Join us for the 21st annual New Year’s Eve Great Sardine and Maple Leaf event on Wednesday, December 31, 2025! TIMA brings the community together to celebrate the New Year’s arrival in Canada and the US, including the traditional drops by the Great Sardine & Maple Leaf (watch online or in person!), online programming for those near and far, and take-home party and craft kits with free downloadable components. We’re looking forward to this annual community celebration and hope you can join us! Happy New Year to all!
[There may be loud noises in celebration. All ages. Chem free.]
The Great Sardine and Maple Leaf Drops will be live streamed through TIMA’s Facebook and Instagram pages a little before and after midnight Atlantic time and midnight Eastern time.
New Year’s Eve Great Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop 2019
The New Year’s Eve celebration is organized and sponsored by the Tides Institute & Museum of Art. See New York Times article, There was a late-night delivery of a venerated sardine in Maine. by its New England bureau chief, Ellen Barry, on adjustments made to the December 31, 2020 New Year’s Eve celebration in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
S P E C I A L E V E N T S – N E W Y E A R ‘ S E V E –
Visit artsipelago.net/events/ for area events throughout the holiday season and year-round!
DECEMBER 30, 2025
7 am – 2 pm & 4 – 7 pm, WACO DINER — The oldest diner in Maine!
10 am – 4 pm, THE COMMONS — Distinctive creations for artful living and new online shop!
10 am – 4 pm, THE BAZAAR — Jewelry, wine and cheese, and gift shop something for everyone.
10 am – 5 pm, PEAVEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY — An historic library in downtown Eastport, Maine.
12 pm – 4 pm, DOWNEAST CREATIONS — Gifts made from local driftwood and shells.
10 am – 4 pm, SWEETIES DOWNEAST — A confectionery wonderland; homemade fudge, hand dipped chocolates, retro novelties, gourmet popcorn, nuts and sugar free delights.
2 pm – 8 pm, THE HAPPY CRAB — Enjoy good food and fun folks at the Happy Crab in downtown Eastport! Fish fry specials. Hours are valid for food service (bar hours will vary).
3 pm – close, YE OLE HOOKERS — A flavorful bar that serves daily specials, charcuterie boards and desserts.
DECEMBER 31, 2025
7 am – 2 pm & 4 – 8 pm; WACO DINER — The oldest diner in Maine! Special NYE menu planned (reservations required for seatings).
10 am – 1 pm, PEAVEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY — An historic library in downtown Eastport, Maine.
10 am – 4 pm, THE BAZAAR — Jewelry, wine and cheese, and gift shop something for everyone.
10 am – midnight, THE COMMONS — Distinctive creations for artful living and new online shop! 10% Holiday Sale. Buffet for visitors.
1 pm – 4 pm, EASTPORT BREAKWATER GALLERY — Fine arts in Downeast Maine, on the waterfront in historic downtown Eastport. Special holiday pricing includes 10% off everything in the gallery with deeper discounts on selected items.
12 pm – 5 pm, DOWNEAST CREATIONS — Gifts made from local driftwood and shells.
10 am – 4 pm, SWEETIES DOWNEAST — A confectionery wonderland; homemade fudge, hand dipped chocolates, retro novelties, gourmet popcorn, nuts and sugar free delights.
noon to close, HORN RUN BREWING — Small microbrewery offering fresh craft beer from our charming downtown waterfront location.
2 – close, THE HAPPY CRAB — Enjoy good food and fun folks at the Happy Crab in downtown Eastport! Dance party with DJ (DJ TBD), starting at either 8 or 9 pm.
3 pm – close, YE OLE HOOKERS — A flavorful bar that serves daily specials, charcuterie boards and desserts.
*Postponed to 2/14* 3 pm & 7 pm, MISCAST: A musical review— End your year with musical merriment at Eastport Arts Center.
4 pm – midnight, THE OLD SOW GRILL — Family friendly, full-service restaurant and bar. Local jazz jam with Joan Lowden and friends from 5 to 7 pm. DJ Donny starts at 9 pm and will continue through midnight to bring in the new year.
3 pm to close, PHOENIX FINE WINES — A cozy wine bar and shop perched on the edge of Passamaquoddy Bay. Two dinner pairings, 6 pm and 9 pm; wine and hors d’oeuvres served all evening.
*Canceled* 9 pm, CIPELAHQ EHPICIK (Thunder Women) — The CIPELAHQ EHPICIK of the Passamaquoddy tribe will perform an end-of-year ceremony at the Port Authority building. All are welcome.
9 pm – midnight (ET), Picnic Cafe & Bakery, open for New Year’s Eve!
9 pm – 11:50 pm, STUDIOWORKS, all ages, drop-in craft making time. Hot chocolate and coffee to go by donation.
11 pm (midnight AT), TIDES INSTITUTE & MUSEUM OF ART — ‘O Canada,’ online and in-person.
12 midnight (ET), TIDES INSTITUTE & MUSEUM OF ART — ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ online and in-person.
JANUARY 1, 2025
7 am – 2 pm, WACO DINER — Breakfast and lunch service
10 am – 4 pm, THE BAZAAR — Jewelry, wine and cheese, and gift shop something for everyone.
noon – 8 pm, HORN RUN BREWING — Small microbrewery offering fresh craft beer from our charming downtown waterfront location.
2 pm – 8 pm, THE HAPPY CRAB — Enjoy good food and fun folks at the Happy Crab in downtown Eastport! Fish fry specials. Hours are valid for food service (bar hours will vary).
2 pm – close, THE OLD SOW GRILL — Family friendly, full-service restaurant and bar. Gift certificates available.
3 pm – close, YE OLE HOOKERS — A flavorful bar that serves daily specials, charcuterie boards and desserts.
F O O D A N D E A T E R I E S
HORN RUN BREWING — Dec 31: noon to midnight; Jan 1: noon to 8 pm
R&M IGA — Dec 30-Dec 31: 7 am – 7 pm; Jan 1: 8 am – 5 pm
PHOENIX FINE WINES — Dec 31: 2 pm to close
SWEETIES DOWNEAST — Dec 30 and Dec 31: 10 am – 4 pm
THE HAPPY CRAB — Dec 30: 2 pm – 8 pm; Dec 31: 2 pm – close; Jan 1: 2 pm – 8 pm
THE OLD SOW GRILL — Dec 31: 4 pm – close; Jan 1: 2 pm – close
WACO DINER — Dec 30; 7 am – 2 pm & 4 – 7 pm; Dec 31: 7 am – 2 pm; Schooner Room 4 – 8 pm; Jan 1: 7 am – 2 pm (breakfast and lunch only)
YE OLE HOOKERS — Dec 31 to Jan 1: 3 pm – close
W H E R E T O G O? W H A T T O D O?
*Postponed to 2/14* MISCAST: A musical review — Dec 31: 3 & 7 pm (Eastport Arts Center)
*Canceled* CIPELAHQ EHPICIK (Thunder Women) — Dec 31: 9 pm (Port Authority building)
DOWNEAST CREATIONS — Dec 30: 11 pm – 4 pm; Dec 31: 12 pm – 5 pm
EASTPORT BREAKWATER GALLERY — Dec 31: 1 pm – 4 pm
PEAVEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY — Dec 30: 10 am – 5 pm; Dec 31: 10 am – 1 pm
STUDIOWORKS — Dec 31: 1 pm – 3 pm; 9 – midnight
THE BAZAAR — Dec 30 to January 1: 10 am – 4 pm
THE COMMONS — Dec 30: 10 am – 4 pm; Dec 31: 10 am – midnight