11 Christmas Light Displays In Maine That Are Pure Magic
Here at Only In Maine, we have an unabashed love for the holidays. And so does the rest of the state, as evidenced by the sheer number of amazing Christmas lights displays in Maine! From charming small towns to big cities, beloved attractions and festivals to seasonal events, there’s no shortage of holiday spirit here in the Pine Tree State. The following are 11 of the best Christmas lights displays in Maine that are sure to make your season very merry and bright.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. The North Waterboro Pole Christmas Light Display, Waterboro
The North Waterboro Pole Christmas Light Display is one of the most festive holiday events in Maine. Each year on the day after Thanksgiving, the town flips a switch and performs a little holiday magic, with over 25,000 lights illuminating this beautiful area! For the rest of the year, 74 Mayfair Way becomes "The Waterboro North Pole" (complete with Frosty the Snowman and The Man in Red himself) -- and it's a fun and wonderful holiday tradition in the Pine Tree State that you won't want to miss. Even better? All proceeds from this festive event support Toys for Tots.
2. Gardens Aglow, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, ME, USA
This is the largest holiday light display in all of Maine, and wow, is it a stunner. Each year come November and December, Gardens Aglow lights up the Boothbay peninsula in a dazzling display of color and holiday cheer. Take a trip through 14 acres of gardens covered in no less than 150,000 lights. Stick around for dinner at the on-site cafe which has a seasonal menu as well as live music. This tradition of experiencing the lights of Gardens Aglow is one you won't want to miss.
If you prefer to avoid all the pomp and circumstance of a formal lighting, spend some time simply exploring the Old Port area of Portland. Check out
Tommy's Park, Longfellow and Monument Squares, and then pop down to the Old Port and take a look at the lights the spread throughout the streets. They're some of our favorites and always end in hot chocolate!
The tradition of the Norton Lights began 2006, when two brothers created their own Crazy Christmas Contest to see who could install more lights in their yard. After weeks of decorating, the reaction received from friends and family was enough to keep them hooked. The Christmas light show begins the first weekend of December and runs through Christmas night. The operation has grown so much that they've now partnered with Make-A-Wish of Maine. You'll find a donation box at the end of the driveway for those who would like to donate.
Come see our over 60,000 dancing bulbs, and help this amazing organization spread cheer one light at a time.
Hosted by Gardiner Main Street, the Gardiner Parade of Lights is (you guessed it!) a parade with floats of varying shapes and sizes. Each must be decorated in lights and onlookers are treated to a festive celebration of fun and excitement. There will be events throughout the town both before and after the parade, with judging at the end. For more information regarding this year's event, visit the official Facebook page, linked above.
6. The L.L. Bean Northern Lights Celebration, Freeport
This epic holiday event is a fan favorite. From an amazing synchronized show with music and visual effects, to fun events happening all around the L.L. Bean campus, there really is something for everyone at this amazing Christmas event in Maine. Our favorite part of this experience is the Night Sky Dome, a geodesic dome featuring a simulation of the Northern Lights -- definitely make a point of checking it out! Learn more about this year's dates and attractions at the L.L. Bean website, linked above.
7. Monument Square Tree Lighting, Portland
Monument Square, Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101, USA
While not an entire light show, the lighting of the Monument Square tree indicates the true start of the season in Portland. Each year, folks come en mass to visit with Santa Claus, enjoy live music and free horse and wagon rides through town, and, of course, a truly wondrous holiday lights display. Be sure to visit the City of Portland website (linked above) for details regarding this year's event.
One of the very best and most beloved holiday events in the Pine Tree State, Wilton Lights is an animated Christmas and Halloween light display in Wilton, Maine, hosted by the Hilton Family & InterFix Communications. The lights are animated by computer and synchronized with music. The music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 96.9 FM when you are nearby. Preparation for the display begins as soon as the after Christmas sales start the previous year and continues through the summer. The animation sequence programming is done throughout the year. This is truly a family project which requires a lot of careful planning. This is truly one of the most unique holiday events in Maine!
9. Nubble Lighthouse, Cape Neddick
Nubble Lighthouse, Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
Every year, Nubble Lighthouse dresses in its sparkly finest to put on a nightly display for all of Maine to see. The first lighting and celebration takes place the weekend following Thanksgiving; and, if the weather holds out, it just might be warm enough to spend some time outside gazing up at the beauty. Be sure to follow Nubble Lighthouse on Facebook to stay up-to-date with all the information regarding this year's event.
While this photo MAY look like just another home decorated for the season, what can't be seen in a photo is the precise coordination with music! This private home truly does a great job at enthralling the community. Each year the display changes, and we can't wait to see what the upcoming season has in store! Follow Limington Lights on Facebook (linked above) to stay up-to-date on the latest festive fun.
Every year, the waters of Portland, Maine, come alight during the Boat Parade of Lights, a spectacular Christmas event that's so totally Maine. If you've never experienced the pure joy of seeing ships decked to the nines in holiday lights and decor, make it your mission to do so this year! This is an only-in-Maine event sure to put you in the proper holiday spirit.
What Christmas lights in Maine are you most excited for this year? Did your favorite event make the list? If not, give it a shout out by nominating the event, festival, or town to be included in an upcoming feature on Only In Maine!
And if this dazzling Christmas lights tour de force in Maine has you in the spirit to celebrate, why not plan a trip to one of these 13 wonderful Christmas towns in Maine?!
Address: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, ME, USA
Address: Waterboro, ME, USA
Address: Nubble Lighthouse, Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
Address: Wilton, ME, USA
Address: Old Port, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Address: Gardiner, ME, USA
Address: 95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
Address: 213 Canterbury Rd, Wells, ME 04090, USA
Address: Monument Square, Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Address: Limington, ME, USA
Address: Portland Harbor, South Portland, ME 04101, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas lights in Maine
November 02, 2021
Sarah
Where can I find the best Christmas lights in Maine?
We simply adore all of the above Christmas lights displays in Maine, and refuse to play favorites! So instead, we’ll direct you to this amazing Christmas lights road trip through Maine. With millions of fairy lights burning bright to show you the way, our cheery coastal road trip takes you up iconic Route 1, through picturesque small towns, quaint Main Streets, and into some of the very best Christmas lights in Maine. Get ready for a big, ole’ dose of holiday cheer!
What are some fun things to do around the holidays in Maine?
We love exploring some of the state’s best Main Streets each winter, as many go all-out with holiday cheer! Christmas train rides are also super fun; what’s better than bundling up, grabbing a hot cocoa, and snuggling in with your family while admiring the beautiful Pine Tree State aboard an old-fashioned train?! Maine is downright magical during the holiday season — and the rest of the year, too! Plan a year of seasonal fun in Maine with this epic guide: The Ultimate Guide To Seasonal Activities In Maine: Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Lights, Water Parks, And More. What new traditions will you add?
Are there any Christmas towns in Maine?
Christmas lights are great and all, but what about going bigger — like an entire Christmas town! Did you know that some of Maine’s little towns have the most charming, enchanting Main Streets during the holidays? These 10 towns go all out, dressing up their storefronts, trees and fixtures with lights, decorations, and holiday cheer. One of our absolute favorite Christmas towns to visit in Maine is Kennebunkport, which is decked to the nines come the holiday season. At Christmastime, this place becomes a real winter wonderland town in Maine. The entire town dresses up in twinkle lights; fragrant, green wreaths adorn doors and shop windows; festive trees in the town square are decorated with lights and lobsters… it’s positively perfect! Intrigued? We wax poetic on the beauty of Kennebunkport in this article.
Address: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, ME, USA
Address: Waterboro, ME, USA
Address: Nubble Lighthouse, Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909, USA
Address: Wilton, ME, USA
Address: Old Port, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Address: Gardiner, ME, USA
Address: 95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
Address: 213 Canterbury Rd, Wells, ME 04090, USA
Address: Monument Square, Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Address: Limington, ME, USA
Address: Portland Harbor, South Portland, ME 04101, USA
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
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