July 4th

Bar Harbor’s July 4th Celebration has been recognized as a top Fourth of July celebration in the United States. With a full day of events, there are so many ways to enjoy the holiday, it’s no wonder that people love spending Independence Day in Bar Harbor. 

Join us on July 4th, 2025!

Bar Harbor will once again be celebrating Independence Day with a day of festivities including the annual July 4th parade, concert series and evening fireworks display over Frenchman Bay.

The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the businesses and residents in the community to decorate their stores, lodging establishments, banks, restaurants, homes, lawns, or porch to make the entire town red, white and blue!

To participate in the parade, please download the guidelines and registration form here and submit your entry before June 27, 2025.

Please consider making a donation to help support Bar Harbor's July 4th Celebration festivities. Contributions to the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce are not tax deductible.

Schedule of Events (subject to change)

July 1 - July 5: 4th Annual Lobster Scavenger Hunt
Produced by the Mount Desert Island YMCA

The 4th Annual Mount Desert Island YMCA Lobster Scavenger Hunt will take place in downtown Bar Harbor from June 30th to July 4th. Participants will be hunting for lobsters at local businesses throughout the downtown village. Submit your answers onine or turn your papers in to the Mount Desert Island YMCA by 2:00 PM on Friday, July 4th, to be entered into the raffle to win some cool prizes. Paper copies are located at the MDI YMCA's front desk or at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Online submissions are available at https://www.mdiymca.org/lobster-scavenger-hunt.

7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pancake Breakfast
Produced by the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club

The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club will hold its traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street. Blueberry or plain pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, sausage, orange juice, milk, water, tea, and coffee. A fun morning feast for the whole family, and a great way to fuel up for the day ahead! All proceeds from the event support Rotary projects and local nonprofits.

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Craft Fair/Marketplace
Produced by the Island Arts Association

The Island Arts Association will hold a Craft Fair/Marketplace at the YMCA, 21 Park Street, featuring a wonderful selection of Maine crafts, including jewelry, quilts, photographs, pottery, and porcelain dolls. Please join us for this joint fundraiser for the YMCA and the YWCA. Please call the YWCA at 207-288-5008 for additional information.

10:00 AM Independence Day Parade 
Produced by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

The community shows off its patriotism and good humor as the parade winds through downtown Bar Harbor from Main Street to Cottage Street to Eden Street to Mt. Desert Street to Ledgelawn Avenue. Click here to download a map of the parade route. Sponsored by the First National Bank.

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Seafood Festival
Produced by the Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club

The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club will be offering delicious lunch options to keep you fueled up for the remainder of the day! Bring the whole family to the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street to enjoy Maine lobster rolls and crab rolls, hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, watermelon, chips, water, and sodas. All proceeds from the event support Rotary projects and local nonprofits.

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Family-fun Activities at the Ball Field

Produced by the Summer Festival of the Arts

Summer Festival of the Arts will be hosting family fun activities as a fundraiser at the Bar Harbor ball field from 11-2 on the fourth of July. $5 per activity station. 

-Facepainting, 

-Snow Cones with organic flavorings, 

-Hair Tinsel 

-SFOA fun zone with ring toss, hula hoops, hopscotch, ladder ball and more…

1:00 PM - 9:00 PM Entertainment at the Town Pier
Produced by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Join us for free entertainment down at the Town Pier. From 1:00PM-3:00PM, experience The Great Maine Lumberjack Show as they celebrate 30 years in business. The thrilling live demonstration will include underhand chopping, cross-cut sawing, modified chainsawing, and axe throwing Test out your own axe-throwing skills with a $5 donation to help support Acadia Youth Sports. Following The Great Maine Lumberjack Show, stick around to dance along with live music from The Lucky Stars. Sponsored by the Bar Harbor Hospitality Group.

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Bar Harbor Town Band
Produced by the Bar Harbor Town Band

A Bar Harbor institution, the Bar Harbor Town Band will perform at the Village Green. 

9:15 PM (approx.) Fireworks Over Frenchman Bay
Produced by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Enjoy the spectacular display on the waterfront, downtown Bar Harbor. Sponsored by the Bar Harbor Regency, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina, Stewman's Lobster Pound, and the Town of Bar Harbor.

Presenting Sponsor

Parade Sponsor

Fireworks Sponsors

Schedule of Events

(Click image to download)

Helpful Maps to Utilize