Memorial Weekend Fair

The Memorial Weekend Fair turns Bar Harbor’s Village Green into an open-air gallery and signals the start of the summer season on Mount Desert Island. This juried show features members of the Island Arts Association, with a well-edited mix of pottery, paintings, jewelry, and other handcrafted work set right in the center of town. You can spend the morning browsing under the park trees, then walk a few minutes to the waterfront or head into Acadia National Park for an afternoon drive.

You will find booths arranged across the grass in a relaxed, community-forward setting that works well for couples and families. The jury process keeps the quality consistently high across fine art and traditional crafts, even though individual participants change year to year. Because you are on the Village Green, Bar Harbor’s main dining and shopping streets are immediately close for lunch, coffee, or a quick gallery stop.

Plan to arrive when the fair opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday for the strongest selection of one-of-a-kind pieces. Admission is free, and the Island Explorer bus is the simplest way to reach downtown since holiday weekend parking is limited; if you do drive, aim for public lots near the town pier or side streets and get there early. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket for fast-changing coastal weather; the show typically runs rain or shine, and Main Street shops offer easy indoor breaks if needed. The fair is outdoors and pet-friendly, but paths can feel tight during peak afternoon hours.

Fair hours are Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For the easiest access, stay within Bar Harbor town limits or near Hulls Cove; for a quieter base, we often look to Southwest Harbor or Northeast Harbor. You can also book regional vacation rentals on Lake.com if you want more space and a flexible home base for the weekend.