And some ongoing events.

Jul 27, 2026

red white and blue striped umbrella — Photo by Peter Duque on Unsplash

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.

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!

FUTURE EVENTS

You can see the upcoming events here.

LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS

You can see the list of local organizations and businesses and links to their calendars here.

LIVE MUSIC

You can see the live music that we know about here!

All of these are constantly evolving. And if you have additions, please let us know!

ALL WEEK

The Summer Institute is College of the Atlantic’s week-long convening of ideas that welcomes experts from around the world to share their perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. More information is here.

MONDAY, JULY 27

JULY 27 — STEVE KEMP AT THE CRITERION

Promotional poster for an author talk and book signing featuring Steve Kemp, with details about the event including the title 'An Exaltation of Parks', date, time, and location at the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor.

JULY 27 — HARRY POTTER DAY

Old parchment background featuring promotional text for the 6th Annual Harry Potter Day at Northeast Harbor Library, scheduled for July 27, 2026, with details about the event's time, location, and activities.

JULY 27 — BAR HARBOR TOWN BAND

A schedule for the Bar Harbor Town Band 2026 Summer Concert Series, listing concert dates, including days of the week and locations.

JULY 27 — CLAY CAMP

Promotional image for a clay camp featuring Savannah Steiger, highlighting exploration in the Kaleidoscope Studio for children ages 6 to 12, scheduled from July 27-31. It includes images of children engaged in clay activities and finished clay projects.

LEGO CLUB!

Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House

Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Cost: $15/class

with Mike Bouscaren

Monday events via the Bar Harbor Chamber:

TUESDAY, JULY 28

JULY 28 and AUGUST 4 — SUMMER STEAM

Promotional flyer for the Summer S.T.E.A.M. 4-H Science Series at Southwest Harbor Public Library and UMaine Cooperative Extension, featuring event dates and a QR code for registration.

JULY 28 — TODD CROW, PIANO & FRIENDS

Promotional poster for the Mt. Desert Festival of Chamber Music featuring Todd Crow as Music Director, detailing the schedule of performances from July 21 to August 18, highlighting various quartets and musicians.

Event by Mt. Desert Festival of Chamber Music

Neighborhood House, 1 Kimball Rd, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662-6310, United States

Our first concert of the summer season opens with the Brentano Quartet playing Mozart, Faure, and Beethoven. Tickets are required and available at www.mtdesertfestival.org

JULY 28 — WINE AND WHISKERS

Promotional banner for the 'Wine & Whiskers Summer Party 2026' with a cat and dog images, wine glasses, and event details.

Get your tickets today! Dinner, merriment and two auctions with awesome items, all to benefit SPCA-HC in a gorgeous setting at the Bar Harbor Club.

Tickets.

JULY 28—RHIANNON GIDDENS

Rhiannon Giddens performing with a banjo, wearing a green knitted sweater, in a theater setting.

JULY 28 — CHARLES FLETCHER DOLE

Promotional poster for a local history talk titled 'Charles Fletcher Dole: A Life Well Lived' featuring author Paul T. Burlin. Includes event details such as date, time, and registration information.

JULY 28 — FELTED BARNACLE

A felted barnacle craft piece displayed on a textured background with decorative pearls, promoting a workshop by Liz Cutler on July 28 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

JULY 28 — VOLUNTEER IN ACADIA

Drop-In Stewardship projects: Registration is not required, but visit our website for time and location details: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/stewardship-volunteers/

JULY 28 — ST. SAVIOUR’S DOWNEAST MUSIC SERIES – BRIAN KUPIEC

A poster for St. Saviour's Downeast Music Series listing performances from June 3 to August 25, featuring various artists and noting that all shows are free on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 PM, located at 41 Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor, Maine.

SHOWCASE OPEN JAM

Promotional flyer for an open jam event featuring performers such as Gary Shannon and Frank Perry, held at Trenton Grange Hall in Maine every Tuesday from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Includes contact information and encourages donations.

OPEN TABLE MDI — TUESDAY COMMUNITY SUPPERS IN BAR HARBOR AND SOUTHWEST HARBOR!

Open Table MDI June & July Supper Schedule flyer featuring details about Quietside and Bar Harbor Suppers, including locations, times, and upcoming dates, alongside an illustration of people dining together.

A flyer for Open Table MDI's August Supper Schedule, detailing two supper locations: Quietside Supper at St John's Episcopal Church in Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor Supper at Open Table MDI. Includes times, dates, a QR code for more info, and mentions of meal delivery services.

MDI EPISCOPAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Image of the MDI Episcopal Church Museum, showcasing a large historic building with wooden siding and gabled roofs. A sign indicates museum hours and location details.

CRANE FOLDING

STORY AND PLAY

A group of children and adults participating in a storytime session in a library, with colorful floor mats and bookshelves in the background. The scene includes several kids reading books with their caregivers.

Artwaves Summer Dance Schedule

A summer dance schedule with class times for Open Level Ballet, Contemporary/Modern Dance, and Mommy & Me Ballet, alongside a photo of a ballet dancer in a tutu.

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!

MOMMY & ME GROUP

Tuesday events via the Chamber:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

JULY 29 — GUIDED FIELD WALK

Promotional flyer for guided field walks at Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve in 2026, detailing trail building sessions with Ed Hawes, including event dates and times.

JULY 29 — ART LECTURE

Promotional image for the Northeast Harbor Library Art Lecture at Farnsworth Museum, featuring Dr. William L. Coleman discussing 'The Designed Worlds of Betsy James Wyeth'. Scheduled for July 29 at 5:30 PM.

JULY 29 — JANEY ‘n’ Friends

Promotional poster for 'Janey n Friends' music event featuring musicians Janey Choi, Eric Wyrick, Amadi Aizikiwe, Robert Burkhart, and Vadim Serebryany. Event details include performances of works by Mozart, Walker, Wolf, and Brahms, taking place on July 29, 2026, at St. Saviour's Episcopal Church.

JULY 29 — SEASIDE CINEMA AT AGAMONT PARK—IT’S FREE!

Outdoor movie screening event titled 'Seaside Cinema' with people gathered on grass at dusk, featuring a large screen and trees in the background. Dates listed are July 15-August 19 on Wednesdays. Produced by Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Reel Pizza Cinerama.

July 29: Shrek

August 5: How To Train Your Dragon

August 12: The Lego Movie

August 19: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Movie starts after 8 PM when the sun is low enough.

JULY 29 — ILLUSTRATED TALK WITH WILL HILLENBRAND

Event flyer for 'Reading with Wings' featuring Will Hillenbrand, including dates and details for shape-drawing workshop, author talk, illustrated talk, and storytime.

Join award-winning children’s author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand.

Free event, but please reserve your spot here: https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/reserve/RdWnb

WEDNESDAYS — WRITERS’ WORKSHOPS AT HIDDEN BARN BOOKS

Promotional flyer for the Acadia Writers Workshop, detailing the event schedule, location, pricing, and contact information. Includes artistic splashes of blue and gold elements.

Every Wednesday now through Labor Day from 10-12 AM at Hidden Barn Books, 31 Kennebec Place in Bar Harbor.

Limited spots, so register here:

https://www.practiceofwriting.com/acadia-writers-workshop

VOLUNTEER IN ACADIA!

Save Our Summits Volunteer Hikes

Save Our Summits hikes: Register on our website (registration closes 24 hours before each hike): https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/save-our-summits-registration/

MUSIC BINGO WITH MATTY P AT THE FINBACK!

A promotional flyer for a 'Music Bingo' event featuring 'Matty P', with details about a food special, including a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries Basket for $10. The event is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 PM.

MEDITATION

DANCE CARDIO AT ARTWAVES

Group of people participating in a Dance Cardio class, with one woman in an orange tank top leading the activity. The scene is lively and energetic, highlighting fitness and fun.

Northeast Harbor Library—Readers Unite!

A colorful illustration promoting the 'Readers Unite! After School Reading Club' at the Northeast Harbor Library, featuring two children enjoying reading in the clouds.

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.

SOUTHWEST HARBOR

GIRLS WHO CODE

CHRONICLES OF YARNIA

A young person crocheting with a green and blue yarn, seated on a surface with a smartphone nearby. The image promotes a fiber arts group for tweens and teens.

BLOCK PARTY!

Wednesday events via the Chamber:

THURSDAY, JULY 30

JULY 30 — ARTEMIS OPENING

Announcement for a group art exhibition featuring various artists, running from July 30 to August 11, in support of the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute.

JULY 30 — BAR HARBOR TOWN BAND

Poster for the Bar Harbor Town Band Summer Concert Series 2026, listing dates and times for 15 concerts from July 2nd to August 13th.

VOLUNTEER IN ACADIA

Drop-In Stewardship projects: Registration is not required, but visit our website for time and location details: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/stewardship-volunteers/

MDI Wheelers and Stewardship Program via FOA

Every Thursday and Friday morning, June through September, weather permitting

MDI Wheelers: Learn more here, and sign up for a ride by emailing Info@mdiwheelers.org.

Drop-In Stewardship projects: Registration is not required, but visit our website for time and location details: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/stewardship-volunteers/.

KARAOKE NIGHT AT FINBACK ALE HOUSE

Promotional flyer for Finback Ale House Karaoke Night featuring lively illustrations, text announcing the event details, and a vibrant party scene.

STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!

A colorful knitted scarf displayed with knitting needles and a ball of yarn, promoting the Stitches Knitting Group meeting on Thursdays from 3-5.

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.

ADULT LINE DANCE CLASS

FIGURE DRAWING AT ARTWAVES

A sketch of a human figure in charcoal style on paper, accompanied by colored drawing pencils, with text announcing a weekly figure drawing event on Thursdays from 12 PM to 3 PM in the Fine Arts Studio.

DANCE LESSONS AT ARTWAVES

Promotional image for Spring Dance Classes, detailing schedules for Thursdays and Saturdays, featuring a ballet dancer in a white tutu.

Thursday events via the Chamber:

FRIDAY, JULY 31

JULY 31 — MOUNT DESERT FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE

Poster for Mount Desert Fire Department Open House featuring a fire truck, firefighter with a megaphone, and event details including date, time, and location.

JULY 31 — ECSTATIC YOGA

A person practicing ecstatic yoga poses against a colorful, abstract background with various circular shapes. Event details for Ecstatic Yoga sessions are displayed.

JULY 31 — AUTHOR VISIT & STORYTIME

Promotional graphic for an author visit and storytime event featuring Will Hillenbrand, including details about the book 'Cub and Bat.'

JULY 31 — MIDSUMMER COMMUNITY WEEKEND

Promotional flyer for Frenchboro's Midsummer Community Weekend, featuring events like the High Tide Barn Dance and Frenchboro Community Dinner.

JULY 31 — BADFISH AT THE CRITERION THEATRE

A vibrant promotional image for 'Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime', featuring four musicians posing playfully in front of colorful graffiti art.

BIRDERS’ CAFE

Our hope is to bring together local and visiting bird watchers and lovers for a social event. Join us every other Friday morning from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Our museum shop will be open, offering a selection of baked goods from local cafes, restaurants, and caterers, along with coffee. Feel free to explore the trails as early as you like! After, relax in our courtyard and chat. The Oceanarium (museum and aquarium) opens at 9 AM.

SAVE OUR SUMMITS HIKES AND MDI WHEELERS

Save Our Summits hikes: Register on our website (registration closes 24 hours before each hike): https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/save-our-summits-

MDI Wheelers: Learn more here, and sign up for a ride by emailing Info@mdiwheelers.org.

FAMILY STORY TIME AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR

A promotional image for story times at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, featuring a cartoon duck wearing sunglasses floating on a pool float in a beach setting. The background includes sun, waves, a beach ball, and a surfboard, with event details mentioned.

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, AUGUST 1

Schedule of live music events at The Annex bar for August, featuring different performers each night from 8 PM to 11 PM.

AUGUST 1 — DINE-AROUND DAY

Promotion for Island Connections' Dine-Around Day on August 1, 2026, featuring a chef plating a meal, encouraging support for local restaurants.

AUGUST 1 — SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Table covered with colorful drawings and craft supplies for a children's arts and crafts event at Jesup Memorial Library.

AUGUST 1 — THE WALRUS

Promotional image for a Beatles tribute concert titled 'The Walrus' at Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor, ME, on August 1, 2026, featuring a group of musicians.

AUGUST 1 — Glorious Country: How Frederic Church Brought the World to America and America to the World

Book cover of 'Glorious Country' by Victoria Johnson, featuring a portrait of Frederic Church with a colorful landscape background.

Beatrix Farrand Society welcomes Victoria Johnson to present the 2026 Beatrix Farrand Society Annual Lecture, “Glorious Country: How Frederic Church Brought the World to America and America to the World,” on Saturday, August 1st, at 4 pm at the Holy Family Chapel in Seal Harbor. Admission to the Annual Lecture is free, but pre-registration is required.

Pre-registration for this program is required, and reaching capacity is likely. To pre-register, visit www.beatrixfarrandsociety.org/programs. A Zoom option is also available.

VOLUNTEER IN ACADIA

Drop-In Stewardship projects: Registration is not required, but visit our website for time and location details: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/stewardship-volunteers/

STORY TIME

SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!

A flyer for Baby and Me Yoga classes at Harbor House, detailing session times, class levels, and instructor information.

PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP

Event flyer for a Prayer Shawl Mission Team start-up on October 4, 2025, featuring details such as date, time, and location at Bar Harbor Congregational Church, alongside images of people knitting and crocheting.

Prayer Shawl Mission from 10 a.m. to noon at the church located at 29 Mount Desert Street.

The intention of the group is to create a flow of Prayer Shawls for distribution for those in need due to illness, loneliness, loss or in need of comfort and to create a sense of community with those who have a shared interest.

Supplies and instruction will be provided to those with skills for knitting and/or crocheting and for those with a desire to learn. For more information contact Pat by calling (203) 770-0063 or email: pgdizazzo@yahoo.com.

DANCE LESSONS AT ARTWAVES

Summer dance schedule outlining classes for adults and children, including Open Level Ballet, Contemporary/Modern Dance, and Mommy & Me Ballet, with specific times for each session.

Saturday events via the Chamber:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2

KIDS CHESS CLUB AT CHOCO-LATTE

Chess pieces on a wooden chessboard with a title overlay 'Chess Clubs for Kids'.

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.

Sunday events via the Chamber:

ONGOING…

ARTWAVES

Looking to give back to Acadia National Park? Here are several ways you can lend a hand this week! How to participate:

Save Our Summits hikes: Register on our website (registration closes 24 hours before each hike): https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/save-our-summits-registration/

Drop-In Stewardship projects: Registration is not required, but visit our website for time and location details: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/stewardship-volunteers/

Membership Table volunteers: Regular opportunities are available for folks who love to talk about the park and share visitor impact stories! Learn more about training opportunities on our website: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/membership-office-volunteers/

Stewardship projects for service groups: If you have a group of 5+ people interested in helping with trail and carriage road maintenance, drop us a line! https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/service-groups/

Wild Gardens of Acadia docents: This is perfect for plant lovers who love sharing plant facts with visitors. Learn more: https://friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/volunteer/wild-gardens-of-acadia-volunteer/

KIDS’ SCAVENGER HUNT AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY

DRACULA AND CHARLOTTE’S WEB AT ACADIA REP

A group of four people in costumes, posed together with a red and patterned backdrop. They include a man in a black cloak with a purple lining, a woman in a plaid dress, a man with gray hair and a beard, and a woman in a blouse with ruffles. Bats with glowing red eyes are flying around them.

DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS, by Gordon Greenspan and Steve Rosen, now playing at the Acadia Repertory Theatre in Somesville, takes the classic vampire tale and turns it into a farcical comedy of the highest order! If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Bram Stoker’s novel had a love child with Mel Brooks, Monty Python and The 39 Steps, well, this is the show for you! Packed with thrills, chills, wordplay, bad puns, and a hot guy who takes off his shirt, this show is guaranteed to induce blood-curdling screams – of laughter!\

DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM, through Sunday August 16^th. You can order tickets online at https://acadiarep.com/ or by calling 207-244-7260 on Tuesdays-Sundays between 12:00PM and 5:00PM.

Also opening this week is the triumphant return to the Acadia Rep of Joseph Robinette’s much-beloved adaptation of CHARLOTTE’S WEB. This classic Maine story, a long-time part of our Children’s Theatre series, has delighted three generations of playgoers, and now stands poised to charm a fourth one! CHARLOTTE’S WEB plays Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 10:30, through August 29th. No advance reservations are accepted for our Children’s Series; first come, first serve tickets go on sale at the Box Office at 10:00.

WIC CLINIC

COMMUNITY BLANKET PROJECT

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 the MDI region 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.

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