It happens every Fall. Our landlubber friends ask, “When are you closing your Wells Beach cottage?”  Our answer remains the same year after year. “There are so many great holiday festivals in Wells, Kennebunkport, and Ogunquit, Maine, that we’ll keep our place open until after New Year’s. We love the beach in the off-season!

If you’ve ever been to Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport or Ogunquit’s Celebration by the Sea, you know what I mean.  There is something extra special and almost magical about the holiday season along Maine’s Seacoast.  Attend just one of these events, and I’m sure you’ll agree.

2016 Holiday Festivals & Events Along Maine’s Seacoast: York to Freeport

1. Festival of Trees | November 26 – December 31, 2016 – During this community event that benefits programs run by the Dyer Library and Saco Museum, dozens of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths are put on display for visitors to enjoy.
2. Annual Lighting of the Nubble | Saturday, November 26, 2016 – Each year, the town of York  adorns Cape Neddick Lighthouse (“The Nubble”) with white lights which remain lit after dark through New Year’s Day.  Enjoy a night of seasonal carols, hot cocoa, cookies and a visit from Santa!  Kick-off festivities begin at 4:30 and the lights go on at 6:00. PARK CLOSED TO VEHICLES. Free Shuttles from Ellis Park start at 3:30.

   

3. Freeport’s Annual Sparkle Weekend | December 2-4, 2016 – Visit Freeport for a town-wide holiday celebration featuring a parade of lights, a talking Christmas tree, visits from Santa, dynamic light shows, free horse-drawn carriage rides, special train rides, and many other activities.
4. York Festival of Lights & Lights Parade | December 2-4, 2016 – Organized by a committee of business people and citizens, this event is held annually to give thanks for making York a great community and to celebrate the warmth of the season.  Activities often include: breakfast with Santa, the Polar Express, ginger-bread house displays, caroling, art exhibitions, craft fairs, church suppers, and a lights parade on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Starts at 4:30 p.m. at Foster’s Clambake on Axholme Road and ends at Village Elementary School.
5. Celebration by the Sea at Old Orchard Beach | December 4, 2016 – Sponsored by Saco Biddeford Savings Bank and the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, this annual holiday event includes free refreshments, a visit and pictures with Santa , local choirs, and more.
6. Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude | December 1 – 11, 2016 – This large-scale, nationally recognized festival takes place in Kennebunkport during

   

   the first two weeks of December.  The entire community gets involved and the event schedule is PACKED with 150+ activities, ranging from sophisticated adult parties to classic family favorites. As a result, HGTV has named Kennebunkport as 1 of the top 10 Christmas towns in America.  Learn more by reading this blog post, Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude: A Fantastic Way to Get into the Holiday Spirit.

7. Annual Wells Christmas Parade | Sunday, December 11, 2016 | Sponsored by the Wells Chamber of Commerce, this parade promises lots of holiday cheer.  Starts at the Wells Plaza at 2:00 pm and travels north on Route 1 to the Wells Jr. High School.
8. Christmas at the Beach | Sunday, December 11, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM | With the help of elves, kids can purchase presents for their family members for $0.25 and $0.50 cents.  Plus,  they can have their picture taken with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, Christmas cookies and crafts.  American Legion, 14 Imperial St, Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
9. Christmas by the Sea Celebration in Ogunquit | December 9-11, 2016 – Like Kennebunkport, Ogunquit also host an annual holiday celebration.  Just a few of the many activities include: a polar plunge, parade, gingerbread decorating, storytelling, hay rides, visits with Santa, wine and sweets tastings, basement bazaar, Chowderfest, craft fairs, art exhibits, wandering minstrels, and a whole lot more.
10. Portland Harbor Boat Parade of Lights | Saturday, December 17, 2016 |  Whether you watch from shore or while riding the 4:30 ferry, this parade of boats adorned with Christmas lights is magical. TIPS: The Maine State Pier has a great vantage point. If you want to ride the ferry, plan ahead and arrive early. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 25th and will only be available at Casco Bay Lines ticket office.

BONUS: Portsmouth, NH, located only 20 minutes South of Wells, is another wonderful place to enjoy the holidays by the sea. Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth, NH is month-long holiday celebration including  shows, strolls and shopping.