THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION THIS WEEK. And some ongoing events.
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THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION THIS WEEK.

And some ongoing events.

Carrie Jones

Sep 07, 2026

View from under a stone arch bridge with a forested path on one side and a dirt trail leading up a slope on the other, against a blue sky.
Bridge over Duck Brook Road. this weekend.

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.

Signage for Paradis ACE Hardware, displaying trusted brands including Benjamin Moore, Clark + Kensington, STIHL, EGO, Big Green Egg, Weber, and Yeti.

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!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

UNTIL SEPT 8 — ARTEMIS GALLERY

Promotional poster for a group exhibition running from August 27 to September 8, featuring artists Lindsay Hopkins-Weld, Jaclyn Janis, Jerry Rose, and Jeanne Seronde Perkins, in support of Island Housing Trust.

LEGO CLUB!

Promotional image for LEGO Club at Northeast Harbor Library, featuring a smiling girl stacking colorful blocks, with details about registration, date, and time.

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 8

SEPTEMBER 8

Image promoting an author talk titled 'An Unusual Way to Fight a War' with John Wilbur, scheduled for September 8th at 5:30 p.m. Includes a historical photo of men on a sailboat and a book cover of the same title.

SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 2

Promotional flyer for the Mount Desert Island YMCA's 'Women Empowered Lift' program, detailing a 4-week training initiative for women of all ages, focusing on confidence, fitness, and health goals. Includes session dates, prices for members and non-members, and contact information.

SEPTEMBER 8— 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/

TUESDAY MORNINGS! STORY AND PLAY.

Brightly colored poster for 'Story and Play' event at Jesup Memorial Library, featuring a yellow chair, a children's book open on a table, and plush toys. Details include event timing and a welcoming invitation for kids ages 0-5 and their adults.

SHOWCASE OPEN JAM

Colorful promotional poster for an open jam event titled 'Showcase 1134', featuring various performers including singers, poets, and comedians. The event details include the location, Trenton Grange Hall, and time, every Tuesday from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. The poster showcases a list of artists for the week and encourages donations.

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

Promotional flyer for a free community supper from Open Table MDI, featuring details for Quietside and Bar Harbor suppers, including dates, times, and locations.

MDI EPISCOPAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Image of the MDI Episcopal Church Museum, showcasing a historic building with a shingled facade, large windows, and a porch. A sign indicates visiting hours and location details.

CRANE FOLDING

A promotional graphic for a crane folding event at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, detailing the event's time and encouraging participation from all ages and skill levels.

STORY AND PLAY

A cozy children's storytime event at a library, featuring adults and kids aged 0-5 engaging with books. The setting includes a colorful rug and shelves filled with books.

Move Free Run Club

Logo of the 'Move Free Run Club' featuring stylized waves and a rising sun.

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

Flyer for 'Mommy & Me Group' featuring playful illustrations of children, welcoming caregivers to join for social activities, held weekly at Harbor House in Southwest Harbor.

Tuesday events via the Chamber:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

SEPTEMBER 9 — PYOTR AKULOV

Promotional poster for the 60th Bar Harbor Music Festival featuring concert details and images of a conductor and a pianist.

SEPTEMBER 2 – 29

Promotional image for the 'Hook 'n I Group Exhibit' at Southwest Harbor Public Library, featuring hooked rugs, knitting, and needlepoint. Includes dates from September 2-29, artist names, and meeting details.

SEPTEMBER 9 — CHAPTER BOOK CLUB

An orange book with a colorful ribbon bookmark on a gray background, alongside event details for the Next Chapter Book Club Meet n' Greet at Jesup Memorial Library on September 9th.

SEPTEMBER 9 — AUTHOR TALK

Promotional image for Northeast Harbor Library author talk featuring Steven Depaul. Highlights three book covers from the Rock & Roll Confidential Mystery/Thriller series: 'Frequently Asked Questions,' 'The Left Coast Irregulars,' and 'Riot House.' Event details include date and time: Wednesday, September 9 at 5:30 PM.

SEPTEMBER 9 — POKEMON CLUB

Promotional image for the Southeast Harbor Public Library's Pokémon Club, featuring Pikachu and Squirtle. Highlights event details including dates, time, and activities for kids aged 8 and up. The backdrop has colorful decorations and a QR code for registration.

SEPTEMBER 9 — OPEN HOUSE

Come enjoy the changes and see our new exhibits.

1:00 PM

Manset Meetinghouse, home of the Southwest Harbor Historical Society, Southwest Harbor

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!

Promotional poster for a Music Bingo event featuring 'Matty P', highlighting a dinner special of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries for $10, scheduled for Wednesday at 6 PM.

MEDITATION

Promotional poster for a meditation class titled 'Meditation: Sitting, walking, standing, seeing.' Details include meeting time on Wednesdays from 8-9:30 AM at Somesville Library, Maine, led by Zen teacher Tom Tanguay. The background features a serene landscape with a rainbow above a lake and trees.

DANCE CARDIO AT ARTWAVES

A group of people participating in a dance cardio class, led by a woman with long hair wearing an orange tank top, all smiling and engaging in the workout. Text overlay includes 'Dance Cardio', schedule details, and a website link.

Northeast Harbor Library—Readers Unite!

Illustration promoting the 'Readers Unite! After School Reading Club' at the Northeast Harbor Library, featuring two children excitedly reading and floating on large books surrounded by 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

Colorful promotional graphic for story times at Southwest Harbor Public Library featuring a cartoon duck in sunglasses floating in water, with surfboards and beach balls in the design.

GIRLS WHO CODE

Promotional graphic for 'Girls Who Code' program in Bar Harbor, held on Wednesdays from 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM at Jesup Memorial Library, with contact email for sign-up.

CHRONICLES OF YARNIA

A person crocheting with a green yarn, holding a crochet hook, while sitting in a cozy environment. Text on the left promotes a fiber arts group for tweens and teens.

BLOCK PARTY!

Promotional image for a Block Party event at Jesup, featuring a colorful arrangement of building blocks and text that reads 'What will you build?', with event details including date, time, and age guidelines.

Wednesday events via the Chamber:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

SEPTEMBER 10

Promotional image for a talk titled 'One Nation, Under Fraud: The Penobscot Remonstrance and the Fight for Sovereignty' hosted by Jesup Memorial Library, scheduled for September 10th at 5:00 PM.

SEPTEMBER 10 — NEH LIBRARY

Announcement for a Community Circle event with Downeast Restorative Justice, featuring a supportive discussion space with new topics at each meeting. Scheduled for Thursday, September 10 at 4:30 PM.

SEPTEMBER 10 — A FREE EVENING AT LA ROCHELLE BY BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL

Event invitation for 'Evening at the Museum' hosted by Bar Harbor Historical Society on September 10, from 4 PM to 6 PM, featuring free museum admission and a reception for artist Deborah Page.

SEPTEMBER 10 — ARTEMIS GALLERY

Promotional image for a group art exhibition running from September 10 to September 24, featuring artists Cee Cee Belford, Olga Merrill, and Kaitlyn Miller, in support of the Mount Desert Nursing Association.

SEPTEMBER 10 — SUMMER STARS AT SCHOODIC

Night sky filled with stars over Schoodic Peninsula, with a group of people observing the stars under the Milky Way, featuring text promoting the Schoodic Institute.

Get to Know the Summer Stars Over Schoodic September 3rd and 10th, 7:30pm-10 pm at Schoodic Institute.

SEPTEMBER 10 — PLANT DERIVED MEDICINES WITH DAVID GAPP

The Bar Harbor Garden Club is pleased to commence its 2026-27 schedule of monthly meetings with David Gapp as the guest speaker for its September meeting on Thursday, September 10th at Birch Bay Retirement Village, Bar Harbor. David’s presentation will be an interesting discussion about plants and how they have contributed to our present-day health and well-being.=

Mr. Gapp’s presentation will begin at 1:00 P.M. and will include time for questions. Due to limited seating all members and guests must register for the event by emailing or calling Pam Bowie at mdi4us@gmail.com or 207-244-3436.

  • Monthly Meeting and Presentation – September 10, 2026 at 1:00 P.M.
  • Birch Bay Retirement Village, 25 Village Inn Road, Bar Harbor
  • “Plant Derived Medicines: The Good, Bad and In Between”
  • David Gapp, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Hamilton College
  • The Bar Harbor Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, New England Garden Clubs, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
  • Website: barharborgardenclub.org

Artwaves’ Fall Dance Schedule

Image featuring a dance schedule titled 'Fall Dance Schedule' with details of various dance classes and their timings, set against a gradient background. There are images of ballet dancers in different poses, showcasing their costumes.

Move Free Run Club

Logo of the Move Free Run Club featuring stylized waves and a rising sun in orange and yellow.

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!

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.

KARAOKE NIGHT AT FINBACK ALE HOUSE

A colorful poster for Karaoke Night at Finback Ale House, featuring vibrant graphics of a microphone, drums, and people singing. The event is held every Thursday at 9 PM, with free admission for ages 21 and up, hosted by Matty P. Details about drink specials and live music are also included.

STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!

A knitted item in vibrant colors with knitting needles and a ball of yarn, overlaid with text announcing 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

Promotional flyer for adult line dance classes featuring styles like pop, Latin, hip hop, and country, scheduled for Thursdays from 5:15 to 6:15 PM at Harbor House, starting November 6th, with a drop-in fee of $15.

FIGURE DRAWING AT ARTWAVES

A sketch of a figure in motion on a sketchbook with colored pencils beside it, promoting a weekly figure drawing session on Thursdays from 12 PM to 3 PM in the Fine Arts Studio.

Thursday events via the Chamber:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

BIRDERS’ CAFE

A graphic featuring a coffee cup with a bird perched on top, displaying the text 'Birders' Cafe at the Oceanarium' and the logo of the Oceanarium and Education Center in Bar Harbor, Maine.

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 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/

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.

FAMILY STORY TIME AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR

A colorful beach-themed graphic promoting story times at Southwest Harbor Public Library. Features a cartoon duck on a float in a pool, sunglasses on, with a sandy beach, sun, surfboard, and beach ball. Text states: 'Story Times Wednesdays & Fridays 10:00 am'.

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, SEPTEMBER 12

SEPTEMBER 12

Graphic promoting a 'Cat Crafts' event for grades K-4 at Jesup Memorial Library, featuring a black cat mask, colorful paper cat figures, and craft supplies like scissors and colored paper.

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/

Artwaves’ Fall Dance Schedule

Image of a Fall Dance Schedule, featuring ballet and contemporary dance classes for different age groups. The schedule includes timings for Open Level Ballet for 4th to 8th graders and adults, Contemporary Dance, Devising Performance, and Mommy & Me Ballet. Three dancers in ballet attire are shown in the image.

STORY TIME

Announcement for Saturday Story Time at the Northeast Harbor Library, starting March 22 at 1:00 PM weekly in the children's room. Open to all ages, no registration required.

SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!

Promotional flyer for 'Baby and Me Yoga' classes at Harbor House, detailing schedules, levels for infants and toddlers, and instructor information.

PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP

Announcement for a Prayer Shawl Mission Team start-up event featuring details about the date, time, and location, along with images of knitting and crocheting activities.

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.

Saturday events via the Chamber:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

SEPTEMBER 13 — SPCA of Hancock County’s Third Annual Critter Cruise

A scenic view of a rocky shoreline with a cliff covered in trees, illuminated by sunlight, as a group of people on a boat observes the landscape.

5 p.m. departure (sharp!) Atlantic Oceanside Hotel Dock 119 Eden St, Bar Harbor

TICKETS ON SALE AUG 1st

The Acadian is a 65-foot vessel that accommodates 100 people with indoor and outdoor seating,
an upper and lower deck, and two restrooms. Includes Happy Hour hors d’oeuvres.
There will be a cash bar. All proceeds support the SPCA of Hancock County.

Special thanks to Acadian Boat Tours for donating the boat ride to benefit SPCA-HC for the 3rd year in a row.

The Critter Cruise will be held rain or shine.

The event may be postponed at the captain’s discretion, if there are rough seas or dense fog.

SEPTEMBER 13 — FREE COMMUNITY COOKOUT WITH MOUNT DESERT POLICE ASSOCIATION

Join us for our 3rd Annual End of Summer Cookout! We’re teaming up with the Mt. Desert Police Association for a fun, FREE lunch for the whole community.

  • Sunday, September 13
  • 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
  • NEH Marina Green

We’ll be serving up burgers, hot dogs & veggie burgers — and everyone is invited! Bring the family, stop by for lunch, and help us celebrate the end of another great summer.

Rain location: The Neighborhood House

No registration. No cost. Just come hungry

KIDS CHESS CLUB AT CHOCO-LATTE

Close-up of a chessboard with pieces, including a white king and black queen, focusing on the theme of '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

Logo for 'Move Free Run Club' featuring stylized waves and a rising sun in warm colors.

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:

ONGOING…

THE ANNEX

A calendar for live music events at Annex Bar for September, listing performances each day of the week from 8 PM to 11 PM.

CRITERION SCHEDULE

Event schedule for Summer/Fall at The Criterion featuring various performances including Bluebird Improv, Patty Griffin, and Natalie Merchant.

MDI YMCA FALL SCHEDULE

Promotional flyer for Mount Desert Island YMCA Fall Programming, featuring childcare registration, afterschool enrichment care for grades PreK-age 12, preschool details, youth sports and activities, and special event information.

VOLUNTEER IN ACADIA LINKS

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/

AUGUST 19 — OCTOBER 17: THE GALLERY AT SOMES SOUND’S LARGEST SHOW OF THE SEASON.

A serene nighttime landscape featuring a full moon illuminating a calm sea with a distant sailboat and a small wooden boat on the rocky shore, surrounded by silhouetted trees and mountains.
Ernest McMullen, Moon Over Acadia, 24” x 24” oil on panel

From August 19 – October 17, It’s Not What You Look At, But What You See: William Hoyt, Ernest McMullen, Rett Sturman and David Vickery will be at the Gallery at Somes Sound

Featuring four New England realists responding to the world around them, with the distinct observation of accurate detail (light, form, and texture), while still capturing subjects often revealing the emotional depth beneath the surface of everyday life. It’s a disciplined practice of “seeing” rather than just looking, translating objective reality through personal perception.

KIDS’ SCAVENGER HUNT AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY

Graphic promoting a kid's scavenger hunt at Southwest Harbor Public Library, featuring a girl with a magnifying glass. The event encourages children to find ten hidden pictures for a prize, with details about checklists and ongoing participation.

WIC CLINIC

Promotional flyer for the WIC program at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, featuring information about services, eligibility, and event details. The image includes a child in a yellow high chair holding food, alongside text about nutrition support for families.

COMMUNITY BLANKET PROJECT

A promotional flyer for the Community Blanket Project featuring donated blankets in various colors, encouraging community support and donations.

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.

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