christmas festival in maine

Has anyone ever been to the christmas prelude or christmas by the sea? Is it crowded? Worthwhile?

christmas festival in maine

I go to Christmas Prelude every year. It%26#39;s a tradition with a group of friends. Sometimes it%26#39;s crowded, sometimes not. The shops put out snacks (some have wine!), there are sales (some better than others, and none as good as in the early years) and many groups wear fun hats. There are many holiday fairs/bazaars.

The restaurants can get crowded. Plan on a wait or make reservations. There are also community suppers - one at the fire house serves lobster.

One of the nicer parts of Christmas Prelude is the candlelight caroling at the monastery on the first Saturday evening.

Is it worthwhile? We enjoy it (obviously), but we don%26#39;t get stressed out if we don%26#39;t get to everything and also try to find someplace/something new each year to try.

Check it out at christmasprelude.com

christmas festival in maine

Christmas by the Sea is great. They have a huge bonfire on the beach, carols, and a tree lighting in town. Great way to kick off the season, and get som great last minute deals at the soon-to-be-closed-for-the-season shops.

What town is the prelude held in and where can I find more info?

Prelude is in Kennebunkport, Christmas by the Sea is in Ogunquit

Our second visit this past dec and it really seemed a perfect old fashioned way to kickoff the season .We visited a few of the craft shows at the local schools and picked out some nice one of a kind xamas gifts .It was great walking around at nite with people on the streets.I would not mix this with shopping at the outlets it just has a slower pace.Knd of one big Norman Rockwell painting.we plan to make it a tradition by, the way this is from a middle aged guys point of view.Spent the first weekend at the prelude did not do c b t s carry on

We have been to the Christmas Prelude a couple of years ago, and found it to be a very pleasurable experience.They have a tree lighting at Dock Square,with carols,a candlelight procession ,a bonfire at the fire station.Some homes have an open house for a small fee,and many stores are open for shopping.If you are looking for a big fanfare celebration,then this is not the place for you.It is a small town ,rural America,simple pleasures type of fun.Try it,I think you%26#39;ll like it.

I go just about every year since my first trip about 8 years ago. LOVE IT! Especially when the weather is unseasonably warm. Santa and his lobster elves, great deals on Christmas gifts, etc. Lots to do and lots of poking around time. Go, you%26#39;ll enjoy it.

Laura M

NY, NY