Upcoming events in Bangor
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Why a small city books big shows
Bangor is Maine's third-largest city, with 31,753 residents in 2020, but its live-event calendar punches well above that. The reason is the Maine Savings Amphitheater, a riverfront venue that holds up to 16,500 and runs a summer concert series from roughly July through October, drawing fans from across the region. The Cross Insurance Center fills the rest of the year with arena concerts, comedy, family shows and basketball.
- Outdoor concerts: the Maine Savings Amphitheater on the Penobscot River, operated by Waterfront Concerts with Live Nation.
- Arena events: the Cross Insurance Center on Main Street, up to 8,500 for concerts.
- College sports: the University of Maine Black Bears, whose basketball teams play many games at the Cross Insurance Center and whose hockey teams play at the Alfond Arena in nearby Orono.
- Performing arts: the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono, home of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, and the Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor.
Bangor has no major-league team, so sports demand centers on UMaine and the state high school basketball tournament.
Maine Savings Amphitheater: the summer anchor
The amphitheater opened on July 27, 2010 in Waterfront Park, at 1 Railroad Street along the Penobscot River. It has carried three names: the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion (2010–2013), Darling's Waterfront Pavilion (2013–2022) and now the Maine Savings Amphitheater. The venue combines about 6,400 permanent stadium-style seats with general-admission lawn space, for a top capacity of up to 16,500.
Where to sit
- Reserved seats: the permanent seats facing the stage are the choice if you want a guaranteed spot and a clear sightline; the closer center sections usually carry the most demand.
- General-admission lawn: the lower-cost way in, best for fans who arrive early and do not mind standing or sitting on the ground. The farther back you are, the more you rely on the video screens.
- Weather: this is an open-air river venue. Late-season shows in September and October can turn cold after dark, so bring layers, and check the promoter's current rain and bag policies before you go.
Cross Insurance Center and the indoor venues
Cross Insurance Center
Opened on September 10, 2013 at 515 Main Street, the Cross Insurance Center replaced the old Bangor Auditorium, a 5,948-seat local landmark. It seats about 5,800 for most events and up to 8,500 for concerts, with an attached convention center for about 2,000. The University of Maine Black Bears play more than half of their basketball games here, and the building hosts the Maine Principals' Association high school basketball tournament, which carried over from the Bangor Auditorium and draws towns from across the state. The fall 2026 calendar shows the range: John Mulaney (November 5), a WWE event (November 6), Sugarland (November 11), monster trucks and regional MMA.
Alfond Arena
The Harold Alfond Sports Arena in Orono, opened in 1977, seats 5,125 for hockey as of the 2022–23 season and is home to Maine Black Bears ice hockey and the Maine Hockey Hall of Fame. With about 5,100 seats, the building is small by college-hockey standards, so popular opponents can sell through quickly.
Collins Center for the Arts
A 1,435-seat hall on the UMaine campus, opened in 1986, home to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1896 and is the oldest continually operating community orchestra in the country.
Penobscot Theatre Company
Bangor's professional theater company, founded in 1983, presents a season of plays and musicals in Bangor.
The Bangor event calendar
- July through October: the Waterfront Concert Series at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, with the heaviest stretch of shows in the summer months.
- Summer: the Bangor State Fair, which has run annually for more than 150 years.
- October through March: UMaine hockey at the Alfond Arena.
- November through March: UMaine basketball at the Cross Insurance Center.
- Late winter: the Maine Principals' Association high school basketball tournament at the Cross Insurance Center, when local hotels fill with families from around the state.
- Year-round: touring concerts, comedy and family shows at the Cross Insurance Center, plus symphony and theater seasons.
Getting to Bangor and around town
Bangor International Airport sits about 3 miles west of the city, with service from American, Delta, United, Allegiant and Breeze to hubs and Florida cities. Most visitors drive, since Bangor is the main service center for central and northern Maine. Both major venues are close to downtown: the amphitheater is on the riverfront at the edge of downtown, and the Cross Insurance Center is a short drive or walk south on Main Street. On big amphitheater nights, expect crowded streets and parking near the waterfront, and allow extra time after the show. Orono and the UMaine venues are a short drive north of Bangor.
Neighborhood notes and visitor tips
- Downtown Bangor: restaurants and bars within walking distance of the waterfront make dinner before an amphitheater show easy, and they fill quickly on concert nights.
- Main Street corridor: the Cross Insurance Center sits along Main Street, and the Hollywood Casino adds dining and nightlife in the city.
- Book rooms with the ticket. Bangor's hotel supply is limited, and big summer concerts draw from hours away, so rooms go early on show nights.
- Plan for the drive. Many fans drive in from elsewhere in Maine; leaving extra time after a late show is safer than a rushed exit.
- Look around town. Stephen King's Italianate home and the 1959 Paul Bunyan statue are well-known stops for visitors.
Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee, including guaranteed entry. Check current venue information at crossinsurancecenter.com.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Maine Savings Amphitheater?
It holds up to 16,500, combining about 6,400 permanent seats with general-admission lawn space. It opened in 2010 on the Bangor waterfront.
When is the concert season in Bangor?
The Waterfront Concert Series at the Maine Savings Amphitheater typically runs from July through October. Indoor concerts play the Cross Insurance Center year-round.
What was the Maine Savings Amphitheater called before?
It opened as the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion in 2010, was renamed Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in 2013 and took its current name in 2022.
What is the capacity of the Cross Insurance Center?
About 5,800 for most events and up to 8,500 for concerts. It opened in 2013 and replaced the Bangor Auditorium.
Where do the Maine Black Bears play?
Black Bears hockey plays at the Alfond Arena in Orono, and the basketball teams play more than half of their games at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.