Christmas Markets Maine 2025: Complete Guide to Holiday Shopping and Festivities

Maine’s small towns and stunning coastlines set the scene for holiday celebrations. All across the state, you’ll find festive gatherings with local artisans, Maine flavors, and traditional music lighting up the winter months.

These events pop up everywhere—from cozy village parties to big festivals in the cities. You can wander through booths filled with handmade gifts, try local treats, and soak in Maine’s quirky holiday traditions. It’s a great way to make memories with the people you care about during the 2025 holiday season.

Find the Best Accommodations

You’ll need a place to crash during your Christmas market visit. Travelers rave about Maine’s top hotels and guesthouses.

Highly Rated Properties

People keep calling out certain spots as superb or exceptional. These places deliver great service, and you won’t get hit with sneaky booking fees. Just book straight through your favorite booking site.

Booking Tips

Book your room early if you’re aiming for December. The most popular towns fill up fast around the holidays.

Don’t forget to check a few sites before you commit—sometimes you’ll spot a better deal.

Property Types Available

You’ll find hotels with full amenities and daily cleaning. Guesthouses offer a more personal touch with local hosts. Apartments give you a kitchen and space to stretch out, which is perfect if you’re traveling with family.

Location Matters

Try to stay close to the Christmas markets so you can walk everywhere. Downtown hotels put you right near the shops and restaurants. Suburban spots are usually cheaper, but you’ll probably need to drive to all the fun.

1) Boothbay Harbor Lights Festival

This coastal festival turns Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor into a sparkling winter wonderland for six weeks straight. You’ll walk through both towns as thousands of lights bring the area to life.

The festival runs from mid-November until December wraps up. Restaurants, shops, and hotels stay open for the whole season, ready to welcome visitors. The Boothbay Harbor region celebration packs in events across both towns.

Family Activities Available:

• Shop at local stores
• Dine at area restaurants
• Walk through the glowing displays
• Enjoy special holiday happenings

The ocean backdrop really gives this festival its own vibe. You can spend the night or just swing by for the day.

Local inns and hotels stay open for the whole festival, so you’ve got options. This event is one of Maine’s top Christmas celebrations—it’s hard to beat the coastal charm and mix of activities. There’s honestly something for everyone.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Links
Nov 16 – Dec 31, 2025	Boothbay Harbor, ME	Varies by event	Check individual events	Festival Details

2) Portland’s Holiday Shopping Celebration

Downtown Portland goes all out for December with its winter shopping bash. The Merry Madness shopping extravaganza lasts two weeks and draws crowds to the city center.

More than 75 local shops keep their doors open until 10 PM. You’ll find deals and special offers all over town. Restaurants and bars jump in too, serving up seasonal cocktails and cozy drinks to warm you up while you shop.

The fun kicks off with an opening night party (you’ll need to be 21+ for that one). Holiday lights and decorations make the whole area feel festive. Live music spills out onto the streets, setting the mood.

Key Features:

• Shopping late into the night
• Discounts at tons of businesses
• Holiday drinks and food
• Entertainment and music everywhere
• Rain or shine, the party goes on

Even if the weather turns, this event doesn’t stop. Expect busy sidewalks and packed shops, especially in the evenings. Lots of folks pair their shopping with a nice dinner—many restaurants roll out special holiday menus.

Date	Location	Time	Cost	Website
December 2025	Downtown Portland, ME	4:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Free admission	Visit Portland

3) Kennebunkport’s Holiday Celebration

Kennebunkport turns into the ultimate holiday town every December. The Christmas celebration lasts eleven days and brings in folks from all over New England. The whole place gets decked out with lights and festive activities.

Local businesses kicked off this tradition back in 1982 as a way to say thanks to their community. Now, in its 43rd year, it’s become a huge Maine holiday event. Victorian decorations cover the historic downtown, and the vibe is just classic Christmas.

You’ll catch unique Maine traditions. Santa shows up by lobster boat—no sleigh here! That coastal twist really sets the festival apart. Tree lighting ceremonies in Dock Square attract big crowds, and everyone gathers for the fun.

Festival Information

The Prelude Family Street Festival packs in entertainment for all ages. Carolers wander the streets, and you’ll spot ice carving in action. Food vendors serve up seasonal snacks while bands fill the air with holiday music.

Ice artists sculpt detailed creations right in front of you. There’s even a life-size snow globe where families can snap photos. The Heritage Winds band and local choirs play throughout the festival.

Date	Location	Hours	Cost	Website
Dec 5-15, 2025	Dock Square, Kennebunkport ME	Varies by event	Free admission	Christmas Prelude

4) Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival

The Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival brings some serious holiday spirit to western Connecticut every December. The 43rd annual celebration happens on the Town Green where Route 61 meets Route 132.

You can swing by Friday night for the opening ceremony. The tree lighting officially kicks off the weekend, and local radio hosts usually join in to get the crowd going.

Saturday is packed with activities starting bright and early. You can park at Bethlehem Fair Grounds and catch shuttle buses to the Green. These run all day, starting at 8:30 AM, so you don’t have to stress about parking in the busy town center.

Over 70 craft vendors set up shop, selling unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. If you want a booth, you’ll need to apply early since spots go fast.

Don’t skip the Bethlehem Post Office while you’re there. They offer 85 different “Christmas Cachets” for your holiday mail. You can stamp your cards with these designs—such a fun way to send greetings to friends and family.

Admission is free. You’ll find music, Santa visits, and a bustling craft fair—all without paying a dime.

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Website
Dec 6-7, 2025	384 Main St North, Bethlehem, CT	Fri: 5-9:30 PM, Sat: 9:30 AM-4 PM	Free admission	Christmas Town Festival

5) Wells’ Holiday Procession

The Wells Christmas Parade brings the holiday spirit to coastal Maine every December. Families from all over southern Maine line the streets to watch floats roll through the town center.

The Wells Chamber of Commerce puts this parade together every year. The 39th Annual Christmas Parade shows just how much this tradition has grown. Local businesses, schools, and community groups get creative with themed displays.

You can cheer for floats, marching bands, and characters as they parade down Route 1. The route starts at Wells Plaza and heads north to Wells Junior High School. Kids love gathering along the sidewalks for candy and to wave at the parade.

Santa Claus always makes an appearance, which is a highlight for the little ones. The parade really brings out the best of local creativity and community spirit.

There’s no admission fee, so everyone can join the fun. December in Maine gets chilly, so layer up—hats and gloves are a must.

Date	Location	Time	Cost	Website
December 14, 2025	Wells Plaza to Wells Junior High School, Route 1, Wells, ME	2:00 PM	Free	Wells Christmas Parade

6) Gardiner’s Swine and Stein Oktoberfest

This fall bash brings Maine’s craft beverage crowd to downtown Gardiner each October. The annual beer festival takes over Water Street, where you can sample drinks from local breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Since 2009, the event has grown into one of Gardiner’s biggest parties. You’ll have over 45 different beverages to try. The festival borrows from the German Oktoberfest tradition, but it’s all about Maine-made drinks.

What You’ll Experience:

• Bands from around the region keep the music going
• Food vendors serve up tasty dishes
• Games and activities for all ages
• Pork specialties and other local foods

The festival runs for five hours, so you’ve got plenty of time to wander and sample everything. Admission gets you a tasting glass, and you can use it at all the booths along the historic downtown.

The outdoor beer garden vibe keeps things relaxed. You’ll meet visitors and locals alike, all there to celebrate Maine’s craft beverage scene.

Date	Location	Time	Cost	Website
October 11, 2025	Water Street, Gardiner, ME	12:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Varies	Swine & Stein Brewfest

7) Portland Farmers’ Market Winter Bazaar

The Portland Winter Farmers’ Market sets up inside Stevens Square Community Center on Stevens Avenue. During Maine’s cold months, the market moves into the gymnasium.

You can swing by every Saturday from December through mid-April. The Portland Winter Farmers’ Market opens December 7, 2025 and runs weekly until April 12, 2025.

Market hours go from 9am to 1pm each Saturday. Local vendors bring in fresh winter produce, dairy, and all kinds of baked goods.

You’ll spot handmade crafts and seasonal treats that make winter shopping way more fun. Maine farmers haul in root veggies, preserved goodies, and even some greenhouse-grown stuff to keep things interesting.

If you show up early, you’ll get first pick of everything. Popular things like fresh bread and local cheese disappear fast.

The indoor setup keeps you warm while you check out the vendor stalls. The market takes standard payment methods and SNAP benefits, which is handy.

You can grab gift certificates that work at all Portland market spots. Bring a reusable bag, too—it makes carrying your haul home so much easier.

Schedule	Location	Hours	Cost	Website
Dec 7, 2025 – Apr 12, 2025	631 Stevens Avenue	9am-1pm	Free entry	Portland Farmers’ Market

8) Freeport’s Holiday Light Festival

Every December, Freeport turns into a winter wonderland along the coast. The Sparkle Celebration launches on Friday, December 5, 2025 with their Parade of Lights down Main Street.

You’ll see Santa arrive at the end of the parade and wake up the town’s talking Christmas tree. This moment draws families from all over New England.

The celebration keeps going for ten days with activities scattered through downtown. You can wander artisan markets, grab snacks from food trucks, and hang out by outdoor bonfires.

Local shops stay open late for holiday shopping. Visit Freeport plans special events, like the Sparkle Frosty Frolic on December 14.

That shopping event brings in local crafters and holiday vendors with handmade ornaments and gifts. Downtown glows with lights and festive decorations.

Carolers show up on street corners, and hot chocolate stands help everyone stay warm during chilly evenings. The whole place feels like a scene from a holiday movie.

Date	Location	Time	Cost	Nearby Hotels	Website
December 5-15, 2025	Downtown Freeport, ME	Various times daily	Free admission	Harraseeket Inn, Hilton Garden Inn	visitfreeport.com

9) Acadia’s Holiday Winter Experience

Most people don’t think of Acadia National Park for Christmas in Maine. That changes if you visit during winter.

The park turns into a snowy world with holiday lights lining the walking paths. Twinkling decorations add a festive touch against all that white snow.

You can join caroling groups or stop by hot chocolate stations scattered around the park. Horse-drawn carriage rides give you a peaceful way to see the winter landscape.

Snowshoeing trails open up a different side of Acadia’s famous routes. The mix of natural beauty and holiday decorations makes this spot feel special during winter.

Holiday craft fairs and live music pop up throughout the season. Kids get a kick out of scavenger hunts with holiday themes.

Santa makes appearances for photo ops in Acadia’s scenic backdrop.

Event Information

Dates	Location	Hours	Cost	Nearby Hotels	Website
December 1 – December 31, 2025	Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM	No admission fee	Bar Harbor accommodations	Acadia’s winter celebrations

You’ll definitely want warm clothes for outdoor fun. The park’s natural setting offers a Christmas experience that’s nothing like a traditional market.

10) Rangeley’s Mountain Holly Days

Rangeley’s Mountain Holly Days brings holiday shopping and dining to the mountain region. The three-day event happens December 8th to 10th and turns downtown Rangeley into a winter shopping destination.

You can wander local shops along Main Street. Business owners offer special deals and one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.

The event encourages you to support local merchants while you finish your holiday shopping. Food and dining options really ramp up during the festival.

Local restaurants roll out special menus and seasonal treats. You’ll find both classic comfort food and creative holiday dishes all weekend.

Families find plenty to do here. Kids can join contests and special activities while adults shop and eat.

Free admission means anyone can enjoy the fun. Downtown Rangeley buzzes with activity for all three days.

You can walk from shop to shop and soak in the mountain town vibe. The Mountain Holly Days festival has become a December staple in the Rangeley Lakes area.

Dates	Times	Location	Cost	Website
December 8-10, 2025	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Main Street, Rangeley, ME 04970	Free admission	Mountain Holly Days