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This weekend marks the official start of fall, and Portland is ready to celebrate!
Embrace the new season with Honey Week at UNION, where rooftop honey takes center stage in a special prix fixe menu. Savor the flavors of Oktoberfest with lively festivities at Bissell Brothers and Belleflower Brewing Co.. Enjoy the PSO Block Party for a musical celebration of the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 100th season, and get ready to dance at Club XCX for a brattier-than-ever Charli XCX-themed party. Plus, experience the immersive Fall Equinox Concert at Bug Light Park, where music meets nature in a unique outdoor setting. Discover all this and more in your Weekend Guide!
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, September 20th – Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
Friday the 20th
Honey Week | UNION Restaurant | September 20th – September 27th
Celebrate National Honey Month UNION Restaurant in The Press Hotel with a delectable Honey Week menu. This special event highlights the rooftop honey harvested from The Press Hotel’s very own beehives, in partnership with The Honey Exchange. Menu highlights include Artisanal Cheese Plate: Featuring crisp bites, grapes, and a green tea-infused rooftop honey; Whole Spanish Sea Bass: Brined with honey, complemented by seaweed-honey caviar, fregola, and kelp; and Lavender-Honey Panna Cotta: Served with smoked hot honey, rooftop honeycomb, and a stone fruit compote. Indulge in a sweet celebration of honey and support sustainability while enjoying a thoughtfully crafted meal that showcases the unique flavors of local honey.
Check out our rundown: Honey, We’re Home: UNION’s Honey Week Brings Rooftop Harvest to the Table
PSO Block Party | City Hall | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join for a vibrant evening of music, food, and community spirit with Portland Symphony Orchestra, celebrating 100 years of musical excellence! Taking place on the plaza of City Hall and Myrtle Street, this free event offers a fantastic lineup of performances, including a fiddle trio, brass quintet, solo cello, solo marimba, and special acts from Portland Ballet and Opera Maine. Enjoy the whimsical wandering wind musicians, explore family-friendly activities like the Instrument Petting Zoo, Podium Hero, and Children’s craft station. Savor delicious offerings from Crepe Elizabeth, Sook Thai, and Mainely Burgers, plus a refreshing indoor beer garden at Merrill Auditorium. Don’t miss out on this joyful kick-off to the 2024-25 season!
BLKBOK | One Longfellow Square | 8:00 PM
Prepare to be captivated by BLKBOK, a Detroit native whose journey from a piano prodigy to a neo-classical sensation is nothing short of extraordinary. With a name echoing one of the greats, BLKBOK—born Charles Wilson III—brings an electrifying performance that blends pop, hip-hop, and classical influences into a unique, high-energy experience. His critically-acclaimed debut album, Black Book, and mixtape projects like CVRART showcase his innovative approach to music. Join for an evening of groundbreaking, live piano performance that challenges perceptions and celebrates musical diversity. Ticket.
A Killer Night at Club 85 | The Hill Arts | 7:00 PM
Step into the wild world of 1985, where disco isn’t the only thing that’s dead! Join Sleuths Mystery Entertainment for a thrilling, interactive murder mystery set at Club 85, the hottest nightclub in town. But when trouble comes knocking, you’ll need to figure out if it was the jilted partner, ex-lover, or perhaps an undercover agent behind the crime. Dress in your best ‘80s gear, gather clues, and try to solve the mystery for a chance to win a prize. It’s an unforgettable night of felonious fun, comedy, and suspense! Tickets.
Saturday the 21st
Oktoberfest | Bissell Brothers | All Day (Repeats Sunday)
Dive into the ultimate two-day Oktoberfest celebration with Bissell Brothers! Kicking off on Friday, September 20th, the brewery will be releasing their much-anticipated Festbier along with the 2024 limited edition steins—perfect for toasting all weekend long. The celebration continues on Saturday and Sunday with two days of German-style food, lively festivities, and endless “Prost!”-ing.
For a full rundown of Oktoberfest celebrations in Portland, Maine, check out our guide.
Portland Coastal Cleanup | Back Cove | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Find a coastal cleanup near you! Join the effort to keep our coastlines beautiful and healthy! As part of Coastweek, Maine Coastal Program hosts cleanups across the state, and now it’s Portland’s turn. Help clean up Casco Bay and the local community. Supplies like trash grabbers, gloves (for all ages), buckets, and trash bags will be provided.
How Henry Became Longfellow: The Creation of a Literary Legend | Wadsworth- Longfellow House | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Repeats Saturday)
Join Maine Historical Society for their literary tour of the Longfellow House where you will hear his timeless poems in the very rooms that inspired them and experience what Abraham Lincoln called his “gift to stir souls.” You will also hear the origin stories behind his poetry that have never been told before, as well as recently discovered secrets, unknown to a century of biographers, that can told now. You will learn about the family who raised him and his young first wife from Portland who, according to Longfellow’s literary biographer, was the major influence behind his poetry. Join MHS as they celebrate the Portland inspiration behind the poet who used the power of the pen to influence two presidents, a prime minister and an Act of Parliament. Tickets.
Bellefest | Belleflower Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A full day of pure beer bliss as Belleflower Brewing Co.’s Bellefest returns for its 4th year! Kicking off this year’s Bellefest with the re-release of Bellefest Fest Lager, Gilded Meadow Dunkel, and Crown of Flowers Hefeweizen. Also, for the first time, they’re bringing full liter steins to the taproom -available to take home, branded with the new Scrugsy & Magpie Belleflower crest. Enjoy delicious bites from local food trucks/carts Ironclad Eats + Vintage Dogs and music from DJ DRB who will be spinning vinyl from 2 PM – 5 PM. All ages welcome! Well-behaved pups welcome on the patio.
For a full rundown of Oktoberfest celebrations in Portland, Maine, check out our guide.
CLUB XCX – A Bratty Charli Night | Portland House of Music & Events | 9:30 PM
Wrap up the summer with a dance party fit for the Queen of Summer herself, Charli XCX! Portland angels, come out to Portland House of Music and Events and dance the night away with the best bratty beats of the season. Expect non-stop tracks from Charli XCX, along with hits by ARCA, Slayyyter, Shygirl, SOPHIE, and 100 gecs, all brought to you by DJ Gratitude. 21+. Tickets.
Negronis with the Homies | The Tasting Room | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join for a fun and interactive “Negronis with the Homies” cocktail class, led by the talented Marcus Alcantara of Camp Pennant and Paper Tiger! This event takes place at The Tasting Room on Forest Avenue, and is a perfect way to dive into the world of Negronis during Negroni Week 2024. Participants will enjoy a Negroni tasting flight while learning about the cocktail’s rich history, basics, and answering the ultimate question, “Will it Negroni?” Don’t miss this chance to celebrate with fellow Negroni lovers and brush up on your cocktail skills! Ticket.
For a full rundown of Negroni Month happenings in Portland, Maine, check out From Bitter to Better: Where to Celebrate Negroni Month in Portland, Maine
Bois by Puzzle Théâtre (as part of Puppets in Portland) | Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM + 2:00 PM – 2:40 PM (Repeats Sunday)
As part of Puppets in Portland, don’t miss the mesmerizing performances of Bois by Montreal-based Puzzle Théâtre. Hosted at CMTM, Bois draws you into a whimsical world where wooden creatures come alive, some humorous, others a bit hostile. This wordless, immersive performance encourages the audience to interpret the untold, allowing your imagination to run free. Puzzle Théâtre, known for blending dramatic theater, object theater, and puppetry, has been captivating audiences with their creative storytelling since 1996. Experience a playful, thought-provoking show that surprises and inspires in equal measure! Tickets.
Sunday the 22nd
Vigorous Tenderness: a Fall Equinox Concert | Bug Light Park | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Celebrate the fall equinox with an unforgettable experience with Vigorous Tenderness! This immersive outdoor concert, happening in South Portland’s Bug Light Park combines new and experimental chamber music with the beautiful waterfront landscape. Stroll through performances designed to harmonize with the surroundings, amplifying marginalized voices in classical music. Family-friendly and open to all, this event is a serene, reflective way to welcome the changing season. Donations are encouraged, and all proceeds go to supporting the musicians and future concerts. Rain date set for Monday, September 23rd from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
KAT-Walk & Karo-5K | Back Cove | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Get ready to lace up for a great cause at the 16th Annual KAT-Walk & 12th Annual Karo-5K for Brain Aneurysm Awareness. Held at Payson Park along the scenic Back Cove Boulevard, this event is a heartfelt day to honor loved ones affected by brain aneurysms. Enjoy family-friendly activities, a 50/50 raffle, and awareness information, followed by the 11:00 AM 5K race and walk. It’s a chance to connect with the community, support vital research, and raise awareness during Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. Bring a picnic, enjoy the view, and help make a difference!
Sunday Sauce Dinner | Coals Bayside | 5:00 PM
Looking for a cozy way to wrap up your weekend? Coals Bayside has you covered with their Sunday Sauce Dinner. Get ready for an Italian feast featuring a fresh salad with peppers and mozzarella, two types of pasta, and slow-cooked meatballs and sausage—all paired perfectly with flowing vino. It’s the ultimate comfort food event, best enjoyed with friends or family. Be sure to call and make your reservations at (207) 747-5747 to secure your spot!
Portland Water Lantern Festival | Deering Oaks Park | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Get ready for a magical evening at the Portland Water Lantern Festival. This family-friendly event is filled with joy, hope, and moments to remember, making it the perfect way to share an unforgettable experience with friends, family, and even new faces in the community. The festival kicks off at 4 PM with gates opening to a night of food trucks, music, and fun activities. At 6:30 PM, you’ll have the chance to design your own lantern, adding a personal touch to the serene launch, which takes place from 7 PM to 8 PM. Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
