Things to Do in Maine This Christmas
The holidays are such a special time of year, especially here in Maine! The air is crisp and fresh with that first hint of the long winter to come. Wood stoves and fireplaces are lit as friends and family huddle around soaking in that radiant heat that warms you to the bone. The smell of the chimney smoke wafting in the air conjures up memories of winter's past. There's something so magical about it all! One of my absolute favorite things about the holiday season is traditions. Some of my favorite traditions include attending local holiday events that my family and I have been going to for years. Here is a list of some of our family favorites!
This show is great for the entire family. It takes place at Merrill Auditorium and is a combination of music, fun theatrical performances, and sing-alongs.
Going to Downtown Portland to view Pandora’s Winer Lights is fun for a cold evening drive, or bundle up and go for a walk to see the display. The city streets and parks are illuminated by a kaleidoscope of fantastical colors & shapes each year, bringing radiance, warmth, and magic to cold winter nights.
The Polar Express is a fun nostalgic evening for the family. Everyone is encouraged to dress in their pajamas for a ride on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad to the North Pole! Complete with a visit from Santa, cocoa & cookies, and the Polar Express is read during your journey, this event is just plain fun!
We enjoy visiting the Victoria Mansion during the holiday season to see the beautiful holiday decor. Walking through this historic home takes you back to a time long ago. They also have evenings when the Maine State Ballet performs the nutcracker in the mansion.
Portland Ballet puts on a fantastic rendition of The Nutcracker at Merrill Auditorium throughout the season. The show is the victorian version of the show and has a wonderful orchestra accompanying them.
Throughout November and December, LL Bean in Freeport has their Northern Lights display up and they have several family-friendly activities daily. You can visit Santa and his reindeer, meander through sparkling trees, go ice skating, and much more!
Freeport also hosts its Sparkle Celebration in December, it kicks off with a parade of lights and Santa arriving in town. There is a decorating competition, giveaways, and food trucks, so there is something for everyone!
Botanical Gardens Aglow is one of our favorite places to visit. located in Boothbay Harbor, it’s about an hour's drive from Portland, but so worth it! There are 14 acres of gardens that are completely lit up with over 750,000 lights and you can walk through the entire display! This is one our kids always ask to go back to every year!
