How Eastport, Maine, Celebrates New Year's Eve With Tradition

New Year’s Eve in Eastport, Maine, is a little different from anywhere else, and that’s exactly how locals like it.

The celebration usually starts downtown, where people gather despite the cold, bundled up in heavy coats, hats, and gloves. The town’s famous giant maple leaf is at the center of the festivities, glowing as crowds count down the final moments of the year together. There’s music, laughter, and plenty of small-town warmth, even in the middle of winter. Families, friends, and visitors stand shoulder to shoulder, soaking in the excitement of welcoming a fresh start.

But Eastport’s midnight tradition doesn’t stop with the maple leaf.

When the clock gets closer to twelve, attention shifts upward. As the final seconds are counted out loud, an unexpected symbol begins to drop from above, an eight-foot-long sardine. Instead of fireworks or a sparkling ball, this oversized fish marks the arrival of the New Year.

The sardine drop is more than just a quirky tradition. Eastport proudly calls itself the world’s capital of sardine canning, a title rooted in its history and the industry that once supported much of the town. For generations, sardine canneries were a major part of life here, shaping the local economy and identity. Dropping the sardine is a playful way to honor that past and keep it alive for new generations.

As the sardine reaches the bottom and the New Year officially begins, cheers erupt across downtown. People hug, wish each other well, and head off to continue celebrating. In Eastport, ringing in the New Year isn’t about being flashy, it’s about tradition, community, and a little bit of humor, all wrapped up in one unforgettable moment.

So what about your town in Maine, what’s your New Year’s tradition when the clock strikes midnight?