The American Folk Festival is a large-scale, three-day event held each year at the end of August on the Bangor waterfront. Hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts have visited Bangor since its inception (as the National Folk Festival 2002-2004) to enjoy traditional music, crafts, culture and culinary cuisine from around the world.

The American Folk Festival is a large-scale, three-day event held each year at the end of August on the Bangor waterfront. Hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts have visited Bangor since its inception (as the National Folk Festival 2002-2004) to enjoy traditional music, crafts, culture and culinary cuisine from around the world.

The Bangor Public Library is at the heart of Bangor’s cultural lifeblood and is known throughout the state as one of Maine’s best public resources. It is also renowned for its special collections, including complete works of music available to loan, from orchestral works that supply the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, to historic band music and musicals by Gilbert & Sullivan. The music scores of world-class conductor Werner Torkanowsky are part of its permanent collection. The 2nd floor lecture hall showcases works from local art societies and is known as a popular venue for music recitals. The children’s wing features its own intimate auditorium where readings and activities are regularly held.

The Collins Center for the Arts is home of Hutchins Concert Hall, the area’s largest concert hall with 1,600 seats. Bringing the world to Central Maine, each season of concerts brings a wide variety of the performing arts: from classical music to theatre, comedy and modern popular music, the Collins Center for the Arts presents the best of the best for everyone to enjoy. It is also the home of the University of Maine Hudson Museum. Minsky Recital Hall and the School of Performing Arts Class of 1944 Hall are adjacent to the Collins Center.

The Edythe L. Dyer Library is located adjacent to Avalon Village and offers a full range of community library services.

For seniors in the Greater Bangor Region, Hammond Street Senior Center is the place to meet. Hammond Street Senior Center is the only all-inclusive place where women and men exclusively age 60 and older (55 if partnered with someone 60+) can go to have fun, learn something new, exercise with friends, apply their talents, share their expertise and enjoy a beautiful space that is shaped by and caters to their specific interests.

The University of Maine Museum of Art is located in Bangor’s historic Norumbega Hall on the Kenduskeag Stream. From masterpieces by Winslow Homer to paintings, sculptures and photography by contemporary artists from all across New England, the Museum offers free admission to view its fine galleries. Numerous restaurants, shops, and historic parks nearby make the Museum an ideal destination for enjoying a full day in the Downtown Bangor Arts District.

Penobscot Theatre is located in the historic Bangor Opera House on Main Street. Known throughout the country for its innovative programming and stellar performances, Penobscot Theatre is one of Bangor’s most popular attractions, drawing visitors from far and wide to enjoy full seasons of theatre, comedy and musical performances. The theatre has received many awards and national recognition for its far reaching achievements and is a source of great community pride.

The Maine Discovery Museum is the place for too much fun! The largest children’s museum north of Boston, Maine Discovery Museum is where children explore many worlds, expanding their imaginations and exciting their minds to endless possibilities. Located in the Freese’s Building on Main Street, the establishment of the Maine Discovery Museum was a key component in the revitalization of downtown Bangor, helping to attract many new businesses and cultural entities.

Robinson Ballet and School of Robinson Ballet are Bangor traditions that have served thousands of dancers during its more than 25 year history of service to the region. From ambitious collaborations with Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Penobscot Theatre, The Grand in Ellsworth, Thomas School of Dance, and other organizations across New England and Atlantic Canada, to independent productions and artist showcases, Robinson Ballet is known for its standards of excellence in both teaching and performance.

Challenger Learning Center of Maine (CLC) is where Maine’s students fly simulated space missions to inspire them toward higher learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In addition, the Center offers engaging programs for afterschool, Pre-K , homeschoolers, scouts and families of all ages to enjoy, as well as popular school vacation and summer camps. CLC is also the home for the State of Maine’s NASA Educator Resource Center, a space science “candy store” for Maine teachers. Many NASA artifacts and heavenly images are on display in the grand Lunar Lobby for all to enjoy.

River City Cinema Society is one of the newer arts organizations in the Bangor Region. A grassroots effort created by local film lovers who desired the ability to watch diverse films not often shown in local movie venues, River City Cinema Society has become a favorite for movie goers throughout central Maine. Its outdoor summer series held in Pickering Square is a hallmark of the summer season.

The City of Bangor Downtown Bangor Partnership presents summer concerts, the annual Downtown Countdown New Year’s Eve celebration, and a summer outdoor market among its many offerings. As a representative of downtown businesses and arts and cultural organizations, the Partnership has its pulse on all that makes Downtown Bangor a distinctive place for its residents and visitors to enjoy all year round.

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce serves the 21 communities surrounding Bangor. For those who want to learn about all that the Bangor region has to offer for shopping, services, dining, recreating, and so much more, the Chamber on Main Street next to Bass Park and Bangor Raceway should be at the top of every list.

Mount Hope Cemetery is the country’s second oldest garden cemetery, established shortly after the opening of Mt. Auburn in Cambridge, MA. Listed on the National Historic Register, the cemetery features beautiful landscaping, majestic hills, ponds and walkways. Many notable statesmen are buried on its grounds, including President Lincoln’s first VP, Hannibal Hamlin. The nation’s first civil war monument can be found there, as well as the Korean War Memorial. Scenes from the Stephen King movie Pet Semetary were filmed on the graveside hill near State Street. Walking tours are regularly scheduled during the warmer months.

The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau is the place for visitors and tourists to find the best of all to enjoy in the region. From events and convention planning, to knowing where the best hiking trails and picnic areas are located, if information is needed to make the most out of a visit to the Bangor region, the GBCVB is where to turn for help.

Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway is the place for unique fun and excitement in Downtown Bangor. Whether playing the slots, betting on horses at the harness racing raceway or at the off-track betting facility, enjoying live entertainment, fine dining, or beautifully appointed hotel rooms and suites, customer satisfaction is the name of the game at Bangor’s spectacular gaming headquarters.