10 Maine winter
and holiday events.
Santa arriving by lobster boat, 750,000 lights on a botanical garden's paths, and a vintage train ride to meet Santa. Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor, this is what we'd put on the calendar.
All 10, at a glance.
| Event | Where | Typical timing | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland tree lighting & Elf screening | Monument Square, Portland | Friday after Thanksgiving | Free |
| Gardens Aglow | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay | Mid-Nov–early Jan | ~$19–23 adult, $10–13 child |
| Nubble Lighthouse Holiday Lighting | York (Sohier Park) | Early December | Free to view |
| Christmas Prelude | Kennebunkport | Dec 3–13 | Mostly free |
| Freeport Sparkle Celebration | Downtown Freeport | Dec 4–13 | Free |
| Christmas by the Sea | Camden, Rockport & Lincolnville | First weekend of Dec | Free |
| North Pole Express | Boothbay Railway Village | Weekends in December | ~$21/ticket (age 3+) |
| Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival | Carrabassett Valley | Second Saturday of Dec | Free |
| Santa Sunday | Sunday River, Newry | Mid-December | Free to spectate |
| Holiday Craft Fair | Bar Harbor | Dec 4–6 | Free to browse |
Timing reflects each event's usual pattern as of September 2026. Several had not posted exact 2026 dates yet; confirm on the event's own site.
Our top three for young kids.
Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport is the iconic Maine holiday scene, Santa arriving by lobster boat, mostly free across roughly ten days. Gardens Aglow is the most visually stunning: 750,000 lights on paved, stroller-friendly garden paths, though it needs timed tickets booked ahead. The North Pole Express at Boothbay Railway Village is the most hands-on for young kids: a vintage train ride to a Santa letter-writing station, though note strollers aren't allowed on the train itself.
What families ask us.
What is Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport?
A 45-year-old Maine holiday tradition where Santa arrives by lobster boat, followed by tree lightings, a Hat Parade, and fireworks over the cove. Most events are free, and it runs across roughly ten days in early December.
What is Gardens Aglow?
A walk-through light display of over 750,000 LED lights across the paved, stroller-friendly paths at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, running from mid-November into early January. Timed tickets are required and it sells out, so book ahead.
Are these Maine holiday events free?
Most town-based events (Kennebunkport, Freeport, Camden, Portland) are free. Gardens Aglow and the North Pole Express train ride at Boothbay Railway Village charge admission.
Do dates for these Maine holiday events change year to year?
Yes, several had not posted final 2026 dates at the time of writing, particularly the smaller town tree lightings. Confirm on each event's own site before you go.