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Music
Summer Sunsets at Thompson’s Point
Starting June 20th, make your way to Thompson’s Point on Thursdays and Friday’s from 4pm to sunset and enjoy the good vibes of live music and delicious food. It is free entry, open to all, and pet-friendly so fury friends are welcome! Stop by our TruChoice table to get some free swag and potentially win some Thompson’s Point concert tickets!
Concerts in the Park at L.L.Bean
There are free concerts at L.L.Bean’s Discovery Park in July and August starting at 7:30pm. This year’s lineup of acclaimed artists includes local band 12/OC, sibling trio Girl Named Tom, Los Lobos, Carly Pearce, and Hunter Hayes.
Art
Portland Museum of Art
Wander the Portland Museum of Art for free every Friday from 4-8pm and every third Thursday of the month throughout the entire day and extended hours (10 am – 8 pm). Additionally, everyone ages 21 and under gets free entry to the museum. To keep yourself and the kids engaged, you can stop by the museum’s participatory space that provides hands-on activities based around play and experimentation. The museum also offers gallery games and prompts called Wonder Wheel which you can do as you wander.
Art Walks
Like supporting local artists? The Portland and Biddeford Art Walk are the perfect events to celebrate the hard work and creativity of local artists. The Portland Art Walk occurs on the first Friday of each month from 5-8pm while the Biddeford Art Walk occurs on the third Friday of the month from 4-8pm. These are both free, self-guided tours. In Portland, you can explore local art galleries, studios, museums, and alternative art venues. And in Biddeford, you’ll find working artists, local businesses, street performances, and can participate in workshops!
Theatre
Fenix Theatre Company presents Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park for the 16th season in Portland. Love’s Labor’s Lost will be performed from July 11th – August 3rd starting at 6:30pm. Bring a chair, pack a snack, and watch some lively acting by local Mainers! Free or donate-what-you-can.
Family Movie Night with L.L.Bean
Cozy up with your family to enjoy a free movie night at L.L.Bean’s Discovery Park. Starting at 7pm, families can enjoy quality time together playing lawn games, eating from local food trucks, and watching a movie. Throughout the summer, an array of PG rated movies will be played starting on July 5.
Outside Activities
There are many events hosted by the Eastern Trail, including their monthly nighttime full moon walks along the Scarborough Marsh. The walk leaves from the Pine Point parking area (138 Pine Point Road) and is limited to 25 people, with no flashlights or pets allowed. Registration is required, the next one is June 21st!
The Portland Head Light is a historical landmark offering admission to the museum weekdays from 10am-2pm and weekends from 10am-4pm for only $2 for adults and $1 for children 6-18 (under age 6 is free). Fort Williams Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset with no admission fee to fly a kite, enjoy a picnic, stroll paths or walk along the cliffside loop, enjoy a scavenger hunt, and more.
Thursday Fireworks in Old Orchard - Enjoy a wholesome night watching fireworks with your family at Old Orchard Beach. Every Thursday night (weather permitting) starting June 27th, OOB will host a show of fireworks by the Pier and Palace Playland. The display will begin at 9:45pm and go on until 10pm. While you wait, you can take your family to the arcade or the amusement park, Palace Playland!
Visit Sunflower Farm Creamery in Cumberland to meet some goats and visit the farm shop. Open Farm runs on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Halloween from 11am – 5pm. They also host a yoga class with their goats! Make sure to read the kid visiting information before heading to the farm with younger kids.
The Portland Farmers’ Market at Deering Oaks Park is a great way to hang out with the kiddos and enjoy local buskers and entertainment, all while supporting local farmers and saving a trip to the store. Not in Portland? Maine has tons of local farmers markets all summer - find one close to you!
Looking to hit the trails this summer? Did you know Portland Trails maintains over 70 miles of trail system in the Greater Portland Area? From waterfall hikes to nature walks to city strolls, there's a trail for everyone.
Free Kid Activities
Bowling
With two free games daily, kids can bowl all summer at Junction Bowl in Gorham, Spare Time in Portland, Smitty's Game LAB in Sanford, and many other locations using the website. Each bowling center sets age restrictions, so check this website for more information www.kidsbowlfree.com
Roller-skating
Kids 12 years old and younger can roller-skate for free Saturday afternoons from 1-4pm this summer at Happy Wheels in Westbrook using the website www.kidsskatefree.com
Use that Library Card
Local Libraries have passes for lots of activities for free or at a discount! Baxter Library in Gorham and McArthur Library in Biddeford offer free passes for USM's Southworth Planetarium, The Portland Museum of Art, reduced-cost tickets to The Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, and Maine Wildlife Park. They also offer tons of classes and programs for kids throughout the summer. Contact your local library or check their website for more information.
Gardening & Home Improvement
The Maine Tool Library in Portland offers the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and work on a summer project without a hefty investment. Check out the free tools they lend for a week at a time!