Experience the joy of movement with Biodanza Maine! This unique dance practice encourages expression through music, movement, and connection, helping you connect with yourself and others. No dance experience? No problem! Facilitators Gabriel and Hannah will guide you through this uplifting session. Just bring a water bottle, comfy clothes, and your enthusiasm! Sliding scale of $10-$20.
Barreling toward the official end of summer! Here’s some ideas on how to get out there this weekend and enjoy the last few days of the season!
Dive into the musical waves at The Portland Yacht Rock Festival, where smooth tunes meet nautical vibes. Savor Oktoberfest at Foundation Brewing Co., complete with festive food, stein hoisting, and live music from the Maine Squeeze band. Sip for a cause at Ales for Tails, a fun “pup” crawl benefiting the Animal Refuge League. Experience Cosmic Kotzschamer’s unique art and performance blend, and dance into autumn at the FREE Fall Equinox Ecstatic Dance Party.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, September 13th – Sunday, September 15th, 2024
Friday the 13th
The Portland Yacht Rock Festival | Aura | 8:00 PM Show
Ahoy, smooth sailing into the weekend! Keep the summer vibes going strong at The Portland Yacht Rock Festival at Aura, where local musicians will bring you the best of smooth classics from TOTO, America, Bread, Steely Dan, and more. It’s the perfect way to hold on to those sunny, carefree days as we sail toward fall! This annual celebration of yacht rock tunes will have you cruising through a sea of nostalgia with laid-back grooves and timeless hits. Come aboard for an evening of easy-listening favorites. Ticket.
Pickleball Fridays | Eastern Promenade Courts | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Looking for a fun and active way to kick off the weekend? Join Lifestyle Medicine Maine for Pickleball Fridays! Whether you’re a seasoned player or totally new to the sport, everyone’s welcome. It’s a relaxed, beginner-friendly event where you can learn the ropes, meet new friends, and enjoy a lively game—all for free. Grab a paddle and get in on the fun!
Fall Equinox Ecstatic Dance Party with DJ Pika | The Portland Yoga Project | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The Portland Yoga Project invites you into your body for creative expression, dance and joy! Celebrate the changing season with two hours of creative expression and movement as local talent DJ Pika guides you through a phone-free, sober dance journey. This sacred space invites you to connect with yourself and others through the joy of freeform movement. Sign up (FREE).
Sounds n Sizzle | Congress Square Park | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Get ready to groove and feast at the second annual Sounds N Sizzle! This downtown Portland festival celebrates BIPOC talent with amazing food, live music, and good vibes. Whether you’re dancing, sampling delicious bites, or meeting new friends, this event is the perfect way to spend your weekend. Don’t miss out on this celebration of culture, community, and flavor! Features performances by Mosart212, 32French, Pestle Dance, Yashu and more!
Biodanza Maine | Good Medicine Collective | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday the 14th
Oktoberfest | Foundation Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Raise your steins and get ready for a fun-filled Oktoberfest celebration at Foundation Brewing Co.! Enjoy food specials, a lively stein hoisting contest at 3pm, and groove to the tunes of the Maine Squeeze band from 2pm-4pm. Already available on tap, enjoy the highly anticipated return of Gretel, Foundation’s signature Oktoberfest Lager – the rich, malty flavors that perfectly capture the essence of the fall season. While lederhosen and dirndls aren’t required, they’re highly encouraged to get into the festive spirit!
For a full rundown of Oktoberfest celebrations in Portland, Maine, check out our guide.
Cosmic Kotzschmar with The Kotzschmar Organ | Merrill Auditorium | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Embark on an extraordinary journey with Kotzschmar Organ with a performance that promises to transport you to realms of cosmic wonder. This program features a newly transcribed rendition of Holst’s The Planets, alongside the captivating Interstellar suite by Hans Zimmer, celebrating the 10-year milestone of this cinematic masterpiece. Additionally, enjoy John Williams’ iconic Star Wars march and Ludovico Einaudi’s Experience, newly transcribed for organ solo by James Kennerley. Enhancing this multisensory experience are video projections of outer space designed to interact with the music, creating an immersive atmosphere. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to embark on a musical journey through the cosmos and be swept away by the shared grandeur of the universe and the Mighty Kotzschmar. Tickets.
Ales for Tails Pup Crawl | Multiple Breweries | All Day – Repeats Sunday
Raise a glass for a great cause! This year’s Ales for Tails “Pup” Crawl features 22 participating establishments supporting the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland’s (ARLGP). Be one of the first 100 participants to visit the ARLGP table and score a commemorative glass! Proceeds from the event benefit ARLGP’s life-saving mission, and previous “Ales for Tails” swag will be available by suggested donation. Don’t miss this paws-itively fun event for animal lovers and beer enthusiasts alike! Participating locations include Foundation Brewing Co.,Rising Tide Brewing Co., Three of Strong Spirits, Austin Street Brewery, Battery Steele Brewing Co., and others!
Learn more in the rundown, Raise a Glass for A Good Cause: Ales for Tails Pup Crawl in Portland, Maine.
Sugarbox | The Porthole | 7:00 PM
Get ready to turn up the energy with Sugarbox the dope AF hip-hop and dance group known for bringing the party wherever they go! Their high-energy beats and infectious vibe will have the whole crowd on their feet. Head down to The Porthole for a night of unforgettable music, dancing, and pure fun!
Sunday the 15th
Donuts with Duke | Bayside Bowl | 10:00 aM – 12:00 PM
Celebrate the return of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) on FS1 in style at Bayside Bowl with cocktails, Eighty 8 Donuts, and the legendary Norm Duke! Mingle with fellow bowling fans, enjoy tasty treats, and get ready for a night of excitement. This event is free and open to the public—don’t miss out on this sweet kick-off to the PBA season!
PBA Elite League Playoffs | Bayside Bowl | Doos open at 10:00 AM / Starts at 12:30 PM (Playoffs end Tuesday)
After you’ve grabbed your donuts and had the chance to meet Norm Duke head inside to catch PBA Tour LIVE at Bayside Bowl! One of the most beloved stops on the tour and the official home of the annual PBA League Elias Cup, Bayside welcomes 40 of the world’s top bowlers to Portland each year to compete for the prestigious title! This year the playoffs will be kick off on Sunday and will be rolling on through Bayside Bowl until Tuesday. Purchase Tickets. You can catch the full schedule of events and more about PBA Tour with our official rundown.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for Gut Health -Transitioning from Summer to Fall | Botanically Curious | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join Molly McNeel, Acupuncture Physician, for an insightful workshop on how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the seasonal transition from summer to fall and its impact on gut health. This session will focus on the importance of the Stomach and Spleen in TCM, and how the shift from the yang energy of summer to the yin energy of fall can affect digestion, immunity, and overall wellness. Sip tea, learn valuable tips to support your health during this time, and discover how to navigate common issues like bloating and sluggish digestion. Sign-up.
SeaGrass Music Festival | Maine Craft Distilling | 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Get ready for the 4th Annual SeaGrass Music Festival at Maine Craft Distilling! Expect a family-friendly day of great music, food, and cold drinks. The stellar lineup kicks off at 3:30pm with Haggard and Cashed, followed by Mr. Sun, Brittany Haas, and Cahaba Roots, featuring some of Berklee’s finest musicians. Bring the whole family (dogs included) for a fantastic day of bluegrass and good vibes! Kids under 12 get in free. Fun goes on rain or shine. Tickets.
Learn more with POP’s rundown, Ride the SeaGrass Wave: Maine Craft Distilling’s Festival Returns
PiP PiP Parade! | Starts at the Root Cellar, 94 Washington Avenue | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate the opening weekend of Puppets in Portland 2024 with a vibrant parade featuring giant puppets, tall stilt-walkers, wild drummers, and a kaleidoscope of color and sound! Portland’s own Shoestring Theater will lead the procession down Washington Avenue and through Kennedy Park, with the Ideal Maine Social Aid & Sanctuary Band and local artists joining in. After the parade, head to Mayo Street Arts for a puppet show by Modern Times Theater from Vermont. The parade kicks off at The Root Cellar and winds its way to Mayo Street Arts. In case of rain, the parade will be rescheduled to September 16th at 6:00 PM.
Thomas Park 111th Anniversary Celebration | 64 Burnham Street | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Celebrate over a century of Thomas Park with its 111th Anniversary event in Libbytown. Join Portland City Councilor Regina Phillips, Elias Thomas III, Portland Historian Hon. Herb Adams, and the Thomas Family for a special sign reveal and dedication. Enjoy music, light refreshments, and the rich history of a park that has been a cherished part of Portland for generations. Hosted by the Friends of Thomas Park, the Libbytown Neighborhood Association, and the University Neighborhood Organization, this event marks a significant milestone in the park’s storied history.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
