AD: Autumn Equinox at Maine Audubon
It’s a weekend of endless fun—make the most of every moment before the season bids adieu!
Dive into the laughs at the Portland Maine Comedy Festival, where top standups from across North America will have you rolling in the aisles. Sip and savor during Negroni Month with Via Vecchia’s global Negroni tour, or mix things up at the Boozy Book Fair at Novel, where you can browse books with a drink in hand. And don’t miss Oktoberfest celebrations, where you can enjoy German brews, tasty eats, and lively tunes.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, September 6th – Sunday, September 8th, 2024
Friday the 6th
Heartsapalooza! | Thompson’s Point | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Exclusive to Season Ticket Deposit holders and their families, this Heartsapalooza will take place at Thompson’s Point. It’s your chance to dive into all things Hearts of Pine with live music, delicious bites from eight local food trucks (including Cheese the Day and Crepe Elizabeth), and fun soccer activities. Don’t miss the live Q&A with NESN’s Tom Caron, where you can get answers to all your burning Season Ticket questions. Enjoy a free drink ticket, snag some limited-edition merchandise with a 15% discount, and participate in exciting giveaways worth over $1,000! Q&A starts at 5:30 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of fantastic entertainment and community spirit. Each Season Ticket Deposit provides one free admission, and kids eight and under get in free. Don’t have your deposit yet? Get yours and join for an unforgettable evening! Tickets.
Yin Yoga & Earth Mudra | The Portland Yoga Project | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Unwind and ground yourself with Kelley Voegelin at The Portland Yoga Project this weekend. In this 90-minute Yin Yoga session, you’ll explore the power of Prithivi Mudra, or Earth Mudra, which is like doing yoga with your hands. This mudra is designed to nourish your physical, mental, and spiritual layers, helping you find balance and peace. Expect a deeply restorative practice with a combination of Yin yoga, meditation, breathwork, and the unique benefits of mudra. Perfect for anyone looking to connect with their inner calm and stability before heading into the busy weekend. Sign-up.
Boozy Book Fair | Novel | 5:00 PM
Get ready to relive the excitement of your childhood Scholastic Book Fairs—only this time, with a grown-up twist! Head over to Novel, Portland’s beloved book bar and café, for their Boozy Book Fair. Bring your friends or come solo, sip on your favorite drink, and browse through a selection of books. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and adult fun, with the chance to chat with local booksellers and support the community. A literary meet-up with a boozy bonus!
Negroni Month | ViA VECCHiA | All Month
Why settle for a week when you can celebrate all month long? Negroni Month kicks off at ViA VECCHiA with a global twist on the classic Italian cocktail. Embark on a Negroni Tour of The World with their exclusive Negroni Passport, featuring unique variations inspired by different regions. Sip, savor, and get your passport stamped with each cocktail—complete the journey to earn the title of true Negroni aficionado. Plus, your Negroni adventure supports a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the Negroni Week charity, Slow Food, a movement dedicated to making the world a better place through food and beverage. Cheers to a month of great drinks and doing good!
The 502s | Aura | 8:00 PM Doors
Orlando’s The 502s, often dubbed the happiest band on earth, deliver on that promise with electrifying live shows that push the boundaries of indie folk. This six-piece band, led by banjoist and singer Ed Isola, brings a contagious energy that breaks free from traditional folk constraints. Joined by lifelong friends Matt Tonner, Joe Capati, Sean Froehlich, Nick Melashenko, and Graci Phillips, their journey is fueled by camaraderie and a deep love for music. With infectious hooks and a hit like “Just A Little While” boasting over 100 million streams, The 502s have taken their high-spirited sound to sold-out tours across the globe. Tickets.
Portland Maine Comedy Festival | Multiple Locations | Sept. 5th – Sept. 8th
The largest annual comedy event in New England is back! The Portland Maine Comedy Festival is bringing together 100 of the best up-and-coming stand-up comics, sketch comedy teams, and improv groups from all over the nation. This year’s festival offers an incredible lineup with 24 stand-up showcases, 7 sketch and improv comedy shows, 4 feature stand-up shows with regional and touring headliners, 9 open-mic-style shows, and 1 epic Festival Headlining Show. Events are spread across various bars, breweries, and theaters in Portland, catering to every comedy fan’s budget. In addition to the main events, the festival is dedicated to recognizing comics from historically underrepresented backgrounds with daily Specialty Showcases featuring BIPOC, Female, Queer, and Over 50-year-old comedians. Schedule + Tickets
Saturday the 7th
Oktoberfest | Definitive Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Get ready to be on your WURST behavior at Oktoberfest 2024! Join Definitive Brewing Co. for a day of German beer, delicious eats, and family-friendly fun at all-ages, free-to-attend celebration. Snag a limited edition .5L Oktoberfest boot (with drink tickets!) while enjoying a top-notch beer lineup featuring Oktoberfest Märzen, German-style Helles, Czech Pilsner, and more. Test your strength in the stein-holding competition for a shot at a $50 Definitive Gift Card, and satisfy your cravings with German-inspired dishes from Fat Kid Culinary and Tacos Del Seoul. Live music from the Tumbledown Saints, a bounce house for the kids, and even a mini-stein holding competition will keep the whole family entertained. Bring the kids, bring your pups, and come celebrate in style—Prost!
For a full rundown of Oktoberfest celebrations in Portland, Maine, check out our guide.
Clean Transportation Festival | Orange Bike Brewing Company | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Get ready to roll towards a greener future at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Clean Transportation Festival at Orange Bike Brewing! Enjoy an afternoon packed with food, drinks, and games while diving into e-bike demos and hearing from key industry leaders. Discover how local organizations are transforming our streets through enhanced public transit, active transportation, and innovative community design. With Diamond Street closed to car traffic, it’s the perfect spot to explore clean transit options safely. Bring your family, friends, and enthusiasm to support a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future! Learn more!
Bread & Puppet Theater | Fort Allen Park (Eastern Promenade) | 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
The Bread & Puppet Theater is back in Portland with their new show, “The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus,” in Fort Allen Park. This free outdoor performance, presented by Mayo Street Arts, combines traditional circus elements with Bread & Puppet’s signature bold and colorful imagery to address urgent social issues. Expect a lively spectacle with stilt dancers, paper-mâché creatures, and a raucous brass band. After the show, enjoy their famous sourdough rye bread with aioli and browse “Cheap Art” from their press. Don’t miss this unique and thought-provoking event!
Endless Summer Party | The Portland Club | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Say goodbye to summer with a bang at The Portland Club’s Endless Summer Party! Join for an evening of vibrant music, delicious food, and exciting prizes. Dance to the lively tunes of the Lazzlo Family Band and indulge in an all-inclusive experience featuring a fantastic spread of food and drinks. Plus, enter the raffle for a chance to win amazing prizes like gift certificates to local spots and more! Keep the summer vibes going all night long! Tickets.
End of Summer Vibes | Flask Lounge | 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Say goodbye to summer with a bang at Flask Lounge’s! Experience an unforgettable evening with the dynamic duo, Dale Da Dred & Tylord, as they spin an eclectic mix of tunes that will keep you dancing well into the evening. A unique fusion of old and new sounds that will set the perfect tone for your end-of-summer celebrations. Tickets.
Sunday the 8th
Deering Center Porchfest | Deering Center Neighborhood | 12:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Get ready for the 10th Annual Deering Center Porchfest! Join DCNA for a day of fantastic live music across the neighborhood, celebrating community and creativity in a fun, free, and family-friendly environment. With over 65 bands performing on porches throughout the area, it’s a musical journey you won’t want to miss. All are welcome to this joyous event—come and enjoy the tunes, the vibe, and the community spirit! Schedule + map of events – including road closures and parking!
Wine Wise Sail: The Mediterranean | Maine State Pier | 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM
Set sail on a Mediterranean wine adventure with Wine Wise! Join Sommelier Erica Archer for a scenic voyage through Casco Bay on the 74-foot sailboat, Frances, as you explore and taste five exceptional wines from Mediterranean regions like Greece, Italy, and Spain. Learn about the unique influences that shape these wines, and discover new favorites with expert guidance. Enjoy breathtaking views, a curated selection of cheeses and snacks, and deepen your wine knowledge in a relaxed, elegant setting. Sip, savor, and sail! Tickets.
Chase Jobe & The Running Kind | The Porthole | 6:00 PM
Catch Chase Jobe & The Running Kind at The Porthole! With Chase Jobe on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Uriah Carver shredding on lead guitar, Justin Carver holding down the bass, and Declan Sutton driving the beat on drums, this is your chance to rock out on Portland’s biggest deck before summer bids farewell. A can’t miss high-energy show with an unforgettable waterfront vibe!
Rising Tide Sunday Showcase 1 | Rising Tide Brewing Co. | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
An afternoon of laughs at the Rising Tide Brewing Co., part of the Portland Maine Comedy Festival! Catch eight of North America’s hottest up-and-coming standups in a 90-minute comedy extravaganza. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime—arrive early as seating might be delayed if there’s a prior showcase. Ages 21+, drinks available for purchase. Don’t miss out on this hilarious evening! Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
