Art Walk
Running from May through October on the last Friday of each month, Lewiston’s Downtown turns dozens of businesses into art galleries.
http://www.laarts.org/artwalk/
Build Maine
The purpose of the Build Maine Conference is to convene all of the people in the act of building Maine’s cities and towns – including municipal officials, planners, engineers, architects, civil society, developers, you name it. We bring in speakers from all over the country and world to discuss new and exciting techniques for small and large scale development, transportation, innovation, parking, tactical urbanism, etc.
An annual event, 2018 will be our fifth conference held in Lewiston. We work with a ton of local organizations, business owners and regular folks to put on the conference.
www.build-maine.com
The Dempsey Challenge
The Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen is a two-day, non-competitive run, walk, cycle fundraiser which champions the spirit of celebration and culture of paying it forward, all hosted in actor Patrick Dempsey’s hometown of Lewiston, Maine. Every dollar raised by Challenge participants benefits the Dempsey Centers — leaders in Quality of Life care for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
www.dempseycenter.org/dempsey-challenge-information/
Emerge Film Festival
Emerge Film Festival is a nonprofit incorporated in the state of Maine in 2014. The Emerge Film Festival brings a diverse selection of Maine-made, national and international films to the Lewiston/Auburn area in the categories of documentary, short and feature length films. Emerge helps promote the motion picture arts to local and regional audiences, offers networking opportunities at the Festival’s various events and attracts visitors to the L/A community and the State of Maine.
http://emergefilmfestival.org/
Great Falls Balloon Festival
August
Established in 1992 by a group of business people, civic leaders and friends, the Great Falls Balloon Festival is a weekend-long celebration featuring hot air balloons, food and entertainment. With the support of local businesses, an army of volunteers and the cooperative efforts of the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the festival has gained a national reputation as a first-class event and is a destination for many visitors to the state of Maine.
http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org/
Great Falls Brewfest
Baxter Brewing Co. is thrilled to present the annual Great Falls Brewfest at the Simard-Payne Memorial Park. Don’t miss this year’s Great Falls Brewfest; a celebration of craft beer, community, food, entertainment, and what will be one of your best memories this summer!
www.greatfallsbrewfest.com
Lewiston Farmer’s Market
Indoors – Winter
The Lewiston Farmers’ Market is dedicated to bringing fresh, local food to residents of the Lewiston area. Shop for vegetables, fruit, baked goods, crafts, and more, and meet up with your friends and neighbors.
Typically the summer market is held in the Bates Mill 5 Complex on the corner of Lincoln and Main Street Sunday from 10 am – 1pm late May through mid October.
www.lewistonfarmersmarket.com
Lewiston Summer Fun & Films
Lewiston Summer Fun & Films provides a bi-weekly, free, family friendly night of games, activities, and movies during the school summer vacation.
The Fun & Film night’s start at 6:00 P.M. with the movie shown at dusk, and the events take place at various locations throughout the city of Lewiston. The program is organized by the Gendron Franco Center and the Lewiston Police Department.
www.facebook.com/LewistonSummerFilms/
Liberty Festival
Across the country, communities are celebrating their independence. The Liberty Festival is an Independence Day celebration along the banks of the Androscoggin River, and it’s uniquely L/A. With a focus on the Great Falls, the Liberty Festival an example of two communities rich in heritage working and celebrating together.
www.libertyfestival.org
Maine Music Society Concerts
March or April – Classical Concert
Talented singers and professional soloists and instrumentalists are always excited to perform this magnificent event celebrating world renowned composers’ works.
May – Modern Concert
Patrons are delighted by the songs and compositions of this spectacular event.
1st Saturday in November – Battle of the Blends
Groups from around New England donate their talent to present a variety of a cappella music, ranging from madrigals to modern jazz and pop.
December – Holiday Concert
This seasonal concert performed by the Maine Music Society Chorale has become a beloved holiday tradition and is certainly a highlight of the season.
www.mainemusicsociety.org
Maine’s Got Talent
Typically in March, The “Maine’s Got Talent – LA’s Premier Music Competition” fundraising event, is open to all performing artists who live or work in Maine, including out-of-state students attending Maine schools. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three acts the night of the event. The prizes are as follows: First Place: $750.00, Second Place: $500.00, Third Place: $250.00. All proceeds from “Maine’s Got Talent – LA’s Premier Music Competition” benefit Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services and LA Hearing Center.
http://sandcastlemaine.org/maines-got-talent/
Twin Cities Holiday Celebration & Parade of Lights
Pre-parade starts around 4 pm with a 6 pm Parade kickoff.
Each year, the parade starts in the opposite city, with most activities post-parade in the city where the parade ends. Santa visits with on-the-spot photos in both cities and donated munchies. In the city where the parade ends, there is DJ holiday music; horse/wagon rides; lighting of the Christmas tree & Menorah and brief comments from both Mayors & Santa. There are also pre-parade happenings in both cities. In 2017, we had a holiday film for families in the Auburn Public Library and Nutcracker ballet dancers from The Dance Center in the Lewiston Public Library. In 2017, we also had a community wide window decorating contest. Parade floats were judged for prizes as well.
www.lewistonmaine.gov/290/Annual-Festivals-and-Events
Sparkle Saturday
Downtown Lisbon Street comes alive with holiday activity for last minute shoppers on Sparkle Saturday. Late December, from Poise Yoga at 351 Lisbon Street to J. Dostie Jewelers at 4 Lisbon Street, approximately two dozen popup venues open featuring specialty gifts, tastings of beer, wine and food, crafts for kids, gift certificates, music and all ‘round joie de vivre.
www.facebook.com/sparklesaturdaylewistonmaine/
Trek Downtown
Trek Across Maine is a three day annual cycling event coordinated by the American Lung Association of Maine. The route begins at Bowdoin College, takes participants to Bates College, then onto Colby College, and finishs at Bowdoin College.
On the afternoon of the first day, The Downtown Lewiston Association hosts a huge welcome celebration for Trek participants, volunteers, and the whole community. We close part of lower Lisbon Street, open restaurants out onto the sidewalks, bring in food trucks, live performances, beer garden, and more!
https://downtownlewiston.com/trek/