Southern Maine has long been a destination for couples, families, and solo travelers. There’s no better time to visit than during the holiday season, when businesses are bustling and alluring Christmas lights are aglow.
This year, consider taking a holiday vacation to Southern Maine. Bask in the glory of this region’s several festive and unforgettable Christmas traditions.
- Cape Neddick: Annual Nubble Lighting Ceremony
- Eliot: Sandy Hill Winter Wonders
- Boothbay: Gardens Aglow
- Cumberland: Maine Celebration of Lights
- Kennebunkport: Christmas Prelude
- Ogunquit: Christmas by the Sea
Cape Neddick: Annual Nubble Lighting Ceremony
Known by locals and frequent visitors as “the Nubble Light,” Cape Neddick’s lighthouse stands at around 41 feet tall.
Mark your calendar for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving this year — that’s when the Nubble Light first welcomes the holiday season. When darkness falls across Southern Maine on that Saturday, the holiday lights shine across the peninsula into Sohier Park.
Plan to bring your family for some fun; the park offers hot chocolate and cookies for everyone! Your little ones can also meet Santa and real reindeer at this special festive event.
- When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
- Where: Sohier Park in York, ME
- Cost: Free
Eliot: Sandy Hill Winter Wonders
Watch the festivities on display in Eliot, Maine this year when you attend the Sandy Hill Winter Wonders show. This cheerful holiday light show features over two million bulbs. Each string of lights is placed on a creative and unique display, showcasing reindeer, Christmas trees, and much more.
Guests can walk along the mile-long trail leading through the local forests to gaze at the beautiful holiday lights. The light show is kid-friendly and features mesmerizing lights, warm cider, donuts, and hot cocoa.
- When: November 22, 2024 to March 2, 2025
- Where: Sandy Hill Farm in Eliot, ME
- Cost: $18-22 per ticket
Boothbay: Gardens Aglow
Combine your love of nature and all things botanical with your Christmas spirit this year at Gardens Aglow. Such a beautiful, sprawling light display, set up at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, will set your soul on fire with festivity and holiday cheer.
Bring your little ones for a night of awe and wonder as you walk through this magical garden. Come see gorgeous sights like lit-up mushrooms and tall, decorated trolls. This light show has been a tradition for ten years now, and you can be a part of it this year.
- When: November 16 to December 31, 2024
- Where: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, ME
- Cost: $10-12 for children, $19-21 for adults, and $17-18 for seniors and veterans
Cumberland: Maine Celebration of Lights
This stunning drive-through light display brings you the magic of the Christmas season right from the comfort of your own car. See glittering lights on festive trees, reindeer, gift boxes, and plenty more at the Maine Celebration of Lights.
The price is right on this drive-through holiday light show. You pay for each ticket per vehicle, so you can save money and enjoy an individualized experience for your little ones in tow.
- When: November 29 to December 30, 2024
- Where: Cumberland County Fairgrounds
- Cost: Online pricing: $20-23 per car. On-site pricing: $30 per car.
Kennebunkport: Christmas Prelude
The annual Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport is like something out of a Christmas film. Stunning lights, caroling, Santa visits, and fireworks are just some of the exciting events you get to experience when you attend.
Kennebunkport is known as the “#2 Christmas Town in America.” During the Prelude event, you can shop, eat, drink, and be merry for as many days as your heart desires. If you’re a Christmas enthusiast, prepare your visit now so you can enjoy the warm comforts and holiday cheer at this famous event.
- When: December 5 to 15, 2024
- Where: Kennebunkport, ME
- Cost: Free (some costs associated with shopping and other activities)
Ogunquit: Christmas by the Sea
Maine’s coastal charm doesn’t stop around the holiday season. In Ogunquit, you get to experience annual tree lightings, craft events, bonfires, fireworks, and meetings with Santa, among other fun festivities.
This two-day event is perfect for kids and couples, showcasing the unique beauty of Ogunquit, Maine. As the glimmering lights shine throughout the town, you’ll bask in the glory of spending holiday time with those you love the most.
- When: December 13 to 15, 2024
- Where: Ogunquit, ME
- Cost: Free (some costs associated with shopping and other activities)
Enjoy South Maine’s Holiday Cheer This Year
Nothing feels more comforting than strolling through a joyful light display, sipping on hot cocoa, and hearing your little ones’ laughter. Southern Maine is the perfect region to enjoy holiday cheer and festivity this year. As you travel through these glittering towns, remember to hold your loved ones close.
Stage Neck Inn is an iconic destination where families and friends share delightful experiences that evolve into lifetime memories. Offering spacious accommodations with modern amenities and classic décor, breathtaking ocean and harbor views and the ocean’s relaxing sounds make for the perfect stay at our oceanfront resort in York Harbor, ME. Book your stay online now.