Where will this weekend take you?
Revel in the retro vibes of the Summer of Love, where you can channel your inner hippie and dance to timeless tunes. Immerse yourself in nature with the Maine Outdoor Film Festival, celebrating the beauty and importance of our planet through compelling storytelling. Feel the rhythm on the water with the Casco Bay Concert Series, featuring fantastic live music aboard a Portland ferry. And for those with a creative streak, Dye at Dusk invites you to transform your wardrobe with natural dyes.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, July 26th – Sunday, July 28th, 2024
Friday the 26th
Maine Outdoor Film Festival 2024 | Multiple Locations | July 24th – July 28th
Join for the Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF), a celebration of storytelling, adventure, and conservation. Each July in Portland, MOFF’s flagship festival features a diverse lineup of films that explore the beauty and complexity of our planet. Enjoy indoor screenings, industry panels, and networking events by day, and experience outdoor films on a 20-foot screen by night. This is your chance to connect with filmmakers, outdoor enthusiasts, and art lovers while enjoying breathtaking stories that inspire change and broaden perspectives. Locations include the Eastern Promenade, Maine Studio Works, SPACE, Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Tickets and Schedule.
Cruising Casco Bay Concert Series: Kenya Hall | Casco Bay Lines | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Get ready to set sail on a musical journey with the 2024 Cruising Casco Bay Concert Series! This summer, join Casco Bay Lines, 98.9 WCLZ, and Three of Strong Spirits for a spectacular concert experience on Portland’s iconic ferry. Next up is Kenya Hall, whose unique blend of authentic soul and funk will have you dancing the night away. Kenya’s indomitable vocals and rare energy transform every performance into an unforgettable experience. Enjoy specialty cocktails from Three of Strong Spirits at the cash bar while you soak in the music and ocean air. Come aboard, enjoy the funk, and prepare to party! Tickets.
Taylord | Bar Publica | 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Get ready to hit the dance floor with Tylord spinning the best in disco, house, funk, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and more. Every Friday and Saturday night, from 10 PM to 1 AM, groove to a mix of curated beats and unforgettable tracks at Bar Publica. Whether you’re a dance enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, join for an electrifying experience!
13BLACK | The Porthole | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
With summer in full swing, 13Black is back in the Old Port! Southern Maine’s most electrifying and diverse cover band is bringing you the hottest dance hits and 70s classics. Join on the deck of The Porthole and let the good times roll!
Definitive After Dark presents the Summer of Love! | Definitive Brewing Co. | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Step back to 1969 for an epic night of peace, love, and groovy vibes! Embrace your inner hippie and come dressed in bell bottoms, tie-dye, and fringe for a transformative journey through music, movies, and memories. Sip on Protest Punch or Love Slushee while enjoying a lineup of iconic films: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (silent), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (8pm), and Easy Rider (9:30pm). Groove to the beats of Diego Smith, Chimney Cricket, LAWLZ, and BR3TT as Definitive Brewing Co. celebrates the legendary Summer of Love.
Saturday the 27th
Festival of Nations | Deering Oaks Park | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
An opportunity to explore the world without leaving Portland! Experience a day-long global and cultural celebration at the Festival of Nations in Portland’s Deering Oaks! Join thousands of visitors as they come together to enjoy a vibrant showcase of ethnic foods, music, and dance. This family-friendly event celebrates Maine’s rich ethnic diversity and traditions, offering immersive cultural activities for all ages. Co-hosted by the city of Portland, the Mugadi Foundation, Women In Need Industries, and Poland Spring, the festival highlights the traditions and customs of various countries. Past festivals have featured representations from countries such as Ireland, Cambodia, India, Sudan, Germany, Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Kingdom, Thailand, Cameroon, Peru, Sweden, Benin, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the United States, along with Native American cultures.
A Band Beyond Description | Portland Lobster Co. | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Groove with A Band Beyond Description, a group of seasoned musicians dedicated to capturing the essence and spirit of the Grateful Dead’s dynamic style. Join for a night of high-energy jams and classic tunes as they bring their unique take on the Dead’s iconic sound to the waterfront.
Re-sounding History | Fort Gorges | 3:15 – 6:15 PM
Immerse yourself in a unique sound meditation experience at Fort Gorges! Join Hogfish, Friends of Fort Gorges, and the Wild Seed Project for a summer afternoon filled with collaborative music that blends indigenous and non-indigenous sounds with the natural rhythms of plants. Enjoy a scenic boat ride to the historic Fort Gorges, where you can relax on the grass, listen to soothing ocean waves, and experience live music created from the electrical impulses of native plants. Isaac Syliboy and Evan Premo will lead a 40-minute instrumental meditation, inviting you to reconnect with the beauty of the moment. Afterward, explore the island, swim, or simply savor the lingering sounds. Tickets.
Loquat’s Dye at Dusk | Thompson’s Point | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Calling all natural dye enthusiasts! Get ready to unleash your creativity at Loquat’s Dye at Dusk at The Grove on Thompsons Point! Bring your light-colored garments and learn the art of Batik and Shibori dye-resist techniques with natural fibers. They’ll be working with a vat of indigo dye, so prepare to get messy and turn your clothes a beautiful shade of blue. Tickets are available on a sliding scale, starting at just $5, so you can pay what you can and dye what you like.
Naughty Improve | Empire Comedy Club | 7:00 PM
Spice up your Saturday night with Capital City Improv! Get ready for a strip-tease for your senses as Dennis Price, Amy Roeder, and Amanda Eaton bring you an evening full of laughs and lovers. With your stories and suggestions combined with their delightfully dirty minds, you’re in for a hilariously risqué experience that you won’t forget. Prepare for a night of adult laughs and playful mischief at its finest! Tickets.
Good Luck Club – An Unapologetic Dance Party | Portland House of Music & Events | 9:30 PM
Get ready to light up the dance floor at the unapologetic, high-energy Good Luck Club dance party! Join for an unforgettable night of music and dancing. It’s a FEMININOMENON, featuring beats from Chappell Roan, boygenius, Reneé Rapp, Phoebe Bridgers, MUNA, Madonna, Lorde, Kacey Musgraves, and more. With a DJ set by the fabulous DJ Gratitude. Don your dancing shoes and come celebrate the magic of music! Tickets.
Sunday the 28th
Jim Sharkey | Rising Tide Brewing Co. | 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Kick back with some refreshing brews and enjoy live music with Irish and Americana folk singer-songwriter Jim Shrakey at Rising Tide! Known for his heartfelt original songs that weave together traditional Celtic influences and contemporary issues, Jim’s music paints a vivid picture of the places and stories close to his heart. With four albums under his belt, including his latest release Our Old Village, Jim promises an evening of soulful tunes that will resonate with everyone. No cover charge, rain or shine, and family-friendly!
Maine Outdoor Film Festival: The Ghost Trap | SPACE | 7:00 PM
An evening of cinematic intrigue as the Maine Outdoor Film Festival presents The Ghost Trap, a compelling 105-minute film by James Khanlarian. Follow the gripping story of Jamie, a young lobsterman whose life takes a tumultuous turn after his girlfriend is injured in a boating accident. With his lobster traps sabotaged and a turf war brewing on the water, Jamie finds himself navigating the choppy seas of life and love, falling for someone new while trying to keep his world afloat. Join for this thrilling film and witness the drama unfold on the big screen! Tickets.
Curbside Queens Parking Lot Takeover | Bayside Bowl | 6:00 PM Show
Join the Curbside Queens at Portland’s favorite asphalt beach! The Bayside Bowl parking lot! They’re back back back again at their favorite parking lot in Portland to bring you a fabulous evening of great drag, fantastic food, and delicious drinks! Performances by Cherry Lemonade, Finngerring, Arabella The Goddess, Riot Romero, and Spreada LaJoy! Doors open at 5 PM, show starts at 6 PM. Bring Your Own Chair.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
