Every December, we pack up our warm coats & hats, pile the family into the car, and head up north to soak in the sights and spirit of the Christmas season along the coast of Southern Maine. Over the years, we’ve discovered some of our favorite spots that have become traditions, and love exploring and finding new ones each winter.
I love Christmastime. The colorful lights, joyous music, lush wreaths, delicate ornaments, a touch of snow – they all come together for a beautiful December in New England. My girls, now 4 and 2, are at the perfect age where they’re still so innocent and absolutely adore everything Santa. They love seeing bright trees, pointing out Santas, and getting new ornaments for our tree. As they grow, I’m hoping they always love seeing all the special touches of Christmas on the coast as much as Chris and I do.
NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE
Nubble Lighthouse will forever be my favorite lighthouse – it’s beautiful, charming, and where we got married! Every year, starting the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nubble is adorned with Christmas lights and wreaths and shines beautifully over York’s coast.
BUOY TREE
Tucked away on a small working dock in Wells Harbor in Wells, Maine, is a unique “tree” made entirely of hand-painted buoys. It’s a creative and fun display put together by the Friends of Wells Harbor, the Wells High School Art Department, and Town of Wells that captures the character of this sweet seaside town.
OUTLET SHOPPING AT KITTERY
If you’re looking for a one-stop Christmas shopping experience, the outlets in Kittery, Maine are perfect for you. With over 30 shops, you’ll find everything you need, including clothes, outdoor equipment, kitchen accessories, shoes and more. For a full list of shops, check out their site here.
If you’re in the area, a must-see is the Kittery Trading Post. Opening in 1938, it’s become a true Maine experience. A huge building filled with anything and everything outdoor related, including fishing, hunting, camping, boating and more. They carry the big names like The North Face and Yeti, but also support local vendors and have lots of Maine swag. During the holidays, they have fun decorations, great sales, Santa & Mrs. Clause visits, and this year they are even having reindeer visit December 19 and 20!
LOBSTER TRAP TREES
Up and down the New England coast, lobster trap trees pop up for the holiday season. They’re such a unique northeast staple and people get really creative putting them together. Buoys, lobsters, wreaths, ornaments, the Grinch… anything goes! Some favorites are at Fox’s Lobster House right next to Nubble Light, Stonewall Kitchen in York (see more on that below), and Cape Porpoise.
STONEWALL KITCHEN
One of my favorite shops any time of year, Stonewall Kitchen really steps it up at Christmastime. Large, beautiful wreaths decorate their elegant barns doors, a lobster trap tree sits overlooking the parking lot, and the inside is filled with holiday decor and yummy treats that make perfect gifts for friends and family…. and yourself!
One of the best parts of Christmas shopping at Stonewall (other than the dozens of samples!) is the gift baskets. There’s a huge variety pre-made baskets for you to chose from, including a Bloody Mary basket, New England BBQ basket, Maine Morning Breakfast basket, and more. Want to make your own? No problem! Select from an assortment of baskets in varying sizes and fill it with whatever goodies you find it the store. They will help you wrap it and make it a beautiful gift.
Have you been to Stonewall Kitchen? What are some of your favorite products? We love the Spicy Corn Relish and Coconut Curry Simmer Sauce, and are always looking to try something new!
SNEAKY SANTAS
I love that you can just be driving along, taking in the scenery, then surprise! There’s a Santa! Like the one hanging out inside The Clam Shack, watching the tourists wander by. He’s been there every year since we’ve started coming up to Kennebunk for the holidays and now our girls love catching a glimpse and waving hi! This year, when driving to Cape Porpoise, we spotted Santa in a beautiful boat house off the shore.
Have you seen any other sneaky Santas? If so, where??
CHRISTMAS TREES ON BOATS
Christmas trees, all lit up and decorated, shining bright in the night sky, are beautiful on land. But have you seen them on a boat?! Nothing says a coastal Christmas like a boat drifting off shore with a Christmas tree settled in for a ride.
KENNEBUNK & KENNEBUNKPORT
I’m not sure there is any word to describe the Kennebunks during the holidays other than magical. Every store, restaurant and hotel puts up beautiful lights, greenery, nautical garnishes, and joyful decor to truly transform this water-front area into a real-life Christmas card. In 2019, it was voted one of the top 10 Christmas towns in America by HGTV (watch clip).
The Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude is an amazing, two-week long festival that takes over the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport in the beginning of December. Now in its 39th year, this holiday jubilee includes fun activities for all ages. For the kids, there is buoy decorating, welcoming Mr. & Mrs. Clause on a lobster boat, a hat parade, fireworks, and more. For adults, you can find fun events such as wine tastings, dueling pianos, art galleries, outdoor live music, cooking classes and many more. For a list of the 2020 schedule and information, click here.
In the middle of Kennebunkport is the centerpiece of it all – a grand and spectacular Christmas tree, decorated with hundreds of lights, buoys and lobsters, topped with -what else?! – a lobster with a star. Every year (except 2020 which had to go virtual… but really, who is counting 2020?), carolers and hundreds of visitors line the streets on the first Friday of December for the annual Dock Square Tree Lighting and to really kick off the festivities.
LL BEAN NORTHERN LIGHTS
The LL Bean headquarters is located in Freeport, Maine and from the end of November through New Years, they transform their large campus into a stunning location for all sorts of holiday fun. Aptly named the Northern Lights, the area lights up in a dazzling display of lights, filled with photo ops, Santa and reindeer, musical light shows, crafts and hot cocoa, and so much more. We had our family photos taken here a few years ago and it was a perfect holiday backdrop for our yearly cards.
I can’t believe Christmas is two days away! This has been an absolutely crazy year, and I hope you are able to get out and soak up the holiday cheer wherever you can – whether along the southern Maine coast or near your own hometown.
Do you have a favorite spot to visit during the holidays? Comment below and let us know – we love exploring and finding new gems!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Jacqueline