Event Lodging: Rhumb Line Resort l Seaside Inn l Inn at English Meadows l Kennebunkport Captains Collection l Nonantum Resort
Kennebunkport 2024 events
January Events
Polar Plunge January 1, 11am – Kennebunk Beach’s Polar Plunge is a chilly annual chilly tradition, at Gooch’s Beach to ring in 2022. New Year’s day ocean dippers donate to charity to take the polar plunge, so it’s called “Freezin for a Reason”.
February Events
February is for Lovers and Paint the Town Red Specials in Kennebunkport – New England’s most romantic town is festively decorated with red hearts and bright lights – New England’s most romantic town, with private Igloos and Love Shacks for drinks and dining, cocktail classes, cooking demos, and romantic wine dinners at Kennebunks’ best restaurants.
Escape for a weekend away from home, enjoying good food, quiet times and the warmth of a romantic fire. Kennebunk-Kennebunkport offers the perfect winter destination, fine lodgings offer you unique romantic getaway packages. Cozy and intimate restaurants, quaint shops and unique galleries all set in a picturesque stunningly romantic village setting. Look for Red plate specials and red tag sales at local shops and cafes!
February – Winterfest in Kennebunk – Winter carnival activities, Skating Party at the Waterhouse Center Ice Rink, Horse & Wagon Rides, Fire Juggling, Figure Skating Performances, Music, Chef Tasting Contest, and the Annual Cabin Fever Book Sale at the Library!
March Events
March Maine Restaurant Week March 1 -12 – Maine Restaurant Week events highlight the food and drink professionals who set Maine’s restaurant scene apart. Top chefs and bartenders compete for the “Best of Maine” title at MRW with Signature Cocktail, dishes and desserts.
Maine Maple Sunday is always the fourth Sunday in March – The Maine Maple Producers Association welcomes you to join Maine’s Maple Syrup Producers, statewide, as they celebrate Maine Maple Sunday. Most sugar houses offer free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugar bush tours, music, and so much more.
May Events
Annual May Day Festival – Kennebunk
This celebration of Spring on the First Saturday in May is an annual popular, family-oriented event with a fun parade and activities. Local artists/crafters, community organizations, and antiques enthusiasts.
Mother’s Day Brunch call for reservations or take out at Nonantum Resort
May 21 Paint a Pride Buoy in the Kennebunks – At the Chamber 16 Water Street, Kennebunk, 1-3pm. Help create the largest Pride Buoy Banner, no talent required.
Memorial Day Parade in Kennebunkport
Monday 9:30am Kennebunkport – Dock Square and Lanigan Bridge
Monday 2pm downtown Kennebunk parade
See Kennebunkport and Kennebunk Parades – Memorial Day Parade Photos
June Event
June – Gay Pride Month in the Kennebunks – events all month celebrating inclusivity and LGBTQ locals and visitors.
June 8 – Barbara Bush’s Birthday – First Lady Barbara Pierce, also known locally as Ganny, was born in 1925, passed April 17 2018. She is missed. Visit White Columns First Family Legacy Exhibit for memories.
June 8 – Pride in the Kennebunks at River Green – 12-3pm crafts, music and celebration of our LGBTQ community.
June 8 – Pride Day at Seashore Trolley Museum – Fun day at the Trolley Museum with $3 of every ticket donated to Out Maine.
June 12 – President George Herbert Walker Bush’s Birthday, known locally as #41 was born 1924, passed November 30, 2018. Kennebunkport was his “Anchor to Windward”.
Mid June – Launch – A Maritime Festival Event – not occurring for 2024, stay tuned for 2025 Launch news …
The Kennebunks for several years would kick off summer with its annual LAUNCH! LAUNCH highlights seafaring facets through various anchor events and activities; a Sirens & Sailors 5k, an authentic Lobster Bake at the Pilot House on the Kennebunk River; and the highlight – a River Lights Boat Parade where local boats are decked out in their finest nautical decorations. Launch typically concludes with a Blessing of the Fleet at Cape Porpoise on Sunday morning.
June 16 Fathers Day at Seashore Trolley Museum– free admission for Dads/
June 17-18 – Bush Family Celebrity Golf Classic
A day of golf and fundraising including an evening gala at The Nonantum. Celebrities, former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton, and sports stars, Tom Brady, Jim Nance, Troy Brown, show up for this annual fundraiser, a tradition now over two decades – since 1996, Golf Tournament is on at Cape Arundel Golf Club, River Road Kennebunkport, with the Gala at the Nonantum.
July Events
July 4 Fireworks
Traditional Fireworks display 9PM at Kennebunk Beach. See details on where to watch the Kennebunk Beach fireworks display. View Fireworks Images Kennebunk Beach
July 6-7 Seashore Trolley Museum 85th Birthday Celebration – the world’s first & largest electric transit museum founded July 5, 1939
August Events
Aug 31 Kennebunk Saturday Artisans Marketplace at Waterhouse Center
September Events
Sept 7-8 Annual Wells Reserve at Laudholm – Nature Crafts Festival, 10 am – 4 pm – Over 36th annual craft festival – this highly respected exhibition brings 100+ artisans to historic Laudholm Farm to show their craftworks in a lovely seaside setting. Sculpture, jewelry, pottery, prints, clothing, photography, and basketry are among the crafts selected by jury for this prestigious event. Thousands of One-of-a-Kind Gift Items and Raffle Prizes.
October Events
October weekends Seashore Trolley Museum Pumpkin Patch Trolley
October 31 Halloween “Trick or Treat” in the Kennebunks
Merchants throughout Kennebunk and Kennebunkport hand out goodies to the little ghosts, pirates, princesses. Summer Street is spooky, decorated devilishly with haunted mansions.
October 31 Halloween Downtown Kennebunk Party at Waterhouse Center with a spooky DJ, trick or treat trucks, and more, 4-6pm
Halloween Happenings throughout Kennebunkport & Kennebunk
November Events
Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day
December Events
Dec 5 – 15, 2024 43nd Annual Christmas Prelude Celebration
A magical season filled with events, entertainment, shopping, craft fairs, and Santa in a lobster boat!
Dec 13 & 14 2024 14th Annual Fire + Ice at Nonantum Resort, 2nd Weekend of Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude
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