How to Ring in 2025 in Bar Harbor

What To Do For New Year's in Bar Harbor in 2025.
In Bar Harbor and Acadia, you’ll get the best of both worlds for your new year’s getaway – celebratory fun paired with opportunities to reset and restore. Bar Harbor restaurants will be offering New Year’s Eve specials, along with live music for an optimal night out. Acadia National Park is open for your exploration (be sure to check the park’s current conditions) – whether you crave the peace and quiet of snowshoeing through the woods (conditions permitting!), or welcoming the first sunrise of 2025. 

1. Take part in New Year’s Eve festivities around Bar Harbor. 
Kick off the new year right – live music, cocktails, and award-winning cuisine await. It may be a quieter time of year, but you’ll find plenty of places filled with light, warmth, good food, and drinks. 

• Brasserie Le Brun New Year’s Eve Party: Ring in the New Year at Brasserie Le Brun. Their exclusive New Year's Eve celebration features a specially curated four course prix-fixe menu, brimming with exquisite flavors that combine classic French techniques with exciting modern twists. From decadent appetizers to indulgent desserts, each dish is designed to delight the senses and set the perfect tone for a memorable night. Celebrate in style and savor the flavors of France as you welcome the new year in unforgettable fashion. Find out more here. 
• Havana New Year’s Eve Dinner in Bar Harbor: The fine dining American-Latin restaurant is planning a special, four-course dinner for New Year’s Eve. Indulge in a menu of both local classics, like lobster bisque, and Spanish takes on Maine’s seafood fare, such as paella. Reservations are recommended – call 207-288-2822. 
• Side Street Café’s New Year’s Eve Party: The celebration returns at the festive Side Street Café with a dessert station, scrumptious appetizers served well into the night, a paparazzi photo booth, DJ and live music. Tickets include all of the former, with the option to purchase full bar and bottle service on-site. Find out more here.

2. Embrace your artistic side. 
Try something new in 2025, from improv classes to quilting!

• ArtWaves’ New Year’s Classes: ArtWaves hosts a variety of activities such as fiber arts, botanical printmaking, mosaic crafting, and dance. Find the details on their website and sign up for a class today! 
• 1932 Criterion Theatre: On December 31st, The 1932 Criterion Theatre will have a showing of Mufasa: The Lion King. Fans of The Lion King will not want to miss out on this. 
• 9th Annual Hancock County Ice Quilting Derby: Starting January 2, 2025, the 9th Annual Hancock County Ice Quilting Derby kicks off, offering free block patterns through March 2025. Derby cards are available at participating shops: Fabricate (Bar Harbor), Quilt 'N Fabric (Southwest Harbor), Quiilty Biird (Ellsworth), and Bolt (Bucksport). Participants who complete their derby cards can win prizes through drawings. 

3. See the first sunrise of 2025. 
Greet 2025 by witnessing the first sunrise of the year in Acadia National Park while overlooking Frenchman Bay for a dazzling display of the rising sun. The Ocean Drive stretch of the Park Loop Road remains open to vehicles so you can watch the sunrise from the cozy comfort of your car. Or get out and walk the Ocean Path between Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs to welcome the New Year in the brisk open air. Be sure to prepare for the conditions by wearing warm layers and comfortable shoes and having a flashlight with you. Not a huge morning person? Bid 2024 adieu by taking in the sunset on New Year’s Eve instead – the western side of Mount Desert Island offers spectacular sunset views. 

4. Experience the wonder of stargazing on Sand Beach. 
The beach? In the winter? At night?! Yes, yes, and yes. This popular summer spot is a starry and serene wonderland on winter evenings. Weather permitting, New Year’s Eve makes for a great excuse to bundle up and witness the crystal-clear, star-studded skies, all whilst the ocean plays its soothing soundtrack. Be sure to follow the park’s safety guidelines while witnessing this amazing spectacle.  

5. Savor Beal’s at Home 
If you can’t make it to Bar Harbor, you can still bring some Bar Harbor to your dinner table in 2025. Beal’s at Home offers shipping services of live lobster, lobster meat, lobster roll kits, scallops, and crab meat straight to your door. Order online and plan an unforgettable special meal.

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