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 to attend |
| Gardens Aglow | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay | Nov 14, 2026–Jan 2, 2027 | $20–28 adult, $10–18 child, by date |
| Nubble Lighthouse Holiday Lighting | York (Sohier Park) | Saturday after Thanksgiving; lit into Feb | Free to view |
| Christmas Prelude | Kennebunkport | Dec 3–13; Santa by boat Dec 6 | Mostly free |
| Freeport Sparkle Celebration | Downtown Freeport | Dec 4–13 | Free |
| Christmas by the Sea | Camden, Rockport & Lincolnville | First weekend of Dec | Mostly free |
| North Pole Express | Boothbay Railway Village | Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 | Paid; 2 & under ride free on a lap |
| Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival | Carrabassett Valley | Dec 12–13 | Free to attend |
| Santa Sunday | Sunday River, Newry | Sun, Dec 13, 11am | Free to spectate |
| Holiday Craft Fair | Bar Harbor | Dec 4–6 | Free to browse |
Dates checked against each event's own site on October 1, 2026. Portland and the Nubble had not posted 2026 dates yet, so those rows show last season's pattern; confirm before you go.
Which Maine holiday events are best 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. As of October 2026 most have posted their dates, but the Portland tree lighting and the Nubble Lighthouse lighting had not, and Gardens Aglow prices change by night. Confirm on each event's own site before you go.
When is Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport?
In 2026 it runs December 3 to 13. Santa arrives by lobster boat on Sunday, December 6, the Hat Parade is Saturday, December 5, and the fireworks are Friday, December 11. Check the event's own site for the full schedule. If you are coming from Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport is roughly 75 to 90 minutes south on Route 1.