SardineFest

October 3, 2026 | 10am-4pm

Come celebrate all things sardines!

October 3, 2026 | 10am to 4pm | Free Admission

PMM invites you to SardineFest on Saturday, October 3: A free day celebrating Maine’s sardine industry and the coastal communities connected to it.

Come for the sardines, stay for the music, food, family fun, and stories of Maine’s working waterfront. Whether you’re a local, a history buff, or just looking for a fun fall day out, there’s plenty to see, taste, hear, and explore at SardineFest!

Highlights Include:

Live Music
Talks
Children’s Stage
Sea Life Touch Tank with Herring Gut Coastal Science Center
Crafts & Games
Samples & Exhibitors
Sardine Craft Exhibition Hall
Meet Champion Sardine Packer Rita Willey
Museum Exhibits & Set Sail Demonstrations

While you’re in Searsport for SardineFest, take some time to explore the local businesses, too! Stop by the Scullery Made Deli for their special avocado toast topped with thinly shaved onions, blistered tomatoes, and sardines, or head over to the Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe to try your hand at decorating chocolate sardines. There’s plenty to see, do, and taste around town!

SardineFest is presented in conjunction with Sardineland, the museum’s exhibit exploring the people, places, and stories behind Maine’s sardine canning industry, from fishing and processing to the communities that depended on it.

Come enjoy a day of history, music, food, and community fun, and discover the surprisingly big story behind Maine’s little sardines.

Exhibit at SardineFest!

Showcase your products, services, or mission at SardineFest—a celebration of Maine’s coastal culture. We’re especially looking for food vendors and organizations tied to Maine’s maritime industry to help highlight our rich working waterfront. Spots are limited—apply now to be part of the fun!

Applications for exhibit space are now closed. Stay tuned for exhibit opportunities in our 2027 event!

Volunteer at SardineFest!

Volunteers help create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, assisting with event setup, guiding visitors, and supporting various festival activities. It’s an opportunity to connect with the community, learn about local history, and be part of a lively celebration of music, food, and the region’s storied sardine industry. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding way to make a positive impact while enjoying the festival firsthand.

Sign Up

Calling All Crafters!

Penobscot Marine Museum is seeking artists and crafters to showcase their creativity in the Sardine Crafts Exhibition Hall during the 2026 SardineFest. Submit your sardine-inspired work and be part of a fun, imaginative display celebrating this iconic piece of Maine’s coastal culture. Whether your style is traditional or unexpected, we’d love to see your take on the sardine.

Register

SardineFest Schedule

Come join the fun at Sardinefest! 🐟 Admission is FREE, with a full schedule of activities, entertainment, and plenty to see and do. Check out the schedule and make a day of it!

Why Celebrate Sardines?

From the late 1800s through the early 2000s, Maine’s sardine industry played a major role in shaping coastal communities. The Penobscot Marine Museum’s Sardineland exhibit explores this rich history and its lasting impact on the people who lived it. SardineFest brings that story to life with fun activities, food, and entertainment for all ages as we honor a vital piece of Maine’s maritime past.

Download the SardineFest program