Heeeeeellllloooooo sweet, sweet summertime! Undeniably the best season in Maine (sorry winter lovers but it’s the truth), this weekend in Portland is shaping up to be the best weekend yet.
Kicking off the summer season in style, this weekend in Portland celebrate the wurst week ever during the best season ever (say what?), soak up summer vibes with a late night Latin spot, scream out your last bit of stress, and dance your booty off with a pirate-themed party.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, June 23rd – Sunday, June 25th, 2023
Friday the 23rd
Wurst Week Ever | Multiple Locations | Runs until June 25th
The Wurst Week Ever! Now until June 25th, join participating restaurants Highroller Lobster Co., Portland Hunt + Alpine Club, Room for Improvement, and the East Ender, for Portland’s first ever hot dog crawl. Grab a Crawl Card, sample speciality hot dogs from each location, and return your completed card by Sunday to enter the raffle. If you complete the crawl in one day, you’ll be entered into a super-secret raffle! Get ready to savor the flavors and celebrate the joy of hot dogs in the summer!
39th Annual Greek Festival | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Repeats Saturday)
Immerse yourself in the vibrant Greek culture and indulge in delicious food, pastries, music, and dancing at the 39th Greek Festival! Welcoming visitors from near and far to celebrate Greek traditions, get ready to experience the richness of Greek cuisine, the rhythms of traditional music, and the joyful atmosphere of our festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Bach Virtuosi Festival | Multiple Locations | Happening until June 27th
Music to our ears, the Bach Virtuosi Festival returns! A world-class baroque music festival featuring the greatest classical musicians from around the world, the Bach Virtuosi Festival offers residents and visitors of southern Maine a world-class concert series for lovers of the baroque repertoire. Concerts are held in intimate spaces, St. Luke’s Cathedral and Etz Chaim Synagogue, both with marvelous acoustics, so the attendees can be close to the musicians and further their appreciation for this exalted music. On Friday, Festival Associate Artists from The Juilliard School and Eastman School of Music perform a free concert at Portland Museum of Art. Pairing works by Winslow Homer, Eliot Porter, Renoir, Max Bechmann, and Maine artist Tim Rollins, the Bach Virtuosi Festival Associate Artists will perform works from Haydn, Paul Hindemith, Joelle Wallach, and Johann Sebastian Bach. View the full schedule online.
Portland Women’s Social Circle Meet-Up | Three of Strong Spirits | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Portland Women’s Social Circle June meet-up is at Three of Strong Spirits for an evening of socializing, building friendships, and creating lasting memories. Whether you’re new to Portland and looking to build a community, a long-time resident wanting to expand your circle, or simply seeking new friends to try exciting activities with, this event is tailored just for you! PWSC is here to connect you with a fantastic group of gals and provide a welcoming space for meaningful connections to flourish. Sip on delicious beverages, as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options will be available to quench your thirst. Lucky Lou Eat’s food truck will be serving up utterly delectable Greek food, including their famous Gyros. Tickets.
Cabana x Hardshore Distilling Collab Party | Cabana | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Kick off summer in style at Cabana’s epic party in partnership with Hardshore Distilling Co.! On Friday, soak up the summer vibes at Cabana as they serve up creative cocktails to tantalize your taste buds. Dance the night away to the infectious beats of Our Latin Thing and let the good times roll. Get ready for an epic night of summer fun with this unforgettable summer soirée! Tickets are not needed to attend but if you do buy a ticket receive extra swag and cocktails. Tickets.
Bellows. A Supportive Screaming Group | East End Beach | 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
While the Weekend Guide is all about a positive mindset and having fun, we know that stress does happen! If you need an outlet and a positive restart to your weekend, join for a supportive screaming group at East End Beach. Shout and roar it out into the ocean. No sign up needed, just show up. Let it out loud! This is a community based group through Renew Counseling Center. Donations accepted but not required. Rain or shine, however, cancelled if lightening.
Saturday the 24th
All Day Saturday Glow Party for Pride | CycleBar Portland | 8:30 AM (Last class/ ride at 10:30 AM)
Get ready to light up and celebrate in style at CycleBar’s all-day Saturday Glow Party for Pride Month! Join them for a morning of high-energy cycling classes with a vibrant twist. Lineup of cycling classes designed to get your heart pumping and your spirits soaring. Join for the Pride Dual at 8:00 AM, followed by the Pride Ride sessions at 9:15 AM and 10:30 AM. Get ready to pedal to the rhythm of uplifting music, surrounded by a mesmerizing glow that will light up the studio. Bring your energy, your pride, and your brightest neon outfits as CycleBar comes together to celebrate and sweat it out. Sign-up.
Workshop w/ Bomba de Aquí | Mayo Street Arts | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the vibrant and rich culture of the Taíno Indigenous people at the Taíno Mini-Conference! This event will celebrate and educate the public about the Taíno culture and its profound impact on our language and culture. On Saturday, Brendalíz, granddaughter of the great bomba performer Rafael Cepeda, and Saul will offer an all-ages, two-hour bomba workshop where you will learn drumming, dancing, and song. As the lessons unfold, the artists will share their own personal experiences as well as the inextricable historical underpinnings of the forms. The workshop will offer engaging music, dance, and interactions of all ages. They will be joined by Kathleen Mundell—an acclaimed Maine folklorist, and facilitator of the Traditional Apprenticeship program. Tickets.
Portland Pirate Cruise 3 | Fogg’s Water Taxi and Charters | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Avast, me hearties! Get ready for a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas because Feel Good Portland’s 3rd annual Pirate Cruise is setting sail!! Step aboard the Casco Cat and embark on a sunset tour of the picturesque Portland harbor. Join their salty crew and leave your troubles behind as they navigate the sparkling waters and soak in the breathtaking views. This costume cruise promises an unforgettable experience filled with pirate-themed fun and excitement. Dress up in your finest pirate attire, grab your eyepatch and sword. The Casco Cat, helmed by Fogg’s Water Taxi, will be your vessel as you journey through the scenic harbor. BYOB. Tickets.
Doggie Social Hour | Congress Square Park | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
All proud pup parents, it’s time to unleash your furry friends and join Friends of Congress Square Park for Doggie Social Hour! Every Saturday morning, head on over to the park with your leashed and well-behaved pup for a unique networking opportunity. A chance for your four-legged companion to mingle with other esteemed doggos in the community, watch as they form connections, exchange sniffs, and maybe even establish a professional “paw-tnership.” Note: FoCSP are excited to see your pups shine and make new friends at Doggie Social Hours. Please ensure your furry companion is leashed and well-behaved during the event.
Adoption Event | The Fish & Bone | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Looking to add a furry friend to your family? Darbster Rescue from Chichester, New Hampshire, is teaming up with The Fish & Bone for an exciting adoption event. Meet some adorable dogs who are ready to find their forever homes this Sunday. Whether you’ve been searching for a loyal companion or a playful new addition to the family, Darbster may just have the perfect pup for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some wonderful dogs and potentially find your new best friend.
Figure Drawing | Speedwell Contemporary | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Unleash your creativity, connect with local artists, and celebrate the joy of self-expression! Rainbow Arts Collective invites you to join them at the Speedwell Contemporary for an exhilarating live figure drawing session. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting your artistic journey, this is a unique opportunity to develop your artistic practice and engage with a diverse community of creatives. Bring your own art supplies, and if needed, they will have basic paper and pencils available upon request. Session will feature a dynamic mix of short and longer poses, with the specific itinerary announced at the beginning of each session. Warm up with quick sketches during short poses ranging from 1-5 minutes, then delve into more detailed compositions during longer poses lasting 10-20 minutes. Reserve your spot.
Sunday the 25th
Children’s Film Festival Seatle 2023: Best of Animation | SPACE | 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM Screenings (1 hour each)
Dive into exciting adventures and vibrant colors with this joyful collection of award-winning and audience favorite short animated films from Children’s Film Festival Seattle. An enchanting cinematic experience that will ignite your imagination and warm your heart! Join SPACE for a 59-minute, all-ages journey into a world of delightful animation with an incredible selection of award-winning and audience-favorite short films. Tickets.
Wurst Week Ever: Dog-A-Thon and Raffle Drawing | Room for Improvement | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Finish up the Wurst Week Ever with a Dog-A-Thon and Raffle Drawing hosted by Room for Improvement! An evening of hot dog themed fun and exciting outdoor games, step into the hot dog wonderland as the Room for Improvement teams kicks off festivities with games that will make you buns wag with joy! Test their skills at bobbing for hot dogs, try your luck at the hot dog lob, and prepare for more exciting surprises along the way. But that’s not all – stick around until 8 PM for the highly anticipated raffle drawing as part of the Wurst Week Ever. Will you be one of the lucky winners?
Zane Lamprey | Oxbow Blending & Bottling | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Ready to raise a glass and laugh your heart? Zane Lamprey’s THIRSTY! Stand-Up Comedy Tour comes to town! Join Oxbow Blending & Bottling for a night of hilarious stand-up comedy and indulge in amazing craft beer. Be treated to Zane’s incredible comedic talent and fantastic storytelling, known for his globe-trotting adventures and hosting acclaimed TV shows like Three Sheets and Drinking Made Easy, Zane Lamprey has countless intriguing stories to share. Join Oxbow Blending & Bottling as he takes the stage and regales the city with his hilarious and sometimes outrageous experiences from around the world. 21+ event. Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.