Things to do with kids in Bangor & Orono, ME
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Bangor & Orono time)
Coming up in Bangor & Orono: Downtown Bangor Holiday Tree Lighting and Light Show (Nov 27) and Bangor Festival of Lights Parade (Dec 5). 7 always-open places, led by Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor City Forest and Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Downtown Bangor Holiday Tree Lighting and Light Show
- When
- Fri, Nov 27
- Hours
- 4–5pm; tree lighting at 4:30pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Downtown Bangor lights the City of Bangor tree with a musical, animated light show in West Market Square as part of its Plaid Friday celebration; the show repeats at the end of the Festival of Lights Parade.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Bangor Festival of Lights Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 5
- Hours
- Steps off at 4:30pm; rain date Dec 6, same time
- Cost
- No tickets listed (street parade)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The Rotary Club of Bangor's nighttime parade of up to 80 glowing floats, bands and performers, ending with the arrival of Santa Claus. The route runs from Exchange Street along Harlow and Central Streets, then up Main Street to Davenport Park.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Maine Discovery Museum
- Price
- $14 per person; under 2 and members free; $5 per person (up to 4) with SNAP EBT
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
Three floors of hands-on exhibits downtown; Sunday 10–noon is My Day to Play; closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Bangor City Forest
- Price
- See site
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City forest with walking trails and a bog boardwalk; parking at Tripp Drive and Kittredge Road
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium
- Price
- Tickets required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
University of Maine planetarium with weekly public shows
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Bangor Public Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown library with Bouncing Baby and Tiny Tots storytimes in the Story Room
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Fields Pond Audubon Center
- Price
- See site
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Maine Audubon nature center with pond, boardwalk and forest trails (sunrise to sunset); visitor center Tue–Sat
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Zillman Art Museum
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 5–17+ (our guidance)
University of Maine's modern and contemporary art museum in downtown Bangor; closed Sundays and Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Hudson Museum
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 5–17+ (our guidance)
World cultures and Wabanaki collections inside UMaine's Collins Center for the Arts; open weekdays 9am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Bangor & Orono this weekend?
Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor City Forest and Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium are open most days, but we don't have a Bangor & Orono event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: Downtown Bangor Holiday Tree Lighting and Light Show (Nov 27) and Bangor Festival of Lights Parade (Dec 5).
What are free things to do with kids in Bangor & Orono?
These are free according to their official sites: 3 places in Bangor & Orono, including Bangor Public Library, Zillman Art Museum and Hudson Museum.
Where can kids play indoors in Bangor & Orono when it's cold or snowy?
We list 5 indoor places in Bangor & Orono: Maine Discovery Museum (kids $14), Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium (Tickets required), Bangor Public Library (kids free), Zillman Art Museum (kids free) and Hudson Museum (kids free).
When and where can kids see Santa in Bangor & Orono?
We list 1 event with Santa in Bangor & Orono: Bangor Festival of Lights Parade (Dec 5).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Bangor & Orono?
We list 2 holiday light events in Bangor & Orono: Downtown Bangor Holiday Tree Lighting and Light Show (Nov 27) and Bangor Festival of Lights Parade (Dec 5).
What is there to do with toddlers in Bangor & Orono?
We list 3 places in Bangor & Orono that welcome kids under 2, including Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor City Forest and Bangor Public Library. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Bangor & Orono?
The best-known family attractions we list in Bangor & Orono are Maine Discovery Museum (kids $14), Bangor City Forest (See site) and Versant Power Astronomy Center & Jordan Planetarium (Tickets required). See all 5 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Bangor & Orono family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Bangor & Orono: Maine Discovery Museum (adult $14, kids $14), Bangor Public Library (free), Zillman Art Museum (free) and Hudson Museum (free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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