We hate to be the one to say it but it looks like we have come to the end of summer. And while the sun may be setting on beach weather and sun-soaked days, our vibrant city continues to deliver a whirlwind of events into fall!
From the mouthwatering aroma of BBQ ribs at Peaks Islands’ Ribs-N-RnB Day Party to the spine-tingling thrill of watching Stephen Kings, “Pet Sematary” under the stars in Congress Square Park, this week’s Portland Old Port Weekend Guide is your ticket to the first fall weekend. Bid summer farewell without looking back!
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, September 22nd, 2023 – Sunday, September 24th, 2023
Friday the 22nd
Oktoberfest | Austin Street Brewery – Fox St. Location | All Weekend
Get ready for a whole weekend of Bavarian fun! Austin Street Brewery is rolling out the barrels for their very first Oktoberfest celebration. On Friday, dive into Oktoberfest trivia night at 6 PM with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Saturday’s a big one from 12 PM to 8 PM – blind beer tastings, a stein-holding showdown, and a costume contest that’ll have you yodeling! Then, on Sunday, from 12 PM to 5:30 PM, satisfy your taste buds with exclusive Oktoberfest treats from Eighty8 Donuts and shop to your heart’s content as Fete Market takes over the patio from 12 PM to 6 PM. Live music wraps up the weekend in style!
Spyglass | Portland Lobster Co. | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Performing hits from the likes of Tom Petty, Eric Church, The Cars, Brooks & Dunn, and The Rolling Stones, Spyglass helps us say goodbye to summer the right way LIVE on the Portland Lobster Co.’s waterfront deck!
Pet Sematary | Congress Square Park | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Embrace the chills as Friends of Congress Square Park conclude Stephen King Week with a free screening of the spine-tingling 1989 classic, Pet Sematary, filmed right here in Maine! Get ready for some hair-raising scares that’ll haunt your dreams.
An Endless Summer: A 2023 Benefit Bash for SPACE | Greenwood Garden on Peaks Island | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Join the arts community for a ferry-fueled fundraiser dance party on Peaks Island! This seaside soirée at the Peaks Island Lions’ Club (Greenwood Garden) is all about extending the summer vibes and supporting SPACE’s mission to champion emerging arts and ideas. Get dancing with expert DJs Liz Rhaney and Benjamin Spalding, soak in the sunset, and savor the salty breeze. Plan your ferry ride accordingly, and come dressed to impress for a night of dancing, bites, sweet treats, and complimentary drinks. One to remember! Tickets.
WMPG Presents: Off the Air DANCE PARTY | Urban Farm Fermentory | 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Get ready to party at the OFF AIR Dance Party, a fantastic celebration for WMPG’s 50th birthday! Join at Urban Farm Fermentory for an unforgettable FREE event! They’ve got an epic DJ lineup with Sparrowhawk, Nick Benson, and Low Down Dirty Shane spinning the beats. This party is for the 21+ crowd, so bring your ID. Plus, enjoy the convenience of FREE on-site parking.
Mercury Retrograde: Free Dance & Ying Yoga | Arcana | 7:00 PM – 8:30 pm
A night of ecstatic dancing and yin yoga at Arcana, designed to help you shake off those Mercury Retrograde vibes and find your grounding in the present moment. First, you’ll dance away the feels from the past retrograde with a playlist curated by Em MacNichol, Reiki Master and Witch. Then, they’ll have a check-in to discuss the effects of this Mercury Retrograde. Finally, end the night with a soothing yin yoga session led by Lu Suarez, a trained instructor in Yin, Hatha, and trauma-informed yoga. Sign-up.
Saturday the 23rd
Oktoberfest | Foundation Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Raise your steins and savor the flavors of fall at Oktoberfest, hosted by Foundation Brewing! Join for an unforgettable day of festivities at their Industrial Way location. What’s on tap? Get ready for the highly anticipated return of Gretel, Foundation’s signature Oktoberfest Lager, boasting rich, malty flavors that capture the essence of the season perfectly. And because they’re known for their Detroit Style pizza, they’re cooking up delectable pizza specials available all day long to satisfy those cravings! Feel the challenge and camaraderie as you test your strength and endurance in their Stein Holding Competition at 3 PM. All ages welcome including well-behaved (and leashed) four-legged best friend!
Cyclebar x Luke’s Lobster Pop-Up | Luke’s Lobster | 8:00 AM + 9:30 AM
Rescheduled from last weekend due to Hurricane Lee. A fusion of fitness and flavor, CycleBar Portland and Luke’s Lobster are teaming up to bring you TWO dynamic rides along Portland Pier! Spin in style with waterfront views courtesy of Luke Lobster’s expansive patio! Afterward, treat yourself to a well deserved Mimosa or Bloody Mary as included. Register.
Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival | Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Dive into the world of storytelling at the Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival! Join at The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine for a day filled with literary and artistic wonders. Proudly partnered with Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA), this festival celebrates children’s book authors and illustrators of the African Diaspora. Immerse yourself in captivating Read Aloud sessions with renowned authors like OD Bonny, the brilliant mind behind “A Feast for Joseph.” Let your creativity flow in art-making workshops and groove to theatrical beat-making performances. This event is an official Dollar Day$ celebration, where admission to the Museum & Theatre is just $1* for every visitor. Tickets.
Ribs-N-RnB Day Party | Jones Landing | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Presented by The Ambassatah Music Group, this is an afternoon filled with finger-licking BBQ and soulful tunes! The party kicks off at 3 PM with talented DJs spinning the best of RnB hits, from classics like Luther, Aretha, and Patti to contemporary gems from SZA, Summer Walker, and H.E.R.. Bring your friends and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of Jones Landing on Peaks Island. Surrounded by fellow RnB lovers, you’ll experience a vibrant and energetic vibe. This event is open and free to all ages. RSVP.
Buster Keaton’s Classic The General with The Kotzschmar Organ | Merrill Auditorium | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Experience Buster Keaton’s timeless classic, “The General,” like never before! Join The Kotzchmar Organ for an unforgettable evening of silent film and live pipe organ improvisation by the talented James Kennerley. Let the magic of this romantic comedy transport you to the golden era of cinema, as you follow Buster Keaton’s hilarious and heartwarming adventures. Released in 1926, this silent film masterpiece tells the story of Keaton’s two great loves: his sweetheart, Annabelle Lee, and his beloved locomotive, the General. James Kennerley, Portland’s Municipal Organist, will provide a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive experience for the whole family. A cinematic delight! Tickets.
Sunday the 24th
Summer Sendoff with 12/OC | The Porthole | 7:00 PM
POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER 8TH. If you’re in the mood for live music on the deck, check out Friday’s line-up of DJ Jacky Treehorn at 3 PM, Doubting Gravity at 8 PM.
Make waves one more time at The Porthole’s Summer Send-Off Party. Join The Porthole on the deck for a grand finale as 12/OC rocks out the stage one last time. The end-of-season party you can’t miss!
Mason Jar Terrarium Workshop | Terrarium | 11:00 aM – 12:00 PM
Get your hands dirty at Terrarium’s Mason Jar Terrarium Workshop! Join for a creative adventure where you’ll build your very own terrarium in a sleek one-quart smooth mason jar. Experts will guide you through the entire process, explaining all the ins and outs of terrarium creation. Discover the “how’s” and “why’s” of this fascinating green world. Tickets.
Sunday Night Football | Dock Fore | Open at Noon
Score big with Dock Fore on Sunday nights! Catch all the action with their Game Day specials and watch up to six games at once. Touchdowns and tasty bites – the perfect Sunday night combo!
Acholi Music! Afrobeat!: OD Bonny Family Performance | Mayo Street Arts | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
OD Bonny returns to Maine! Children and adults are welcome for a performance of traditional Acholi music and dancehall/Afrobeat by South Sudanese singer, songwriter, and producer as part of Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival! Dance to OD’s traditional hits like Lodongo Acholi, Apoka Poka, Be Mine, and Weng Acholi! Copies of OD’s new children’s book A Feast for Joseph written with Terry Farish will be given away at the event (while supplies last) as well. The book, set in Portland’s Kennedy Park and the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda, was inspired by OD’s own journey from South Sudan to Maine.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
