The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine! This annual seafood festival takes place during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday.

What started as an idea for a local marine festival to revive Midcoast Maine communities has turned into an internationally-recognized celebration of local seafood. The Maine Lobster Festival attracts visitors from as near as our local communities to those from countries around the globe.

Schedule:

Wednesday, August 2
All Day
Art Show at North Tent
Listen for music and festival announcements in the PA booth.
“Heritage, History, and Ancestry” at the Maine Heritage Tent at Middle Pier.
Art & Crafts at the Art Tent, Buoy Park
Touch Tank, Books, & Demonstrations of the Maritime Industry in the Marine Tent, on Middle Pier

Noon
76th Annual Maine Lobster Festival Opens!
King Neptune and his court, along with Olivia Dougherty, the 2022 Maine Sea Goddess, arrive on the main dock from the briny deep courtesy of the USCG to raise the flag and officially open the 76th Maine Lobster Festival. Flag raising ceremony will take place at the flagpole by the Harbor Master’s building.

Noon to 8:00 pm
The food tent opens to serve fresh Maine lobsters and other seafood. Menu

Noon to 6:00 pm
Paddy Mills, Food TentPaddy Mills is an award-winning folk singer/songwriter whose songs are as salty as the Maine coast he calls home.

6:30 to 8:30 pm
2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate Coronation, Main StageThe Maine Lobster Festival Delegate will be chosen along with a runner up and Miss/Mr. Congeniality. Winners receive cash prizes and represent the Maine Lobster Festival and Maine’s lobster industry at festivals and events throughout the year.

8:30 to 9:30 pm
Midcoast Music Academy, Main StageStudents and staff of MCMA will be performing in various ensembles.

Thursday, August 3
All Day
Art Show at North Tent
“Heritage, History, and Ancestry” (at the Maine Heritage Tent at Middle Pier)
Listen for music and festival announcements in the PA booth.
Art & Crafts at the Art Tent, Buoy Park
Touch Tank, Books, & Demonstrations of the Maritime Industry in the Marine Tent, on Middle Pier

7:00 am to 10:00 am
Pancake Breakfast (in the Food Tent)

Noon to 8:00 pm
The food tent opens to serve fresh Maine lobsters and other seafood. Menu

Noon to 6:00 pm
Paddy Mills, Food Tent
Paddy Mills is an award-winning folk singer/songwriter whose songs are as salty as the Maine coast he calls home.

Midday
King Neptune & His Court, 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate, and Black Beard visit the festival grounds to meet visitors.

12:30 to 2:00 pm
Spencer Albee, Main Stage
Spencer Albee is a Portland based nationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer. Rolling Stone Magazine called Spencer a “21st Century master in the lost art of Beatlesque hooks.”

2:00 to 3:30 pm
Pen Bay Steel Band, Main Stage
Maine’s own steel drum band.

3:30 to 4:00 pm
Jim Gibson, Beer Garden
Jim Gibson blends his roots of Blues, Rock, Gospel and Country. Whether he’s performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, or at the Lionel Hampton Blues and Jazz Club in Paris, France, his versatility surges before a live audience.

4:00 to 5:15 pm
Rigometrics, Main Stage
Influenced by classic rock bands, the Portland, Maine based band Rigometrics brings original, raw, high-energy rock music to the stage.

3:30 to 5:00 pm
Steins & Vines in North Tent
Celebrate our 8th Annual event, showcasing Maine brewers and vintners. Additional charge for admittance, age 21 or older, photo ID is required. Purchase Tickets.

5:30 to 7:30 pm
The Tyler Healy Band, Main Stage
The Tyler Healy Band is a premier country/country rock band. They have opened for National acts such as Joe Diffie, Terri Clark, Colt Ford, The Lacs, Jawga Boys and more. They work hard each and every day to keep their musical journey moving forward.

5:30 to 7:00 pm
Steins & Vines, in North Tent
Celebrate our 8th Annual event, showcasing Maine brewers and vintners. Additional charge for admittance, age 21 or older, photo ID is required. Purchase Tickets.

7:30 to 8:00 pm
Jim Gibson, Beer Garden
Jim Gibson blends his roots of Blues, Rock, Gospel and Country. Whether he’s performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, or at the Lionel Hampton Blues and Jazz Club in Paris, France, his versatility surges before a live audience.

8:00 to 9:30 pm
Bonnie Edwards & The Practical Cats, Main Stage
The Practical Cats are an eclectic group of seasoned musicians who know how to lay down a groove. Bonnie’s gutsy Blues vocal style and dynamic stage presence add to this awesome show.

Friday, August 4
All Day
Art Show at North Tent
“Heritage, History, and Ancestry” (at the Maine Heritage Tent at Middle Pier)
Listen for music and festival announcements in the PA booth.
Art, & Crafts at the Art Tent, Buoy Park
Touch Tank, Books, & Demonstrations of the Maritime Industry in the Marine Tent, on Middle Pier

7:00 to 10:00 am
Pancake Breakfast (in the Food Tent)

9:00 to 1:00 pm
Amateur Seafood Cooking Contest , held in the North Tent

Noon to 8:00 pm
The food tent opens to serve fresh Maine lobsters and other seafood. Menu

Noon to 6:00 pm
Paddy Mills, Food Tent
Paddy Mills is an award-winning folk singer/songwriter whose songs are as salty as the Maine coast he calls home.
Midday
King Neptune & his Court, 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate, and Black Beard visit the festival.

2:00 to 3:30 pm
Boondock Sinners, Main Stage
A New England and South Florida based band, husband and wife Paul Duffy and Donna Landry Duffy formed the Boondock Sinners in 2014. With songs from Paul Simon and the Lumineers to The Beatles and the Revivalists, you’re in for a great show.

3:30 to 4:00 pm
Jim Gibson, Beer Garden
Jim Gibson blends his roots of Blues, Rock, Gospel and Country. Whether he’s performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, or at the Lionel Hampton Blues and Jazz Club in Paris, France, his versatility surges before a live audience.

3:30 to 5:00 pm
Steins & Vines, in the North Tent
Celebrate our 8th Annual event, showcasing Maine brewers and vintners. Additional charge for admittance, age 21 or older, photo ID is required. Purchase Tickets.

4:00 to 5:15 pm
The Returnables, Main Stage
Blending rock and roll, blues, funk, country and disco, this trio brings excitement and humor for listeners of all ages.

5:30 to 7:00 pm
Steins & Vines, In the North Tent
Celebrate our 8th Annual event, showcasing Maine brewers and vintners. Additional charge for admittance, age 21 or older, photo ID is required. Purchase Tickets.

5:30 to 7:30 pm
Breakin’ Strings, Main Stage
Maine’s premier bluegrass band and Nashville recording artists.

7:30 to 8:00 pm
Jim Gibson, Beer Garden
Jim Gibson blends his roots of Blues, Rock, Gospel and Country. Whether he’s performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, or at the Lionel Hampton Blues and Jazz Club in Paris, France, his versatility surges before a live audience.

8:00 to 9:30 pm
The Shadow Riders, Main Stage
The Shadow Riders are a six-piece band from New England performing the music of the original Marshall Tucker Band. Performing hits like, “Can’t You See” , “Take the Highway” , “Fire on the Mountain” and other popular tunes, this is innovative melding of country blues, southern rock, western swing and jazz makes this a show you won’t want to miss.

Saturday, August 5
All Day
Art Show at North Tent
Maine Authors & Publishers (in North Tent)
“Heritage, History, and Ancestry” (at the Maine Heritage Tent at Middle Pier)
Listen for music and festival announcements in the PA booth.
Art & Crafts at the Art Tent, Buoy Park
Touch Tank, Books, & Demonstrations of the Maritime Industry in the Marine Tent, on Middle Pier

7:00 to 10:00 am
Pancake Breakfast (in the Food Tent)

10:00 am
THE BIG PARADE, Rockland Main Street “The Spirit of 76”
Shuttle will not be running from approximately 9 a.m. – noon.

Noon to 8:00 pm
The food tent opens to serve fresh Maine lobsters and other seafood. Menu

Noon to 6:00 pm
Paddy Mills, Food Tent
Paddy Mills is an award-winning folk singer/songwriter whose songs are as salty as the Maine coast he calls home.

Midday
King Neptune & his Court, 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate, and Black Beard visit the festival.

12:30 to 2:00 pm
Bards of Gungywamp, Main Stage
Playing traditional Irish polkas, jigs, reels and originals.

2:00 to 3:30 pm
Stream Reggae, Main Stage
Stream Reggae is Maine’s premier reggae band offering 100% authentic Reggae music from the heart and soul of the Caribbean. Combining deep roots reggae, soca, dancehall and zouk styles, Stream Reggae will be bringing a fun time.

4:00 to 5:15 pm
Jim Gibson, Main Stage
Jim Gibson blends his roots of Blues, Rock, Gospel and Country. Whether he’s performing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, or at the Lionel Hampton Blues and Jazz Club in Paris, France, his versatility surges before a live audience.

5:30 to 7:00 pm
Defern, Main Stage
Self-describing their sound as “modern nostalgia”, Defern is an indie rock band based in Nashville, TN. Heather and Michael Defern’s music has a rich blend of influences from pop, rock, blues, and a dash of punk thrown in for spice. Heather is a native of Augusta, ME.

7:00 pm
Damn The Torpedoes, Main Stage
This Tom Petty Tribute Band has been mesmerizing audiences since 2007 and brings viewers the ultimate Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience!

Sunday, August 6
All Day
Art Show in North Tent
“Heritage, History, and Ancestry” (at the Maine Heritage Tent at Middle Pier)
Listen for music and festival announcements in the PA booth.
Art & Crafts at the Art Tent, Buoy Park
Touch Tank, Books, & Demonstrations of the Maritime Industry in the Marine Tent, on Middle Pier
Kids Events
-Children’s Parade
-Cod Fish Carry
-Lobster Eating Contest
-Little Lobster Diaper Derby

7:00 to 10:00 am
Pancake Breakfast (in the Food Tent)

8:00 am
5k & 10k Road Race begins near the main gate.

8:30 am
Kids Fun Run begins near the main gate.

Noon to 6:00 pm
The food tent opens to serve fresh Maine lobsters and other seafood. Menu

10:00 am
Children’s Parade (Sign up far end of the Food Tent)

11:30 am
Cod Fish Carry, on the Main Stage

Noon
Lobster Eating Contest (Main Stage at Harbor Park)

12:30 pm
Little Lobster Diaper Derby (Main Stage)
Little Lobster Diaper Derby begins at the Main Stage. Sign up at the far end of the Food Tent.

12:30 to 2:00 pm
Bards of Gungywamp, Main Stage
Playing traditional Irish polkas, jigs, reels and originals.

2:00 pm
International Great Crate Race begins in Rockland Harbor. Sign up begins at 7am on the far end of the Food Tent, but spts fill up quickly, so we recommend getting in line a few hours early.

5:00 pm
Wreath Laying Ceremony (held at the public pier) King Neptune and the 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Delegate lead a wreath ceremony for fishermen lost at sea.

Date: Wednesday, August 2 - Sunday, August 6, 2023

Time:
Wednesday, August 2 - Noon to 11 PM
Thursday, August 3 - 7 AM to 11 PM
Friday, August 4 - 7 AM to 11 PM
Saturday, August 5 - 7 AM to 11 PM
Sunday, August 6 - 7 AM to 6 PM

Location:
Rockland’s Harbor Park
Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841

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