This time of year is especially magical in Maine and there are a number of events taking place throughout the state to help celebrate it! From simply enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family to taking part in special events hosted by quintessential Maine towns, there are seemingly endless ways to get into the holiday spirit. We encourage you to explore them all, but this one might be our favorite.
There’s a reason Mainers look forward to the Northern Lights even in Freeport every year! It’s one of the most magical Christmas events in the state and it starts this weekend and runs through the end of December. That’s five beautiful weeks of holiday cheer.
Hideki Yamanobe / Google
The fun kicks off on Friday, November 22nd when the tree lighting takes place at 6:45 p.m. In addition to the tree, the entire Discovery Forest will come alive with tens of thousands of lights. It’s truly a magical experience.
The Enchanted Forest offers small trails filled with 600 locally sourced evergreens. Visitors are invited to explore the ins and outs of this forest throughout the season. And, when it’s all over the trees are mulched and given to Wolfe’s Neck Farm.
The Warming Hut offers a place to meet with friends and enjoy a cozy respite from the cold. It’s also great for photo ops!
Beginning November 30th, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides every Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a great way to relax after shopping in town.
New to the fun this year is the WinterKids StoryWalk which allows families to follow a fun tale through the enchanted forest. It’s fun for kids and adults of all ages who love using their imagination for all things holiday.
L.L.Bean / Facebook
Those who love the whimsical parts of the holidays will appreciate the model train village inside the L.L. Bean store. It’s set in a quintessential New England town allowing for even more imagination.
There are events taking place throughout the entirety of this beautiful event, but whatever you do be sure to visit Santa and his reindeer! They sit right outside and love little visitors. They’ll be available every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
L.L.Bean / Facebook There’s so much more to experience during the Northern Lights festival, so you might want to visit a few times leading up to Christmas. But if you only have time for one weekend, be sure to make it there for the kick-off and lighting! It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
The Northern Lights Celebration takes place at the L.L. Bean Flagship store in Freeport from November 22nd through December 31st. You can learn more about it through the official website or Facebook.
Hideki Yamanobe / Google
L.L.Bean / Facebook
There’s so much more to experience during the Northern Lights festival, so you might want to visit a few times leading up to Christmas. But if you only have time for one weekend, be sure to make it there for the kick-off and lighting! It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Another way to get in the holiday spirit is by visiting Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It’s incredible!
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Address: L.L.Bean, 95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
