Take a Holiday Escape to Kennebunkport, Maine
If you are thinking of getting out of town for the holiday season, Kennebunkport, ME is the place to be.
Kennebunkport is a coastal town in Southern Maine. It offers long, sandy beaches including Goose Rocks and Arundel Beach. Cultural attractions include the Seashore Trolly Museum, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, and Goat Island Lighthouse.
The town offers a variety of things to see and do but it really lights up during the holiday season. Here are some things you can do when you’re in town.
Christmas Prelude
There are various events that go on in Kennebunkport during the holiday season, but it’s Christmas Prelude has put the city on the map as a popular seasonal destination. It is a 10-day event that includes:
Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tee Lighting: The lobster trap tree is one of the most unique trees in the country. It’s made completely of lobster traps. The lighting event kicks off the prelude.
Prelude Opening Festival: The opening festival includes fire eating shows, live music, street performances, fire baton performances, local vendors, special characters, frequent lightings of the Dock Square Tree and the lighting of the Prelude Trees Trail.
Prelude Trees Trail: The tree trail consists of 40 trees decorated by local businesses. A lighting occurs twice during the holiday season.
Annual Hat Parade: The Hat Parade happens in Kennebunk’s Lower Village. Participants are encouraged to wear their finest holiday hat wear and join in the fun. The parade begins at the Washington Hose Company. Prizes are awarded for the best hats.
Lower Village Tree Lighting and Stroll: The lighting of the Lower Village tree happens at the corner of Christenson Lane and Route 35. Carols are sung. Then guests can take the traditional stroll over to the Franciscan Monastery.
Christmas Candlelight Caroling at the Franciscan Monastery: This event takes place at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto on the ground of St. Anthony’s Monastery. Join the Franciscans to hear the story of Jesus’s birth and sing carols by firelight. Roasted chestnuts will be available at the entrance c/o White Barn Inn.
Santa Arrives by Lobster Boat: Santa will be making a trip and down the Kennebunk River waving at spectators who gather around the shore.
Fireworks: Fireworks will be set off and can be viewed along Western Ave.
Prelude Family Festival: The family festival happens along Western Ave. on the stretch that runs from Beach Ave to Spring St. The celebration features a similar program to that of the opening festival.
Annual Pooch Parade: The parade consists of pooches dressed up in their favorite holiday attire. It kicks off at the Consolidated School and runs down Maine St. through Dock Square and onto Ocean Ave.
Santa Arrives by Fire Engine: Santa and his lobster elves will be arriving in Cape Porpoise Square by fire truck.
Other events included in the prelude are:
The Historic Inns of Kennebunkport Scavenger Hunt: Snap photos at the locations and tag the Prelude event organizers to win a prize.
Home for the Holidays Basket Auction (online)- Enter to win a variety of themed baskets. The auction will benefit the library.
Lobster Buoy Take Home Bags at River tree Arts: Pick up a take home kit and design your own lobster buoy.
Walk the Labyrinth of Light at Kennebunkport Conservative Trust: Stroll along the circling path for quite reflection. The stone labyrinth is located at KCT’s Emmons Preserve on Gravelly Brook Road.
Bavarian Christmas Market at Maine Art Hill: This is a great destination for finding unique gifts for the holiday season. It also features warm beverages, twinkling lights and music.
Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale at The Shops at Morning Walk: This is the perfect place to pick up your trees and wreaths. A portion of the profits will be donated to the senior center.
Gingerbread & Cookie Cottage at The Shops at Morning Walk: You can’t miss out on a visit to this magical sweet shop.
The Small Works Show at Maine Art Hill: This event features paintings by over 30 Maine artists that are the perfect size for gift giving.
Sculpt Your Own Chocolate Confection at Auntie’s House Bakery & Gift Shop: You will be provided with a 2.5 oz. block of sculpting chocolate. Carve as desired. Auntie’s House will send it through their chocolate coating machine putting the finishing touches on your gourmet chocolate confection.
Private Tour of Louis Norton’s Murals at White Columns: Guests will be guided through the murals to learn about each one. Tours commence every 15 minutes.
Prelude Ale Release Party at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub: Find out what the brewery has in store for the coming season.
Maine Women in the Arts Prelude Art & Craft Show at Masonic Lodge: Shop the Art & Craft show for unique gifts while enjoying live music.
Open House for Historic Home Project: The Historic Home Project is created by the Kennebunk High School Art Class. It will be exhibited at The Kennebunkport Historical Society as part of the Christmas Prelude Reception.
Christmas Prelude Champagne & Hors D’Oeuvres Reception at White Columns: The 1853 Greek Revival Home White Columns will be festively decorated for this event which features live piano music.
Dueling Pianos: This performance features two guys, two pianos and two microphones. Classics will be performed that span a wide range of decades including tunes by Elton John, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, and Bruno Mars.
If you are looking for a holiday vacation destination, Kennebunkport is the ideal location. Its Christmas Prelude event will provide all the entertainment you need for the holiday season. What will you be doing first when you get to town?
Read more of A Christmas Blog or Shop Now at Schmidt Christmas Market
