Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude: A Fantastic Way to Get into the Holiday Spirit

I was thrilled when the town of Wells, Maine, approved a season extension for the contemporary cottages at Seagull Inn and Condominiums.  Being able to keep our vacation rental (#52) open until January 10th, meant we could use it during Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude.

I heard wonderful things about the event from our neighbor, but we had not yet experienced it for ourselves.  Now that we’ve gone, I can honestly say, “Wow!  What a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit!”  Prelude is definitely going to be one of our annual holiday traditions.

If you’re not familiar with Christmas Prelude, it’s a holiday festival that takes place in Kennebunkport during the first two weekends of December.  The entire community gets involved and the event schedule is PACKED with activities that will delight children and adults alike.  In fact, HGTV recently named Kennebunkport as 1 of the top 10 Christmas towns in America.

Some of our favorite Christmas Prelude memories include:

• Decorating gingerbread houses at the Nonantum Resort
• Listening to wandering minstrels as we strolled through Dock Square
• Watching the crazy hat parade
• Sipping mulled wine around a fire pit outside of Old Vines
• Greeting Santa as he arrived by lobster boat
• Warming our bellies at Grissini Italian Bistro with gourmet cheesy macaroni and wood fired pizza with goat cheese and pancetta.

There were so many activities to choose from that it was impossible to do everything we wanted.  Next year, I look forward to:

• Exploring one or more of the 7 different craft fairs
• Taking a historic trolley or walking tour
• Rubbing elbows with locals at the firehouse lobster bake
• Touring the decked out 1853 Nott House
• Having a calendar from Abacus Gallery signed by artist, Dana Heacock

I highly recommend marking your calendar now and making reservations several months in advance.  You’ll want a whole weekend to enjoy all that Christmas Prelude offers, and Kennebunkport hotels sell out quickly.  Not to mention, they’re costly.  Our Wells vacation rental is an affordable alternative and located just a few miles away.  Call 800.573.2485 to make a reservation and request cottage #52.