2026 Maine seaweed week in ellsworth!
Heart of Ellsworth is excited to cultivate energy around Maine Seaweed Week April 24 – May 3, 2026. Maine Seaweed Week is an annual statewide festival presented by Heritage Seaweed, Maine Sea Grant, and Maine Seaweed Council celebrating Maine’s seaweed harvest.
Locally, Seaweed Week is sponsored by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables and Frenchman Bay Conservancy. Ellsworth is the first accredited Main Street Community in Maine to spotlight Seaweed Week.
Savor and Shop Seaweed Week in downtown
John Edwards Market | 158 Main Street
A special display will highlight Maine Coast Sea Vegetables products along with a selection of seaweed snack items
Dream Catcher Antiques & Collectibles | 107 Main Street
Local artists will be featuring a variety of seaweed themed creations, including ornaments, paintings, mermaids, and other unique gift items
Zeppa’s NY Pizza | 92 Water street
Try the Conca D’oro Pie, a savory blend of clams, bay shrimp, and dulse flakes in a white sauce, layered over their signature white pizza with whipped ricotta and smoked garlic.
Elizabeth’s Fine Goods | 142 Main Street
Explore a selection of cosmetic products made with seaweed
Flexit Cafe | 142 Main Street
Special menu offerings will include a DLT sandwich made with dulse, lettuce, and tomato, along with alaria seaweed smoothies, kelp krunch bars, and sesame flavored Bibigo dried seaweed snacks
Union River Book & Toy Co. | 100 Main Street
Browse a featured display of books about seaweed, along with sea creature plush and stuffed animals. Seaweed themed books will also be available at 10% off
Fogtown Brewing Company | 25 Pine Street
Try a Japanese inspired seaweed pizza featured as a special menu item: Ume-ginger base, with sauteed shiitake & sake-braised daikon. Topped with toasted sesame and featuring wild Atlantic Kombu & Wakame from our friends down the road at Maine Coast Sea Vegetables.
Provender Kitchen + Bar | 112 Main Street
Explore seaweed featured specials and enjoy the unique flavors and creativity!
Black Moon Public House | 142 Main Street
Black Moon Public House will be featuring Maine Coast Sea Vegetables inspired food and drink specials. Guests can sip on the GOLDIE•Weed Negroni, made with Maine’s own Goldie’s Gin and a dulse infused Negroni blend, or enjoy it as a GOLDIE•Weed Negroni Sour.
From the kitchen, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables seasonings will add a seaweed twist to Black Moon favorites, including The Grand Popcorn with sea seasoning and nutritional yeast, dulse infused roasted green beans, and a creamy sesame sriracha dulse dip served with kettle chips. It is a simple and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of Seaweed Week, Black Moon style.
Ellsworth Public Library | 20 State Street
A Seaweed-Themed Book Display! Dive into the world of seaweed—where ocean, science, storytelling, and flavor meet. From coastal ecology and sustainable ocean farming to folktales, cookbooks, and creative crafts, this display explores the many ways seaweed shapes our lives and imaginations. Discover how this humble marine plant connects cultures, ecosystems, and everyday inspiration.
Local Events
Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Open House
Thursday, April 30th 4PM - 6PM | Free | 430 Junction Road
Our partners at Maine Coast Sea Vegetables are opening their doors Thursday night of Maine Seaweed Week for a special behind the scenes experience featuring tours, tastings, hands on exploration, and shopping.
Tours: A Peek Behind the Doors: Tours will be offered at 4:15 PM and 5:15 PM, with each lasting approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Guests will learn about the company’s history, what we do, what we sell, and more.
Tastes: Sample a few delicious snacks made with seaweed and take home recipes to try for yourself.
Touch Tank: Explore a tide pool style touch tank and learn more about the species sold from the Gulf of Maine.
Shop: Browse a variety of items available to bring home to your own kitchen.
Tiny Art Show Kick Off
Friday, May 1st 3PM - 4PM | Free | 20 State Street
The Tiny Art Show is back! This year, Tiny Art coincides with the 8th Maine Seaweed Week, and Ellsworth Public Library is partnering with Maine Coast Sea Vegetables!
They will provide "seaweed artist supplies" for artists during the open studio, which will allow you to explore seaweed in your creative process.
Sign up to secure your spot! Tiny canvases and painting materials will be provided. Create your own masterpiece and enter it into their community contest.
Your art will be on display on the main floor of the library, and voting lasts until the end of May. If you cannot make the event, you can pick up a canvas, create your work at home, and submit your canvas any time during May. However, you might get fewer votes if you submit late. Maine Coast Sea Vegetables will sponsor a special prize for the creator of the winning artwork.
Seaweed Social: Voices of Frenchman Bay
Friday, May 1 4PM - 6PM | Free | 16 State Street
Join Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Maine Coast Sea Vegetable, and Heart of Ellsworth for a Seaweed Social at the Makerspace! Stop by to learn all about Downeast Maine’s seaweed harvesting industry through seaweed-themed small bites, activities, and a short film screening.
Be the first to see the third installment of Voices of Frenchman Bay with our exclusive film premiere at the Seaweed Social! The short film, produced by Frenchman Bay Conservancy, follows Maine Coast Sea Vegetables’ Seraphina Erhart and explores the intersection of conservation and seaweed harvesting in Downeast Maine.
Check out the listening booth to tune into From the Sea Up Podcast featuring Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. Produced by the Island Institute, the podcast is made possible by the Fund for Maine Islands and a partnership between the Island Institute, College of the Atlantic, Maine Sea Grant, and The First Coast/Galen Koch. Listen to the full episode and other episodes at islandinstitute.org/stories/podcast/.
Kick off your seaweed weekend with us in downtown Ellsworth! We hope to see you there.
A Seaweed-centered Stroll through Ellsworth
Saturday, May 2nd 3PM - 4PM | Free | Starting Location: 16 State Street
Join Maine Coast Sea Vegetables for a lively guided Jane’s Walk through downtown Ellsworth that puts seaweed front and center. Meet at 16 State Street on Saturday afternoon, May 2, and follow our guide as we visit shops and restaurants taking part in Maine Seaweed Week. At each stop discover seaweed specials, tastings, and product displays, and learn practical tips for using commonly harvested seaweeds. This walk mixes food, craft, and industry insight with friendly conversation so you can browse seaweed-based goods, learn more about the importance of seaweed in Maine and meet people bringing sea vegetables to market. Family friendly, accessible by sidewalk, and led by an industry player so the stories you hear are as rooted in the industry as they are in our community.