Your 2025 Maine Holiday Travel Guide by Joshua’s Worldwide
Where to Celebrate the Holiday Season in New England in 2025
We recently shared our full guide to all things Christmas and holiday lights, from the magic of New York City to the cozy charm of Boston, the mansion lights of Newport, the festive markets of Providence, and the dazzling holiday shows across Connecticut. But while building that guide, one thing became abundantly clear for one New England state: Maine deserves a holiday spotlight of its own.
Its coastal towns, glowing gardens, boutique shopping villages, lobster-trap Christmas trees, and small-town festivals aren’t just “another stop” on a holiday list: they’re a destination. A mood. A whole Christmas experience.
So today, we’re giving Maine its own stage. This is your Top 5 Holiday Destinations in Maine, a coastal Christmas guide filled with lights, festivals, ocean views, and quiet winter magic… all made effortless with Joshua’s Worldwide.
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1. Kennebunkport — featuring Christmas Prelude (Maine’s Most Iconic Holiday Festival)
HGTV named Kennebunkport the #2 Christmas Town in America, and Country Living ranked it among the Top 20 Christmas Family Vacation Destinations in the World, and from the moment you arrive, you know why.
Christmas Prelude feels like stepping straight into a Hallmark movie: twinkling lights across Dock Square, garlands and greenery everywhere, a towering Christmas tree in the center of town, and a coastal community that comes alive with festive spirit.
Must-See Kennebunkport and Christmas Prelude Highlights:
- Tree lightings throughout Dock Square
- Santa arriving by lobster boat (yes, really)
- Caroling at the Franciscan Monastery
- Fireworks over the harbor
- Christmas markets & local artisans
- A lively street festival with food, music, and holiday cheer
- Festive shops, galleries, and coastal restaurants
For 11 days, the entire town becomes a glowing winter village: charming, warm, welcoming, and filled with the kind of Christmas magic usually reserved for movies.
Why Go with Joshua’s:
Parking is limited and the roads (and accommodations) get packed fast, but we drop you right in the center of the celebration, keep the vehicle warm, and handle every detail, from dinner reservations to your hotel stay. All you do is stroll, shop, sip, and enjoy the romance of Christmas Prelude.
With Joshua’s, Kennebunkport becomes a cozy, coastal holiday dream.
2. Boothbay — featuring Gardens Aglow (Maine’s Most Dazzling Holiday Light Display)
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens hosts Gardens Aglow, one of New England’s largest and most breathtaking holiday light events. Millions of lights transform the gardens into an immersive, glowing winter world.
But the gardens are just the beginning. The entire Boothbay region celebrates Boothbay Lights, a multi-week holiday festival that brings sparkling waterfront displays, festive shopping, cozy restaurants, and beloved traditions to life throughout Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. It’s peaceful, magical, beautifully coastal (and the perfect quieter alternative to busier holiday destinations).
Must-See Boothbay Holiday Stops:
- Gardens Aglow (millions of lights, glowing tunnels, illuminated sculptures, and forest pathways)
- Boothbay Lights (Festival of Lights)
- North Pole Express at Boothbay Railway Village Museum — a nostalgic holiday train ride with Santa
- Boutique holiday shopping in Boothbay Harbor
- Cozy coastal restaurants serving seasonal menus
- Harbor strolls and scenic winter ocean views with lighthouse overlooks
Why Go with Joshua’s:
Enjoy every detail of your Boothbay getaway being planned for you! Your travel is scheduled, your transportation is set, and your day unfolds seamlessly from one magical stop to the next. No winter driving, no parking, no navigating coastal roads in the dark: just a warm, curated, beautifully paced holiday adventure designed entirely for you.
With Joshua’s, Boothbay becomes a mesmerizing, stress-free holiday lights adventure.
3. Ogunquit — Christmas by the Sea
Ogunquit’s Christmas by the Sea (December 12 – 14) celebration is one of Maine’s most beloved holiday traditions! A cozy, oceanfront festival filled with lights, music, markets, and small-town charm, it feels like a New England postcard in motion. With twinkling storefronts, garland-wrapped lamp posts, and ocean views dusted with winter snow, the community that truly comes alive for the season.
Must-See Ogunquit Holiday Highlights:
- Christmas by the Sea Parade
- Bonfires on the beach
- Caroling, concerts, and live performances
- Artisan craft fairs & holiday markets
- Festive restaurants and oceanfront dining
- Visits with Santa and family activities
- Boutique shopping throughout the village
For one special weekend, Ogunquit becomes a warm, walkable holiday village where the ocean and Christmas spirit meet. It’s intimate, festive, and perfect for families or couples wanting something quieter and more coastal than the big-city celebrations.
Why Go with Joshua’s:
Ogunquit’s beauty is best enjoyed without worrying about winter traffic, event parking, or navigating crowded festival routes. With Joshua’s, your entire visit is planned, curated to flow effortlessly from parade to bonfire to dinner to hotel. We get you everywhere you want to be, warm and unhurried, so you can savor the charm of Christmas by the Sea exactly as it’s meant to be experienced.
4. Portland — Old Port Holiday Lights
Maine goes from lobster roll to lobster bisque and clam chowder for the winter season: pure, cozy holiday comfort. Portland turns into a coastal holiday postcard in December. The Old Port glows with twinkling lights, decorated cobblestones, boutique storefronts draped in garland, and the salty-sweet mix of winter air and waterfront charm. From iconic tree lightings to historic tours, festive cocktails, and winter events that celebrate the very best of Maine, Portland is one of New England’s best holiday towns.
Must-See Providence Holiday Stops:
- Old Port Holiday Lights — glowing streets, decorated windows, and charming photo spots
- Lobster-Trap Christmas Trees — an iconic Maine tradition
- Victoria Mansion Christmas Tours — stunning historic décor + guided holiday experience
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad “Christmas / Polar Express” Train — nostalgic, magical, family-friendly
- Portland Harbor Boat Parade of Lights — illuminated boats gliding through the waterfront
- Boutique Holiday Shopping in the Old Port — gifts, handmade items, Maine-made goods
- Waterfront Restaurants + Seasonal Cocktails — cozy dining with winter views
- Festive bars, dessert shops & breweries — perfect for holiday strolling
Why Go with Joshua’s:
Portland shines brightest when you’re not worrying about navigating it. Winter parking, one-way streets, and holiday crowds disappear when Joshua’s handles the entire evening. We plan your itinerary, set your travel schedule, coordinate your restaurant stops and holiday attractions, and get you exactly where you want to be. You enjoy the lights, the food, the harbor, and the festivities. We take care of everything else
5. Bethel & Sunday River — Maine’s Ultimate Ski & Holiday Mountain Escape
If your idea of the perfect holiday involves snow-covered peaks, cozy lodges, and that crisp mountain air that feels like December itself — Sunday River in Bethel is your winter paradise. One of New England’s premier ski destinations, Sunday River becomes a festive snow globe during the holidays, offering everything from skiing and snowboarding to sleigh rides, fireworks, and après-ski lounges that feel straight out of a luxury winter retreat.
Must-See Sunday River & Bethel Holiday Highlights:
- Skiing & Snowboarding Across 8 Peaks — terrain for all levels
- Twilight & Night Skiing — illuminated runs under the winter sky
- Holiday Fireworks (select dates)
- Santa Sunday — hundreds of skiing Santas (a beloved annual tradition)
- Snow Tubing & Winter Adventure Zones
- Nordic Skiing & Snowshoe Trails through peaceful winter woods
- Après-Ski Drinks & Fireside Dining — cozy lounges, comfort food, and mountain views
- Bethel Village Holiday Lights — small-town Christmas charm
Why Go with Joshua’s:
With Joshua’s, your entire Sunday River experience is planned for you: lift tickets and ski passes arranged in advance, restaurant reservations secured, timing coordinated between the slopes, the village, and après-ski stops. And because of our relationships with local lodging partners, from the luxury Jordan Hotel to the Grand Summit, Snow Cap Inn, and charming Bethel boutique lodges, we help ensure your stay is warm, effortless, and exactly what you’re looking for.
Maine for the Holidays — A Winter Escape Made Effortless with Joshua’s
From the sparkling coastal charm of Kennebunkport, to the glowing magic of Boothbay, to the cozy seaside festivities in Ogunquit and the bustling waterfront lights of Portland, Maine offers some of New England’s most enchanting holiday destinations. And for those who crave snow, mountains, and adventure, Sunday River delivers a winter wonderland all its own.
Each destination brings something different from quiet coastal romance, immersive light displays, boutique shopping, festive small-town traditions, to full-on ski-and-snow magic. But they all share one thing: holiday moments that feel warm, welcoming, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re exploring seaside villages, strolling through glowing gardens, dining along the waterfront, or heading to the mountains for a ski weekend, we curate the entire experience: transportation, timing, reservations, passes, and every detail in between.
You choose the holiday magic.
We make it effortless.
✨ Book your holiday trip now and make this your most magical Maine getaway yet.
📞 Call: (860) XXX-XXXX 📧 concierge@joshuasworldwide.com
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Joshua’s Worldwide
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