Bright Lights, Small Towns

The arrival of chillier air and even snow after Thanksgiving might be tough to accept were it not for the dozens of community celebrations thrown by Maine cities and towns. Everything from parades to tree lightings to bonfires and, of course, Santa’s arrival. The following list, arranged alphabetically by town, describes many of the seasonal activities taking place across the state. Call ahead to confirm dates and times if you’re traveling any significant distance, since some specifics may change.

Bangor
On Dec. 3, the Queen City officially begins its holiday celebrations with the Festival of Lights Parade, produced by the Rotary Club of Bangor, featuring a tree lighting in West Market Square at 4:30 p.m. 207-947-0307. bangorregion.com

Bar Harbor
The gateway to Acadia kicks off the festive season on Dec. 2 with a visit from Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. on the village green. Then travel with Saint Nick to Mount Desert Island’s YMCA for a photo with the jolly old elf. The activities continue that night (Dec. 2) with a Midnight Madness Sale from 8 p.m. to midnight with discounts, music, food, and hot drinks. Then on Dec. 11, from noon to 3 p.m., local merchants celebrate the season with open houses, where you can sign up for raffles and carolers will be singing in the streets and in the shops. 207-288-5103. barharbormerchants.com

Bath
The City of Ships kicks off its Old Fashioned Christmas on Nov. 26 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. with a jingle bell walk, tree-lighting ceremony, and jolly old St. Nick at City Hall. Then it’s the Festival of Trees on Dec. 6 & 7, presented by the Bath Area Family YMCA. The city continues its Yuletide celebrations with trolley Christmas caroling at City Hall Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m., a storefront decorating contest from Dec. 12 to 18, and an open house on Dec. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., where local businesses stay open late for music and mirth. 207-442-7291. visitbath.com

Belfast
The Waldo County burg gets the festivities under way on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. with a fundraising auction, “Money Can Buy It,” featuring fifty unusual experiences around Belfast: enjoy a sandwich named after you at the Co-op; have a beer named after you at Marshall Wharf Brewing; or tend bar at Delvino’s. Next on Dec. 3, it’s Old Time Belfast Christmas with the First Friday Art Walk, Christmas caroling, arrival of Santa, tree lighting, and lots more. On Dec. 4, there’s an early bird sale at 6 a.m. and then a craft show at the boathouse. 207-322- 9100. cityofbelfast.org

Bethel
From Nov. 25 through Dec. 24, a Country Christmas in Bethel keeps this pretty village in the western Maine mountains ringing with holiday cheer. Events include the local wares and crafts sale at the Bethel Inn Conference Center on Nov. 25, the arrival of Santa and Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 3, a living nativity on Dec. 18, and for the rest of the month, horse-drawn wagon rides, shopping specials, open houses, and a New Year’s Bethel celebration. 207-824-2282. bethelmaine.com

Boothbay Harbor
The twenty-seventh Harbor Lights Festival begins on Dec. 3 with the Festival of Trees at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. On Dec. 3 enjoy a day of fun for the family when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by boat, followed by horse-drawn wagon rides, visiting time with the Clauses, lighting of the Christmas tree, carols, and a spectacular lighted boat parade through the inner harbor. Also on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy the Harbor Lights Arts and Crafts Fair at the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station. 207-633-2353. boothbayharbor.com

Camden
The lighting of the star atop Mount Battie signals the start of the holiday season on the midcoast, and the twenty-fifth annual Christmas by the Sea weekend celebration, Dec. 2 to 4, gets things off on a jolly note. Festivities include musical entertainment, a parade, horse-drawn wagon rides, tree-lighting ceremony, fireworks, and the arrival of Santa by boat — all within a snowball’s throw of the sea. 207-236-4404. visitcamden.com

Ellsworth
“Old Fashioned Christmas” is this year’s theme for the thirty-first annual Christmas Parade that rolls its festive way through downtown Ellsworth at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3 with Santa strolling ahead of marching bands and colorful floats. The twentieth annual Poinsettia Ball will also be held that evening (Dec. 3), with dancing around an eighteen-foot poinsettia tree at the Ellsworth Holiday Inn — all to benefit the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. 207-667-2617. ellsworthchamber.org

Farmington
This Franklin County town kicks off the seasonal celebrations with tree lighting and caroling on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Franklin Memorial Hospital lobby. The late inventor of the earmuff gets a parade in his honor in his hometown of Farmington with the Chester Greenwood Parade, held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3, which includes a parade of floats decorated in the earmuff-based theme as well as a chili contest and gingerbread house contest. Then on Dec. 10, the Rotary Club’s Festival of Trees at the North Dining Hall at UMF will auction off eighteen beautifully decorated Christmas trees, with proceeds benefiting various charitable community organizations. 207-778-4215. farmingtonmaine.org

Fort Kent
The annual Dickens of a Christmas kicks off on Nov. 20 with Père Noël and his helpers, plenty of sales, and prize drawings. At 6 p.m. on Nov. 26 the twelfth annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Fort Kent Public Library will light up the winter night (reports are that Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be attending). The Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Crafts Fair will be held Nov. 26 & 27 at the University of Maine-Fort Kent gymnasium and features a juried fair with homemade crafts, various artists, food, and drawings. 207-834-5354. fortkentchamber.com

Freeport
You can find more than bargains at L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport during the holiday season. The eighteenth annual Sparkle Weekend, Dec. 2 to 4 , is full of dazzling events. The holiday celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 with the Main Street Magic Parade of Lights. Other events include carolers, a talking Christmas tree, Santa and his helpers, and lots of free hot cocoa! 207-865-1212. freeportusa.com

Houlton
At 6 p.m. on Nov. 26 the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce once again brings the Holiday Light Parade to Houlton’s Historic Market Square, where the tree is lit and Santa greets visitors. Refreshments will be available. 207-532-4216. greaterhoulton.com

Kennebunkport
The thirtieth annual Christmas Prelude is loaded with seasonal fun and on Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., the Kennebunk High School Chamber Choir officially starts the holiday season in the Kennebunks with caroling at the tree-lighting ceremony in Dock Square. Then Santa arrives by lobsterboat at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. Follow Santa and his lobster elves through Dock Square to the Community House on Temple Street for photos courtesy of Ocean Exposure. The Yuletide fun also includes a bonfire, the thirteen-member community hand-bell ensemble the New England Ringers, open houses, holiday shopping, book signings, a historic village walking tour, a lobster bake, a wandering minstrel, crafts fairs, historic trolley rides, and mugs of mulled cider all the way up until Dec. 11. 207-967-0857. visitthekennebunks.com

Lewiston-Auburn
The Twin Cities turn on their joint holiday spirits for the annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 (rain date Dec. 1) that starts at the Courthouse Plaza in Lewiston at 6 p.m. and ends at the Festival Plaza in Auburn. Other activities include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas tree and menorah lighting, local high school choral groups, arts and crafts, and lots more. 207-333-6601. auburnmaine.org

Ogunquit
The twenty-fifth annual Christmas by the Sea celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 with carolers stopping throughout town and ending with a bonfire at 8:30 p.m. at Main Beach. Then on Dec. 3 & 4 there are two tree-lighting ceremonies, one at Perkins Cove and another at the center of town. The free Arts and Crafts Show, held at the fire station on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features many New England artisans. Open houses, hayrides, a bake sale, a chocolate and chowderfest, and more keep the Christmas spirit in the air until Dec. 11. 207-646-2939. ogunquit.org

Old Orchard Beach
The nineteenth annual Christmas by the Sea festivities on Dec. 4 include a tree-lighting event, free horse-drawn hay wagon rides, face painting, music, hot chocolate, and food. Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa’s chief elf will be on hand, and there will be a bonfire, caroling on the beach, and a holiday bazaar. Have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrive on a fire engine. 207-934-2500. oldorchardbeachmaine.com

Portland
Light Up Your Holidays is downtown Portland’s month-long celebration, beginning with the annual Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 in Monument Square with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Then enjoy free horse-drawn wagon rides on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. from Nov. 25 to Dec. 16, with pickup and drop-off every half hour in Monument Square. And from 5 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 15 participating stores will remain open for Merry Madness. On every weekend from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18 downtown merchants, restaurants, and organizations host the 12 Days of Christmas, a celebration with holiday music, drawings for distinctive local items, activities for the entire family, and lots more seasonal fun. Down East is a media sponsor for this event. 207-772-6828. portlandmaine.com

Presque Isle
The folks in Aroostook County start their Christmas celebration with a Holiday Light Parade at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3 with marching bands, a variety of floats, and, of course, Père Noël himself taking part in the show that starts on North Street and ends at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. 207-764-6561. pichamber.com

Rangeley
This lakeside town in western Maine gets its holiday festivities under way at 6 p.m. on Nov. 26 when the Giving Tree is lit at Lakeside Park on Main Street. Watch the lights twinkle on the tree and bring gifts for the less fortunate. Then on Dec. 3 enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Wilhelm Reich Museum conference building on Dodge Pond Road from 8 to 11 a.m. 207-864-5364. rangeley.org

Rockland
The Festival of Lights Celebration, Nov. 25 to 27, is the lobster capital’s Christmas extravaganza. Festive events include Santa arriving by Coast Guard boat at the public landing, historic inns holding open houses, a lobster trap tree-lighting ceremony, the downtown Parade of Lights, Santa’s workshop, a family pancake breakfast, gallery night, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, special events, and extended shopping hours. Then, on Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the thirty-first annual Craft and Gift Market at the Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton St., has Maine-made, handcrafted items for sale from more than sixty exhibitors. $3. 207-596-0376. therealmaine.com

Wells
On Dec. 11 this seaside community hosts its twenty-seventh annual Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.” The parade begins at 2 p.m. and proceeds from Wells Plaza north on Route 1 to the Wells Junior High School campus for an awards ceremony. Decorated floats, marching bands, and special entertainment all bring a dose of holiday cheer. Of course, the festivities are not complete until Santa makes a special guest appearance. 207-646-2451. wellschamber.org

Yarmouth
On Dec. 3 the streets of Yarmouth will be buzzing with the start of its Hometown Holidays. Starting at 9 a.m., bazaars and craft fairs are held at area churches as well as at North Yarmouth Academy and Coastal Manor and Bay Square at Yarmouth retirement communities. The Yarmouth Lions Club will sell Christmas trees in front of the Town Hall. At 5 p.m., a carol sing and tree-lighting will be held in front of Town Hall, including free cookies and cocoa provided by the Rotary Club of Yarmouth. Following the tree-lighting, Santa Claus (sponsored by the Lions Club) will be visiting with children. 207-846-3984. yarmouthmaine.org

York
Yuletide celebrations in southern Maine begin with the Lighting of the Nubble on Nov. 26 from 4 to 9 p.m. The evening is filled with local entertainment, cookies, hot chocolate, music, and Saint Nick, who flicks the switch on the Christmas lights at the Cape Neddick Lighthouse. Parking with free shuttle bus service is available at Ellis Park at Short Sands Beach (207-363-1040). Then on Dec. 3 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. enjoy the twentieth annual Festival of Lights with the Old York Historical Society and the York Parks and Recreation Department. The all-day celebration includes craft fairs, open house celebrations, caroling, and a parade featuring marching bands, floats, clowns, antique cars, public service organizations, and businesses. After the parade, enjoy church suppers, caroling groups, concerts, and watch for a visit by Santa Claus. 207-363-4422. gatewaytomaine.org