Each December, Kennebunkport, Maine, bursts to life with a celebration that feels as if it’s extracted lifted from a classic holiday storybook. Named the second-best Christmas town in America by HGTV, this coastal gem transforms during its annual Christmas Prelude into a festive retreat filled with lights, carolers, and coastal charm. Not only is the Maine town recognized nationally, but Country Living named Kennebunkport one of the “12th best Christmas family vacation destinations.”
First launched in 1982, the Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude has become the centerpiece of Kennebunkport’s holiday season. For nearly two weeks, downtown glows with decorations while Santa, in Maine fashion, sails in on a lobster boat and the Dock Square tree lighting draws cheerful crowds. Heated trolley rides, pop-up markets, and cozy gatherings keep the spirit alive from morning to night. Here’s a glimpse of the robust itinerary during the holiday Prelude which runs from Thursday, December 4, through Sunday, December 14:
- Dec 5 and 12 at 5:30 PM: Dock Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Dec 5 at 7 PM: Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tree Lighting
- Dec 6 at 3 PM: Holiday Hat Parade
- Dec 6 at 6:30 PM: Christmas Candlelight Caroling
- Dec 7 at 1 PM: Santa Floats into town on Lobster Boat
- Dec 12 at 6:15 PM: Fireworks above the cove
- Dec 12 at 6:30 PM: Ocean Avenue Festival
- Dec 13 at 5 PM: New Lighthouse Lighting at Mother’s Beach
- Dec 14 at 2 PM: Santa arrives by Fire Engine at Cape Porpoise Kitchen
This is just a sampling of the events during the 11-day festival. Find the full day-by-day Christmas Prelude Schedule online.
What makes the Prelude special is its blend of Maine character and community warmth. Neighbors and visitors stroll through fairy-lit streets, enjoying local treats and carols that echo over the harbor. At just 90 minutes from Boston, Kennebunkport is an easy day trip, but if you want to soak in the holiday magic, an overnight stay is the way to go. Here are a few favorite hotels in Kennebunkport to check out:
- Wanderer Cottages: hosting a holiday home during Prelude
- Nonantum Resort: a staple during the Prelude season, with plenty of events hosted at this historic hotel
- The Breakwater Inn: this new hotel will celebrate its first Prelude this year, with tons of winter surprises
For many, the Prelude marks the true start of winter in Maine—a celebration that turns Kennebunkport into one of New England’s most joyful holiday destinations, just a stone’s throw from Boston!