Dawnland Festival FAQs

The Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas will be held on the College of the Atlantic’s campus, just minutes from downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Free parking is available on the College of the Atlantic (COA) campus. Please use the campus entrance and follow the direction of the parking attendants. Elder and handicap parking will be available.

Additionally, paid parking is available in downtown Bar Harbor, where you can catch the Island Explorer to reach COA's campus.

We recommend arriving early, as spaces may fill up quickly.

Yes! The festival is easily accessible on foot or by bike from downtown Bar Harbor. If you're staying nearby, biking is a great, eco-friendly way to get here.

Downeast Transportation runs a year-round bus service between Bar Harbor and Ellsworth that runs seven times a day and can be waved down in front of or asked to stop at the COA. A bus also runs from Bar Harbor to Bangor once a day, leaving the Village Green at 8:00 am and leaving the Concord Coach bus station at 1:50 pm.

There will be limited seating at performances and panel discussions. Please pre-register for first-come, first-served seating. Feel free to bring a folding chair or blanket for extra comfort.

• Conversations led by Wabanaki leaders, scholars, artists, curators, and culture bearers on topics that matter deeply to Indigenous communities and allies alike.

• Panel themes include: environment, food systems, technology, and our shared democracy.

• Featured panels include:

  • Native Arts, Cultures, & Technology

  • Wabanaki Forest Futures

  • Centering Wabanaki Voices in America’s 250th

  • Indigenous Farm to Table

• These sessions are designed to educate, inspire, and foster dialogue and connection.

  All panels are open to the public and included with festival attendance, but we encourage pre-registration. Seating is first-come, first-served.

The festival hosts Wabanaki artists and Northeast artists selling authentic handmade items, including basketry, jewelry, paintings, beadwork, and more.

Most vendors accept cash, credit/debit cards, and digital payment apps like Venmo or PayPal. However, we recommend bringing some cash, as mobile service can be spotty in certain areas.

Some artists sell their work online! Check our vendor list for links to their online stores.

Yes! There will be food vendors, including James Beard-nominated Chef Joe Robbins (Wabanaki), Katahdin Kitchen (Wabanaki), Freshie’s Wood Fire Pizza, and Pita Coast (a local student-run Middle Eastern food truck).

Most vendors offer a variety of food options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.

Attendees are invited to bring their own beverages (non-alcoholic) and food items to the event. However, there will be great local and indigenous food providers available.

No - due to the nature of this event, and respecting College of the Atlantic polices, this event will not have alcohol. Anyone who is seen consuming an alcoholic beverage will be asked to leave.

Yes! The festival is held in an accessible venue with paved paths and designated seating areas for performances. If you need additional accommodations, please contact us before your visit.

ADA parking spaces are available near the entrance for visitors with accessibility needs.

There will be limited seating at performances and panel discussions. Please pre-register for first-come, first-served seating. Feel free to bring a blanket for extra comfort.

This event welcomes service animals. A service animal is individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Thank you for your understanding. 

Bar Harbor offers a variety of hotels, inns, Airbnbs, and campgrounds. We recommend booking early as accommodations fill up quickly, especially during summer.

There’s plenty to explore! Some popular options include:

• Hiking in Acadia National Park (try Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, or Sand Beach!)

• Whale watching tours departing from downtown Bar Harbor

• Exploring the shops & restaurants along Main Street

• Visiting the Abbe Museum to learn more about Wabanaki culture - please check their website for operation hours

For more ideas, visit the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce website. 

Check out the Abbe Museum Shop or local galleries featuring Wabanaki artists.