MIDCOAST—It may be the quiet season, but in the Midcoast, the arts are still thriving. Even though 1 ½-inch snowstorms may keep us temporarily housebound, Maine arts venues are still bringing people together in the colder months. Here's a rundown of everything going on in the Midcoast to get you out of the house and engaged with your community.

Opera House Performances

• The Rockport Opera House is hosting FRIGG, a Nordic Strings concert on January 31 at 7 p.m. This internationally touring folk/roots ensemble blends Nordic tradition with contemporary string music. According to their press, "Their music is powerful, evocative, rhythmically charged, and full of the sparkling interplay that has made them ambassadors of Finland’s 'Nordgrass' sound." FMI: FRIGG
• Story Songs of the ’70s with Tom DiMenna: Coming up at the Rockport Opera House on February 1 at 4 p.m., Maine-based singer-songwriter Tom DiMenna sings songs in the maritime spirit and covers classic folk and pop songs by Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, and more. FMI: Tom DiMenna
• Trad Night is bringing Irish music to the Camden Opera House on January 30 at 7:30 p.m. with Accordion maestro Dan Possumato, guitarist and vocalist Jim Hyland, and tin whistle player Jody Johnstone. FMI: Trad Night
• The Mallet Brothers Band, featuring Chris Ross, takes the stage on February 6 at the Camden Opera House, just in time for the Toboggan Nationals weekend show. These Maine musicians with a passionate following  play alt-country to Americana, country, jam, and roots rock. FMI: Mallet Brothers Band

Art Exhibits, Studios, & Galleries

• The Farnsworth Art Museum is hosting a Farnsworth Concert Series in January/February, with intertwining music and art, featuring eight monthly concerts with an eclectic array of musical genres.  FMI: The Farnsworth Art Museum
• Center for Maine Contemporary Art is thriving this winter with Open Studios, which are ArtLab drop-ins with revolving themes, Adult Makerspaces with guest artists who inspire attendees to make hands-on art, and CMCA After Hours parties, which involve food and drink, informal curator-led tours, a chance to create, and a music playlist created by a Maine artist. And that's not all they're doing! FMI: Center for Maine Contemporary Art
• The Belfast Chamber of Commerce has a list of upcoming classes and workshops in the arts, such as glassblowing, life drawing, printmaking, comedy workshops, and more this winter. FMI: Belfast Chamber of Commerce
• Waterfall Arts is currently in the midst of its winter exhibition, with "Homegrown," in the Clifford Gallery. "The exhibition celebrates the people who make Waterfall Arts feel like home—a place rooted in shared creativity, care, and belonging." The exhibition remains on view through February 27, 2026. FMI: Waterfall Arts

Theater & Performance

• The Strand Theatre in Rockland hosts Griffin William Sherry, the Maine-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who is the former frontman for the Ghost of Paul Revere, on January 31 at 7:30 p.m. Many other live performances are slated this spring, so stay tuned. FMI: The Strand Theatre
• The Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro is hosting Curbside Queens on February 14 at 8 p.m. This quirky new show blends live performance and the nostalgia of music television. In a world where the media is controlled by the high elite, the Curbside Queens will go rogue, taking over the airwaves right in front of your eyes. FMI: Waldo Theatre
• Belfast Maskers kicks off its 2026 season with Below the Belt, which has been described as "Glengarry Glen Ross meets Waiting for Godot," starting March 19 and running until March 29. FMI: Belfast Maskers

Film

• The Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro has built up quite the cult film following. It plans to screen Rollerball, the 1975 flick where the ruthless corporation reigns supreme, and this vicious and barbaric "sport" is the only outlet for the pent-up anger and frustrations of the masses. The film is set to run on January 31 at 6 p.m. Accompanying the audience is Rock Coast Roller Derby, Midcoast's premier roller derby league, and Waldo After Dark. FMI: Waldo Theatre.
• The Strand Theatre in Rockland is currently screening 12 unique films in January and February. Check them out! FMI: The Strand Theatre
• Meanwhile the Colonial Theatre in Belfast is currently running four indie films worth viewing. Catch them here. FMI: Colonial Theatre

Winterfest & The US National Toboggan Championships

• The 23rd annual Camden Winterfest is taking place in the Camden Ampitheater January 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with ice carving, a polar plunge, a fashion pet show, kids' activities, live music, hot food, and more. The Facebook event shows the entire itinerary and where to park. FMI: Winterfest
• The 35th annual US National Toboggan Championships takes place February 6-8 this year. I guess you could call this "toboggan arts." It has its own website now and a gallery of past fun-filled events. FMI: Toboggan Nationals

 Winter on the Midcoast isn’t an off-season — it’s a different kind of spotlight.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com