Photo Credit: Sabri Tuzcu/Unsplashed
I’m going to be highlighting a few events that are taking place this holiday season. They are broken down by town and then further down you will see options for train and sleigh rides. Also, I’ve included a great idea in the Boothbay Harbor section if you head out to the Gardens Aglow.
But before I do, I’m going to share how my family and I had to slow down for the holidays and how that allowed us an opportunity to do the holidays just a bit differently…
Let’s get into it!
The time between Thanksgiving and New Years is one of my most favorite times of the year.
For our household, it is a time of tradition and a time to slow down. Sure, there is the Feast of the Seven Fish, homemade spaetzle and German food on Christmas Eve and smaller traditions in between but it is the slow down that I look forward to the most; the time to relish in the beginning of the winter solstice and being ever present with the ones you loved.
the reality that it’s a remote learning day for me, no school for her and the compromise to not napping while momma is taking a virtual meeting is playing house by the Christmas tree to stay quiet.
I know it sounds like I’ve been watching too many reels on Instagram about Hygge, and maybe I do enjoy those ones, but I found slowing down during the busiest and most hectic times of the year… by accident.
I found it through a case of Hand/Foot/Mouth my 1 year old daughter came down with the day before Christmas Eve in 2019.
No joke.
As a result of this loving virus, my husband and I had to change all of our plans for a jammed packed two days of holiday festivities. While initially disappointed to be missing out on some of my favorite holiday gatherings and seeing our friends and family, it turned out to be a lovely time, just the three of us and with our favorite Chinese food takeout.
Fast forward to a Covid Christmas. This slowed down another holiday season and I started to enjoy this pace.
I also made the realization that my then 2 year old daughter had known no difference than this slower pace to the holiday season and I thought to myself, maybe this is how it should be, maybe this is how I want it to be.
So, now..as we approach the 2023 holiday season, slowing down is what we’ve come to like as a family. We still hold onto family traditions and our days at home are filled with baking, Christmas crafts I scored 75% off from the last season, watching movies and reading the pile of books that only make it out for this season and, at the same time, Christmas cards usually don’t get sent, Halloween candy still sits on the kitchen island, and I also forget to order those Christmas jammies.
And what’s crazy..is that it is OK.
It’s OK because I’m present with my family, with my daughter. I’m not rushing from baking cookies for colleagues to eating dinner at a lightening pace so that I can sit on my computer to create holiday cards that need to be finalized by midnight to get that free shipping.
I’m just..not rushing. And it’s been great.
And here’s the thing…just because I’m not rushing anymore doesn’t mean that our days move at a glacial pace and are filled with sitting on the couch with a book and a steaming mug of cocoa (because that would be #hygge).
It’s actually the opposite. We have found more time to adventure out and enjoy some of the really great local holiday events and festivals.
From checking out the Sparkle Celebration in Freeport, to scoring tickets to drive through a holiday light show to signing up our daughter for a Gingerbread House event that doubles as a date night for us, it’s in the slow down that we find the time to explore some great events together as a family.
So to wrap this up…
Maybe you swap out making cookies for your colleagues and spend the afternoon on a sleigh ride? Or maybe you get some side dishes catered for your holiday party and you get an afternoon off to enjoy some caroling?
This holiday season, I encourage you to think about how you can be present with your loved ones. What can you slow down with? What can be skipped this year?
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with whatever makes you happy!
From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!
-Natalie
Holiday Events and Festivals (by town):
Bangor:
Saturday, December 2nd: Festival of Lights Parade beginning at 4:30pm and a tree lighting at the end of the parade.
Bar Harbor:
Friday, December 1st: The 14th annual Village Holiday celebration. Saint Nick will light the tree in the Village Green at 5pm and then to the Mount Desert Island YMCA for crafts, games, pics with Santa, and a ride on the sleigh. After 8pm, Midnight Madness takes over the town with discounts at many stores, bards and restaurants until midnight.
Bath:
Saturday, November 25th: Celebrate Santa’s arrival at Gazebo Park @ 4pm with cookies and opportunities to take pictures to Santa himself.
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23rd: Jump on the trolley from 4:30-8:30pm (with stops every half hour) for caroling around town.
Saturday, December 8th: Explore Bath’s Gingerbread Downtown with a fun Candyland style game. Enjoy late evening shopping with cocoa by the Bath Elementary PTA and live music by the Salvation Army Brass Band. Santa and Mrs. Clause along with other costumed holiday characters will be wandering the town too
Boothbay Harbor:
November 18-December 31st: Gardens Aglow. Returning for 9th season, the celebration includes new walking routes and paths to explore as well as the return of the old friends. With more than 750,000 lights woven through 14 acres, this is definitely a fun feature of the holiday season. Tickets sell fast, so be sure to grab yours!
Saturday, December 2nd: Santa arrives by boat at 3pm and then stay for the Lighted Boat Parade, Blessing of the Fleet and Fireworks. Festivities for that run from 6:45-7:30pm
December 15th-17th: The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor hosts the annual Gingerbread Spectacular. Amazing gingerbread houses, castles and more that are created by novice and professional bakers alike!
Boothbay Harbor also hosts smaller events through the holiday season so be sure to check out their web-page for more information!
Solo Adventure Idea Here:
Get a 2 night hotel reservation in Bath (the Hampton Inn is within walking distance of downtown Bath) and go up the first night for a little ALONE time. Grab some friends and head to dinner in Brunswick or Bath. Our favorite dinner spots are Little Tokyo and Richard’s in Brunswick. Next, wake up and grab a coffee at Cafe Crema or brunch at Mae’s Cafe and Bakery then do some shopping on Bath’s cute Front Street or head to the Maine Maritime museum for some exploring and learning.
Have the family arrive after lunch on the second day to the hotel for some playing in the pool, grab an early dinner (The Cabin is a great family spot) and then head up and enjoy Gardens Aglow.
You will be well rested, the kiddos will enjoy some pool time, and you can all enjoy the idyllic event of the season!
Camden:
December 1-3rd: Christmas by the Sea has a little bit to offer everyone: A holiday parade, tree lighting, music, cookie decorating, story time, horse and carriage rides and so much more!. Check out their Facebook page for a breakdown of the three days of activities!
Freeport:
Friday, December 1st: Sparkle Celebration kicks off at 6pm (rain or shine) with the Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights. The event concludes with the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the talking Christmas tree. Fun continues all week with lots of events throughout the week so be sure to check their schedule of events.
November 18-December 31st: Enjoy the fun at the LL Bean’s Northern Lights event with lots of daily and special activities throughout the season.
Houlton:
Saturday, November 25th: The Holiday Light Parade is held at 6pm. Local businesses decorate floats with lights, costumed walkers sign and dance through the parade route and Santa and Mrs. Clause light the Christmas tree and listen to children’s Christmas wishes.
The Kennebunks:
November 30-December 10th: Christmas Prelude is a 2 week long event and complete with its own Instagram account. There are several featured events and they include:
Friday, December 1st: Tree Lighting at Dock Square @ 5:30pm followed by the Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tree Lighting @ 7pm.
Saturday, December 2nd:
- Annual Hat Parade @ 3pm
- Village Tree Lighting and Stroll @ 5:30pm
- Christmas Candlelight Carolling at the Franciscan Monastery @ 6:30pm
Thursday, December 7th: Storybook Christmas @ 4pm. A reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to children, gingerbread making event with Mrs. Clause, and creating sparkling snowflakes with elves. Treats and cocoa will be available. Readings will be @ 4:15pm, 5pm and 5:45pm @ the Kennebunk Conservation Trust.
Friday, December 8th:
- Prelude Family Street Festival @ 4pm. Carolers, ice sculpting, food vendors, live music, entertainers and more at this family-friendly festival.
- Annual Christmas Fireworks Display @ 6:15pm
Ogunquit:
December 8-10th: Christmas by the Sea is a 3-day festival that includes tree lightings, concerts, craft shoes, children’s activities, a parade, bonfire, fireworks, Santa and much more. Be sure to check out their schedule for a complete list of activities and times.
Presque Isle:
Saturday, December 2nd: 34th Annual Holiday Light Parade kicks off at 6pm. Enjoy music, floats, and hot cocoa as the parade moves from the University of Maine @ Presque Isle to where North Street meets Main Street.
Rockland:
Rockland Main Street sponsors several holiday events during the week after Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 24th:
- Downtown Rockland’s Early Bird Event from 7-10am with most shops opening at 7am with special promotions.
- Santa arrives at Middle Pier @ 12pm
- 19th Annual Lobster Trap Tree Lighting @ 6pm
Saturday, November 25th:
- Festival of Lights Parade on Main Street @ 5pm.
Sunday, November 26th:
- Breakfast with Santa at the Elks Lodge from 7:30-9:30am.
York:
The Town of York Parks and Recreation presents The Festival of Lights with events happening during a two week span. Be sure to check out their page for a full list of events!
Saturday, November 25th:
- Nubble Lights: The light of Nubble Lighthouse @ 4pm with music from the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra from 3:30-5:30pm
- Lighting of the Anchorage @ 7pm. The Anchorage Inn unveils their holiday light display and there are fireworks over Long Beach
Saturday, December 2nd:
- Ornament Making with Firefly Pottery from 1-2:30pm @ York Beach Fire.
- Festival of Lights Parade @ 4:30pm
Sunday, December 10th:
- Tea with Mrs. Clause from 9-1pm. Registration required!
- Free Holiday Concert featuring the Seacoast Wind Ensemble from 3-4pm
Holiday Trains:
- CPKC Holiday Train is making 3 stops in Maine this year on Tuesday, November 21st: Hermon, Brownville, and Jackman Maine.
- Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland offers trips to the North Pole on 17 different dates. Advanced reservation/tickets are required.
- Railway Village Museum in Boothbay Harbor offers trips to the North Pole for 3 weekends in December. Advanced reservation/tickets are required.
- Santa Express in Unity offers trips to the North Pole on 7 different dates. Advanced reservations/tickets are required.
- Seashore Trolley Museum in Arundel offers trips to the North Pole on 2 different weekends that coincide with Christmas Prelude in Kennebunk. Advanced reservation/tickets are required.
- Victorian Christmas Train and Market in Alna (just outside of Wiscasset) offers trips to the local Christmas Market and opportunities to meet Santa for 3 Saturdays in December.. Ticket prices include a train ride, visit with Santa, hot beverages, ornament meeting, parking at Sheepscot, and admission to the SeaLyon Christmas Market. Advanced reservations/tickets are required.
Sleigh Rides
- Bethel Inn in Bethel, Maine. Call the Bethel Inn for reservations.
- Drafty Acres Horse Drawn Rides in Palmyra, Maine. Call for reservations.
- High View Farm in Harrison, Maine. Call for reservations AFTER December 1st.
- Winterberry Farm in Belgrade, Maine. Call for reservations. Reservations include a 2 hour sleigh ride, campfire with cocoa and tea, and even a pot of soup! Ice skating and sledding is also available.