Summer is right around the corner and tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Cruising Casco Bay Concert Series! This is our annual series where on six evenings from July to September some of Maine’s most entertaining bands play aboard the Bay Mist as the sun sets over Casco Bay.
The concerts were such a big hit in 2024—with every single show selling out—that we’re offering pre-season tickets this year at $25 per ticket. On July 1, if they haven’t sold out, tickets will increase to $30. So, tell your friends! Head to the event webpage or the ticket window in the terminal to buy yours today. Guests must be over 21 and because the venue is inside, every show will happen whether rain or shine.
What is it about these concerts that make them so magical? We asked Toby McAllister, whose band played last year and who will return to the Bay Mist on July 25. You may recognize the frontman as one of the founding members of the Maine rock band Sparks the Rescue. According to Toby, nothing can match playing on a boat on a blissful, summer evening.
“It was just such a unique experience,” said Toby. “We started playing the minute the boat left the dock, and we didn’t stop until we got back two hours later. It was an incredible experience to play as the sun set over the ocean—I wish every show could happen on a boat!”
This year’s line-up includes six dates:
- Thursday, July 10: Gina and the Red Eye Flight Crew return for another spellbinding show. This energetic and deeply funky nine-piece collective is led by the dazzling vocalist Gina Alibrio. They’re playing two shows this year, with a second slot on August 21.
- Thursday, July 17: Hello Newman has been called a “wondrous juggernaut of ‘90s alternative rock”. They bring a danceable mix of ‘90s and 2000s rock, ska, rap, and swing. The band has members from various acclaimed local bands whose music is currently getting local radio play, such as Derek Johnson of The Gubs and Jonah Bruce of Quaint AF. And they will get you dancing.
- Friday, July 25: Toby McAllister describes his band’s sound as: “If Johnny Cash wanted to start a punk rock band.” Nominated for a 2023 New England Music Award, they’re a tight act who will keep everyone on the dance floor.
- Friday, August 15: The Kenya Hall Band is a stunning option for those who want inspiring, soulful music to match the beautiful views of a mid-summer cruise. Described by Rolling Stone as “a soul powerhouse”, Kenya Hall is a mesmerizing performer.
- Thursday, August 21: Gina and the Red Eye Flight Crew return for their second concert of the series.
- Friday, September 5: Hello Newman closes out the series with their second concert.
We couldn’t do these concerts without the support of our incredible sponsors. 98.9 WCLZ is our partner once again this year. In 2025, we’re excited to welcome CLYNK to the party! Not only do they offer the most convenient, cleanest, and fastest way to redeem and recycle bottles and cans—but they share our commitment to sustainability through their work to keep valuable materials in use and out of the waste stream and out of Casco Bay.
It promises to be another stunning summer of live music out on the water, so book your tickets and plan to bring a picnic with you (a cash bar aboard has the drinks covered). We board at 6:30pm and set sail at 7:00pm for a two-hour sunset cruise.