25 things to do in Maine this winter
By Saisie Moore
Winter in Maine may seem like a quiet affair—that is, unless you’re in the know. Mark your calendar for a diverse array of festivities, festivals and outdoor pursuits to fill the colder months with energy and adventure.
Outdoor & Adventure
First Day Hikes at Maine State Parks
First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative, hosts guided New Year’s Day hikes at these stunning state parks throughout Maine: Camden Hills State Park, Camden; Mount Blue State Park, Weld; Holbrook Island Sanctuary, Brooksville; Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth. Visit Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry’s website for the latest info.
Tubing at Black Mountain
Kids and big kids alike can enjoy a snowy adrenaline fix at The Edge, a thrilling two-chute tubing slope at Black Mountain of Maine. Tickets provide unlimited rides for riders ages 5 and up. The lodge offers refreshments and warm respite from the dizzying fun. 39 Glover Road, Rumford.
February Festival at Saddleback Mountain
February 21–23, 2025
Get those skis waxed and ready for the Annual February Festival at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley. Enjoy prime snow and special events on the Friday of school vacation week including live music, a torchlight parade down Grey Ghost Trail and a youth freestyle contest at Saddleback Terrain Park.
Dog Sledding in Northern Maine
March 1, 2025
Witness a winter tradition as you cheer on the mushers and their dogs at the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races on Main Street in Fort Kent, held annually at the end of February or beginning of March. If you’re inspired by the action, try a guided introduction to dog sledding with Mahoosuc Guide Service in Newry.
WinterKids Downhill 24
February 27–28, 2025
Take to the slopes during the WinterKids Downhill 24. Every year in late February, this 24-hour sk-iathon invites teams of snow lovers to ski, snowboard and skin up Sugarloaf Mountain while raising funds to support WinterKids’ mission of furthering outdoor winter education in communities across Maine.
Ice Skating at Thompson’s Point Rink
Celebrate the return of the full-service Thompson’s Point Rink beside the Fore River in Portland. Or take a whirl at any of Maine’s frozen ponds. To be part of a community that shares the latest on ice thickness and general conditions, join the Facebook group “Maine and NH skating and ice report.”
Well-Being
Downtown Luxury in Portland
Book a private sauna suite at the Longfellow Hotel and enjoy a private rain shower and relaxation area for a taste of indulgence or unwind with luxury spa treatments or a 20-minute session in the Meditation Lounge. 754 Congress Street, Portland.
Heat Therapy with Cedar Grove Sauna
Cedar Grove Sauna’s mobile “Saltwater Saunas” travel along the coast of Maine, with locations announced on their website. Perched on the vast, sandy shores of Popham Beach, Spinneys Restaurant (987 Popham Road, Phippsburg) will host the two saunas throughout the Winter 2024-25 season. Secure an hour-long booking and allow the wood-fire heat to unlock deep relaxation. A quick dip in the cold currents at the mouth of the Kennebec River completes the invigorating experience.
Snowshoe & Yoga Retreat in Rangeley
Forever Wild Yoga invites you to “fuel your inner fire” during winter yoga weekend retreats. Enjoy an invigorating mix of snowshoeing, yog and meditation before retiring to a cozy, catered cabin in the Rangeley Mountains.
Cold Plunges
Join a monthly full-moon dip with Two Maine Mermaids, at various swim spots across southern Maine. On Mount Desert Island, the Cold Tits, Warm Hearts group gathers to breach the icy surface of the Atlantic throughout the winter.
Nature Bathing in Yarmouth
February 1, 2025
Reconnect with yourself and nature during a free guided walk at Spear Farm Estuary Preserve in Yarmouth. The Mindful Observation Seasonal Series leads participants through grounding exercises, observations of various ecosystems and moments of reflection for a meditative morning of connection.
Stay, Drink, Dine
Alpine Feast in Carrabassett Valley
March 1, 2025
Hit the trails and ski, shoe show, hike or bike up to Stratton Brook Hut for an open-air feast hosted by Big Tree Catering, the hospitality powerhouse behind restaurants Eventide and Honey Paw. Tickets support Maine Huts & Trails.
Valentine’s Stay in Kennebunkport
There are fewer better backdrops for cute couple selfies than Kennebunkport in February, where locals “Paint the Town Red” for Valentine’s Day. Drop anchor at Hidden Pond—a haven of back-to-nature resort luxury— before dining, drinking and dancing your way around Kennebunkport thanks to Valentine’s restaurant specials, mixology classes and live music all week.
Tree Dwellings in Georgetown
Get close to nature (and the tree canopy) during a one-of-a-kind stay at Seguin Tree Dwellings, 25 Turtle Hill Drive in Georgetown. Three unique and exceptionally designed treehouses perched amid the pines offer luxury from an airy vantage, including rope bridges, wood-fired hot tubs and incredible views.
Trails & Ales in Oxford
Work up an appetite on 18 acres of mixed-use trails behind the Oxbow Beer Garden, with Nordic skis and snowshoes available for rent from Portland Gear Hub. After a few laps of the woods, return to the brewery’s 200-year farmhouse for beers and wood-fired sourdough pizza. Rent the attached farmhouse for a rustic-chic getaway and make a weekend of it. 420 Main Street, Oxford.
Smelt Season
During January and February, miniature villages of fishing shacks pop up along frozen rivers in anticipation of smelting season, when tiny anadromous fish called rainbow smelt travel upriver to spawn. Rent a hut on Merrymeeting Bay or at Worthings Smelt Camp on the Kennebec River, stoke the woodstove and catch your own. Smelt can be cooked and enjoyed much like anchovies or sardines.
Arts & Culture
Wabanaki Winter Market in Orono
December 14, 2024
Mark your calendar for the annual Wabanaki Winter Market in Orono. Shop basketry, beadwork, wood carving and birchbark items crafted by renowned Wabanaki artists, mid-December at Collins Center for the Arts.
First Friday Art Walks
Discover creative talent each month at First Friday Art Walk events in Kingfield, Waterville, Rockland and Portland (where visits to the Portland Museum of Art are free on Fridays, 4-8 p.m.).
Winter Solstice Concert by Vigorous Tenderness
December 21, 2024
Vigorous Tenderness amplifies marginalized voices in classical music through immersive and experimental outdoor concerts, including a Winter Solstice program lit up by firelight and candles. Details to be announced on Instagram.
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
November 29-December 31, 2024
Light up the night at Gardens Aglow, an annual celebration at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens,from late November to the end of the year. Meander the beautiful winter landscape illuminated by more than 750,000 LED bulbs, look out for the beloved giant trolls and awaken a child-like sense of wonder, no matter your age.
Imersive Art in Rockland
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art hosts interdisciplinary artist Katarina Weslien’s i forgot to remember exhibition in the Main Hall. Visitors will experience “massive Jacquard tapestries, outsized letters draped over metal armatures, a wall of reflective disaster blankets, a room made entirely of felt, and a brass bell waiting to be rung.” 21 Winter Street, Rockland, through May 4, 2025.
Exhibits & Performances at Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
With three floors to explore, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine at Thompson’s Point in Portland is a hub of entertainment for kids (and a refuge for parents). The winter 2024-2025 season’s theatre productions include “Winnie the Pooh,” December 7-29, 2024 and “Pete the Cat,” February 1-23, 2025. Black culture and storytelling take center stage throughout February during Black History Month. Kids can engage with the work of one of Maine’s most beloved artists and illustrators during a visit to Ashley Bryan’s Beautiful Blackbird Exhibit, featuring interactive storytelling experiences.
Maine Events
National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl
January 31–February 2, 2025
Do you have what it takes to become a national champion—in tobogganing? Competitors and spectators flock to Camden Snow Bowl each year to watch toboggan teams hurtle down the icy chute and onto frozen Megunticook Lake in the hope of glory. Music and hot food and drinks warm up even the most stone-cold rivals in this raucous annual tradition, at the end of January / beginning of February.
Annual Ice Harvest in South Bristol
February 16, 2025
Journey 200 years back in time with Thompson Ice House Museum at the Annual Ice Harvest in South Bristol during mid-Februrary and experience a slice of Yankee history. Try your hand at sawing ice blocks and guiding them along the conveyor using traditional tools and techniques that have been employed here since 1826. Hot snacks and camaraderie make this unique event a longstanding family favorite.
Belfast Ice Carving Festival
February 21–22, 2025
During the State of Maine Ice Carving Championships in downtown Belfast, teams and individuals compete to create masterpieces hewn from icy blocks, annually in late February. Wander the streets to admire the carvings, cheer on the winners and enjoy a drink from an ice bar for a memorable winter weekend.
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend
March 22–23, 2025
Smell that sugar-laced air and get ready to indulge on Maine Maple Sunday—now a maple weekend, annually in late March. Sugar shacks across the state will be boiling sap and opening their doors for guests to look, learn, and— most importantly—taste.
207 Day
February 8–9, 2025
An annual celebration inspired by the state’s area code, Portland Downtown hosts a family-friendly virtual scavenger hunt during a weekend near February 7 (2/07). Take a journey around the city to follow clues, solve riddles and enjoy $2.07 deals at downtown locations.
Wooden Ski Day
January 19, 2025
Celebrate the history of Nordic skiing while raising funds for the Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum, mid-late January at Carter’s XC Ski Center in Bethel. Free trail pass for those on wooden skis. Wear your vintage or retro Nordic ski clothing and join the costume parade (there will be prizes). Ski historian Glenn Parkinson will be on site to share his knowledge of Nordic ski history. Live music, food truck and brews round out the day.
This article appeared in the Winter 2024-2025 edition of Green & Healthy Maine. Subscribe today!
Looking for more to do? Check out our community events calendar for more unique local happenings including workshops, webinars, festivals, volunteering and more!