Frequently Asked Questions

  • Puppets in Portland will return for our 3rd biennial festival from September 18-27, 2026.

    Follow us on Instagram & Facebook to hear about artist announcements, special events, ticket specials & more!

  • PiP is produced by Mayo Street Arts!

    Mayo Street Arts is a welcoming community arts center in the heart of East Bayside’s Kennedy Park: the most densely populated, ethnically and culturally diverse square mile in Maine.

    Our building serves as a performance venue, gallery, and gathering space, and offers affordable studios and rehearsal space for artists. Our programming embraces variety, with a particular focus on puppetry and folk music and dance.

    For more information, please visit mayostreetarts.org.

  • In 2024, PiP events took place at venues across Portland, Maine:

    • Mayo Street Arts

    • The Cedars

    • Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine

    • Congress Square Park

    • Glickman Family Library

    • John Ford Auditorium

    • Maine College of Art & Design

    To see all of the 2024 locations on one map click here.

  • Tickets to 2026 events are not currently available for purchase.

    We anticipate tickets and ticket bundles going on sale in July 2026.

    ***

    Tickets are available online until one hour before the performance.

    Tickets are also available at the box office 30 minutes prior to the performance for a $3 door charge, pending availability.

  • Volunteers help us out with general needs (postering, artist transportation, etc.) and at specific events (parade puppeteers, box office & concessions).

    All event volunteers receive free admission to the event at which they volunteer. Other volunteers receive admission to events based on the amount of time donated.

    Click here for the volunteer sign-up form!

  • If you would like to perform in our next festival, please click here to submit an Artist Application.

    Applications should be submitted by July 31, 2025 to be considered for PiP 2026.

  • No, thank you for asking!

    One of the amazing things about the puppet arts is the myriad ways in which they are used by artists tackling every subject imaginable. The PiP Festival is proud to offer a diverse sampling of all there is to offer.

    • Family friendly events are tagged All Ages.

    • Age Recommendations are suggestions left up to the parent or guardian's discretion.

    • Age Restrictions are enforced by box office staff.

    For more detailed information, please email us at pip@mayostreetarts.org.

  • No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact us at 207-879-4629 or pip@mayostreetarts.org for information on our sliding scale admission policy.

  • Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that we are forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via our ticketing platform.

  • All of the venues for PiP 2024 were wheelchair accessible:

    • Mayo Street Arts has an ADA compliant lift up to the main hall for performances, workshop space, concessions, and restrooms. Parking is available on the street with sidewalk cutouts at the top and bottom of the hill.

    • Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine maintains an extensive list of the ways in which they provide accessibility accommodations for their patrons. Click here to visit CMTM’s website.

    • Congress Square Park is accessible from two locations: via Congress Street bordering the park’s performance stage and the outside wall of 593 Congress Street onto a ramp which leads to the lower part of the park; and from High Street between the park which leads into the lower part of the park.

    • Glickman Family Library, located on the University of Southern Maine's Portland campus, is fully ADA compliant. Click here for a PDF map of the campus.

    • John Ford Auditorium is located inside Portland High School and is fully accessible. The entrance is on Chestnut St, between Cumberland Ave and Congress St. Accessible parking is available close to the entrance of John Ford Auditorium; those with ADA placards will be directed to designated parking spots by PiP volunteers. Curbside drop-off is available from Chestnut St; PiP volunteers will be present to direct guests to the entrance of the auditorium.

  • Mayo Street Arts is committed to making our programming accessible.

    Please email our Festival Coordinator, Amy Krawczyk, at amy@mayostreetarts.org with any specific requests you may have.