Maine Maple Weekend 2024: Where to Go and What to Do

For as long as I can remember, we’ve called Maine Maple Weekend this: maple syrup Sunday.

That’s because on that sweet, sticky holiday we would visit the local sugaring house near my grandparents’ home in Kezar Falls (now Parsonsfield).

Afterwards, we would enjoy homemade pancakes with, of course, authentic Maine maple syrup. Always on a Sunday. Again, maple syrup Sunday.

The tradition continues with my mother inviting my cousins and their children to watch maple syrup being made.

Then, there is always a pancake breakfast afterwards at her house on Long Pond.

What I never realized is that what I called maple syrup Sunday is actually a weekend-long food holiday in Maine. At the very least it is weekend long.

Also, it’s a big deal.

What is Maine Maple Weekend

Photo courtesy of Maine Maple Producers Association

The Maine Maple Producers Association (MMPA) are the folks that started Maine Maple Sunday aka maple syrup Sunday back in 1983.

The MMPA represents more than 250 of the 450 producers licensed to sell maple products in Maine. They celebrated the 40th anniversary of Maine Maple Sunday in 2023.

When is Maine Maple Weekend?

In 2024 this maple syrup celebration is Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24.

If you can’t get to Maine, here are ideas for some of the other best March vacations in USA.

Overall, Maple syrup Sunday and Maine Maple weekend are always the fourth weekend in March.

Here are the Maine Maple Weekend dates past, present and future.

• Maine Maple Weekend 2023: March 25 and 26
• Maine Maple Weekend 2024: March 23 and 24
• Maine Maple Weekend 2025: March 22 and 23
• Maine Maple Weekend 2026: March 28 and 29

Where can you go on Maine Maple Sunday

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Here is a roundup of some of the events occurring for Maine Maple Sunday 2024 in Southern Maine. Primarily, it includes places in York and Cumberland counties. However, we’ve included a few Oxford County sap houses, too.

In some instances, when you visit these sap houses or sugarhouses, you’ll get a bona fide maple syrup making tour. If you’ve never seen it being made, it’s pretty cool. Actually, it’s very hot as it involved boiling off water into vapor.

Recently, I interviewed a maple syrup expert from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. He told me that it takes 40 to 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

Finally, many maple syrup producers hold pancake breakfasts as part of the celebration. Think of them as Maine maple Sunday breakfasts, since most of these breakfasts are held on Sundays.

This article explains maple syrup grades so you’ll know what to expect from the maple syrup you might buy or be tasting at these events.

207 Tappers

125 Dennett Rd.

Biddeford, Maine

We visited 207 Tappers in Biddeford for the 2023 Maine Maple Weekend. We didn’t get there right when the festivities started so there were long lines and crazy parking delays. If we go back this year — or you decide to go — definitely get an early start, especially if you want a spot to sitdown at the pancake breakfast on Sunday.

Here’s what you can expect this year at 207 Tappers on each of the days.

Saturday March 23 at 207 Tappers

• Sugarhouse is open 7am-3pm
• Maple Coffee and Baked Goods 7:30-10 in the Sugarhouse
• Chainsaw Artist outside the Sugarhouse doing amazing things

Sunday March 24 at 207 Tappers

• All-you-can- eat breakfast at the Old Barn, 105 Dennett Road, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Breakfast is $10; children 5 and under eat for free
• The Sugarhouse will be open 7:00am to 3pm
• Chainsaw Artist outside the Sugarhouse doing amazing things

There’s also tons of maple products (candy, syrup, sugar, nuts and more) you can buy to take home.

Alderwood Farm

52 Elm St.

Limerick, Maine

The sugar house at Alderwood Farm is open to the public, both Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Balsam Ridge

140 Egypt Road

Raymond, Maine

Balsam Ridge is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of Maine Maple Weekend, March 23 and 24, 2024.

Come fall, Balsam Ridge will participate in Maine Maple Fall Fest, when its Christmas tree farm will be open for touring. 

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Cobbs Hill Sugarhouse

This year, all of Cobbs Hill Sugarhouse’s Maine Maple Weekend festivities are happening at Maine Craft Distilling, 123 Washington Ave, Portland on both Saturday and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

There, you’ll see demonstrations and be able to try maple samples. Also, the folks at Maine Craft Distilling will be offering maple-related food and drink specials. Plus, you’ll be able to buy Cobbs Hill maple products.

Cooper Maple Products

81 Chute Rd.

Windham, Maine

Cooper Maple Products hasn’t publicly announed their plans for Maine Maple Weekend 2024. If I hear anything, I’ll post an update here.

Dads Maple Sugar Shack

1061 Naples Rd.

Harrison, Maine

Dads Maple Sugar Shack calls itself a small, hobby farm, where they raise animals and make maple syrup.

You can tour their sugar house and their farm on both Saturday and Sunday of this maple syrup weekend.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Dawes Hill Sugar Shack

60 Dawes Hill Road

Harrison, Maine

Dawes Hill Sugar Shack will be open for Maine Maple Sunday only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be selling the following:

• Maple Pie
• homemade maple ice cream
• maple syrup

This is a cash-only operation. Because of their rural location, they do not have WiFi.

Douston Maple and Honey

251 Old Alfred Rd.

Arundel, Maine

The sugarhouse at Douston Maple and Honey is open both Saturday and Sunday for demos.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also, you can enjoy free samples of syrup on ice cream.

Plus, you can purchase syrup and other maple treats.

Dunn Family Maple

419 Chicopee Rd

Buxton, Maine

Both Saturday and Sunday of Maine Maple Weekend, Dunn Family Maple will have a pancake breakfast, featuring blueberry pancakes made with Wyman’s of Maine wild Maine blueberries.

Photo by Leah Ingram

Breakfast is served 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days.

Also, you can take a guided tour of the woods surrounding the sap house, and then end the tour there with free samples of maple syrup on ice cream.

Like many other sap houses, Dunn Family Maple will be participating in Maine Maple Fall Fest October 2024.

Fairwinds Farm

332 Augusta Road

Topsham, Maine

Here’s what the Fairwinds Farm folks have shared about their participation in Maine Maple Sunday — note, Sunday, not weekend:

“We are finalizing the details of our Maine Maple Sunday events, so we will update soon with exact times and all of the fun and delicious treats to be had! But we WILL be open to celebrate Maine Maple Sunday in our BRAND NEW Sugar Shack!”

Gile’s Family Farm

100 Shaker Hill Rd.

Alfred, Maine

Gile’s Family Farm is celebrating on Sunday only, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling all kinds of maple goodies.

Greene Maple Farm

723 Bridgton Road

Sebago, Maine

Greene Maple Farm is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days of Maine Maple Sunday.

New this year: its homemade sausage made with maple syrup. 

Harris Farm

280 Buzzell Rd.

Dayton, Maine

Maine Maple Weekend is a big deal at Harris Farm. Serving pancake bites from their food trailer, maple kettle corn, maple cotton candy, hot donuts with maple sugar coating and many more maple treats.

Highland Farms Sugar Works

152 Towles Hill Rd.

Cornish, Maine

You can explore sap still in the buckets attached to the maple trees on this farm or enjoy the views of Mount Washington.

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And, of course, there is plenty of maple syrup and other treats available to purchase. Hours both Saturday and Sunday are 9:00 to 6:00.

Finally, Highland Farms Sugar Works will be participating in Maine Maple Fall Fest October 2024.

Hilltop Boilers

157 Elm St.

Newfield, Maine

Hilltop Boilers refers to this maple syrup holidy in the plural, as Maine Maple Weekends. That’s because is pulling out all the stops as it celebrates Maine Maple Weekends over four days in March. They are:

• March 16
• March 23
• March 24
• March 30

There is something different happening on each of these days.

March 16 at Hilltop Boilers

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All-day pancake breakfast, along with food trucks, antique power demonstrations and wicked good ice carving.

March 23-24 at Hilltop Boilers

For the legit Maine Maple Weekend celebration, Hilltop Boilers is open 9-4 on Saturday and 9-5 on Sunday.

On Saturday and Sunday, there is an all-day pancake breakfast along with a hamburger food truck. Also, alpacas on display. Plus, the Axe Women Loggers of Maine will have shows at

• 9:30
• 11:00
• 1:00
• 2:30

March 30 at Hilltop Boilers

Yet another all-day pancake breakfast, along with food trucks, alpaca displays and wicked good ice carving, plus live music. Hours: 9-4.

Note: March 31 is Easter so Hilltop Boilers is closed.

Merrifield Farm

195 North Gorham Road

Gorham, Maine

Open Maine Maple Sunday Weekend March 23rd & 24th from 9am to 4pm.

Pancake Breakfast (seating outside) includes pancakes and sausage (served all day), also maple baked beans and hot dogs. Also, available for purchase at the coffee shed: maple hot & iced coffee and sweet treats, including:

• Pure Maine Maple Syrup
• Maple Cotton Candy
• Maple Candy and Fudge
• Maple Coated Nuts
• Whoopie Pies
• Needham’s
• Maple Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Canned Goods
• Preserves

You can find any updates on Maine Maple events on the Merrifield Farm Facebook page.

Then, come back in October for Maine Maple Fall Fest.

Nash Valley Farm

79 Nash Road

Windham, Maine

Visit Nash Valley Farm from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days of Maine Maple Weekend. Maple treats of the day include:

• Maple buttercreams
• Maple fudge
• Hard candy drops
• Whoopie Pies
• Maple Cotton Candy
• Maple coated nuts

Parsons Maple Products

322 Buck Street

Gorham, Maine

• Saturday March 23 open 8am-3pm
• Sunday March 24 open 8am-4pm pancake breakfast in a large indoor heated seating area.

Also, they’ll be offering syrup over ice cream samples.

Pineland Farms

15 Farm View Drive

New Gloucester, Maine

I’d included Pineland Farms in my article about free and cheap electric vehicle charging in Southern Maine.

As far as Maine Maple Weekend goes, there are a few things you need to know.

One, Pineland Farms is celebrating all week long. In 2024, that’s March 18-24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Two, you’ll need to register online and ahead of time for the Pineland Farms maple syrup celebrations.

For a Saturday visit, the cost is $6 per person.

For a Sunday visit, it’s free until all reservation spots are filled.

• Syrup samples will be provided in the Sugar House.
• Maple Cotton Candy will be available for sale in the Smokehouse Visitor Center.

Finally, tickets went on sale February 16, 2024, and, technically, you’re buying a two-hour pass to tour the farm.

Red Door Sugar Shack

24 Shellenbarger Road

Topsham, Maine

In addition to selling Maple syrup, Maple Fudge, Maple Cotton Candy, Maple Popcorn and Maple Soft Candy, Red Door Sugar Shack will be serving pancakes from 8 to noon Saturday and Sunday.

Don’t forget to visit their goats, which, after Christmas, are happy to recycle your Christmas trees for you.

Robinson Family Maple

545 New Gloucester Rd.

North Yarmouth, Maine

Unfortunately, Robinson Family Maple is NOT open for Maine Maple Weekend 2024.

Royal River Orchards

201 Peacock Hill

New Gloucester, Maine

Royal River Orchards is part apple farm (no surprise, given its name) and part maple syrup producer in their sugarhouse.

On Saturday and Sunday March 23 and 24, Royal River is having its Annual Pancake Breakfast and maple syrup sales. Breakfast is 9am-12pm and the retail barn is open until 4pm both days. 

Come fall, you can come back to Royal River Orchards for Maine Maple Fall Fest.

Also in fall: you can go apple picking in the orchard.

Scenic View Sugaring

90 Sokokis Trail N (aka Route 5)

Limerick, Maine

We pass Scenic View Sugaring on the way to my mother’s house, if we don’t take the shortcut on Route 160 through East Parsonsfield.

The sugar house here is open both Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Q&As with the sugar masters and free samples.

Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the view and wear your Wellies since it is mud season.

Spiller Country Farm

118 Spiller Rd.

Gorham, Maine

It appears that Spiller Country Farm is holding a pancake breakfast on both days of Maine Maple Weekend, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

The farm itself is open both days until 4 p.m.

Thurston & Peters Sugarhouse, LLC

299 Bond Spring Rd.

West Newfield, Maine

Thurston and Peters doesn’t distinguish Maine Maple Sunday days from other winter weekends. Instead, it just says that it is open on weekends, from March 4 through April 2. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to selling maple syrup, it also sells maple soft serve, maple cream and maple candy.

Waterhouse Family Farm

939 River Rd

Hollis Center

Waterhouse Family Farm is celebrating Maine Maple Weekend on March 23rd and 24th from 9-5. There is a pancake breakfast, on both Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to noon.

They’ll be serving pancakes, sausage, beans, juice and more. Also, maple coffee and hot chocolate will be available for sale by the cup. They’ll also have maple glazed cinnamon rolls available for sale, 12 noon to 5 pm both days or until they run out.

In addition, the farm will have samples of the following beloved maple products:

• Ice cream with Maple
• Maple goat milk fudge
• Maple candied nuts

Free face painting for kids! 10-2 both days.
Also for sale:

• Maple syrup
• Maple candy
• Maple cotton candy
• Maple goat milk fudge
• Maple cream
• Maple leaf cookies
• Maple and pumpkin whoopie pies
• Maple candied nuts
• Maple coffee
• Goat milk soaps

Free and Cheap Things To Do in Southern Maine

Here are FREE and cheap things to do in Southern Maine in the coming week.