There are plenty of ways to spend New Year’s Eve in southern Maine. Virtually every restaurant has a New Year’s event planned. So check with your favorite place about their plans, if that’s your jam.
For those looking for something other than the restaurant and bar scene, we found a handful of family-friend events that don’t require you to stay up until midnight.
New Year’s Eve in Southern Maine
Unless otherwise noted, each of these events take place on New Year’s Eve aka December 31.
Freeport Kidnight: New Year’s Eve Celebration
Held in Discovery Park adjacent to the LL Bean flagship store, kids can enjoy arts and crafts, magic, juggling and music. Freeport Kidnight: New Year’s Eve Celebration events are free and run from 11 am until 6 pm.
New Year Gorham
You can celebrate New Year Gorham this year in three locations:
- USM Gorham
- Gorham Recreation Department
- Gorham High School
New Year’s Eve family fun begins in Gorham at 2 pm with ice skating at the University of Southern Maine ice arena. That was the same place where you could try hockey for free last month.
After that, head over to the Gorham Rec Center and/or Gorham High School for music and entertainment. The evening culminates with fireworks at 9 pm on the high school grounds.
Wristbands are $5. A family pack costs $25. You can buy wristbands at Gorham Parks & Recreation.
Note: Ignore the fact that the link to New Year Gorham says 2022 on the top. If you scroll down, you’ll see that these events are, in fact, for New Year’s Eve this year.
New Year’s Eve Kennebunk: Blueberry Drop
Technically, this is not a town event but everyone treats it as such. It is the Kennebunk Blueberry Drop, Kennebunk’s version of the ball in Times Square. Instead of a disco ball, the Unitarian Universalist Church “drops” a giant blueberry.
Best of all, there are two drops. Early birds can watch it from Main Street at 9 p.m. And then there is a traditional drop at midnight on New Year’s Eve. This is a long-time Kennebunk tradition.
Even though the locataion is the Unitarian Universalist Church, you can watch from pretty much anywhere on Main Street in Kennebunk, between Summer Street and Fletcher Street.
Portland New Years Eve: Indoor Beach Party
Celebrate the new year with an indoor seaside celebration at the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine! Kids can create a sea star wand, have a summer-themed snack and enjoy other fun surprises.
Countdown to 2024 with a special Sea Star Drop in Maddy’s Theatre. Admission is $16. Start time: Two-hour time slots between 10am and 2pm.
New Year’s Planetarium
Spend the evening exploring the universe through a series of short planetarium shows at the Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus.
Doors open at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm show. At 11:55 pm, the attention turns to Times Square. There, you’ll be able to watch the Times Square ball drop, as it is projected onto the planetarium’s dome. Admission is by donation.
Topsham Merrymeeting NYE Bash
Here is the lineup for the Merrymeeting New Year’s Eve Bash 2023. The evening will begin with a mocktail hour presented by Maine Tasting Center featuring delicious handmade concoctions. Then guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and charcuterie board options for a special light dining experience. The evening will conclude with foxtrot lessons.
The cost is $25 per person. Party starts at 4 pm and ends around 7 pm. So, you can be home in time to see the ball drop on TV or be fast asleep before 2024 arrives.
On New Year’s Day, you can try a First Day Hike at a Maine state park.