And some ongoing events.

Sep 21, 2026

a body of water surrounded by trees and rocks — Photo by Rich Martello 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!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

SHOWCASE JAMS!

Promotional poster for Showcase 1134 featuring an open jam and open mic event at Trenton Grange. Event details include every Monday from 6:30 to 10:30 PM, with an invitation for all to participate. Full acoustic and electric band setup available.

An informative flyer promoting the Strong Bodies Senior Class, featuring three older adults participating in a low-impact exercise session. The text emphasizes the importance of health and provides details about the class location, schedule, and registration.

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:

Carve a Preening Duck with Master Carver Josh Brewer

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

SEPTEMBER 22 — GUIDED GARDEN TOURS

On September 22 at 4:30 p.m., take a special FREE Garden Tour guided by Cameron DePaola of the garden on the Shore Path where Reef Point once stood! Cameron DePaola is the founder of Riverside Group, a Maine based design- build firm specializing in landscape design and construction, residential renovation, and the thoughtful stewardship of historic properties. His work is rooted in a respect for place-combining the history and character of a property with landscapes and spaces designed to feel natural, enduring, and distinctly Maine. Through Riverside Group, Cameron works throughout coastal Maine on projects ranging from historic estates and gardens to new landscapes and residential renovations. At Reef Point, his work has focused on honoring the property’s remarkable history and its connection to legendary landscape designer Beatrix Farrand, while thoughtfully adapting the landscape for its next chapter. There will be snacks provided. This tour will be held rain or shine!

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2

Flyer for the Women Empowered Lift program at Mount Desert Island YMCA, detailing a 4-week training course for women of all ages, emphasizing confidence and health goals.

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.

A bright yellow chair with plush toys sits beside an open picture book in a cozy library corner. Text on the left promotes 'Story and Play' events for young children at Jesup Memorial Library.

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

Promotional flyer for a free community supper by Open Table MDI, detailing event times and locations for Quietside and Bar Harbor suppers, including meal delivery option.

MDI EPISCOPAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Photo of the MDI Episcopal Church Museum located at St. Saviour's Church, featuring its distinctive architecture with a blue and brown color scheme. The image includes a sign indicating it is open every Tuesday from 10 am to 2 pm, from June through September.

CRANE FOLDING

STORY AND PLAY

Children and adults participating in a storytime session at a library, sitting on colorful rugs and bean bags, with books in hand.

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, SEPTEMBER 23

SEPTEMBER 23

Promotional poster for a Pokémon Club event at the Southeast Harbor Public Library featuring Pikachu and Charmander. The event is for children aged 8 and older and takes place monthly on the first Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. Snacks are provided.

Promotional banner for a drop-in informational session about Odyssey of the Mind at the Jesup Memorial Library, featuring children engaged in a hands-on project.

SEPTEMBER 23 — ROMP THROUGH HISTORY

A quaint white library building beside a serene pond, surrounded by greenery and trees, with ducks swimming in the water. — Courtesy of Rogier van Bakel

Event: “What Happened Here” with Raney Bench

When: Wednesday September 23, 2026 at 5:30 pm

Where: at the Somesville Library, 1116 Main Street, Mount Desert (Somesville)

What is it: An entertaining presentation about some of the most colorful, lesser-known events from MDI’s storied past.

Most Mainers are familiar with the stories of Bar Harbor’s Gilded Age, or George Dorr establishing Acadia National Park, but there’s so much more! Did you know that our smuggling history dates back to long before prohibition, to the Jefferson Embargo in 1807? Have you heard about the Battle of Norwood Cove, when locals successfully fought a British naval frigate, the HMS Tenedos? What was the Purple Fire Snowstorm that terrorized MDI in 1853?

“What Happened Here” will take you on a romp of lesser-known island stories that will have you shaking your head and looking at our familiar landscapes with new eyes.

SEPTEMBER 23 — THE ROBERT CRAY BAND

Promotional image for an evening with The Robert Cray Band. The artist is singing passionately into a microphone while holding a guitar, with dramatic stage lighting and event details overlayed.

SEPTEMBER 23 — SECRET MALL APARTMENT

On Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host a free screening of the award-winning documentary “Secret Mall Apartment” (2024) from acclaimed filmmaker Jeremy Workman and executive producer Jesse Eisenberg.

In 2003, eight young Rhode Island artists created a secret apartment in a hidden space inside the Providence Place Mall and lived in it for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall’s electricity, and even secretly constructed a brick wall with a locking door, smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all its inhabitants – a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification and a boundary-pushing work of public/private art. The film features never-before-seen footage of the space and reveals the identities of all eight participants for the first time.

The creators of the apartment are all still artists working in various fields, and on Wednesday, September 30th, the leader of the mall project, Michael Townsend, and his collaborator Leah Smith will be offering a Tape Art Workshop at the library where participants will make large scale tape murals on the library walls.

Register at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.

SEPTEMBER 2 – 29

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!

Event poster for Music Bingo featuring Matty P, stating details like a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries Basket for $10, scheduled for Wednesday at 6 PM.

A diverse group of three seniors participating in a seated exercise class, stretching their arms. The image promotes a Strong Bodies Senior Class with details about the location and schedule.

MEDITATION

DANCE CARDIO AT ARTWAVES

Group of people participating in a dance cardio class with one woman in the foreground smiling and stretching her arm. Text overlay includes details about the class schedule.

Northeast Harbor Library—Readers Unite!

A colorful illustration promoting the 'Readers Unite! After School Reading Club' at the Northeast Harbor Library, featuring children joyfully reading and flying on giant books among 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

An individual actively crocheting with a hook and yarn, seated on a bench. A smartphone is visible next to them. The image promotes the Chronicles of Yarnia Fiber Arts Group for tweens and teens.

BLOCK PARTY!

Wednesday events via the Chamber:

Carve a Preening Duck with Master Carver Josh Brewer

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

SEPTEMBER 24

A promotional poster for a Pizza Party and Clean-A-Thon event, featuring colorful pizza slice banners. It outlines the event details including date, time, and activities, encouraging participation in cleaning while enjoying pizza.

SEPTEMBER 24

Promotional image for a presentation titled 'Otter Creek's Lost Waterfront with Durlin Lunt,' featuring details about the event date and location at Jesup Memorial Library.

SEPTEMBER 24

Event flyer for a mock trial of Dr. Moses Adams, featuring details about the event including date, time, and location, along with a vintage illustration related to the trial.

Artwaves’ Fall Dance Schedule

Graphic displaying the Fall Dance Schedule, featuring various dance classes for different age groups, including Ballet, Contemporary Dance, and Mommy & Me Ballet, with specific days and times listed.

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.

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

Promotional poster for Finback Ale House Karaoke Night, featuring vibrant illustrations of a microphone, musical notes, and a lively crowd. Text highlights include event details: 'Every Thursday Night', 'Starting @ 9:00 PM', 'Free Admission | 21+ Only', and 'Hosted by Matty P'.

STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!

A colorful knitted piece with knitting needles and a yarn ball, promoting the Stitches Knitting Group meeting on Thursdays from 3 to 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 drawn in charcoal on paper, with colored pencils placed next to it. Text indicates a weekly figure drawing class on Thursdays from 12 to 3 PM in the Fine Arts Studio.

Thursday events via the Chamber:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Invitation to Frost Farms Customer Appreciation BBQ Party on September 25, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM, featuring good food and great deals.

SEPTEMBER 25 — ACADIA SENIOR COLLEGE—FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Acadia Senior College welcomes Emily Burke of the Bar Harbor Food Pantry to address food insecurity in Hancock County. Bar Harbor Food Pantry’s mission is to build food security to strengthen our greater MDI community. Yet even as Hancock County’s population declines, we are seeing an increase in food insecurity for the third year in a row. This talk will explore the current landscape of food insecurity in Hancock County — who is affected, how the need is changing, and why — and share how Bar Harbor Food Pantry is working to meet this growing need through our programs and community partnerships. Emily Burke joined the Food Pantry in January. She previously served as the Director of Philanthropy for the MDI Bio Lab.

This program is part of Acadia Senior College’s Food for Thought program. The in-person lunch and presentation will take place at Birch Bay Village in Hulls Cove on Friday, September 25th, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The cost for attending the lunch and lecture is $20.

The Zoom-only presentation is free and begins at 12:00 p.m. Zoom registrants will receive a meeting link via email on September 24th.

This program is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Register online at acadiaseniorcollege.org. Audio-enhancing headsets are available for all Acadia Senior College courses and events.

SEPTEMBER 25 — YOU BE THE JURY

Event poster for 'You Be the Jury: The Unsolved 1815 Ellsworth Axe Murder' fundraiser at Ellsworth Public Library on September 25, 2026. Features an illustration depicting a historical scene related to the murder case.

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 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

Graphic promoting story times at Southwest Harbor Public Library, featuring a cartoon duck on a pool float, a beach ball, and a sunny beach background. Text highlights 'Story Times', 'Wednesdays & Fridays', and '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 26

SEPTEMBER 26

Promotional graphic for contra dancing at the Jesup with the Big Moose Contra Dance Band, featuring a drawing of a girl in a red dress dancing with a boy. Event details include every fourth Saturday of the month from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Illustration of a contradanse event flyer featuring colorful drawings of dancers and a moose, with text detailing the event at Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, including date, time, and donation information.

A red origami dragon is positioned on a colorful background. The image promotes the 'Wings of Fire' workshop for grades 4-8, scheduled for Saturday, September 26th, at Jesup Memorial Library.

A diverse group of older adults participating in a seated exercise class, raising their arms for a stretch. The image promotes a 'Strong Bodies Senior Class' focusing on low-impact aerobic exercise to strengthen bones.

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

Fall Dance Schedule featuring various dance classes including Open Level Ballet for different age groups, Contemporary Dance, Devising Performance, and Mommy & Me Ballet, with specific times listed.

STORY TIME

SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!

Promotional flyer for 'Baby and Me Yoga' classes at Harbor House from January 11th to March 1st, featuring two levels: 'Little Wigglers' for babies and 'Busy Bees' for toddlers, taught by Kate Stitham.

PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP

Event flyer for a Prayer Shawl Mission Team start-up featuring details such as date, time, and location at Bar Harbor Congregational Church. Images of people knitting and crocheting are included.

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 27

KIDS CHESS CLUB AT CHOCO-LATTE

Close-up of a chessboard featuring a mix of black and white chess pieces, including a white king, a black queen, and a knight, with the text 'Chess Clubs for Kids' in the upper right corner.

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:

None listed

ONGOING…

LIBRARY EXPLORERS

Drop in every month, for Library Explorers at the Southwest Harbor Library to uncover new missions, mysteries, and discoveries in the library—with a collectible trading card to unlock! This program is ongoing during library hours and is designed for kids 5-17, though younger explorers are welcome to participate with a grown-up. No registration required. https://tinyurl.com/mt7hh5ts.

Library hours: 9-5 Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri.; 9-8, Wed.; 9-1 Sat.; closed Sun.

THE ANNEX

ARTEMIS

Poster for a group exhibition titled 'SEPT 10 - SEPT 24' featuring artists Cee Cee Belford, Olga Merrill, and Kaitlyn Miller, in support of the Mount Desert Nursing Association.

CRITERION SCHEDULE

Event schedule for Summer/Fall at The Criterion featuring various performances and artists from July to October.

MDI YMCA FALL SCHEDULE

Flyer for Mount Desert Island YMCA Fall Programming, detailing childcare registration, afterschool enrichment care, preschool information, youth sports and activities, and community event schedules.

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 calm body of water reflecting the moonlight, with mountains in the background. A small wooden boat is beached on the rocky shore, and a sailboat is anchored in the distance under a cloudy sky. — 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

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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