Whether you go to the snow or it comes to you, there are few more enchanting spots to visit during the winter months than Maine. With substantial snowfall throughout the state, this northerly destination becomes a winter wonderland ideal for outdoor sporting or getting cozy indoors with a steaming cup of cocoa or tea.
What benefits will you enjoy when you plan your family holiday in Maine? Here are a few tips to make the most of your winter trip to the shore.
- Explore Invigorating Outdoor Activities
- Visit Local Christmas Markets
- Hit Up Holiday Festivals
- Bask in the Warm Glow of Celebratory Light Displays
- Embrace the Spirit of the Season Through Live Performances
Explore Invigorating Outdoor Activities
The summer season is ideal for soaking up the sun on Maine’s beautiful coastline, but there’s plenty to do across the state during the winter months, as well.
Pristine powder provides the perfect surface for cross-country skiing, where you can drink in the natural beauty of scenic forests as you glide along groomed trails. Check out the extensive trail networks at popular spots like the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, the Penobscot River Trails, or Smiling Hills Farm (near Portland).
If you’re not looking to work up a sweat, consider renting a snowmobile to cover back-country terrain. Or book a dog sledding tour out of Canton, Hebron, or Bethel to enjoy a couple of hours or up to a day of relaxing wilderness sightseeing, complete with hot beverages at the end.
Those who are dedicated anglers during warmer months can put their fishing skills to the test with guided ice fishing excursions on Maine’s frozen lakes.
Visit Local Christmas Markets
It’s not hard to find Christmas markets and craft fairs during December, but perhaps the best known is the Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude, an annual event spanning more than four decades. The town practically transforms into a Hallmark Christmas movie, complete with sparkling lights and a massive tree in the town square.
Although the 11-day event technically falls into the festival category, the town’s commitment to holiday-themed markets is second to none. Maine Art Hill holds a Merry Market with over 40 artisans offering arts and crafts to satisfy your gift list, while local establishments host tent sales, farmers markets, holiday boutiques, and more.
For a cozier event with a historic twist, visit the annual Foss Mansion Christmas Market. It’s free to the public, and you’ll find local artisans and crafters offering gifts, baked goods, and more in the festively decorated mansion.
Hit Up Holiday Festivals
Kennebunkport has a lot to offer, with myriad markets and the arrival of Santa on a lobster boat, but there are plenty of other holiday festivals to tempt you.
For nearly 40 years, the town of Ogunquit has hosted an annual Christmas by the Sea event, featuring concerts and craft shows, along with a parade, beach bonfire, and fireworks, among other attractions taking place on a mid-December weekend.
You can also check out the Freeport Sparkle Celebration, a charming, multi-day event that kicks off with a parade. It includes a Sparkle Stroll with special deals at local shops, a Sparkle Frosty Frolic with music, vendors, and fire pits, giveaways from Sparkle, the Stealth Elf, and more.
Bask in the Warm Glow of Celebratory Light Displays
In the darkest days of winter, holiday lights can brighten your world, and there’s no shortage of displays and events to fill your heart with joy.
Bangor’s annual Festival of Lights Parade is a must-see. You can also snap some great selfies in the Twinkle Light Tunnel on Main Street in Freeport as part of L.L.Bean’s month-long Northern Lights Celebration.
Embrace the Spirit of the Season Through Live Performances
Holiday concerts and other performances abound in Maine. When you visit the coast, you’ll want to book tickets for seasonal events like local Nutcracker ballet performances or the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s annual The Magic of Christmas. This event at the Merrill Auditorium features holiday songs with guest soloists and a choral group.
Enjoy an Enchanting Winter Holiday in Maine
End-of-year holidays offer an opportunity to take a break, connect with loved ones, and enjoy all the fun, food, and festivities the season has to offer.
When you head to the Maine shoreline to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you’ll find options to enjoy the outdoors, get cozy inside, and partake of the many seasonal celebrations that make this time of year truly spectacular.