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

Elizabeth’s Fine Goods | 142 Main Street

Explore a selection of cosmetic products made with seaweed

Flexit Cafe | 142 Main Street

Union River Book & Toy Co. | 100 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

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

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.

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.

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.