As we navigate our way through Thanksgiving, bellies fully and hearts even fuller, there can only be one thing on the horizon: Christmas! From trees to wreaths, festive lights to holiday parades, there is no better time to get into the spirit than now. If you’re looking for some places to celebrate, check out these wonderful Christmas towns in Maine. They’ll fill you full of cheer…assuming you have room after all that turkey!
- Kennebunkport, York County
katebarnum / Flickr You can’t miss out on the holiday spirit when celebrating in Kennebunk! The annual Christmas Prelude runs from December 1st to the 11th and features two tree lightings and lots of merriment. Begin at 5:30pm on December 2nd with the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Dock Square to officially start the season. On the same night join in Christmas caroling with the Kennebunk High School Chamber Choir. Afterwards head to Cape Porpoise Square for the famous lobster pot tree lighting at 7pm. For more information click here.
- Bath, Sagadahoc County
City of Bath / Facebook Bath celebrates Christmas all month long in their annual “Old-Fashioned Christmas” celebration that begins just after Thanksgiving on November 26th with the Christmas Tree Lighting, Jingle Bell Walk, & Visit with Santa from 11am to 4pm. Continue the celebration during Trolley Christmas Caroling on Fridays & Saturdays in December from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The downtown Bath open house event will be held on December 9th. Restaurants and stores will stay open late, offering refreshments from 5-8 p.m. For more information click here.
- Bar Harbor, Hancock County
therichbrooks / Flickr On Friday, December 2nd head to Bar Harbor for the Village Holidays and Midnight Madness event. Beginning at 4:30pm on the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor, there will be carolers and hot cocoa for all attendees. Santa will make an appearance at 5pm and, from there, attendees will follow Santa and the carolers down to the MDI YMCA for family activities and crafts from 5:30-7:00pm. The Midnight Madness Sale begins at 8:00pm. For more information click here.
- Owls Head, Knox County
Owls Head Transportation Museum / Facebook The Owls Head Transportation Museum is where Christmas comes alive. On December 3rd, Santa will trade his sleigh for an airplane as he makes his annual appearance at the museum. The Midcoast Community Band will perform at this well-attended event, which is completely free to the public. Children should come with letters to Santa and elves, and an airmail pickup will take place at 1pm, headed straight to the North Pole! For more information click here.
- Portland, Cumberland County
coreytempleton / Flickr On November 25th, head to Monument Square for the lighting of the 2016 tree at 5:30pm. This kicks off the Portland Christmas festivities. The very next weekend enjoy the December First Friday Art Walk. The MECA holiday sale will begin the very next day at 10am. On December 12th see the harbor light up for the 17th Annual Boat Parade of Lights beginning at 4:30pm. For one of the best views, book your space on Casco Bay Cruises. Remember, this is also the month for the Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Polar Express! For more information on events in Portland click here.
- Freeport, Cumberland County
Freeport USA / Facebook In addition to the incredible Discovery Forest in Freeport, the annual Sparkle Celebration is a great option for festivities in town. Bringing together holiday cheer and shopping in one lovely weekend, things kick off on Friday December 2nd with a Parade of Lights down Main Street, and the fun continues all weekend with a Sparkle Express Train Adventure, free horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, and the talking Christmas Tree. For more information click here.
- Waterville (or, Kringleville as it’s known this time of year!), Kennebec County
Kringleville / Facebook Welcome to Kringleville, a town that only exists in Maine for one part of the year! The Parade of Lights will take place the Friday after Thanksgiving - on November 25th. Following that kick-off, there’s even more holiday cheer in Waterville. Downtown Waterville’s Santa Claus tradition began in 1969 when Waterville volunteers brought in an unheated log cabin to Castonguay Square and lit up a young spruce tree. Today, you can visit Santa in Kringleville just about every day of the week (he takes the day off on Monday) before he heads off for his Christmas obligations just before the holiday. For more information click here.
- Camden, Knox County
thebees / Flickr Enjoy Christmas by the Sea during Camden’s annual holiday event from Friday, December 2nd to Sunday, December 4th. Start by attending the Opening Ceremonies at the Public Library from 4-6pm. Holiday selections will be performed by vocal groups and instrumental ensembles. Bring new or like new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to decorate the Hat and Mitten Tree. The night continues at 6pm when the parade kicks off downtown and goes from Main Street Camden to Harbor Park. For more information click here.
- Gardiner, Kennebec County
Gardiner Main Street / Facebook Gardiner doesn’t just spend one weekend celebrating Christmas. Here, it’s a month-long affair! On December 1st, catch the annual tree lighting in Johnson Park from 5pm to 6pm. Then, on December 3rd, make sure you’re downtown for the annual Holiday Parade of Lights beginning at 4:30pm on Water Street. Arrive early to take part in the 2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.Prizes will be given for the “Most Overall Ugly” and “Most Awfully Embellished.” Several shops will stay open late for evening festive shopping and free gift wrapping will be provided by Gardiner Main Street. And, of course, please don’t forget Small Business Saturday in just a few days! On November 26th, support the local shops of Gardiner by staying off the internet and buying from your neighbors! Click here for more information on the entire month’s celebrations.
- Bangor, Penobscot County
Downtown Bangor / Facebook Come to Downtown Bangor on Saturday, December 3rd for Santa’s Workshop with free cookie decorating. Santa’s appearance will take place at 58 Main Street from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Following Santa’s visit, the Festival of Lights Parade will begin at 4:30 pm. The parade is presented by the Rotary Club of Bangor, Maine and will celebrate this year’s theme, “Holidays from around the World." For more information click here.
- Presque Isle, Aroostook County
Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce / Facbeook On December 3rd, make your way to Presque Isle for the 27th Annual Light Parade. The parade sets off at 6pm from the University of Maine Presque Isle campus and has categories such as Parade Champion, Best Business, Best Non-Profit, Best Faith Based and Best General Float. For more information on events in Presque Isle click here.
And, in case you missed it, here are the 11 best Christmas light displays in Maine!
katebarnum / Flickr
You can’t miss out on the holiday spirit when celebrating in Kennebunk! The annual Christmas Prelude runs from December 1st to the 11th and features two tree lightings and lots of merriment. Begin at 5:30pm on December 2nd with the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Dock Square to officially start the season. On the same night join in Christmas caroling with the Kennebunk High School Chamber Choir. Afterwards head to Cape Porpoise Square for the famous lobster pot tree lighting at 7pm. For more information click here.
City of Bath / Facebook
Bath celebrates Christmas all month long in their annual “Old-Fashioned Christmas” celebration that begins just after Thanksgiving on November 26th with the Christmas Tree Lighting, Jingle Bell Walk, & Visit with Santa from 11am to 4pm. Continue the celebration during Trolley Christmas Caroling on Fridays & Saturdays in December from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The downtown Bath open house event will be held on December 9th. Restaurants and stores will stay open late, offering refreshments from 5-8 p.m. For more information click here.
therichbrooks / Flickr
On Friday, December 2nd head to Bar Harbor for the Village Holidays and Midnight Madness event. Beginning at 4:30pm on the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor, there will be carolers and hot cocoa for all attendees. Santa will make an appearance at 5pm and, from there, attendees will follow Santa and the carolers down to the MDI YMCA for family activities and crafts from 5:30-7:00pm. The Midnight Madness Sale begins at 8:00pm. For more information click here.
Owls Head Transportation Museum / Facebook
The Owls Head Transportation Museum is where Christmas comes alive. On December 3rd, Santa will trade his sleigh for an airplane as he makes his annual appearance at the museum. The Midcoast Community Band will perform at this well-attended event, which is completely free to the public. Children should come with letters to Santa and elves, and an airmail pickup will take place at 1pm, headed straight to the North Pole! For more information click here.
coreytempleton / Flickr
On November 25th, head to Monument Square for the lighting of the 2016 tree at 5:30pm. This kicks off the Portland Christmas festivities. The very next weekend enjoy the December First Friday Art Walk. The MECA holiday sale will begin the very next day at 10am. On December 12th see the harbor light up for the 17th Annual Boat Parade of Lights beginning at 4:30pm. For one of the best views, book your space on Casco Bay Cruises. Remember, this is also the month for the Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Polar Express! For more information on events in Portland click here.
Freeport USA / Facebook
In addition to the incredible Discovery Forest in Freeport, the annual Sparkle Celebration is a great option for festivities in town. Bringing together holiday cheer and shopping in one lovely weekend, things kick off on Friday December 2nd with a Parade of Lights down Main Street, and the fun continues all weekend with a Sparkle Express Train Adventure, free horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, and the talking Christmas Tree. For more information click here.
Kringleville / Facebook
Welcome to Kringleville, a town that only exists in Maine for one part of the year! The Parade of Lights will take place the Friday after Thanksgiving - on November 25th. Following that kick-off, there’s even more holiday cheer in Waterville. Downtown Waterville’s Santa Claus tradition began in 1969 when Waterville volunteers brought in an unheated log cabin to Castonguay Square and lit up a young spruce tree. Today, you can visit Santa in Kringleville just about every day of the week (he takes the day off on Monday) before he heads off for his Christmas obligations just before the holiday. For more information click here.
thebees / Flickr
Enjoy Christmas by the Sea during Camden’s annual holiday event from Friday, December 2nd to Sunday, December 4th. Start by attending the Opening Ceremonies at the Public Library from 4-6pm. Holiday selections will be performed by vocal groups and instrumental ensembles. Bring new or like new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to decorate the Hat and Mitten Tree. The night continues at 6pm when the parade kicks off downtown and goes from Main Street Camden to Harbor Park. For more information click here.
Gardiner Main Street / Facebook
Gardiner doesn’t just spend one weekend celebrating Christmas. Here, it’s a month-long affair! On December 1st, catch the annual tree lighting in Johnson Park from 5pm to 6pm. Then, on December 3rd, make sure you’re downtown for the annual Holiday Parade of Lights beginning at 4:30pm on Water Street. Arrive early to take part in the 2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.Prizes will be given for the “Most Overall Ugly” and “Most Awfully Embellished.” Several shops will stay open late for evening festive shopping and free gift wrapping will be provided by Gardiner Main Street. And, of course, please don’t forget Small Business Saturday in just a few days! On November 26th, support the local shops of Gardiner by staying off the internet and buying from your neighbors! Click here for more information on the entire month’s celebrations.
Downtown Bangor / Facebook
Come to Downtown Bangor on Saturday, December 3rd for Santa’s Workshop with free cookie decorating. Santa’s appearance will take place at 58 Main Street from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Following Santa’s visit, the Festival of Lights Parade will begin at 4:30 pm. The parade is presented by the Rotary Club of Bangor, Maine and will celebrate this year’s theme, “Holidays from around the World." For more information click here.
Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce / Facbeook
On December 3rd, make your way to Presque Isle for the 27th Annual Light Parade. The parade sets off at 6pm from the University of Maine Presque Isle campus and has categories such as Parade Champion, Best Business, Best Non-Profit, Best Faith Based and Best General Float. For more information on events in Presque Isle click here.
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