Despite the fact that everyone seems to start a little early, the official start of the Christmas season really seems to begin the day after Thanksgiving. But, there are a few things you need to accomplish before it’s truly Christmas in Maine. Once you’ve done these things, consider yourself ready for the main event!
- Watch your breath while singing Christmas carols in the cold Maine air.
David Lounsbury / Flickr Try the Kennebunk Christmas Prelude for one of the most festive versions of this tradition. Check out the full schedule of events at the Kennebunk Christmas Prelude website. Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
- Gaze up at Nubble’s beautiful outline of lights.
Michelle Callahan / Flickr While the actual lighting ceremony usually starts in November, you can still check out the lights throughout the holiday season in all their glory every night. Nubble Lighthouse, Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
- Use a lobster as a Christmas decoration.
Frank Gruber / Flickr If we weren’t supposed to use Maine’s favorite crustacean as a decoration at Christmas, would they be red and look so great with the green of a wreath or tree? Think about THAT.
- Take in a performance of “The Nutcracker.”
Roger Meike / Flickr Or, more specifically…
- …See the Portland Ballet’s unique “Victorian Nutcracker.”
Victorian Nutcracker This annual production recreates the interiors of Victoria Mansion and interprets Tchaikovsky’s score through the stories of Portland’s 19th century families. See it from December 10-23, 2022 and at multiple locations. For a full schedule and to get your tickets please visit the Portland Ballot website to secure your seat. Sanford Performing Arts Center, 100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME 04073, USAWestbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St, Westbrook, ME 04092, USAMerrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
- Participate in Santacon.
Jo T / Flickr On December 3, 2022, fine folks dressed as Santas will converge upon Portland. Then, they’ll take over this city in a fairly annoying way and drink their way around the Old Port. But, don’t get mad - join in! It’s all in the name of a good cause - donations will be collected for Family Crisis Services. If you want to get some Christmas spirits then check out everything you need to know for Santacon this year.
- Appreciate how much Mainers love to make things more “Maine.”
Frank Gruber / Flickr Check out the Christmas tree in Cape Porpoise for a great example! Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, ME, USA
- Choose and retrieve your own Maine Christmas tree.
smilla4 / Flickr Thankfully, the Maine Christmas Tree Association makes sure you always have a place to do this. No fake trees around these parts!
- See the glow of lights shining in the snow.
Corey Templeton / Flickr Will it happen this year?! We have our fingers crossed for a white Christmas!
- Lace up your skates and hit that small pond in the woods.
slack12 / Flickr But don’t choose just any pond! Make sure the ice is thick enough. THEN, throw on some L.L. Bean winter-gear and head out!
- Or, if you prefer something a little more legitimate - check out The Rink at Thompson’s Point in Portland.
The Rink at Thompson’s Point / Facebook Editor’s note: There is good news and bad news; the bad news is they will be closed for the 2022-23 winter season. The good news is they are undergoing a large construction project to make the whole area way better when they open! There’s even a distillery, brewery and a place for dinner! Visit them at: 10 Thompsons Point, Portland / 207-747-9399
- Stroll around the Gardens Aglow wonderland at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens / Facebook This is the largest holiday light display in all of Maine. Take a trip through 14 acres of gardens covered in no less than 750,000 lights. Stick around for dinner at the cafe which has a seasonal menu as well as live music. Check it out Thursdays-Sundays, November 19 through December, 31, 200. Visit them at: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay / 207-633-8000. In 2022, they have opened it back up for walking yet again! So head to the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s website for information and tickets. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gdns Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA
- Re-enact Annie C. Maguire’s shipwreck near Cape Elizabeth’s Portland Head Light.
sara hattie / Flickr Just kidding. Don’t do that. That’s not a Christmas thing to do.
Doesn’t that just fill your Christmas in Maine with so many memorable things to do? When you are looking for a classic Christmastime filled with sparkling lights and a beautiful backdrop, make sure to walk around Portland during Christmastime.
David Lounsbury / Flickr
Try the Kennebunk Christmas Prelude for one of the most festive versions of this tradition. Check out the full schedule of events at the Kennebunk Christmas Prelude website.
Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA
Michelle Callahan / Flickr
While the actual lighting ceremony usually starts in November, you can still check out the lights throughout the holiday season in all their glory every night.
Nubble Lighthouse, Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
Frank Gruber / Flickr
If we weren’t supposed to use Maine’s favorite crustacean as a decoration at Christmas, would they be red and look so great with the green of a wreath or tree? Think about THAT.
Roger Meike / Flickr
Or, more specifically…
Victorian Nutcracker
This annual production recreates the interiors of Victoria Mansion and interprets Tchaikovsky’s score through the stories of Portland’s 19th century families. See it from December 10-23, 2022 and at multiple locations. For a full schedule and to get your tickets please visit the Portland Ballot website to secure your seat.
Sanford Performing Arts Center, 100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME 04073, USAWestbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St, Westbrook, ME 04092, USAMerrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Jo T / Flickr
On December 3, 2022, fine folks dressed as Santas will converge upon Portland. Then, they’ll take over this city in a fairly annoying way and drink their way around the Old Port. But, don’t get mad - join in! It’s all in the name of a good cause - donations will be collected for Family Crisis Services. If you want to get some Christmas spirits then check out everything you need to know for Santacon this year.
Check out the Christmas tree in Cape Porpoise for a great example!
Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, ME, USA
smilla4 / Flickr
Thankfully, the Maine Christmas Tree Association makes sure you always have a place to do this. No fake trees around these parts!
Corey Templeton / Flickr
Will it happen this year?! We have our fingers crossed for a white Christmas!
slack12 / Flickr
But don’t choose just any pond! Make sure the ice is thick enough. THEN, throw on some L.L. Bean winter-gear and head out!
The Rink at Thompson’s Point / Facebook
Editor’s note: There is good news and bad news; the bad news is they will be closed for the 2022-23 winter season. The good news is they are undergoing a large construction project to make the whole area way better when they open! There’s even a distillery, brewery and a place for dinner! Visit them at: 10 Thompsons Point, Portland / 207-747-9399
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens / Facebook
This is the largest holiday light display in all of Maine. Take a trip through 14 acres of gardens covered in no less than 750,000 lights. Stick around for dinner at the cafe which has a seasonal menu as well as live music. Check it out Thursdays-Sundays, November 19 through December, 31, 200. Visit them at: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay / 207-633-8000. In 2022, they have opened it back up for walking yet again! So head to the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s website for information and tickets.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gdns Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA
sara hattie / Flickr
Just kidding. Don’t do that. That’s not a Christmas thing to do.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas In Maine November 03, 2022 Chris Dodge How do I make my Christmas in Maine complete? To make the most of your Christmas experience you will need to start preparing early because we have plenty to do to ring in the holiday season. We already got you kickstarted with some great ideas, but here are a few more suggestions for you. We mentioned before about the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s event; in 2022 Gardens Aglow is going back to a walking event, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Make sure you see these other Christmas light displays throughout the state. If you were hoping to just stick with the best ones then we have 11 of the best Christmas light displays in Maine for you, too. Take a walk through the Augusta West Campground for a Winter Wonderland. You can take your kids and join the Polar Express for an actual train ride. Maine certainly is a magical place to spend Christmastime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas In Maine
November 03, 2022
Chris Dodge
How do I make my Christmas in Maine complete? To make the most of your Christmas experience you will need to start preparing early because we have plenty to do to ring in the holiday season. We already got you kickstarted with some great ideas, but here are a few more suggestions for you. We mentioned before about the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s event; in 2022 Gardens Aglow is going back to a walking event, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Make sure you see these other Christmas light displays throughout the state. If you were hoping to just stick with the best ones then we have 11 of the best Christmas light displays in Maine for you, too. Take a walk through the Augusta West Campground for a Winter Wonderland. You can take your kids and join the Polar Express for an actual train ride. Maine certainly is a magical place to spend Christmastime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To make the most of your Christmas experience you will need to start preparing early because we have plenty to do to ring in the holiday season. We already got you kickstarted with some great ideas, but here are a few more suggestions for you. We mentioned before about the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s event; in 2022 Gardens Aglow is going back to a walking event, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Make sure you see these other Christmas light displays throughout the state. If you were hoping to just stick with the best ones then we have 11 of the best Christmas light displays in Maine for you, too. Take a walk through the Augusta West Campground for a Winter Wonderland. You can take your kids and join the Polar Express for an actual train ride. Maine certainly is a magical place to spend Christmastime.
