This Week in Southern Maine features a selection of events chosen by the Tourist News Online editor. For a complete listing of local events go to Local Events.

Maine Events can be found here.

 

Thursday, December 1, to Sunday, December 11

KBA Presents Spectacular 30th Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport
The enduring popularity of Prelude – now celebrating its 30th year – is a testament to its spirit,

 

Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport features two weeks of traditional activities including music, art and crafts, and treel-lighting events.

its successful mix of activities from public suppers, to parades, to music and traditional holiday favorites. The Kennebunkport Business Association is making this anniversary year even bigger and better.

 

Prelude spans the first two weekends in December – this year from Thursday, December 1, to Sunday, December 11 – and has taken place in Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise and Kennebunk Lower Village. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, what would be better than fireworks? So, for the first time ever, the KBA has arranged for a dazzling fireworks display to light up the night skies over the Kennebunk River basin after the tree lighting on December 9 at 6:30 PM. The fireworks will be visible from the downtown bridge and surrounding areas.

 

For a complete listing of Christmas Prelude events visit www.christmasprelude.com.

 

Saturday, December 3

 

Carolers sing seasonal songs during the Fesival of Lights in York.

York Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is held annually on the first Saturday of December to give thanks to our community for making York the delightful place it is and to celebrate the warmth and tradition of the New England holiday season. Visit local retail establishments in York Village for Open House celebrations and refreshments.

 

The Polar Express, Breakfast with Santa, Festival of Ginger-bread Houses, Greens and Wreaths Sale, Book Sale, Festival of Trees, visits with Santa Claus, Contemporary Art and Object Exhibition, Student Art Exhibit, Christmas Tea, Holiday Film Festival, Sing-a-Long, Lighting of the Village, Festival of Lights Parade, craft fairs, painting with Santa at Naked Plates, church suppers and desserts, and lots more.

 

Presented by York Parks and Recreation Department and the Festival of Lights Committee. FMI: parksandrec.yorkmaine.org/special%20events.html

 

Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4,

and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 9, 10, 11

Ogunquit’s 25th Annual Christmas by the Sea
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Christmas by the Sea celebration, presented by the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce. Events take place Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4,

 

Ogunquit street alight for the festivities.

and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 9, 10 and 11. Events take place at several locations in the village, including the Dunaway Center, fire station, village school, Veterans’ Park, Perkins Cove and several local restaurants.


Highlights of the festivities include caroling, family scavenger hunt, ice skating, a gingerbread decorating class, Christmas concert, tree lighting and visits with Santa Claus. There will also be an arts and crafts show, basement bazaar, hay rides, bonfire, holiday storytelling, wine tasting and parade presented by the Village Spirit Committee. The Ogunquit Baptist Church will present a “Living Nativity.” Just one of the new events this year is the performance of The Gift of the Magi, a musical presented at the Dunaway Center performed by a professional theater group.

 

In addition to food vendors at numerous locations there are food competitions. Local restaurants vie to win the coveted titles of Best Chowder, Best Soup/Stew/Bisque and Best Chocolate.

 

At the Ogunquit Village School visitors are invited to two very different Santa Claus locations. One is “Santa’s Village” which is suitable for children of all ages with toys and holiday treats. The other is an eye-opening trip through the “House of Scrooge” for folks who appear on Santa’s Naughty List. The House of Scrooge is inappropriate for children under age 10.


There may be last-minute additions to the full schedule. In case of inclement weather, outdoor activities may be rescheduled or canceled. For more information see the schedule in the Tourist News in print, call 207-646-1279 or check the Winter Festival listing at the website: www.visitogunquit.org.

 

Sunday, December 11

27th Annual Christmas Parade presented by the Wells Chamber of Commerce

For more than a quarter century, cheering crowds of youngsters and the young at heart have gathered along the curbs of Route 1 in Wells to view the annual Christmas parade. This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.”


 

The Wells High School marching

band traditionally helps set the pace

for the parade.

his year the parade takes place on Sunday, December 11. Start time is 2 PM. It begins at the Wells Plaza parking lot and travels north up Route 1 to the Wells Junior High School. The parade includes holiday floats, marching bands, local celebrities and town vehicles from surrounding communities. Many local businesses, service organizations and visitor attractions add to the spectacle with classic automobiles, puppets, clowns, singers, farm equipment, buggies, storybook characters on horseback and more.

 

For a climactic finish, Santa Claus makes a grand entrance on a horse-drawn sleigh. Prizes are awarded for a variety of categories. There will be a float with representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” campaign. The float will have “elves” to collect donations of an unwrapped toy.


Parade viewers are encouraged to stake out their spots early. Route 1 between Route 9/109 and the Wells Plaza will be closed starting at about 1:50 PM, and Chapel Road will be closed. The Gold Sponsor for the event is Abbott Brothers, Inc., of York. To enter a float or become a sponsor, call the Wells Chamber of Commerce at 207-646-2451 or visit www.southernmaineparade.com.

 

 

Read more about these and other events in this week's Tourist News in print.

Link to our Local Events page for updated listings of events in southern Maine.

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