Boothbay Lights is a celebration of signature Holiday events in the Maine mid-coast towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor! The towns sparkle with thousands of lights. Lodging, shopping, and dining are open with plenty of fun things to do for the whole family.
With 6 sparkling weeks, there’s always something happening! Whether you can just spend the day or enjoy a cozy weekend, The Boothbay Harbor Region is open and ready to help you make wonderful Holiday memories.
#1 Early Bird Sale – NOVEMBER 19th
Shopping in your PJs? ABSOLUTELY! Our Boothbay Lights Celebration kicks off bright and early with this popular event. Grab your friends, put on your bathrobe, score great deals, and have plenty of fun during our annual Early Bird Sale. Many shops give discounts by the hour–so get here early. And don’t forget to enter the many door prizes and giveaways!
From Gifts, Clothing, Artisan-Made Crafts, and Food – You’ll find something unique for everyone on your list at our specialty shops and boutiques. Keep an eye on the Boothbay Register for sale details!
#2 Giant Pot Buoy Tree
Visit Pier One in Boothbay Harbor to see the Giant Pot Buoy tree celebrating our Lobstering Heritage! The 20-foot wooden structure weighs in at 3,000 pounds and is outfitted with 800+ lobster-pot buoys, over 1,000 lights, and is topped by a giant metal lobster.
Be sure to enter our Pot Buoy Tree Selfie Contest to win a $100 E-Gift Card – we’ll choose a weekly winner! Plus everyone who enters is eligible for the grand prize $250 E-Gift Card!
#3 Gardens Aglow – NOVEMBER 19th – DECEMBER 31st – Select Dates
Experience the brilliance of New England’s most beautiful light display! This year, the seasonal celebration returns to its roots as a walking event with a new, reimagined design and more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens. Advanced Tickets are Required.
Here for the weekend? Take it easy with the SATURDAY SHUTTLE! Running from 3:45 PM – 9:15 PM on NOV 19th, 26th, Dec 3rd, 10th, 17th, 31st)With a shuttle running from downtown Boothbay Lights to Gardens Aglow, there’s a great opportunity to see it all! Park in town, (or maybe you’re already staying here!) grab a bite to eat at one of the many wonderful restaurants, & get a little holiday shopping in! Catch the shuttle at the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station to catch a carefree ride up to the door of Gardens Aglow. The last trip back to town is 9 PM
#4 Lighted Fire Truck Parade – NOV. 26th 4:00 PM
Boothbay Harbor Fire Department will be back to defend its title during this beloved event! Celebrity judges will determine the winner of the Dalmatian Cup. Find a spot to Honk your horns and cheer on our amazing first responders along the parade route! Beginning at 4:00 pm starting from The Boothbay Fire Station the parade will swing into St Andrews Village to say hello, and then into town via Oak Street, turning left at the Library and down Townsend Avenue– then gathering at the Meadow Mall Parking lot for the awards ceremony.
The People’s Choice award is a text to vote by the spectators both in person and from away who can watch it through our Facebook live streaming.
TEXT TO VOTE: 207-350-5922
Keep an eye out for Santa & Mrs. Claus and perhaps a Grinchy guest!
#5 Garden Club Holiday Festival Dec. 2nd & 3rd
Join us for one of the highlights of the Boothbay Harbor holiday season and get a head start on your holiday shopping!
December 2nd & 3rd 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church
32 Emery Lane Boothbay Harbor
At the annual Holiday Festival (formerly Festival of Trees), you will find unique, local, handcrafted gifts in FIVE distinct sections:
TABLE AND MANTLE: Holiday floral arrangements, table décor, and more!
NATURE’S GIFTS: Unique handmade gifts expressing our love of nature
SWEET SHOP: Your favorite baked goods; gift-wrapped and ready to go!
ETC SHOP: New and gently used holiday items including toys and decorations!
A new section this year is DINNER’S READY! section where you can pick up one of our members’ favorite meals frozen and ready to take home and enjoy!
Trees, Gift Baskets, Wreaths, and Gift Certificates will also be available for sale.
Proceeds from this Boothbay Harbor tradition support local student education scholarships and the numerous environmental and community projects they undertake to contribute to the natural beauty of this area.
#6 North Pole Express
Make sure your holiday plans include a ride on this magical adventure at the Boothbay Railway Village Museum Start your trip inside the historic 1912 Freeport Station (the main train station at the Museum) by writing your letter to Santa by the warmth of the wood stove.
Train conductors will call “All Aboard” and everyone, young and old, will board the train to the North Pole. A special keepsake (that will help spark the magic leap to the North Pole) will be given to each child. Settle into a comfortable seat in the classic passenger car or our “Little Red Caboose” No. 551, built in 1904.
The train will carry you through the Village and arrive at the North Pole (Thorndike Station) where a special guest wearing a red suit with a jolly belly will jump aboard to greet you! Yes, Santa himself will attend! After meeting the “big guy” in person the train will whisk you back to the station where multiple opportunities await!
Saturdays and Sundays: DEC 3 & 4 | DEC 10 & 11 | DEC 17 & 18 Train every 45 minutes- 10:45 am, 11:30 am, 12:15 pm, 1 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, 4:00 pm
#7 Santa Arrives by Boat – December 3rd
Santa Claus is coming to town–by boat! Arriving at 3 PM – Visit with Mr & Mrs. Claus and a host of their friends at Pier One in Boothbay Harbor by the Giant Pot Buoy Tree. Take photos and chat with Santa from 3:15 – 5:00 PM
Then grab a bite to eat or head over to the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church for Cookies & Carols starting at 5:30 – All Are Welcome! and find your favorite spot for the Lighted Boat Parade & Sparkle Fireworks!
PS. TUNE IN to see Santa on December 10th at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Facebook Page for Santa Online Story Time starting at 4:00 pm Livestreamed on our Facebook Page and BRTV.
#8 Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks – December 3rd
The Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6:45 p.m. with the fireworks to follow in the inner harbor. The boats will enter the Harbor from the west, travel clockwise around the inner Harbor, and over to the east side where the fleet will be blessed by our local clergy.
Then “ooh” and “ahh” as the Sparkle Fireworks will light up the sky!
The Whale Park, Fisherman’s Memorial, and the 1901 Footbridge are perfect spots for viewing!
#9 Opera House Concerts
For generations, the stage of the historic 1894 Opera House in Boothbay Harbor, Maine has played host to actors and musicians from around the state and around the globe. With fine acoustics, historic charm, a great old bar room upstairs, and a commitment to reasonably priced tickets, the Opera House is a gathering place for the local community and visitors alike.
DECEMBER 3rd – Paul Sullivan Holiday Concert
GRAMMY WINNER + Maine pianist & composer with Cellist Marisa Solomon & Flutist Elizabeth Downing @ 7 PM
DECEMBER 9th –Sons of Serendip Holiday Concert
– Maybe you saw them as finalists on America’s Got Talent? @ 7 PM
DECEMBER 11th – John McCutcheon Winter’s Solstice – Virtual Concert@ 7 PM Storyteller & Folk singer extraordinaire!
DECEMBER 21st –Holiday Potluck & Carol Sing@ 6 PM
…”come one, come all to settle in for a community potluck dinner, followed by the music of the season performed by pianist Kevin Kiley and a troupe of talented vocalists. This evening is free, but please bring a main dish, side, or salad to share. Please bring serving utensils and personal eating utensils (and a real plate, if you don’t like paper plates!). Doors open at 5:30 for cocktails (Opera House bar open), and potluck dinner at 6 pm. Music & Carols begin at approximately 6:45 pm.
#10 Gingerbread Spectacular Dec 16th – 18th
A holiday tradition! Make sure to carve out a bit of time during the holiday season to stop in at the Opera House to see the Gingerbread creations! They are all a secret until they are delivered by their bakers and creators – but we bet there will be confectionery cabins and castles, bungalows, fairy houses, starships, farms, cathedrals, and more!
Prizes are awarded not only for the Most Spectacular but also for Best Holiday Spirit, Most Hilarious, Best Landscaping, Best Representation of a Local landmark, Best Youth Design, Most Delicious Looking, etc.
Friday, December 16 – OPENING NIGHT 5 – 7 pm Gingerbread Spectacular Preview Celebration at the Opera House
An evening of wonder! Join us tonight as we celebrate the confectionery talents of the community! The 2022 gingerbread creations will be on exhibit, Barney Balch and the Sheepscot Jazz & Swing Quartet will be playing (dancing encouraged!), the bar will be serving drinks, and the Opera House will be fully decked out for the season.
Dress up, or dress down, but definitely get dressed and get yourself to the Opera House tonight! Doors open at 5 – Music from 5 -7
Saturday, December 17 – Open 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 – Open 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Gingerbread Spectacular is FREE to attend, but donations are welcome!
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We hope you’ll join us for this wonderful Season!