The holiday season in Maine has finally arrived, and it is a truly magical time of year for residents and visitors alike. Don your favorite cold weather attire, coordinate with family and friends, and choose from an array of experiences happening all month long in the vibrant communities across the state. Allow me to highlight a few of my favorite villages and towns to add to your list, including Kennebunkport, Boothbay, and Freeport—I can guarantee that each of them will deliver Hallmark Channel charm with plenty of sparkle and festive spirit!
Kennebunkport Village
While many view Kennebunkport as a summer destination, this picturesque village transforms into one of the most celebrated and notable Christmas towns in the United States. The season kicks off with the 42nd Annual Christmas Prelude. Running from Thanksgiving weekend until December 10, the Prelude offers a series of special events that draw a following from afar. Fan favorites include Santa’s arrival on a lobster boat, the annual Hat Parade, Christmas candlelight caroling at the Franciscan Monastery, the Family Street Festival, a fabulous Pooch Parade, and the unforgettable fireworks display, to name a few. If you’re not a big fan of crowds, take Route 9 through Cape Porpoise to see the Lobster Trap Tree, then continue to Dock Square where you can imagine yourself on a movie set while you enjoy holiday shopping at the various local businesses and an extended dinner with friends or family.
Where to Stay:
- Kennebunkport Captains Collection - 6 Pleasant St.
- AWOL Kennebunkport - 34 Maine St.
- The Grand Hotel Kennebunk - 1 Chase Hill Rd.
Where to Eat:
Batson River Brewing and Distilling goes full-out for the holidays, including vintage decorations, seasonal craft cocktails, fire pits for gathering outdoors, and an indoor game room for those who prefer warm and cozy surroundings.
Where to Shop:
- Daytrip Society - a unique mix of gifts, home décor, accessories, and locally crafted treasures
- Dannah - a fanciful and fashionable boutique with fifth-generation owners
- Sea Love Candles - a custom candle-making experience
Freeport Village
Not one but two amazing celebrations await visitors who travel to Freeport during the holiday season! Throughout the spring and summer, L.L.Bean’s flagship campus offers residents and visitors a plethora of opportunities to connect, create, learn, and experience the outdoors—but come the winter, the entire campus transforms into a snowy wonderland known call the Northern Lights where you will find sparkling trees, ice skating, festive photo ops, life-sized snow globes, live reindeer, holiday music, a hot cocoa bar, a famous model train village, and daily programming that’s free to the public. L.L.Bean wraps up the season with “KidNight," a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration with party hats, juggling, and free live music.
Down the street, the town of Freeport hosts their own festive Sparkle Celebration, now in its 30th year, that runs from December 1 to December 10. The festivities kick off with the Celebration Parade of Lights where Santa arrives and brings Freeport’s famous talking Christmas tree to life. For a full list of events, visit sparklecelebration.com.
Where to Stay:
- Harraseeket Inn - 162 Main St.
- Hilton Garden Inn - 5 Park St.
Where to Eat:
Freeport Oyster Bar is an intimate and cozy establishment right on Main Street with a great selection of oysters, cheese and charcuterie, lobster rolls, and seafood. They even have grilled cheese and PB&J for the kiddos.
Where to Shop:
- L.L.Bean Home Store - full of home furnishings, bedding and bath, rugs, holiday decorations, and more
- Bow Street Home - island-inspired meets classic coastal home goods
- Abacus - handcrafted goods and jewelry
Boothbay & Boothbay Harbor
The Boothbay Harbor region has a calendar chock full of holiday options for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to purchase tickets for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ ninth season of Gardens Aglow, where 750,000 LED lights span 14 acres of the central gardens. Surrounded by beauty, visitors can walk the paths and sip on hot chocolate—but be sure to layer up! For our holiday train enthusiasts, jump aboard the North Pole Express at Boothbay Railway Village Museum. Upon arrival, stop inside the historic 1912 Freeport Station where you can write a letter to Santa before embarking on a ride to the North Pole, a magical adventure that your child will never forget. Feeling creative? Take a stab at making a fused glass ornament at the Southport General Store on December 9 or enter the Gingerbread Spectacular at the Opera House from December 15-17. Check out boothbayharbor.com/boothbay-lights for a full list of events.
Where to Stay:
- Harbour Town Inn on the Waterfront - 71 Townsend Ave.
- The Helm House - 16 Greenleaf Ln.
Where to Eat:
Boathouse Bistro offers views of the harbor paired with a unique menu that features the best risotto in midcoast Maine.
Where to Shop:
- Seawicks Candle Company - 100% soy candles inspired by towering pines and salty seas
- Eventide Specialties - world-class Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Condimento