Kennebunkport, Maine, has officially secured its spot as one of the most magical holiday destinations in the country. Recognized by HGTV as “America’s second-best Christmas town,” this coastal gem transforms into a winter wonderland every December—complete with twinkling lights, sea-sprayed carols, and streets lined with evergreen garlands.
Each year, the town’s beloved Christmas Prelude tradition ushers in the season with festive spirit that rivals the North Pole itself. For more than four decades, Kennebunkport’s holiday celebration has filled the air with the scent of pine and cocoa, turning its seaside charm into something straight out of a holiday movie. This year’s prelude festivities run from December 4-14.
During the festive stretch, visitors and locals gather in the heart of town to stroll along Dock Square, admire glittering displays, and sip hot cocoa beneath canopies of white lights. Santa even makes his grand entrance—not by sleigh, but aboard a Maine lobster boat, a coastal twist that perfectly captures the town’s character.
From historic hotels aglow with wreaths to cozy restaurants offering fireside dinners, Kennebunkport embodies everything travelers love about the holiday season. The recognition as America’s second-best Christmas town only confirms what visitors have felt for years: few places capture holiday magic quite like this charming Maine village by the sea.