The 2026 summer season is over. Funtown Splashtown closed for the year on September 8, and the Thursday fireworks wrapped up August 27. We've kept this guide up as a record of how the summer ran, and the events below come back every year. For what's on now, see our fall and winter guide. To plan ahead, skip to Looking Ahead to 2027.
Old Orchard Beach runs at full capacity from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Seven miles of beach, a wooden pier out over the Atlantic, fireworks every Thursday night, Palace Playland on the sand. It's loud, crowded, and exactly what it's supposed to be. We're about three miles away in Saco, and we watch it fill up every summer.
Here's what was new this year and what's worth knowing before you arrive.
What's New for 2026
Palace Playland is adding the Speedy Coaster for the 2026 season, described as smooth twists and playful hills. It joins three rides that debuted in 2025: Nitro Speed, Wind Surfer, and the Balloon Ride. New enough that most visitors haven't ridden them yet.
Downtown, The Local OOB opened in late 2025 at 23 Washington Ave. Year-round spot with upscale bar food, pizza, and seafood, already drawing regulars. The Seaside Pavilion posts its concert schedule each spring, with tickets through PortTix.
Thursday Night Fireworks
In 2026, fireworks launched from the beach in front of Palace Playland every Thursday from June 25 through August 27. These are full professional shows. Free from anywhere on the main beach.
Note the start time. For years the shows began at 9:45 PM. Partway through the 2026 season, Palace Playland moved them to 9:00 PM over safety concerns, then settled on 9:20 PM. Expect the 2027 time to be announced on Palace Playland's social channels before the season starts. Plan to be on the sand by 9 PM to be safe.
July 4th fell on a Saturday in 2026, which put Thursday night fireworks on July 2. Two shows in three days for anyone here mid-week. In 2027, July 4th is a Sunday and the Thursday before is July 1, so the same overlap happens again. More in our July 4th guide.
Rock the Park Concerts
Free outdoor concerts at The Ballpark, 7 Ballpark Way, run by the Old Orchard Beach Recreation Department. Gates at 5 PM, music from 6 to 8 PM. Free parking. The 2025 season had seven shows: tribute acts for Queen, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and a few others. The schedule posts each spring on the OOB Recreation site.
Seaside Pavilion
The covered outdoor venue at 8 Sixth Street has been running summer shows in some form since 1885. Every July 4th, the 195th Army National Guard Band plays a free patriotic concert at 7 PM. The rest of the summer: symphony nights, tribute acts, community events. Good option for the hours before fireworks. Tickets and schedule on PortTix. There's no on-site parking for the summer series. Park at the Old Orchard Beach High School lot and take the free trolley.
OOB Pier Festival
Four nights in late July (2025 dates were July 24 to 27), 7 to 10 PM, put on by The Salvation Army. They've been doing this in some form for close to a hundred years. Balloon animals, face painting, giveaways, music, dancing. Free and family-friendly, right on the pier.
Beach Olympics
Three days in mid-August at Town Square and Palace Playland. Athletic events, music, and a presentation for Special Olympics Maine. The 2025 edition was the 36th annual. Held August 16 to 18.
Ocean Park Events
Ocean Park is the Victorian village right next to Old Orchard. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 AM on July 4th from Temple Ave at the Bell Tower. A few days before: the Sand Sculpture Contest on the beach, usually July 3rd.
The Car Show
One of the largest car shows in New England, held in mid-September. The 2026 show ran September 18 and 19: a laid-back showcase on Friday, then judging and awards on Saturday. Muscle cars, hot rods, antiques, rare builds. If you're planning a September trip, this is worth factoring in.
When to Visit
July and August are full tilt. Everything open, weekly fireworks, beach packed on weekends. July averages about three inches of rain for the whole month and highs around 76 to 78 degrees. This is OOB at its most itself.
September is the pick we give to guests who want the beach without the chaos. Water holds summer warmth better than most people expect, often 60 to 65 degrees. Crowds drop hard after Labor Day. Most restaurants stay open, hotel rates come down — take a look at our rooms if September works for you. The Car Show lands in the middle of the month. It's a genuinely good time to visit and most people discover it by accident when the summer dates fill up.
Parking
Metered parking runs May 1 through Labor Day at $3 per hour. On summer weekends, every decent spot is gone by mid-afternoon. The Milliken Street lot is the local tip: steps from the beach, less jammed than the main downtown lots. Residential side streets north and south of downtown sometimes have free unmetered parking, about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the pier.
If you're staying with us in Saco, the move is to drive in early, park, enjoy the beach, and head back before the afternoon parking situation develops. Book direct for the best rate.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Dates for 2027 haven't been announced yet, but the summer calendar here doesn't change much from year to year. Here's what to plan around:
- Memorial Day weekend (May 29 to 31, 2027): Palace Playland has traditionally opened its rides this weekend. Funtown also opened Memorial Day weekend in 2026, and its 2027 season passes are already on sale.
- Mid-May: the Amtrak Downeaster's seasonal Old Orchard Beach stop usually comes back. In 2026 it started May 18. See our Boston to OOB guide for train and driving tips.
- Late June through late August: Thursday Night Fireworks.
- Thursday, July 1 and Sunday, July 4: two fireworks nights in one long weekend.
- Late July: OOB Pier Festival. Mid-August: Beach Olympics. Mid-September: the Car Show.
July 4th weekend and August Saturdays fill up first. If you already know your dates, book direct early.
Drive in by 7 PM and walk straight to the beach near the pier. The 2026 shows started at 9:20 PM, so you'll have time to settle in. You don't need to be on the pier itself. Any stretch of open sand between the pier and the Milliken Street area gives you a clear view. Bring a layer. Evenings drop into the low 60s.