The POP team is absolutely devastated over the horrific events that occurred in Lewiston. Our hearts go out to the Maine community today. We are thinking of Lewiston and those affected by this tragedy.
We are staying up to date on the latest news over the tragedy in Lewiston. We will be doing our best to update any cancellations of events this weekend. Cancellations this weekend will be noted here.
This Halloweekend is bringing the frights and delights! Get ready to unleash your inner ghoul and let the Halloween spirit run wild in Portland, Maine!
This weekend is all about spooky fun, eerie events, and thrilling experiences that will send shivers down your spine. From haunted parties to costume extravaganzas, we’ve rounded up the most spine-tingling happenings in the city for this Halloween weekend. Grab your costumes, gather your crew, and prepare for a ghoulishly good time!
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, October 27th, 2023 – Sunday, October 29th, 2023
For the full rundown on Halloween in Portland, Maine, check out the Portland Old Port Guide to Halloween.
Halloween Highlight
Trick-or-Treat Exchange Street | Exchange St. Businesses | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The businesses of Exchange Street have come together for their 2nd annual family-friendly trick or treating event! Visit downtown Portland for this free event for children ages 0-10ish. Dress the entire family, including pets, in adorably scary costumes and haunt local businesses for a sweet treat. Look for the orange posters and window signs to know which businesses are participating this year!
Friday the 27th
Thriller Throwdown 2023 | Monument Square | 5:30 PM
“Darkness falls across the land… the midnight hour is close at hand…” Join for the 11th annual zombie takeover! Over 100 grisly ghouls flood the square and re-create Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller video. A bone-chilling dance extravaganza.
Henry’s Dead Decade’s of Dance | Henry’s Public House | 9:00 PM
Kick off the Halloween festivities this Friday with DJ Revolve and groove through the “Dead Decades of Dance” at Henry’s Public House. It’s a time-traveling dance extravaganza as they journey through a new decade of music every hour, bringing you the ultimate dance party experience.
Bite Night | Maine Studio Works | 6:00 PM
The greatest Halloween party above ground is back again and ready to blow the roof off in 2023! Bite Night showing 12 incredible short horror films from 6 different countries. Grab some chow from Great Wave Sushi or The Greeks of Peaks, bop inside for a drink from Cocktail Mary, get you some custom swag — printed live by Little Chair Printing — sit back, get spooky, and enjoy the chaos! Tickets
CANCELLED After Dark: Halloween – 21+ | The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
CANCELLED
Adults only this time around as The Children’s Museum and Theatre prepares for howling Halloween fun with their After Dark (21+) Halloween party! A night-time event, and boo-bash, just for kids-at-heart*. After Dark festivities include adult trick-or-treating, creepy crawly snacks and festive elixirs (for purchase), hauntingly creative crafts, “fireside” scary stories, hoot and howl interactives and decor, and the debut performance of References starring Chartreuse Money and Bunny Wonderland. Tickets.
Fright Night | Bissell Brothers | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Get ready to howl at the moon and dance with the undead! Fright Night is creeping back into town, and Bissell Brothers is raising the spirits with a spooktacular dance party featuring DJ Fatty Shay. Don’t miss the chance to haunt the night away!
Saturday the 28th
A Nightmare in Candyland | The Porthole | 7:00 PM
Now entering: Candyland at The Porthole! The weekend forecast looks *frighteningly* amazing for The Porthole’s annual Halloweekend ripper — see the pub transform into a creepy confectionery destination! Dress in your best costume for our staff to judge, and you could go home with some Porthole swag and other goodies. Live music provided by Hot Mess.
Hoot & Howl: Family Halloween | The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM + 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Get ready for a HOOTING good time at The Children’s Museum and Theatre this Halloween season! Children and their caregivers are invited to a series of not-so-scary Halloween celebration events for children and their families. There is something for every feathered, furry, and festive friend! Guests can expect a range of activities that invite you to hoot and howl your way through museum exhibits, trick-or-treat, explore artifacts and specimens of spine-tingling animals, meet misunderstood bugs in a special interactive performance in Maddy’s Theatre, and create a creepy crawly craft in the MakerSpace. Tickets.
Gear Again Festival | Toad & Co. | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Gear Again Festival hosted by Toad & Co. and Maine GearShare is focused on the outdoor gear and apparel lifecycle! The goal is to show the consumer/public all the paths and off-ramps for their gear at all stages of the gear’s life, with a focus on zero-waste and landfill diversion messaging. There will be opportunities for the public to bring gear to be repaired or recycled, learn more about the process, engage with members of the industry, and shop from aligned vendors!
Spooktacular Songs & Storytime | Merrill Auditorium | 10:00 AM
Join for a fun, kid-oriented Halloween event at Merrill Auditorium! Co-presented by Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, City of Portland, and Portland Public Library, the event will feature stories, songs, and a book-mobile from the Portland Public Library, a 10 minute kid-friendly silent film with organist James Kennerley, an awesome demonstration of the (very cool) Kotzschmar Organ, and a costume parade across the stage of Merrill Auditorium for all of the kids. Costumes are encouraged, and reservations for this FREE event are required. (Ages 2-12, plus parents.) Tickets.
East Bayside Halloween Fest | East Bayside Businesses | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
This is an all day-long, something-for-everyone festival to celebrate spooky season and the community. There will be drink and food specials, dance parties, costume contests, pumpkin carving and so much more. Line-up of events include a pumpkin carving contest at Maine Craft Distilling, creepy classic movies at Hardshore Distilling, needle felting at Port Fiber, and beats from DJ Isirap at Root Wild Kombucha. Halloween Fest is in support of Maine Needs, a grassroots organization, powered by a growing collective of volunteers. Maine Needs strives to help individuals and families in Maine meet their basic, material needs by providing donated clothing, hygiene products, household items, and other necessities
Pumpkin Carving Contest | Maine Craft Distilling | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join Maine Craft Distilling for their pumpkin carving contest! In partnership with East Bayside Halloween Fest, all proceeds of the carvings will go to supporting Maine Needs. They will be matching 1$ for every pour and sale for the day as an added donation. This event will be judged by our celebrity guest judges over from the East Ender. Good luck! 8 entry with a few prizes. Reserve.
“DANCE IN DISGUISE” a Costume Party | Empire Live | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Got Halloween Plans?! “Dance in Disguise”(a Costume Party) will be held at Empire Live and will include live music, food, drink and prizes! Featuring the band, Can’t You Tell, The Bulkheads, and ADvsFX. See your scary selves there! Tickets.
Bury Me At The Club w/ Michael Savant & Isirap | Citrus | 8:00 PM
Club veterans Michael Savant and Isirap come together this Halloween at Citrus to bring you House, Tech-House, Party Classics & Vocal Remixes of your favorite club anthems. Strong costumes will be awarded in the categories of Most Original, Best Individual and Best Group Costumes. So, get your alter ego ready and treat yourself to Portland’s best sound. Bring your team and come get Buried!
CANCELLED Great Pumpkin Ball | State Theatre | 7:00 PM
CANCELLED
Maine’s most epic Halloween dance party and costume contest is back, and it’s got special guest Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 joining the frightful fun! Dance the night away to beats spun by DJ XO and world-renowned DJ Robbie Leslie (FTL), with hosts Blake Hayes from Coast 93.1 and Portland’s own drag king royalty, Finn Gerring! Expect mind-blowing performances, go-go dancers, and incredible prizes to make this a hauntingly unforgettable night. Going to be a ball! This party is 18+, and will have ASL interpretation on the main stage.
Sunday the 29th
Halloween Monster Mash Bash | Longfellow Park | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
A howling good time at the Halloween Monster Mash Bash! Join University Neighborhood Organization for a spine-tingling celebration – a FREE community event! Groove to the spooky beats by DJ Matt Little; Join the costume parade at 1:30 PM; Transform into creatures of the night with face painting; And balloons, raffles, and games that will give you chills. But that’s not all—this is a Halloween Costume Dance Party, so don’t forget your noise makers and dancing shoes! In case of rain, they will haunt the USM Sullivan Gym at 66 Falmouth St. (Portland Campus).
Halloween Fête Market | Austin Street Brewery | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Also Happening Saturday, Same Place)
Get ready for TWO DAYS of spOoky fun at the Halloween Fete Market! A ghoulishly good time, Fete Market is your go-to for a curated experience filled with local creators showcasing their spine-tingling work. There’s a FRIGHTENINGLY talented group of makers waiting to enchant you with their artwork, handmade treasures, and even tarot readings! Whether you’re seeking the perfect spooky decor or just a little Halloween magic, this is the place to be.
Siblings Bakery Pop-Up | Root Wild Kombucha | 11:00 AM – S/O
Celebrating five fantastic years of Root Wild Kombucha by teaming up with the fabulous Siblings Bakery for a scrumptious pop-up event that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth. Indulge in an assortment of delectable cakes designed to complement Root Wild’s delightful kombucha flavors. With a cozy autumn atmosphere, this celebration promises to be filled with toasty vibes and delicious treats. Come raise a glass (or a cake) to five years of kombucha magic! The party starts at 11 AM.
We’re getting well into spooky season! Check out our Guide to Halloween in Portland, Maine!
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.