If you live on the East Coast, then you already know how beautiful it is every fall. But fall in Portland, Maine is one of the most beautiful places to be! Combine our amazing food scene (seriously, it’s one of the hottest in the country right now) with our quaint seaside city, stunning autumn leaves, and you’ve got the best season all year. Check out our list of things to do that will make you fall in love with Portland, Maine this fall!
Seasonal Donuts from The Holy Donut
When it comes to donuts, The Holy Donut has the donut scene on lock down. Any season of the year is a good one for a donut (obviously) but we really love donuts when there’s a nice crispness in the air. And when that happens, we go straight to The Holy Donut for one of their seasonal flavors. If you’re lucky, check out the Maine apple donut, filled with chopped apples and topped with a sweet cider glaze. Apples aren’t your thing? We go crazy for the Chai donuts, which taste a little too much like our favorite chai tea lattes from Starbucks. After all, fall in Portland, Maine is just begging you to take a bite of a fresh, out of the oven donut. If the downtown location on Exchange Street is too crowded, make sure to check out their Park Avenue location in Portland, or their new location in Scarborough!
September
September 23rd: Beer Meets Wood, 58 Fore Street, Portland, ME
Like donuts, we love beer year round. But September 23rd at 58 Fore Street, it’s all about beers that have been aged in wooden vessels. From wine-soaked barrels to bourbon barrels, the name of the game is all about beer. Sponsored by Allagash Brewing Company, the event features over 200 beers from all over the country and even Belgium. Want to get some beer education this fall in Portland, Maine? Buy your tickets here!
September 24th: Still Summer Block Party, Maine Craft Distilling, 123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME
After you indulge in your beer education, it’s time to go hit the Still Summer Block Party at Maine Craft Distilling. Summer isn’t over until you say it’s over, right? Featured at the Still Summer Block Party will be musicians Xander Nelson, Spencer Albee, and The Mallett Brothers Band. There will also be food from local vendors like Otto’s Pizza, MAMI food truck, and Island Creek Oysters. Yes, there’s drinking too, giving people a chance to try the drinks at Maine Craft Distilling, of course. Want in? You can buy your tickets here!
October
October 12-14th: 3 Day Damnationland Event in Portland
Film lovers, this next one is for you! One of our favorite fall in Portland, Maine events is Damnationland, and this year, it’s better than ever before. The 8th annual Damnationland features original films by local Maine filmmakers in the thriller and horror genres. Kick off the Damnationland fun with Nothing to Fear but Beer Itself: A Fun(d)raiser at Oxbow Blending and Bottling in Portland on Thursday, October 12th. From 7 pm-11 pm, Oxbow will be giving a portion of all proceeds from the night to Damnationland. There will be music, classic horror films (of course) and an opportunity to hang out with some of the filmmakers.
The next day (Friday, October 13th), it’s time to watch the films of Damnationland at the State Theatre. There’s really no better way to get in the Halloween spirit than watching spooky films on Friday the 13th. Featuring films by Maine filmmakers such as Mackenzie Bartlett, Tadin Brown, Alexander Balzano & Ellis Ducharme, Alex Steed, and Charlotte Warren, this year’s films promise to keep you on the edge of your seat! You can buy your tickets for $10 in advance at the Port City Music Hall box office, $12 at the door, or you can buy tickets on Ticketmaster here!
After the films, there will be an official after party taking place at Port City Music Hall, starting at 10:30 pm. The after party is open to the public, and gives film fans the perfect opportunity to learn more about the films from the filmmakers, producers, cast, and crew themselves!
Finally, on Saturday at 10 AM, come and view an international film competition at Mechanic’s Hall at 519 Congress Street. New to the Damnationland line up, this is your opportunity to see films from all across the world! Don’t go home after, because Oxbow Beer is sponsoring an after party at 10 pm. Want more Damnationland? Check out their official website for other limited locations that will be showing the films across the state of Maine.
October 29th: Portland Comic Expo, 10 AM-5 PM
If you love comic books and cosplay, make sure to save the date for the Portland Comic Expo on October 29th. Featuring vendors and artists/creators/publishers like Alpha Productions, Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Darby Pop Publishing, Horror Writers of Maine, and many, many more! Featured guests include Erica Henderson (Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Jughead), Paul Pelletier (Aquaman, Fantastic Four) and Matt Smith (Lake of Fire, Barbarian Lord). Admission to the Portland Comic Expo is $5, and is held at the Portland Expo Building at 239 Park Avenue in Portland. Tickets can be bought in advance here as well!
Feel yourself falling in love with fall in Portland, Maine yet? Let us know in the comments if there’s a favorite fall event that we didn’t mention, or another place that we have to check out. Happy leaf peeping!
