May Monthly Round Up

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Your go-to blog for tips and stories from our USM campuses and Southern Maine.


@usouthernmaine

may

Monthly Round Up

Welcome to the Monthly Round-Up, your go-to guide for what’s happening at the University of Southern Maine and across the Greater Portland area each month! From campus performances, concerts and student events to local festivals, cultural happenings and activities throughout the region, this series will keep you connected to what’s new, what’s next, and what’s worth checking out across our Portland and Gorham campuses and beyond.

What’s next at USM

Decorated graduation caps with colorful designs at USM commencement ceremony

May 4 – 8

All week

Both Campuses

Free for graduating students

Graduating Huskies, this week is for you! Enjoy elevated events including wine tastings, alumni luncheons, free swag giveaways, and more as we celebrate your hard work and get you ready for commencement.

April 27 – May 8

Timing varies

Portland & Gorham Libraries

Free!

Donate your used textbooks at the library help desk (not the book drop!) so fellow students can access them for free on course reserves. Once enough books are donated, browse free books at each library to take home!

 May 3

3:45 – 5:30 PM

Old Port, Portland

$20

Join USM’s Outdoor Adventures Board for a lobster boat cruise around Casco Bay! See seals, haul up traps, and learn about Maine’s iconic lobster industry — plus an optional lobster feast afterward!

May 17

Meet at 8:00 a.m. for carpooling, hike starts 10:00 a.m.

Carpool from campus or meet at trailhead

Free!

Breathe in the fresh air at the top of one of Maine’s most beautiful hikes with OAB—scenic views and alpine ponds await!

May 2026 in Southern Maine

Assorted jars arranged on a vendor table

Bike Barn Bonanza

May 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Score a great deal on a bike at this annual sale featuring around 300 fully refurbished bikes and plenty of as-is project bikes — perfect for students looking for affordable, sustainable transportation!

Cost: Free admission

Location: Ketcha Outdoors, Scarborough

Purple, pink, and white crocus flowers blooming in a park

Thompson’s Point Maker’s Market

May 10 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Support local Maine and New England artists, craftspeople, and small businesses at this curated indoor market — just in time for Mother’s Day shopping!

Cost: Free!

Location: Thompson’s Point, Portland

Detailed view of seaweed fronds

All Roads Music Festival

May 15 – 16

Experience Portland’s multi-venue music festival featuring local and touring artists across genres — perfect for discovering new sounds and celebrating the city’s vibrant music scene.

Cost: Ticket prices vary

Location: State Theatre & various Portland venues

Students conversing at Career Exploration Internship Program poster exhibition

Did you know…

Almost 90% of recent USM grads say they feel well-prepared to enter the workforce? That’s partly because at least half of the students here complete internships each year— over 3,200 did in the last year alone — with Maine businesses and organizations. And the Career Hub works to connect you with paid internship options through the Career Exploration Internship Program. It’s not just classroom learning; it’s real experience that helps you build skills, make connections, and land the job you actually want after graduation.

Spotted on campus this month

https://usm.maine.edu/career-employment-hub/career-exploration-program/

Spotted in regalia

Cap? ✓ Gown? ✓ Diploma? ✓ Champ’s all set for commencement — now it’s YOUR turn, Class of 2026!

Follow Vivienne Predock:
Vivienne Predock is a storyteller and content creator with a background in education, media production, and digital communication. A Colby College graduate, she is drawn to stories that are authentic, inclusive, and rooted in place — highlighting the people and ideas shaping Maine's future.