Arts and culture are alive and well in Maine’s Kennebec Valley. From a dancer emerging from the shadows to a critic and filmmaker together on the same stage, those seeking aesthetic fulfillment will find it here.
The art of performance
For classic and contemporary theater productions and concerts, book your seat at the Waterville Opera House. In summer, enjoy an outdoor concert at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney or along the river at Free Waterfront Concert Series in Gardiner. Lakewood Theater in Madison raises its curtain on compelling dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies. In addition, Madison’s Somerset Abbey, and Theater at Monmouth offer live performances. Once winter arrives, classic holiday dance performances top the bill region-wide.
Colby Museum of Art, Waterville
Ticonic Gallery, Waterville
Johnson Hall, Gardiner
Gaslight Theater, Hallowell
Lakewood Theater, Madison
Langlais Art Trail, Statewide
Maine International Film Festival, Waterville
Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney
The Elm, Waterville
Waterville Opera House, Waterville
Hallowell offers an abundance of music venues, including a stage right on the banks of the Kennebec River. Don’t miss the Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival held twice each summer in Litchfield. Finally, if your soul is stirred by classical music, experience Waterville’s multi-week Atlantic Music Festival.
Screen gems
Waterville is the place for film in Maine’s Kennebec Valley. The Maine Film Center screens movies year-round and hosts the annual Maine International Film Festival every summer. Additionally, Railroad Square Cinema, a three-screen independent movie theater, claims to serve the best popcorn in the known universe.
Our finest works
Maine’s largest art museum is right here, in Waterville. The Colby College Museum of Art is a modern architectural wonder housing a vast collection of art from diverse cultures and historical periods. The museum has a focus on American and contemporary art and admission is always free.
Dating back to 1842, the South Solon Meeting House was created as a place for religious and community activities. It is now known for its floor-to-ceiling frescoes, painted by contemporary artists from the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. The building is always open to welcome visitors.
For art on a smaller yet compelling scale, take in the works at Gardiner’s Monkitree, Hallowell’s Harlow Gallery, or Waterville’s Ticonic Gallery + Studios.
Experiences: World Class Fishing | Paddling | Outdoor Adventure | Whitewater Rafting | Snowmobiling | Food and Drink | Shopping | Wildlife and Bird Watching| Golf | Camping
Other Visitor Resources: Maine Arts Commission | Waterville Creates
