Spooky Seasons of Bangor

photo of Bangor maine

It’s always spooky season in Downtown Derry…

Maine is a place of beauty — and sorrow. Or the hard labor that carved civilizations out of rock and wood for thousands of years before settlers came — and hundreds of years after.

Bangor, Maine has always been the gateway, first, to the great unknown North, where the tall pines called to European settlers, then to enslaved people fleeing to freedom in Canada, and later to rum runners and gangsters looking to lay low. But few gateways are as enduring as Bangor’s gateway to its alter ego of Derry, given life from the imagination of horror novelist Stephen King.

Open book with horror theme for the Horror Book Club

Horror Book Club

The Horror Book Club in Bangor is a monthly reading group dedicated to spine-tingling (Derry-free) novels, hosted by The Briar Patch at BookSpace. Usually Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, but check the calendar for specific dates.

See what’s happening at The BRiar Patch

Movie Nights at The Emporium

From dark comedies to scary musicals, classic horror, and everything in between, gather with like-minded fans for movie nights at The Emporium. On movie nights the shop opens at 6:30pm and start the movie at 7:00pm.

There is no fee, but donations are welcome to offset event costs.

Check The Emporium Calendar
Vintage TV displaying eerie forest scene
Clown at striped tent in Derry, Maine (Bangor) during the annual Stephen King Birthday Carnival

Stephen King’s September Birthday Carnival

Bangor celebrates the King of Horror’s birthday with a weekend September near his birthday (Sept 21) with a spooktacular 3-day street party, sponsored in part by SK Tours of Maine and the In Derry, Maine T-shirt company.

Dress up as your favorite Stephen King character (or as your favorite Constant Reader) and join in three days of festivities, carnival games, food and fun.

SK Birthday Carnival – Learn More!
Dimly lit theatre backstage with ghost tour guide

Haunted Bangor Opera House Tours

Seasonal or by special arrangement

Tour the historic Bangor Opera House, hear the stories of the three resident ghosts, explore the backstage, and learn how to communicate with the spirit world. Participants must be able to climb stairs.

Contact PTC for information

The Maine Witch Walk & Goblin Market – Mid October

In mid-October, witches of all ages gather for a fun one-mile costumed walk starting and ending at the Bangor Waterfront Park. At the end of the walk, they gather for the witch dance on the green near the compass rose.

The Goblin Market opens at 12:30, dance practice at 1:00 followed by the walk and then dance, followed by entertainment, presenters, and community fun. Registration is pay-what-you-wish and everyone is welcome.

Learn about the Maine Witch Walk
Crowd of witches celebrating together at the Maine Witch Walk

Bangor Historical Society Ghostly Bangor Tours

The Bangor Historical Society’s Ghostly Bangor Walking Tour features tales of unsolved mysteries, murder, and energies that may still linger in the Queen City. Departing from the Bangor Historical Society’s Thomas A. Hill House (159 Union Street, Bangor), tours stroll through the streets of Downtown Bangor and last around 90 minutes.

Advanced tickets are required. Out of season tours are available by private appointment.

Ghostly bangor Tours – Learn More
ghostly
Group holding lanterns near stone archway

Darker Mount Hope Walking Tours

Typically held the weekend before Halloween, this annual fundraiser for the Bangor Historical Society is held once per year and is not to be missed!

As the night deepens while you meander the paved paths, a cast of living souls will regale you with dramatic, moving, touching, mysterious, and even spooky stories —sprinkled with a bit of history, of course— about the permanent residents of Mount Hope. This after-dark walking tour of one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the country is a seasonal favorite.

Darker Mount Hope Walking Tour – learn more
Crowd celebrating Halloween in costume.

Downtown Bangor Trick or Treat

It’s all treats and no tricks for youngsters and families during downtown Bangor’s annual Halloween event! Held the Saturday before Halloween, Downtown’s streets fill with the sounds of ghosts and goblins, heros and royalty, absolutely magic…and maybe a little mayhem.

Enjoy treats from businesses throughout Downtown and free mini golf in the pocket park while getting in the spirit of the season.

This year’s Trick or Treat will be held Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 2-4pm.

Downtown Trick or Treating
A woman dressed as a butterfly gives a treat to a child dressed as a scarecrow on halloween.

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Movie Night Hang Out: Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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Over a year ago we watched Brian De Palma’s 1974 Horror/Dark Comedy/Rock n’ Roll movie musical Phantom of the Paradise, and we’ve been in love with it ever since. We REALLY think you’ll like this one too. As usual we’ll open the shop at 6:30pm and start the show at 7:00pm. We don’t charge any […]

Founders & Freedom: A Revolutionary Walk Through Mount Hope

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Come along with us as we celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a special Revolutionary walk through Bangor’s historic Mount Hope Cemetery. Explore the fascinating stories of those buried there who took part in the Revolution and of the families whose legacies shaped Conduskeag Plantation (Bangor) before 1800. This walking tour lasts approximately an […]

Founders & Freedom: A Revolutionary Walk Through Mount Hope

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Come along with us as we celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with a special Revolutionary walk through Bangor’s historic Mount Hope Cemetery. Explore the fascinating stories of those buried there who took part in the Revolution and of the families whose legacies shaped Conduskeag Plantation (Bangor) before 1800. This walking tour lasts approximately an […]

Still Floating: 40 Years of Pennywise at The Emporium

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We’re kicking off the 2nd Annual Stephen King Birthday Block Party by welcoming Author Tom Deady and friends for the official release of Still Floating; 40 Years of Pennywise. Come join us and all your fellow It fans as Deady & Co. chat a bit about the making of this great tribute and sign copies […]

Dollar Babies Come Home – Short Film Fest at The Emporium

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As part of the weekend celebration of Stephen King’s Birthday The Emporium Spooky Goods and More has the privledge of spending a day showing “Dollar Baby” short films. So what is a “Dollar Baby”? It is a nickname given to independent short films based on the short stories of Stephen King. Once upon a time […]

Tom Deady Book Signing: 40 Years of Pennywise at Nocturnem Draft Haus

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Bram Stoker Award winning author, Tom Deady, will be signing his latest book, “Still Floating: 40 Years of Pennywise.” We hope you’ll join us!

The Derry, Maine Beer Garden

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Part of the The Derry, Maine Beer Garden, featuring Bangor-area-made brews and ciders, will open up in the Columbia Street parking lot across from 2 Feet Brewing, running from 4-8 p.m. Sept. 19. Tickets are required to enter the beer garden. Designated Driver tickets, which gets you in for food and souvenirs, are available for […]

Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tour

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Learn little known facts about some of Bangor’s famous—and infamous– residents during our guided tour. Hear about the importance of symbolism in the gravestones and get a chance to take in some of the city’s beautiful vistas. Built in 1834, Bangor’s 300 acre Mount Hope Cemetery is the nation’s second oldest garden cemetery. It was […]

 Stephen King's 79th Birthday Carnival

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 We’re celebrating Stephen King’s 79th birthday with a 3-day party — an old-time carnival, book signings, parade & local-area beer garden. Stephen King’s 79th Birthday Carnival and “Pet Sematary” Pet Parade are on Sunday, Sept. 20. This event is free and EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Come downtown to celebrate the King of Horror’s 79th birthday at 2 […]