Houlton Maine 04730
Houlton Heats Up: Farmers Markets, Nightlife Debates, and CMV Plant Controversy!
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Houlton Heats Up: Farmers Markets, Nightlife Debates, and CMV Plant Controversy!
Discover Houlton's best: events, dining, nightlife, fresh markets & trending topics!
Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers

Aug 11, 2026

August 11 2026

Trivia Question❓

Maine Trivia Question: What is the only U.S. state that shares a border with just one other state? A) Alaska B) Maine C) Florida D) Washington

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Quote Of The Day

"In places where the first light paints the horizon, every morning feels like a start the world hasn’t seen before."

Local News

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Weekend Events

This Week in Houlton, Maine

Houlton Events Roundup — August 10–16, 2026

The big story this week is Potato Feast Days, plus the final McGill’s Community Band celebration, the Community Market, a partial solar eclipse, and a new family movie opening at the Temple.

 

Wednesday, August 12 — Partial Solar Eclipse. Houlton will experience a partial solar eclipse beginning at approximately 12:51 p.m., reaching maximum coverage around 1:52 p.m., and ending around 2:49 p.m. This is an astronomical event rather than a formally organized town event; I did not find a confirmed public viewing program. Proper certified solar-viewing glasses are required for direct viewing.

 

Also Wednesday, Temple Theatre has Moana and Spider-Man: Brand New Day at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday seats are $6, and Wednesday is the theater's $5 popcorn-bucket night. Temple Theatre showtimes & tickets

 

Thursday, August 13 — McGill's Community Band End-of-Year Celebration. The band's final celebration is scheduled for 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Houlton Amphitheater in Monument Park. Admission is free. The concert is outdoors and weather permitting, so this is one to check for cancellation updates if the weather looks questionable.

 

The Temple also has Moana and Spider-Man: Brand New Day at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, with Thursday seats priced at $6.

 

Friday, August 14 — 

Roll up your sleeves, grab the butter, and join us on Friday, August 14 for one of Houlton's favorite traditions—the annual Lobster Feast in Monument Park. The feast sales start at 4:30 and stops when we sell out!
 
Pre-orders are highly recommended by August 12 to make sure your meal is waiting for you.
 
Feeling extra hungry? Go for the Double Lobster Meal and enjoy two delicious lobsters with all the classic fixings—because one is good, but two is even better! Every meal includes a baked potato, local corn on the cob, lemonade, and dessert.
 
$30 Single lobster meal.
$45 Double lobster meal.
Be sure to visit the Potato Feast Days Facebook event page and click the Discussion tab for updates, reminders, and the full weekend schedule. https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fxwk4DUJD/

 

 

 

Friday is also the opening night for PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie at the Temple Theatre, at 7:00 p.m. Spider-Man: Brand New Day also plays at 7:00 p.m. Standard admission is $8 adults, $7 seniors 65+, $6 children under 13, and $7 Hero Pricing for eligible military, law enforcement, firefighters and nurses.

Saturday, August 15 — Biggest Day of the Week

 

Houlton Community Market — 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Historic Market Square. The open-air market features local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, plants, crafts and other locally produced items. It operates rain or shine and runs Saturdays through the season.

 

 

DOWNTOWN DINING & NIGHTLIFE

Houlton offers a variety of locally owned dining options.

🍽️ Downtown Dining & Nightlife

Houlton, Maine 04730 | Restaurants, pubs, bars, wine, Chinese food, BBQ, cafés, and local favorites.

 

 

πŸ• Pizza & Casual Dining

 

Market Pizza

πŸ“ 23 Market Square, Houlton

  • Pizza
  • Wings
  • Subs
  • Salads
  • Dine-in & Takeout

Visit Website

 

 

🍽️ Restaurants

 

Ivey's Bistro

πŸ“ 241 North Street, Houlton

  • American cuisine
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Full-service restaurant
  • Outdoor seating seasonally

Visit Website

 

πŸ₯‘ Chinese & Asian Cuisine

 

Taste of China

πŸ“  Houlton

  • Chinese cuisine
  • Lunch specials
  • Combination plates
  • Takeout available
  • Family-friendly dining

 

 

Tangs

πŸ“ Houlton

  • Chinese cuisine
  • Sushi selections
  • Asian specialties
  • Dine-in and takeout

 

 

πŸ”₯ BBQ & Smokehouse Favorites

 

ShireWood Smoke House

πŸ“ Houlton Area

  • Slow-smoked BBQ
  • Pulled pork
  • Brisket
  • Ribs
  • Catering available

Facebook Page

 

🍺 Pubs & Sports Bars

 

Bastions Tavern

πŸ“ 43 Market Square, Houlton

  • Sports bar
  • Draft beer
  • Burgers
  • Wings
  • Downtown nightlife

Facebook Page

 

 

Downunder Sports Pub

πŸ“ 282 North Street, Houlton

  • Sports bar
  • Wings
  • Burgers
  • Draft beer
  • Entertainment on select weekends

Facebook Page

 

🍷 Wine & Cocktails

 

Wine Until Nine & Martini Bar

 

πŸ“ 84 Main Street, Houlton

  • Wine flights
  • Specialty martinis
  • Small plates
  • Date night atmosphere

Facebook Page

 

β˜• Coffee & Cafés

 

The Book n Brew

πŸ“ Court Street, Houlton

  • Coffee
  • Espresso drinks
  • Sandwiches
  • Free WiFi

Facebook Page

 

The Cup Cafe

πŸ“ 61 Military Street, Houlton

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Homemade baked goods
  • Community-focused nonprofit café

Facebook

 

🍦 Sweet Treats

 

Houlton Farms Dairy Bar

πŸ“ 131 Military Street, Houlton

  • Ice cream
  • Seafood baskets
  • Burgers
  • Seasonal favorite

Visit Website

 

🍺 After 4 PM in Houlton

 

If you're arriving in Houlton late in the day, here's a simple itinerary:

 

Happy Hour & Drinks

 

  • Bastions Tavern
  • Wine Until Nine
  • Ivey's Bistro
  • Downunder Sports Pub

 

Dinner

 

  • Ivey's Bistro
  • Market Pizza
  • Downunder Sports Pub

 

Evening Activities

 

  • Temple Theater
  • Downtown stroll through Market Square
  • Seasonal concerts & community events
  • Campfire at local campgrounds
  • Scenic drive through Southern Aroostook
  • Shady Ridge Disc Golf

 

🍽️ Complete Dining Categories

 

πŸ• Pizza

Market Pizza

TNT

Dominos

Pizza Hut

Circle K / Food trend

Beals -Littleton 

 

Food Trucks / Location

Mother Hen - Drews Lake 

The Pine Grill- By temple Theater

The Bus -By Cary Library

 

 

πŸ” American Dining

Ivey's Bistro
County Co - Op

 

🍺 Pubs & Bars

Bastions Tavern
Downunder Sports Pub

Iveys Bistro

 

🍷 Wine & Cocktails

Wine Until Nine & Martini Bar

 

πŸ₯‘ Chinese & Asian

Taste of China
Tangs

 

πŸ”₯ BBQ

Shirewood Smokehouse BBQ

 

β˜• Coffee & Cafés

Book and Brew Cafe
The Cup Cafe

 

🍦 Ice Cream & Sweet Treats

Houlton Farms Dairy Bar

 

Summer mornings in Aroostook County offer a unique charm that captures all your senses.

 

The air is filled with the warm scent of fresh baked goods, while locally grown vegetables and sweet maple syrup from neighborhood sugarhouses line vibrant farmers market tables.

 

Handcrafted items made by talented local artisans add even more personality to the scene.

 

Every visit brings a chance to meet the growers, bakers, and crafters who shape the community’s character.

 

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or simply exploring Northern Maine for a weekend, stopping by a farmers market is one of the most authentic ways to experience everything the region has to offer.


Read More...

Current Topics In CMV

Tip of The Day

☎️ Tip of the Day: Need Help? Dial 211

If you or someone you know needs help finding local services, dial 211.

211 can help connect people with resources for food, housing, heating assistance, healthcare, transportation, mental health support, senior services, and other community programs.

You don’t always have to know exactly who to call — 211 can help point you in the right direction.

πŸ“ž Dial 211 and ask what resources are available in your area.

Garden and Forest Plants

Secret Little Hack

πŸ’° Hack of the Day: Save Money on Groceries

Before you shop, check your grocery store’s weekly sales and build 3–4 meals around what’s discounted, not around what you feel like buying.

Then compare the unit price — price per ounce, pound, or item — instead of assuming the larger package is cheaper.

Bonus hack: Shop your pantry and freezer first. Using one forgotten meal each week can easily eliminate an entire grocery purchase.

Small habit, big difference: plan from what you already have, then buy only what fills the gaps.

 
 
 
πŸ’‘ Answer to Trivia Question:
Answer: B) Maine β€” its only U.S. state border is with New Hampshire.
Things Todo In Houlton

Β© 2026 Things Todo In Houlton.

Things To do In Houlton is the friendly, go-to guide for life in this northern Maine community. It's a warm hub for sharing local news, can't-miss events, hidden gems waiting to be discovered, and heartfelt neighborly shoutouts. This newsletter helps keep the entire Shiretown connected.

Β© 2026 Things Todo In Houlton.