide Park
March is Restaurant Week in and round Portland
March in Maine nonetheless feels very very similar to winter throughout a lot of the state. You’ll begin to see a peek of spring within the south, however snowboarding and snowmobiling are nonetheless common actions in northern components of Maine. Portland and surrounding cities have fun Maine Restaurant Week in early March, and most of the state’s greatest eating places have particular menus and offers. The third weekend of the month is reserved for one more Maine custom – Maine Maple Sunday, the place maple sugar shacks open throughout the state promoting candy treats.
Key occasions: Maine Restaurant Week in Portland, Maine Maple Sunday throughout the state
The mud would not dampen the celebration temper in April
April is Maine’s unofficial fifth season – mud season. The snow is melting within the mountains and ski resorts throw huge events to have fun the top of the season. The climate is unpredictable – someday it would snow, and the following it’ll be 70°F (21°C). Regardless of the climate is doing, April is when Mainers come out of hibernation and benefit from the early indicators of spring, placing on their shorts as quickly because the mercury hits 50°F (10°C).
Key occasions: Reggae Festival at Sugarloaf Mountain, Parrothead Fest at Sunday River
Could brings the primary trace of the pending summer season crowds
The times are hotter, and the flowers start to bloom in Maine after the lengthy winter. Could is when a lot of Maine’s seasonal companies open early earlier than the summer season crowds arrive. Reservations are straightforward to rearrange at one of the best eating places, and Acadia Nationwide Park is quiet.
Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to the summer season, however vacationers don’t usually arrive till the Fourth of July, making Could among the finest months to go to should you don’t need to wait hours for a desk or compete with crowds on the mountaineering trails.
Key occasions: Bug Light Kite Festival in South Portland, Taste of Bar Harbor Food Festival in Bar Harbor, Memorial Day parades and occasions all through the state
June sees the climate heat as folks hit the seashores
June brings summer season climate with out the crowds. Temperatures range however are usually within the mid-70s, and the colleges let loose for the summer season. Eating places, mountaineering trails and seashores have gotten a bit extra crowded however visiting remains to be a soothing expertise.
June can be the beginning of black fly season, so should you’re hitting the woods for some out of doors adventures be ready with insect repellent and keep lined up. Occasions and festivals happen all through the state, and June is strawberry selecting season.
Key occasions: Pride Portland, Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor, Portland Wine Week in Portland, Kennebunkport Festival in Kennebunkport
July sees loads of Independence Day spirit
The Fourth of July vacation marks the beginning of the excessive vacationer season in Maine. The climate turns into sizzling and humid, and crowds collect at Maine’s seashores and nation campgrounds. You may must guide lodging and restaurant reservations prematurely. On the plus aspect, the seafood is contemporary off the boat, and lots of cities throughout the state have fun America’s Independence Day with parades and fireworks.
Key occasions: 4th of July occasions all through the state, Yarmouth Clam Festival in Yarmouth, Maine Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield, North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland
August is peak summer season with peak crowds
The canine days of summer season are right here in Maine. Vacationer season is at its peak, and the southern seashores are crowded. Visitors will be heavy on the weekends, particularly when heading to Acadia Nationwide Park. Summer season in Maine solely lasts a short while, so ignore the crowds and benefit from the sizzling climate whereas it lasts as a result of extra snow will likely be right here earlier than you recognize it.
Key occasions: Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, Machias Wild Blueberry Festival in Machias, Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston, Belfast Harbor Fest in Belfast.
September brings late summer season heat and quieter resorts
September might be one of the best month to go to Maine. After Labor Day, the crowds get smaller, however the climate remains to be balmy. The ocean is often heat sufficient for swimming and water sports activities, and the truthful season kicks off, with a number of craft and agricultural gala’s. Farmers’ markets are overrun with scrumptious summer season produce and apple selecting season begins.
Key occasions: Common Ground Fair in Unity, Camden Windjammer Festival in Camden, Maine Open Lighthouse Day all through the state, Cumberland County Fair in Cumberland
October brings a blast of fall shade
The leaves in Maine explode in a kaleidoscope of colours in October. Vacationers come from close to and much to see the autumn foliage that usually peaks in early October, but it surely’s nonetheless quieter than the summer season peak. Honest season ends with Maine’s oldest and largest truthful, the Fryeburg Fair. October is the right time to go to Acadia Nationwide Park and Bar Harbor at the start closes for the season. Temperatures are delicate, however snow isn’t unusual in northern a part of the state.
Key occasions: Fryeburg Honest in Fryeburg, Freeport Fall Festival in Freeport, North American Wife Carrying Championship at Sunday River
November sees the primary indicators of winter
November is a type of in-between months in Maine. It’s not fully fall and never fairly winter, although the times are a lot cooler and it will get darkish early. It’s a good time to take pleasure in native eating places and breweries although. If Mom Nature cooperates, ski resorts might open for early-season snowboarding.
Key occasions: Harvest on the Harbor in Portland, Lighting of Nubble Lighthouse in York, opening day on the Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski areas
December is vacation time in Maine
The vacation season kicks off robust in early December. The small coastal city of Kennebunkport turns right into a scene from a Hallmark film and Portland celebrates the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Mainers cross their fingers for a white Christmas, and the temperatures drop beneath freezing, so wrap up heat.
Key occasions: Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport, Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Sparkle Celebration in Freeport
