View 2018 NEW Kennebunkport Festival Schedule
Kennebunkport is a Presidential hideaway, a “drinking village with a fishing problem”, and a party place for the people from here and away in summer. Here on the stunning shores of the 
Atlantic A-listers hobnob with locals and lobstermen. It’s a fun place all year round, for years one of the highlights has been the Kennebunkport Festival in June.
The Kennebunkport Festival for 2018 is back in local hands, it was formerly organized by Maine Media Collective. Now locals businesses are re-inventing the Fest to be more inclusive, less pay to play, without the involvement of MMC, more transparency and charity. Cheers to that…
The Kennebunkport Festival is a grand week of parties, art, brews and tunes, galas, grand tastings and private dinners served at the finest homes and restaurants throughout Kennebunkport and Kennebunkport. What began over a decade ago as the Kennebunkport Fine Food and Wine Fest has evolved to include beautiful local art, top Chefs from around Maine, and the best bands and musicians all coming together in the seaside village to celebrate the best things in life.
Events include:
Music on the Green, Cocktail soirees at local galleries, and The Burleigh at The Kennebunkport Inn, to exclusive Art of Dining Chef dinners at private homes, and Chefs Night Out at Wells Laudholm Farm, a Maine Art Block Party, and a Grand Tasting Sunday Finale at the Colony. The seaside settings are arguably priceless, some of the events are pricey, but all proceeds go to local Maine charities this year – so its a fun feel good do good event, especially with new local management.
This year’s fest, June 4-10, first big event is at Stripers Waterside Restaurant at The Breakwater Inn hosting a kick off Moxie Pig Roast overlooking the river, on Monday June 4, offered at a great price of $45 per person.
Cocktail Parties before the Art of Dining dinner parties are a popular festival tradition of the Kennebunkport Festival week. This year, Tuesday June 5 will be cocktails at Kennebunkport Inn’s Burleigh 5-7. The pre-dinner cocktail party features two signature cocktails, appetizers and local music, before you head off to your Art of Dining night, or head out on the town (or home if you aren’t a huge party animal).
The Art of Dining dinners are the most intimate and unique, held Tuesday and Wednesday June 5-6. These Art of Dining dinner parties center around a Chef prepared multi-course menu served in a beautiful private Kennebunkport home. Each dinner party is themed for the evening and accompanied by an award-winning artist who is in attendance and displays his or her work in the selected home. Wine is paired with the Maine inspired meal, reflecting the theme. These Kennebunkport Festival dinner party evenings are a feast you can feel good – since there is a beneficiary – a Maine charitable organization.
Friday is the Maine Art Block Party – browse art from boutique to gallery, up the new Maine Art Hill, enjoy New Orleans style food and music at this open air party that pours out onto the streets, 5-7 on June 8 for $55.
Chef’s Night Out and Sweet Soiree at Wells Laudholm Farm is a culinary extravaganza, in a beautiful farm setting on Friday night featuring Chef Justin Walker – formerly of Earth, now Walkers at Cape Neddick. Tickets are $195.
Saturday of the Festival is Music on The Green, previously Maine Craft Music Fest and Brews & Tunes, held on the Village Green in front of Captain Lord Mansion. For a small entry fee, $20, you get to hear several live bands including Spencer Albee, playing all afternoon, 1-5. Folks dance, relax on picnic blankets, there is a beer tent and food trucks offering drink and snacks for purchase.
Sunday, The Taste of Kennebunks is the finale event in the afternoon at the grand Colony Hotel. Enjoy the ocean view, tastings from over 12 local Chef’s tastes, with cocktails and socializing Sunday June 10 12-4pm, $65. This event is back by popular local demand… should be a fabulous affair in this stunning seaside setting.
The Kennebunkport Festival event is perfect for those who love eating and drinking by the water, browsing beautiful artwork by local artists, chatting with locals and top chefs, art collectors and fellow foodies. Folks dress up for this food (and fashion) fest, drink up and enjoy the Fest. Just remember, the best things in life are not free…well, the Kennebunkport Festival isn’t anyway. Stay tuned here for more news on this year’s 2018 Kennebunkport Festival, as locals re-invent this event to be more local, charitable, transparent and inclusive, without involvement from Maine Media Collective.
Perhaps we’ll see you at the Kennebunkport Festival, for fine food, art, drinks and dancing by the River.
BONUS CHARITY EVENT during the week:
Thursday Night June 7th – Old Vines Wine Bar is throwing a bash called Oasis – with live music by The Jeff Merrow Experiment on the patio tent (6-9pm), followed by a late night dance party hosted by DJ Nate (9-midnight), buffet and late night snacks, specialty cocktails, wine, and beer. Ticket are $125 per person, all profits go to COS of the Kennebunks. Note, this is not an official Kport Fest event.
