Maine Lobster Festival
The Maine Lobster Festival is a five-day celebration of coastal feasting and fun that has been an annual tradition since 1947. This festival began as a local event and grew into an internationally recognized celebration of locally harvested seafood, attracting visitors from around the globe. Mainers and out-of-towners visit to enjoy and learn to prepare lobster and shellfish, attend the parade, and enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and seaside culture. This event is perfect for families and festival enthusiasts. If you rent an RV in Rockland, you can set up home base at a nearby campground. This way, you can enjoy all the food and activities the festival offers during the day and relax at your campsite in the evening. An RV also gives you the flexibility to explore the area once the event wraps up.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
At the Maine Lobster Festival, the main attraction is the fresh local lobster available at the main cooker. After the seafood, you can enjoy live rock and folk performances on the main stage, 5K and 10K races, the Great Crate Race, maritime displays, and arts and crafts vendor stalls. There’s also a cooking contest and a Steins and Vines beer and wine tasting event. Plus, you won’t want to miss the parade, a festival highlight. For full details on the main events and to see the most up-to-date festival schedule, head to the main events page on the official website.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
The Maine Lobster Festival offers many amenities to make your visit more enjoyable, including: • Local seafood, beverages, and pancakes for purchase • Tables and seating • Marine tent with a touch pool • Children's activity areas • Maine Lighthouse Museum access • Souvenirs • Restrooms
LOCATION
The Maine Lobster Festival takes place at the Harbor Park grounds located at: 1 Pleasant St. Rockland, Maine, 04841
FAQs About RVing to Maine Lobster Festival
Can you bring an RV to the Maine Lobster Festival?
You can drive your RV to the Maine Lobster Festival and camp at a nearby RV park or state park. You may also be able to find day parking in the parking lots of nearby businesses, like Walmart.
Are there RV amenities at Maine Lobster Festival?
The Maine Lobster Festival does not provide RV-specific amenities at Harbor Park, but nearby campgrounds offer hookups and camping services. At the festival itself, visitors will still find restrooms, food vendors, beverages, and seating areas.
What gear should I bring for the Maine Lobster Festival?
The weather at the Maine Lobster Festival can vary, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a rain jacket, and clothes for warm and cool weather. You’ll also need comfortable walking shoes and tick repellent.
Is the Maine Lobster Festival family-friendly?
Yes, the Maine Lobster Festival is family-friendly. Kids can enjoy a children’s event tent with face painting, crafts, a sand table, and a playset. The Marine Experience Tent has touch tanks filled with starfish and lobsters. There are also contests and games like the Cod Fish Carry, a kids' fun run, and much more.
RVING AT THE EVENT
There is no on-site RV camping directly at the Harbor Park event venue, but you can park at a nearby RV campground or state park. Depending on your distance from the event, you can walk, bike, or take a rideshare to the event. Alternatively, if you rent a travel trailer or a pop-up camper, you can use your vehicle to commute to the festival after setting up camp.
Where to Camp Near the Maine Lobster Festival
While the Maine Lobster Festival does not offer camping sites, there are plenty of places to camp near Rockland, including: • Sea Swell Megunticook Campground is a quaint, pet-friendly oceanside RV park about four miles away from the Maine Lobster Festival. Its gravel sites can accommodate vehicles up to 38 feet. You’ll also have your own personal picnic table and fire pit, plus access to full hookups with 30 or 50 amp service, a general store, Wi-Fi, a pool, laundry, and more. • Sea Swell Camden Hills Campground is about seven miles from the festival. It has full hookups and amenities similar to Sea Swell Megunticook Campground, plus a pickleball court, but no direct waterfront access. • Lobster Buoy Campsites is a rustic oceanfront campground in South Thomaston, a little over seven miles from the festival. The RV sites offer 20 or 30 amp electricity, water hookups, and access to a dump station. No sewer service is available. One leashed dog is allowed per site.
RV Rental Tips for the Maine Lobster Festival
If you are renting a camper and are new to RVing, you may want to consider a smaller and more maneuverable rig. Class C RVs are large enough for small families, while campervans offer a more intimate experience for couples. Here are some other RV camping tips for the Maine Lobster Festival: • Book your campground early; coastal sites fill up quickly in summer. Pay attention to RV size limits when you book your campsite. • Pack layers that will work well for hot days and chilly nights. Bring a rain jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots. • Bring tick repellent. Consider wearing light-colored clothes that fully cover your body.
WHERE TO STAY
If you want to book a room in a comfortable hotel or an intimate inn during the Maine Lobster Festival, there are several options nearby, including: • Trade Winds on the Bay: This serene oceanfront inn offers private parking, a pool, a sauna, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy coffee and more on the terrace at the Owl’s Nest Cafe. No smoking or pets are allowed. • The Rockland Harbor Hotel offers a resort experience in downtown Rockland, just minutes away from the festival. Perks include a fitness room, a patio fire pit, a complimentary hot breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. Some guest rooms include water views and balconies. • The LimeRock Inn is a lovely Victorian bed-and-breakfast in the Rockland Residential Historic District. The fully renovated 19th-century house has rooms appointed with fine towels and linens, organic bath products, HD television sets, and high-speed internet. A complimentary hot breakfast, which includes pancakes and Eggs Benedict, is also included.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can drive to the festival using these routes: From Bangor, Maine (about 60 miles): Take U.S.-1A S to Stockton Springs and then head south on U.S.-1. From Portland, Maine (about 80 miles): Take I-295 N to Exit 28 in Brunswick, then take U.S. 1 N to Rockland-Thomaston. To get to the Camden-Rockport area, turn left off U.S.-1 onto Route 90 in Warren, which connects back to U.S. 1 in Rockport just south of Camden. From Boston, Massachusetts (about 180 miles): Take I-95 N to Exit 44 (I-295, South Portland), and then follow directions from Portland.
PARKING
The Maine Lobster Festival does not offer designated RV parking at the festival grounds. You may be able to find day parking at a parking lot in town, such as a Walmart parking lot, or you can park at your campsite and walk, bike, or take a taxi or rideshare car into town. There are also free shuttles available at South Elementary School that run all day long.
TICKETS & PRICING
General admission to the main event is free, but visitors must purchase food, souvenirs, and special event tickets. You can buy tickets for Steins and Vines and the Delegate Banquet online.
WRAP UP
If you love seafood or New England coastal culture, you won’t want to miss the Maine Lobster Festival. With a bounty of local food, live music, beer and wine tastings, and family-friendly activities, this event has something for everyone. If you’re looking for an RV you can drive to the event, you'll find plenty of rentals in and near Rockland. After the festival, consider exploring more RV destinations in Maine.
5-Day RV Itinerary for Maine Lobster Festival
• Day 1: Arrival and RV Setup Drive to Rockland early and set up your campsite. Once you’re settled, you can check out downtown Rockland, walk to the harbor, or head directly to the festival. • Days 2 and 3: Enjoy the Festival in Rockland You can make breakfast and head to the festival at Harbor Park. Explore the Marine Tent's touch pools, watch the Big Parade on Main Street, or join the Great International Lobster Crate Race. Also, be sure to grab a lobster roll and listen to some live music. • Days 4 and 5: Continue Eating, Explore the Coast, and Depart Take a break to explore the coast. Take in the views from Mount Battle or visit the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse for a scenic walk. When you return, attend the Seafood Cooking Contest or the Steins and Vines tasting event. Before you leave, indulge in some more seafood, then relax at your RV, pack up, and head to your next destination.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
Do you manage this event?
Work with RVshare to provide housing for staff, vendors, artists and executives. Earn additional revenue by creating unique VIP/GA turn-key packages for your attendees.
Interested in becoming one of our Corporate and Festival Partners? Fill out the form here.