Hot Cocoa Sip-off
2026-01-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
It’s a sip-off!
Come enjoy a taste of some creative hot-cocoa recipes from local food-makers The Milk Bottle, The Whole Almond, and more (TBD). Then, cast your vote for category winners!
Sippers are encouraged to bring their own sipping vessels — but we’ll also have a mug market featuring locally handmade mugs! The fire pits will also be out to snuggle up around, of course.
This event is free and open to all, with a suggested donation of $5 or more per sipper. Your donations help Friends of Congress Square Park keep this little urban space active and vibrant year-round. Click here to donate in advance: http://congresssquarepark.org/donation

*Rain date is January 18

S'mores Night featuring Shadow Puppets
2026-01-15 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come gather around the fire and make a s’more! S’mores Nights are every Thursday from 4-6pm December through February. Special guest performances and events will pop up from time to time as well.
Free and open to all! Vegan and gluten-free options available!

S'mores Night featuring Mama Mia Making
2026-01-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

S'mores Night
2026-01-29 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-05 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-02-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Coffee Tasting!
2026-02-15 11:00 - 13:00 | ME
Taste a variety of fresh coffee from local roasters!
Featuring: Lay Day Roasters, Rwanda Bean Coffee, Cantilever Coffee and more (TBD).
Free and open to all! BYO sipping vessel or grab a mug from our mug market, featuring local ceramicists! And consider purchasing a bag of coffee beans to support these lovely local businesses!

*Rain date: February 22

S'mores Night special Lunar New Year Celebration
2026-02-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Walk & Roll!
2026-03-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | ME
Stroll with neighbors! Announcing our new weekly gathering: Walk & Roll! Every Sunday at 1pm you’re invited to join a friendly group of neighbors deciding on a route and enjoying each other’s company as everyone zigs and zags through town and back to our little park. Everyone of every ability level is invited, and we hope you’ll tag along.

Volunteer Open House
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | ME
Come by and learn about how you can get involved this summer! Whether it’s helping out at events, helping clean or garden now and again, or being part of our weekly open/close crew, we’ll give you a sense of the role and answer any questions.
Plus, we’ll have coffee! No commitment necessary — come by and say hello.

Season Kickoff feat. Taiko Maine Dojo & Palaver Strings
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for our season kickoff with some very special guests on this very special First Friday!
At 5pm, TEMPO Arts and Palaver Strings present a performance by Palaver’s student musicians, followed by a 6pm performance from Taiko Maine Dojo!
Special guests AARP Maine will also be on-site with information, games, and treats. As always, free and open to all!

Jane's Walk
2026-05-02 08:00 - 17:00 | ME
Happening around the state! Check out all the walks here: janeswalkme.org
Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.
** At 2pm, explore public seating throughout downtown Portland on a walk led by FoCSP Executive Director C.J. Opperthauser, starting right here at Congress Square Park

Congress Square Market
2026-05-03 11:00 - 15:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Shop, hang out, and meet local makers! The monthly Congress Square Market features a whole bunch of local artists, food and beverage makers, and crafters will a huge range of stuff to peruse and talk about.
This month’s lineup:

Fireball Bookbindery

Zephyr Beller Studio

Portland in Pen

Townie Coffee Roasters

Stevie’s Poem Store

Pame Chavez

Mayfly Net Co.

Tell Us a Story

Lil’ Guy Print Co

Fern Wave

The Milk Bottle

Creative Trails

Flipside Crafts by D

Grounded Confections

NUNAAA’ Kitchen

Goop City

GrungyTree

Love & a Sandwich

Morrisa Higer Sees

Luci’s Lather Lab

OhKay Plans

Empoxy Woodworking

House of Bedazzled Golems

Walk & Roll!
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Community Write
2026-05-04 18:00 - 19:00 | ME
Various writing prompts, invitations to read your work aloud, and all experience levels welcome. Free and open to all! First Mondays of the month.

Badminton!
2026-05-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come play! All are welcome, and all equipment is provided!
Every Tuesday in May and August!

Coffee & Coloring
2026-05-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Doodle! Draw! Design! And sip coffee with neighbors. All are welcome! Coffee provided!
Rain date: May 13

Tai Chi
2026-05-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-14 09:30 - 10:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Old pros and those who have just started practice, as well as curious bystanders of all ages welcome!
Always FREE to the public.

*What’s Tai Chi?*
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing.
A noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching, each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

Tai Chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you’re an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.

Blurb Club
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | ME
It’s a book show-and-tell! Come chat about what you’re reading, or what you’ve read, or how you like to read books — all while meeting new people and getting other book recommendations. Free and open to all!
Rain location: Mechanics’ Hall

Learn to Line Dance
2026-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join Robyn Towle and your neighbors for some silly line dancing! All humans and abilities welcome — learn something new, have fun, and enjoy a no-pressure evening in the Square.
This is a new monthly series happening the evening of every second Friday!
Free and open to all!
