61th Winter Harbor Maine Lobster Festival 2025

The small town of Winter Harbor, Maine, welcomes many visitors during the Festival. On the 2nd Saturday of August, the locals celebrate the famous Winter Harbor Lobster Festival, Craft Fair, and Boat Race every year. Local restaurants and food vendor trucks serve lobster dishes, besides other popular foods. 

Kids and teenagers enjoy the arts & crafts stall in front of Schoodic Arts For All. You can hover around different stalls of food vendors, the local library, and the Winter Harbor Fire Department. The old-fashioned float parade includes many familiar units.

The town has been celebrating this for almost 6 decades. Next year, the city will host the 61st Winter Harbor Lobster Fest.

Dive into the Winter Harbor, Maine Lobster Festival! Savor fresh seafood, enjoy lively events, and experience coastal charm at this beloved annual celebration.

Winter Harbor Lobster Fest Craft Fair

The Craft Fair during Lobster Fest is organized both outside and inside the Town Gymnasium on School Street. The fair starts at 09:00 a.m. and runs till 03:00 p.m. More than 80 exhibition stalls are on the festival grounds.

Local galleries and art shops exhibit different pieces of regional, American, and tribal culture. Shopping here is a great idea. The Children’s Art tent is placed at Schoodic Arts For All at Harbor Road. The timing of this stall is 10:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. Face Painting and T-shirt painting are organized during this craft fair. 

Winter Harbor Boat Race and Float Parade

Hundreds of Lobstermen register their fishing boats in the Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Race categories. It’s a part of the state-wise Lobster boat race circuit. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. Registration must be done before that time. The race starts from Henry Cove and ends at the End of Harbor Road. 

The Grand Prize Winter Harbor Boat Race is 10 rooms on a Luxury cruise. Other prices include toolkits from Maine Knife Company, fuel worth thousands of dollars, and many others. All the winners are participants who are invited to attend the gala dinner held after a statewide competition. 

The town organizes float parades in old-fashioned ways at the end of the Lobster Fest. It starts at 05:30 p.m. from Grindstone Ave. It ends at Schoodic Loop. Last year, the Winter Harbor Lobster Fest parade theme was “Pride of Maine.” Cars, Wagons, and floats designed in various items, such as blueberries, Lighthouses, and Potatoes, are welcome.

Participants need to register at the Town Office before the show. The Grand Marshal takes part in the traditional black vintage car. 

Winter Harbor Lobster Fest Eateries

• Local eateries, food trucks, and vendors participate in the Winter Harbor Lobster Fest.
• The traditional Blueberry Pancakes are served from 06:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• The official lobster dinner of the Fest is organized by the Deputy Town Clerk of Winter Harbor, Susan Liscomb.
• The menu has boiled lobster, corn on the cob, chips, traditional coleslaw, blueberry pie, and beverages. It’s served at the Municipal Building of School Street from 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.
• The Black Sheep and the Smoke and Steel eatery have joined the 59th Winter Harbor Fest this year.
• Visitors can also enjoy a variety of seafood, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes from other diners throughout the city. Food items like muffins, sandwiches, French fries, nachos, and kettle corn are available on the festival grounds. The list includes the Winter Harbor Lobster Shack, The Lobstore, Chase’s Restaurant, etc. 

Winter Harbor Lobster Festival Tickets

Locals and tourists can visit the Winter Harbor Lobster Festival for free. The shops and food vendors are open from 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. However, you need to pay to set up a stall in the outdoor space. Donation to the welfare of the local Winter Harbor Public Library stall is encouraged. Books on different topics are sold for free from this stall. 

Maine Lobster Boat Races

Maine Lobsters are world-famous. This makes lobster fishing one of the most exciting jobs in the state. Every year, lobstermen from different cities release some energy by participating in this race.

During the three-month lobster festival from July to October every year, the lobster festival race is organized in coastal towns throughout Maine’s coastline. The race is divided into different parts based on the size and type of engine of the boats. The number of participants is growing every year.

Lobstermen must register first to participate in the race. Dates for races in different cities are updated on the official page. Cities like Portland, Moosabec Reach, Harpswell, Rockland, Bass Harbor, Boothbay, and many others participate in this racing circuit. The race ends with a gala dinner and prize distribution.

Fishermen can collect points throughout the year to earn rewards through cash prizes or tickets to cruise ships. Spectators can watch the races for free. Lobster festivals are organized in different coastal cities during the boat races.

Read Tanning Salons in Maine

Conclusion

Winter Harbor Lobster Fest is the embodiment of the true New England celebration. It’s designed to create numerous unforgettable memories for everyone. The festival showcases local culinary delights and live entertainment to celebrate Maine’s rich marine heritage. It’s an experience that will leave you craving more and counting down the days until next year’s event.