Event Lodging: Rhumb Line Resort l Seaside Inn l Inn at English Meadows l Kennebunkport Captains Collection l AWOL Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport 2023 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
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 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 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”.
June 16 – 17 – Launch – A Maritime Festival Event
The Kennebunks kick off summer with its annual LAUNCH! LAUNCH highlights seafaring facets through various anchor events and activities; a Sirons & Sailors 5k, an authentic Lobster Bake with red and white checked table cloths at the Pilot House, overlooking the Kennebunk River; and the highlight – River Lights Boat Parade where local boats are decked out in their finest nauti decorations. Launch concludes with a Blessing of the Fleet at Cape Porpoise on Sunday morning.
June 12-13– Bush Family Celebrity Golf Classic
A day of golf and fundraising including an evening gala at The Nonantum. Celebrities and sports stars, Tom Brady, President Bill Clinton, Jim Nance, Troy Brown, show up for this annual fundraiser, a tradition now over two decades – since 1996, Golf Tournament is on Tuesday at Cape Arundel Golf Club, River Road Kennebukport, with the Gala the night prior.
July Events
July 4 Fireworks
Traditional Fireworks display 9PM at Kennebunk Beach. View Fireworks Images Kennebunk Beach
July 5 Seashore Trolley Museum Birthday Party – founded July 5, 1939 as the world’s first and largest electric transit museum
July 16 Kennebunk Kennebunkport Art Trail – Art Walk 5-7pm
July 29 Woofstock -Family-Friendly, Dog-Friendly Food & Beer Festival 11-3pm Animal Welfare Society Kennebunk
August Events
August 13 Kennebunk Kennebunkport Art Trail – Art Walk 5-7pm
September Events
September 10 Kennebunk Kennebunkport Art Trail – Art Walk 5-7pm
Annual Wells Reserve at Laudholm – Nature Crafts Festival, 10 am – 4 pm – The 30th anniversary of 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 more than $8,000 in Raffle Prizes. Fee. (207) 646-4521
Punkinfiddle at Wells Reserve at Laudholm – A National Estuaries Day Celebration and fall craft festival.
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.
Halloween Happenings throughout Kennebunkport & Kennebunk
November Events
Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day
December Events
Nov 30 Dec -10, 2023 42nd Annual Christmas Prelude Celebration
A magical season filled with events, entertainment, shopping, craft fairs, and Santa in a lobster boat!
Dec 8 & 9 2023 13th Annual Fire + Ice at Nonantum Resort, 2nd Weekend of Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude
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