And in the near future.
Sep 29, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Ironbound Restaurant – Inn – Gatherings.
THINGS TO DO
It’s our weekly round-up, and we may have missed some things, so apologies! If you have something you’d like in here, please let us know.
Also, you may have to click through to see everything. There are so many things that this email is a bit long for a lot of inboxes.
We hope you have some great adventures this week!
To check out our news stories and briefs from the past week, click on the archive section, and you’ll see them in chronological order.
WHERE CAN YOU EAT?
You can check out the list of all the restaurants at our new site, ACADIA ADVENTURES.
The restaurants are here!
If you’re an owner/manager/employee of a restaurant that isn’t on the list yet, please let us know and we’ll get you there, but please be kind about it and know that any lack of mention is not intentional.
THE ABBE!
For a list of Abbe events, click here.
ACADIA CHAMBER
For a list of Acadia Chamber events, click here.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
For a list of events at the park, you can visit the National Park Service’s calendar or Ranger Programs web pages.
ACADIA SENIOR COLLEGE
Acadia Senior College offers interesting talks, informative classes, lively discussions, field trips, retreats, and fun gatherings. For a list of its events, head here.
THE ANNEX
Located in Bar Harbor with music nightly.
ARTEMIS GALLERY
For a list of openings!
ARTWAVES CLASSES AND EVENTS
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here.
BAR HARBOR CHAMBER
For Bar Harbor Chamber’s calendar, click here.
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
For a full list of Bar Harbor Historical Society, events, click through here.
THE BAR HARBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
Here’s a list of all the events for the season.
“20th Century America through Music”
Flute music of Piston, Copland, Barber, Capers, Coleman with Allison Kiger
Sun Oct 12, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church
41 Mt Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Compositions often contain rich insights about the era in which they were written. The experience of being an American in the 20th Century is revealed through great works by Walter Piston, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Valerie Capers, and “Portraits of Langston” by Valerie Coleman. Allison Kiger, flute, Eric Thomas, clarinet, and Christina Spurling, piano. With a world premiere tribute to Allan Kleinman by Eric Thomas.
BOOM—BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF MAINE
For a list of upcoming concerts, click here.
THE COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC
A list of events is here. Make sure to choose “open to the public” on the side bar.
CRITERION THEATRE
For a list of events, click through here. Movies are not included in the show schedule.
Show Schedule
- 10/10 Rhett Miller supported by Toby McAllister
- 10/11 Steve Earle Solo
- 10/24 TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
- 12/6 Eli Young Band
THE CYGNET GALLERY
For a list of events, click through here.
DOWNEAST PILATES
FRIENDS OF ACADIA
For a full list of Friends of Acadia events, click through here.
EVENTS AT THE GILLEY
For a full list of Gilley events, click here.
THE FINBACK ALE HOUSE!
The Finback usually has local musicians, open mic nights and karaoke all summer long. Its Instagram is here. A typical line-up looks like the one below. Usually, the Finback updates its list on Tuesdays.
FOGTOWN (In Ellsworth, but by request)
There is an open mic night Wednesday evenings, trivia nights on Thursday evenings and live music in the beer garden on Friday evenings.
The Ellsworth farmers market is also now held in the parking lot of Fogtown brewery Saturday mornings beginning at around nine.
Link to the website with all the events: https://www.fogtownbrewing.com/events
THE GALLERY AT SOMES SOUND
For a list of exhibitions and to find out more, click here.
THE GRAND THEATER (In Ellsworth, but by request)
For a list of Grand events, click here.
HARBOR HOUSE
For a full list of events, click here for programs, click here.
HEALTHY ACADIA EVENTS
For a list of events, click here.
HIDDEN BARN BOOKS IN BAR HARBOR
Hidden Barn Books is located in Bar Harbor behind Reel Pizza. For a list of events, click here.
IVY MANOR MUSIC
Music on the lawn.
JESUP EVENTS
For a full list of Jesup Memorial Library events, click through to its calendar here.
REOCCURING PROGRAMS:
Bar Harbor Scrabble Club
Connect with fellow word-lovers: all skill levels are welcome! Players are encouraged to bring their own boards, and some boards will also be provided. Scrabble Club meets on second and fourth Saturdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Write On! Writing Group
Join the Write On! Writing Group for support in your craft. The Write On! writers meet Saturday mornings at 9:00am on Zoom. For more information, please contact the library at info@jesuplibrary.org.
Jesup Knitters’ Guild
Fiber artists of all skill levels are welcome to drop in and enjoy crafting and conversation with the Jesup Knitters’ Guild, Thursday evenings at 5:00pm!
LAND AND GARDEN PRESERVE
For a full list of Land and Garden Preserve events, click through here.
THE LINKS PUB AT KEBO
There are no longer BINGO SUNDAYS for the rest of the season.
LOCAL SOLUTIONS
Are you a parent or guardian of an adult with developmental delays, ID/D or Autism? Would you like support?
We are a parent run support group. Join a community of parents and guardians helping each other with problem solving, understanding adult services, advocacy and policy awareness. Our group includes parents and guardians of high school age and older. Organized by Local Solutions. Meetings are at the rectory building of St. Savior’s Church in Bar Harbor at 4:30 every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
MAINE GRANITE INDUSTRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 to 4 through October 31
The museum believes on hands-on learning. A list of programs is here.
MDI HIGH SCHOOL
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND ADULT EDUCATION
A list of classes and events is here.
MT. DESERT FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC
A list of 2025 concerts is here!
MDI SEARCH AND RESCUE— New Member Training Schedule
Orientation
Date: Tuesday, September 23
Time: 8-9pm
Location: Google Meet Conference Call
Basic Skills - Introduction to Litter Carry
Date: Saturday, September 27
Time: 8am-12pm
Location: Fabbri Picnic Area
Basic Knots and Anchors
Date: Sunday, October 5
Time: 8am-12pm
Location: Fabbri Picnic Area
Mechanical Advantage
Date: Tuesday, October 14
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Bear Brook Picnic Area
Lowering and Raising Systems (Demo and Practice)
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 8 - 1pm
Location: Orange and Black CanyonMDI YMCA
Events are here and the gym schedule is here. You can peruse its website for other schedules. The fitness schedule and youth programs are below.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE SCHEDULE
The calendar is here.
THE NOR’EASTER POUND AND MARKET
Live music is in the air at The Nor’Easter Pound & Market!
Open Mic Thursdays 7-9 PM hosted by the one and only Dallas Hodgkins— bring your talent or just come enjoy the show!
Live Music Saturdays 7-9 PM featuring amazing local musicians bringing the coastal vibes to Northeast Harbor.
For more information, head over here.
NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
REEL PIZZA
To see what’s playing, click here.
SANDBAR COTTAGE INN
SAFE HARBOR CLUB
22 Village Green Way, Southwest Harbor
A list of all events are here.
Safe Harbor ALANO Club open Fridays-Saturday: 4 p.m.; Sundays-11 a.m.
Beginners AA, Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.
AA, Thursdays, 7 p.m.
ALANON, Sundays, 7 p.m.
SEAL COVE AUTO MUSEUM!
ST. SAVIOUR’S DOWNEAST MUSIC SHOWS
SOMESVILLE LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A list of events is here.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
TIMBERLAND ACRES CAMPGROUND
TREMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY COUNTRY STORE AND MUSEUM IN BASS HARBOR
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons from 1–4 p.m., July through Columbus Day, or by appointment.
For more information, click here.
VOLTA!
Volta, in Trenton, has a ton of things always going on. You can check that out here.
WENDELL GILLEY MUSEUM!
The museum is full of art and craft and exhibit. You can check out its events here.
ALL MONTH/ONGOING
PRODUCE EXCHANGE!
September Exhibit at the Northeast Harbor Library, “As I See It,” paintings by Sue Aripotch
This September the Northeast Harbor Library will feature paintings by local artist Sue Aripotch to the Mellon Room for an exhibit entitled “As I See It.” Aripotch will display her bold, colorful paintings from September 1-30 at the library.
SEPTEMBER 4 – 29 ART SHOWS OF JUNIPER WITKOWSKI and VICKY SMITH
OCTOBER EXHIBIT AT THE NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY: Terre Lefferts
Hook ‘n I Exhibit to Showcase Rug Hooking and Knitting Oct 2 – Nov 1
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
SEPTEMBER 29—FAMILY NIGHT AT VOLTA
SEPTEMBER 29-STARS THEATRE WITH PURPOSE
LEGO CLUB!
Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House
Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15/class
with Mike Bouscaren
Register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19801383
Monday events via the Bar Harbor Chamber:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
SEPTEMBER 30—SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING
Join us virtually on Tuesday, September 30 for out next installment of Scientifically Speaking and hear from two rising scientific leaders at JAX.
Daniel Alfonso Peñarete, Ph.D., and Ramalakshmi Ramasamy, Ph.D., are using innovative tools to explore how gut microbes and early aging impact our health. Their research could reshape our understanding of the human body’s innermost workings. For more information on the event and its participants, please visit our website.
Details:
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST)
Via Zoom
CRANE FOLDING
PIES FOR PROGRESS
STORY AND PLAY
TRIVIA AT THE LINKS
PLAY-DOH PLAYTIME
THE WAY OF BEING
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
TWO SHOES LINE DANCING!
Tuesday events via the Chamber:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
OCTOBER 1 – LUNCH BENEFIT FOR ALLIED WHALE
OCTOBER 1 – AUTHOR TALK GAIL CLEVELAND
OCTOBER 1 — CELEBRATE WORLD POSTCARD DAY
OCTOBER 1 — AUTHORS VISIT SHERMANS
Julie Frieder and friends are cycling through Maine and Vermont, stopping at indie bookstores to share stories about epic family adventure.
After spending 13 months on the road with her family, Julie wrote Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel, a book born from the real experience of figuring out how to pull up stakes and hit the road for longer than a vacation.
“Wildly inspiring and eminently practical,” said Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix.
Frieder, a first-time indie author, will share what she learned about planning and executing adventures, finding education on the road, and discovering that travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be transformative. Whether you’re curious about worldschooling, dreaming of a road trip, or just wondering how families make it all work, come join in a wondrous conversation about adventure, curiosity, community connection, and the educational power of travel.
Supporting local bookstores, one pedal stroke at a time, it’s a book tour, by bike, celebrating adventure, community conversation, wonder, local bookstores and indie authors! The Maine segment kicks off at Shermans in Rockland on September 27 and finishes in Bar Harbor on October 1. Then they go on to Vermont with 20 author events and bookstore visits along the route!
DALLAS HODGKINS—THE SINGING LOBSTERMAN
Every Wednesday 5-7 p.m., at C-Ray Lobster
WEDNESDAY BOOK CLUBS
Northeast Harbor Library
Love reading? Join us for Readers Unite! Reading Club. This will be an opportunity to read together, share books we love, and have quiet independent reading time. Grades 3 and up are welcome. Come every week, or pop in anytime! Link to register is here.
Somesville Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
GIRLS WHO CODE
GUIDED MEDITATION
CHRONICLES OF YARNIA
BLOCK PARTY!
Baby Storytime at Southwest Harbor
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles. www.swhplibrary.org. 207-244-7065.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Wednesday events via the Chamber:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
Stephen Vecchiotti at St. Saviours!
OCTOBER 2 — AUTHOR TALK KRISTEN BRITAIN
OCTOBER 2 — A PURPOSEFUL LIFE
OCTOBER 2 – COMMUNITY CIRCLE
SPINAL TAP II
FAMILY BOOK CLUB: MOO
Together with your child read this month’s book, then join us in the Mellon Room for play time, snacks, trivia, and a book discussion! Registration is required.
This month we will be reading Moo by Sharon Creech. Thanks to a generous donation by the author, all participants will receive a free copy of this month’s book (while supplies last). Visit us in the children’s room to get your copy. Moo is recommended for ages 8+, but all ages are welcome to join the book club with their families (or other special adult). 3 – 4 p.m.
PICK UP SOCCER!
STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!
Stitches Knitting & Crochet Group meets on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Trenton Town Office. The town office is located at 59 Oak Point Road, Trenton, ME 04605. We will meet through mid-May, then take a break for the summer. All levels are welcome. Please join us. You don’t have to live in Trenton to come knit with us.
FIGURE DRAWING AT ARTWAVES
Thursday events via the Chamber:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
OCTOBER 3 — COMMUNITY POTLUCK!
COMMUNITY POTLUCK!
Free Community Pot Luck! Bring a dish to share and your appetite. Feel free to bring your own utensils/dishes. Any donations will go directly to the grange for heat and electricity. Hope to see you there
5 – 7 p.m. at the Trenton Grange
SPINAL TAP II
SARA JONES
FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY!
SOUTHWEST HARBOR FARMER’S MARKET!
We are opening Friday, June 13. Market runs every Friday until Oct 3, 2025.
315 Main Street, Southwest Harbor
9-12:30 p.m.
FAMILY STORY TIME AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Interactive books, puppets, songs, movements, bubbles.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Friday events via the Chamber:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
BAR HARBOR—Join in a spirited celebration of our connection with the natural world, with a blessing of animals (two- and four-legged creatures welcome !), and a time to remember animal companions who have died. All creatures great & small welcome!!
The event organized by Bar Harbor Congregational Church will be on the Bar Harbor Village Green, October 4 at 4 p.m.
8TH ANNUAL MARY PARKER RUN!
Register for the race here: https://runsignup.com/…/IslandConnectionsMaryParkerMemo…
OCTOBER 4 — KOTWICA BAND
OCTOBER 4 — MARY PARKER MEMORIAL
OCTOBER 4—NATIVE SEED HARVESTING WORKSHOP
SPINAL TAP II
SATURDAY STORY TIMES
NORTHEAST HARBOR
SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!
PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP
Saturday events via the Chamber:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
OCTOBER 5 – BRUNCH AT THE BAR HARBOR INN
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Inn is delighted to announce the return of its celebrated Sunday Brunch at the Reading Room Restaurant. This signature buffet brunch will be available on the first Sunday of each month through November, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guests are invited to indulge in a sumptuous spread of seasonal favorites, meticulously crafted by our culinary team. Set against the backdrop of panoramic ocean views, the brunch offers an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of coastal Maine.
Brunch Details:
- When: First Sunday of each month, May through November
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Location: Reading Room Restaurant, Bar Harbor Inn
- Pricing: $52 for adults | $25 for children
Reservations can be made by calling (207) 288-3351.
OCTOBER 5 —FALL OUTDOOR SKILLS DAY
Register today and choose your favorite workshops before they fill up!
Bar Harbor’s Farmers’ Market!
Sunday, 9-12, at the Bar Harbor YMCA parking lot. May 11 – October 26.
KIDS CHESS CLUB AT CHOCO-LATTE
Our chess club is great for beginners (at least know how the pieces move) and also intermediate level. All are welcome. We meet most Sundays from 4-5:30 p.m. at Choco-latte in Bar Harbor.
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
Sunday events via the Chamber:
FUTURE EVENTS!
OCTOBER 7 — PANEL
Tuesday, October 7 from 5-6 p.m. at the Southwest Harbor Public Library and online for the Community Forum: A Discussion on Shifting Federal Funding Priorities. The forum, featuring MDI State Representatives and nonprofit and community leaders, will explain how and when these cuts will hit Maine; how local organizations and the State Legislature are responding; and what citizens can do to protect themselves.
Following brief presentations from panelists, members of the audience (both in person and on zoom) will have ample opportunities to ask questions and engage in a moderated discussion. Registration recommended.
Jim Vallette will moderate the panel.
OCTOBER 8 — AUTHOR TALK WITH MOE CLAIRE
OCTOBER 11 – STEVE EARLE
OCTOBER 11- OKTOBERFEST
OCTOBER 11-12 CRAFT FAIR!
OCTOBER 11 — Honoring the Impact of Cindy Brotzman to the MDI Community
TOWN HILL— On Saturday, October 11, 2025, there will be a gathering honoring the impact of teacher Cindy Brotzman to the MDI Community
You can drop in anytime between 10 am -12 pm at the Town Hill Community Center
There will be a crafting area, make a postcard(s) using Cindy’s stamps, and a sign up for people who would like to share a memory of what Cindy meant to them. (5 min max please).
OCTOBER 12 — BELT SANDER RACES!
TOWN HILL—Join Atlantic Brewing Company & Mainely Meat BBQ, October 12, for the annual Belt Sander Races! This year’s theme is Wild West
Belt Sander Races are a friendly but fierce competition in which decorated belt sanders are raced down two tracks in a double elimination bracket. The winners receive prizes, glory, and bragging rights.
Mainely Meat BBQ and the Tasting Room are open from 11-7
Races begin at 3 pm
Live music from 5-7 pm
This is an outdoor event, rain or shine
Anyone can enter the races! No need to sign up in advance, sign ups for the races day of.
Decorated sanders should be to the starting line by 2:50 the day of the race.
OCTOBER 16 — AN EVENING WITH LYLE de VITRY
OCTOBER 16 — SPEAKER SERIES
OCTOBER 19 — FINISH LINE FESTIVAL!
OCTOBER 18-19: MUSIC HARBOR!
Bar Harbor & MDI turn into Music Harbor October 18th & 19th!
2024 saw the launch of Music Harbor! Six venues around Bar Harbor provided over 60 hours of live music across 2 days.
2025 will have twice as many venues, and over 100 hours of live music in 2 days! Follow @musicharbormdi on IG & FB for updates and more info!
OCTOBER 24- TUSK
OCTOBER 27 -COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Southwest Harbor residents are invited to participate in a Community Resilience Listening Session at the Southwest Harbor Library on October 27th, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This listening session is part of the town’s resilience planning process, funded by a grant from the Maine Community Resilience Partnership. Southwest Harbor’s Community Resilience Plan will serve as a roadmap, preparing the community to navigate challenges and opportunities associated with sea level rise, changing weather patterns, and other impacts associated with a changing climate. During the session, attendees will learn about the findings of Southwest Harbor’s recent vulnerability assessment and share input on priorities and insights that will drive the creation of the Southwest Harbor Community Resilience Plan. The Town has contracted with A Climate to Thrive to develop this plan.
OCTOBER 31 — TRICK-OR-TREAT AT PARADIS ACE HARDWARE!
OCTOBER 31 — NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE HALLOWEEN TREAT TRUCK
NOVEMBER 8 — BED RACES AND PAJAMA SALES
MDI HOSPITAL AUXILIARY Raffle and Bake Sale set for November 8
BAR HARBOR— The MDI Hospital Auxiliary will be doing a Raffle and Bake sale on PJ Sale Day, November 8, at the YWCA from 9-1.
ONGOING:
GET YOUR HERO ON!
BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
To check if Bar Harbor Fire Department is currently hiring, please go to the town’s jobs page.
But even if it isn’t, you can become a call member.
Becoming a call force firefighter requires extensive training, hard work, and dedication to the community. We rely on call force firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties, and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. To be a fall force firefighter is to have a chance to aid and serve the community, which is an extremely rewarding experience.
QUICK NOTE
“Things To Do” is mostly curated by me looking for things happening in the upcoming week, which takes a lot of time and I truly do not know all that is going on.
If there’s something in MDI or Trenton that you’d like me to mention, please let me know, because I’m definitely always missing some events every week.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here.
Follow us on Facebook or BlueSky or Instagram. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
Bar Harbor Story is a mostly self-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you so much for being here with us and for caring about Bar Harbor!
Thanks for reading Bar Harbor Story! This post is public so feel free to share it.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here (about how you can give) or here (a direct link), which is the same as the button below.
If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.