Holiday Events for the Whole Family
Parking bans? Check! Snow day? Check! I'd say winter is officially upon us, and with that, holiday season! Being snowed in for a day or two is good fun, but when the kids start itching to get out of the house... keep some of these local holiday events in mind while planning your weekend. Either for free or for a small admission fee, you can plan hours worth of fun. Read on to see some of our favorite festive happenings here in Maine!
Northern Lights Celebration at L.L. Bean
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/512152?page=northern-lights
Nobody does the holidays quite like L.L. Bean. Head over to the flagship Freeport store for their ‘Northern Lights Celebration’ to check out the events that are ongoing through New Year’s Eve. Complete with visits from Santa, reindeer, free horse drawn carriage rides, and more, it makes for a complete day, or evening, of fun with the family.
Photo from theeventlightpros.com
Christmas at Victoria Mansion
Spend a snowy afternoon exploring Victoria Mansion, located in Portland’s Art District. The mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, still contains over 90% of the original 1860’s interiors. Now a landmark public museum, Victoria Mansion is beautifully and festively transformed for the holiday season with the help and donations of local designers. Admission fees vary, and reservations aren’t required… just stop in Mondays 11am-6:30pm, and Tuesday-Sunday 11am – 4:30pm.
Photo By Cynthia Farr-Weinfeld
Portland's Polar Express
https://www.mainenarrowgauge.org/polar-express/
This family-friendly event encourages all to put on their favorite PJs and climb aboard the Polar Express for a magical evening of storytelling. Hear the story that you know so well, as you live it yourself on Portland’s narrow gauge railroad. Lights, elves, hot chocolate, cookies and more are all included. Check out their website for tickets, dates and times.
Photo from onlyinyourstate.com
Boothbay Festival of Lights
https://www.boothbaylights.com/
Plan a day, or weekend, trip to the sweet, seaside town of Boothbay to experience their signature holiday event: Boothbay Festival of Lights. From getting holiday shopping done, to eating, to checking out the Gardens Aglow (the largest light display in Maine!), it’s worth the drive.
Photo from https://www.boothbaylights.com/