Bangor, Maine Rings In 2026 with ‘Downtown Countdown’

It's almost time to say goodbye to 2025 and celebrate a new year, with a huge party in Downtown Bangor!

Hard to believe, but another year is winding down, and that means it is time to party in Downtown Bangor. The annual "Downtown Countdown" is a day long event that has fun for people of all ages!

This year, the highlight of Bangor’s New Year’s Downtown Countdown is, the annual drop of the big, bright beachball from rooftop height to the ground below.

The gathering begins at 11:30 PM in Pickering Square, and the ball will drop with the help of Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Downtown Bangor with one of Maine’s largest, free* public New Year’s Eve celebrations, Downtown Countdown.

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Each year crowds gather in Bangor’s historic Downtown to watch the ball get thrown from on high to celebrate the New Year.

Businesses throughout Downtown will have events happening throughout the day and evening. The evening is jam-packed with music, dancing, kid-friendly activities, karaoke, games, a ball drop, and more!

Spend your afternoon enjoying food and drink specials, activities for families, music, entertainment, dancing, and parties throughout Downtown Bangor before gathering just before midnight for the dropping of the big, bright, Bangor beachball!

Here are some of the fun events planned:

Midnight at the Museum-Maine Discovery Museum
December 31, 2025 at 4:00pm–6:00pm

A Fairy Tale Ball New Year's Eve Party-Bangor Public Library
December 31, 2025 at 4:00pm–7:00 pm

DJ Artie V for a Roaring 20s New Year's Eve-Happy Endings
December 31, 2025 at 8:00pm–9:00 pm

Midnight on the Orient Express: A New Year's Eve Experience-The Stage Door
December 31, 2025 at 7:00pm–9:00 pm

New Year's Eve Bash-Happy Endings
December 31, 2025 at 5:00pm–January 1, 2026 at 2:00am