Maine is absolutely stunning during the holidays. Snowy landscapes dense with frosty evergreens, fairy tale villages bedecked in twinkling lights, and icy coastlines that glow under moonlit skies.
Everyone should get a chance to experience the magic in person, but we know that’s not exactly practical. So we’re bringing the magic to you with a virtual itinerary complete with stops at eight of the state’s most idyllic Christmas towns!
Grab a cup of hot cocoa, sit back, relax, and enjoy your mini Christmas vacation!
The first stop on our coastal Christmas tour is York, Maine.
Situated in the southernmost part of the state, York is home to the Nubble Lighthouse, one of the most photographed in the world, and Christmastime is no exception! The lobster trap Christmas tree (you’ll see lots of these along the Maine coast) adds to the Maine charm.
Image by <a href="https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/york-weekly/2021/12/06/york-me-2021-festival-lights-parade-draws-excited-crowd/8888289002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Seacoast Online</a>
After your visit to the lighthouse, head over to the annual Festival of Lights parade…
Image by <a href="https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/york-weekly/2021/12/06/york-me-2021-festival-lights-parade-draws-excited-crowd/8888289002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Seacoast Online</a>
…and continue the fun in town with open houses, food, and drink, like a stop at the beautiful First Parish Church.
Image by <a href="https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2023/02/28/bell-farms-shop-in-york-maine-new-owners-add-nectar-cafe-make-gift-christmas-store/69936439007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Seacoast Online</a>
Cap it off with a visit to the many charming shops for a little holiday retail therapy.
2. Ogunquit
Image by <a href="https://ogunquitbarometer.com/event/36th-annual-christmas-by-the-sea-celebration-in-ogunquit-maine-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Ogunquit Barometer</a>
Next up is the oh-so-quaint town of Ogunquit. Named to Travel & Leisure’s 25 Best Christmas towns, it exudes New England charm from its lighthouse to its historic Main Street.
Image by <a href="https://wgme.com/news/local/gallery/ring-in-the-holiday-season-with-christmas-by-the-sea-in-ogunquit-maine-lobster-trap-trees-perkins-cove-santa-claus-beachmere-inn-parade-festivities?photo=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="WGME">WGME</a>
Take in the cozy ambience as you stroll the shops…
Image by <a href="https://wgme.com/news/local/gallery/ring-in-the-holiday-season-with-christmas-by-the-sea-in-ogunquit-maine-lobster-trap-trees-perkins-cove-santa-claus-beachmere-inn-parade-festivities?photo=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="WGME">WGME</a>
…and remember to make a stop at the lighthouse. The beautifully lit wreath against the ocean background is pure Maine magic.
3. Kennebunkport
Dock Square image by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXCb3oVri7B/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Loria Simpson">Loria Simpson</a>
Heading up the coast a bit, we’ll disembark at Kennebunkport, longtime summer residence to the Bush family (that would be of the presidential variety, not the baked beans!).
The Christmas tree at Dock Square is an annual tradition, with its lob-star…
Image by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/katebarnum/4216328307/in/photolist" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Kate Barnum">Kate Barnum</a>
…and charming lobster buoy ornaments.
Image by <a href="https://kennebunkportmainelodging.com/christmas-prelude/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Kennebunkport Maine Lodging">Kennebunkport Maine Lodging</a>
Beyond the gorgeous tree, Dock Square holds a treasure trove of shops, restaurants, and pubs all decked out and awaiting your arrival!
4. Portland
Christmas Boat Parade of Lights image by <a href="https://www.visitmaine.net/christmas-towns-in-maine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Visit Maine</a>
Continuing on, we make our way to Portland, the state’s largest city, just in time for the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights.
Victoria Mansion image by <a href="https://jessicalynn.blog/christmas-at-the-victoria-mansion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Jessica Lynn</a>
Then it’s over to Victoria Mansion for an up close look at the indulgent Christmas decorations on display every year.
Image by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/coreytempleton/24047124596" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Corey Templeton</a>
And we’ll cap the night off with a stay at the beautiful Portland Regency Hotel and Spa, ready to greet us with luxurious accommodations (and another amazing lobster trap Christmas tree!).
5. Freeport
Image by <a href="https://griffingriffinlighting.com/2016/12/08/northern-lights-celebration-ll-bean-freeport/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Griffin Griffin Lighting</a>
Refreshed and ready for more coastal charm, we make our way to Freeport, home to L.L. Bean’s flagship store and the annual Sparkle Celebration. While the entire town is sweet and dreamy this time of year, the folks at Bean really do it up right, from Santa’s Workshop…
Image by <a href="https://www.themainemag.com/48-hours-in-freeport-yarmouth/#close" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="">Maine Magazine</a>
…to real reindeer and even a skating rink! The iconic retailer creates a mini winter wonderland every year.
Image by <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maine/christmas-wonderland-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Only in Your State">Only in Your State</a>
After visiting L.L. Bean, grab a front row seat for the holiday parade. Draft horses in their Christmas finery kick the festivities off…
Image by <a href="https://www.themainemag.com/48-hours-in-freeport-yarmouth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Maine Magazine">Maine Magazine</a>
…including a tree lighting ceremony, music, food, and of course, shopping!
6. Bath
Image by <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maine/old-fashioned-christmas-town-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Only in Your State">Only in Your State</a>
Journey another 20 minutes up Route 1 and get ready to stroll the streets of Bath.
Image by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mainstreetbath/photos/a.10151373378650655.829578.153956550654/10154845612370655/?type=3&theater" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="David Hufstader">David Hufstader</a>
Home to Bath Iron Works (you can see their enormous cranes lit in the distance), this industrial town comes alive with tons of holiday charm each December.
Image by <a href="https://pixels.com/featured/1-christmas-in-bath-david-hufstader.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="David Hufstader">David Hufstader</a>
Peruse the quaint shops and stop at one of the cafes for a hot coffee as your make your way down the tree-lined streets twinkling with Christmas lights.
7. Boothbay Harbor
Image by <a href="https://www.boothbayregister.com/article/buoy-tree-lights-pier-1/141804" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Boothbay Register">Boothbay Register</a>
Head up the coast for another 30 minutes or so and then wind your way down a peninsula to Boothbay Harbor and this magnificent lobster buoy tree. I love, love, love this tree!
Image by <a href="https://newengland.com/travel/maine/gardens-aglow-coastal-maine-botanical-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="NewEngland.com">NewEnglandcom</a>
Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CYAkWyrrTqX/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Instagram">Instagram</a>
…and their annual Gardens Aglow light display, which will take your breath away! After visiting the Gardens, warm up and take in the heavenly aromas…
Image by <a href="https://www.boothbayharbor.com/10-reason-to-visit-boothbay-lights/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce">Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce</a>
at the Gingerbread Spectacular, held at the 1894 Opera House, before heading to the final stop on our itinerary.
8. Camden
Image by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christmasbytheseacamdenmaine/photos/pb.100064489070532.-2207520000./3632180366845052/?type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Jaime Bloomquist">Jaime Bloomquist</a>
Last, but in no way least, we arrive in the idyllic seaside town of Camden, Maine.
Image by <a href="https://glaszart.com/visiting-camden-maine-during-the-holiday-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="GlaszArt">GlaszArt</a>
It’s a place that’s right out of a story book, which may explain why Charles Dickens once called it home. Meander through the High Street Historic District…
Image by <a href="https://camdenmainestay.com/gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Camden Maine Stay Inn">Camden Maine Stay Inn</a>
…stay the night at the Camden Maine Stay Inn…
Image by <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maine/10-christmas-towns-movie-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" title="Only in Your State">Only in Your State</a>
…and enjoy a steaming cup of clam chowder before your holiday excursion comes to a close.
I hope you enjoyed your visit! There are so many more wonderful spots to see in Maine at Christmas – we just couldn’t fit them all in one post, but hey, there’s always next year.
And if you’re looking for a Maine-inspired gift for someone in your life, or just a token of your virtual trip, check out the wares at these 5 Amazing Maine Made Companies.
