Maine’s fall foliage season set to begin with weekly reports, new event feature

AUGUSTA — One of Maine’s most anticipated seasons is just around the corner, bringing brilliant color, harvest traditions and countless reasons to explore the state.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will launch its 2026 fall foliage reporting season on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at MaineFoliage.com and by email to subscribers. Reports will be issued each Wednesday throughout the season, tracking the progression of fall color from northern Maine and higher elevations southward toward the coast.

This year, DACF is adding another way to help residents and visitors experience fall in Maine: organizations, communities, and event organizers are invited to submit fall events for consideration for inclusion in the weekly foliage reports.

“Fall foliage is more than something to see, it’s an invitation to experience Maine,” DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal said. “Whether that means visiting a farm, hiking a trail, attending a harvest festival, exploring a downtown or simply following a scenic by-way, our weekly reports help people follow the color and discover more of Maine along the way.”

DACF Maine Forest Service experts expect peak fall foliage to develop along its typical progression from north to south, with trees at higher elevations generally developing color before those at lower elevations.

Maine’s tremendous diversity of tree species, landscapes and growing conditions helps create both its spectacular fall color and an extended viewing season. Northern and coastal areas offer striking contrasts between evergreens and colorful maples, birches, and oaks, while inland forests provide a broad palette of fall color set among Maine’s abundant lakes, rivers, mountains and working landscapes.

While foliage conditions can vary from one location to another, Maine’s healthy and diverse forests continue to provide outstanding opportunities for fall color.

“The great thing about fall foliage in Maine is that there isn’t just one place or one moment to experience it,” MFS Director and State Forester Patty Cormier said. “Color develops at different times across the state and across different landscapes. If conditions aren’t at their best in one location, spectacular foliage is often just down the road.”

Fall color develops through a combination of shorter daylight, cooler temperatures, leaf pigments, moisture and other environmental conditions. As days shorten, trees slow their production of chlorophyll, revealing the yellow and orange pigments already present in leaves. Cooler temperatures and other environmental factors can also influence the red and purple colors associated with anthocyanin pigments.

Because Maine’s forests contain such a diverse mix of tree species and growing conditions, the result is a constantly changing mosaic of color throughout the season.

For 2026, DACF is inviting organizations, communities, farms, nonprofits, municipalities and event organizers to submit public fall events for possible inclusion in Maine’s Weekly Foliage Reports.

DACF is looking for more activities that give residents and visitors another reason to get out and experience autumn in Maine, including: harvest festivals and agricultural fairs, farm and food events, outdoor recreation and nature-based activities, arts and cultural events, community festivals and celebrations; and  other public events that complement the fall foliage experience

Events should take place during Maine’s fall foliage reporting season, generally mid-September through mid-October, and must be open to the public.

DACF will review events based on timing, location, relevance to the foliage season, and available space. Submitted information may be edited for length, clarity and style.

Throughout the season, MaineFoliage.com is the official resource for tracking Maine’s changing fall color. Weekly reports provide foliage conditions across the state and help residents and visitors decide when and where to explore.

From Maine’s northern forests and western mountains to its lakes, farms, downtowns and coast, there is no single way to experience fall in Maine. Following the changing color and exploring the places, people, events, and landscapes along the way is part of what makes the season special.

For 68 years, the DACF has produced Maine’s official fall foliage reports, drawing on observations from forestry and conservation professionals across the state. Published weekly throughout the season, the reports track the progression of color and leaf drop across seven foliage zones and provide information and resources to help residents and visitors make the most of Maine’s spectacular fall season.