With the holiday season firmly on our doorsteps, thoughts in Ogunquit tend to turn towards our town tree-lighting, caroling, Christmas music performances, seasonal food, art sales, family events, a beach bonfire, festive fireworks lighting up the skies over our beautiful place by the sea, our lively parade (where Santa makes an appearance), and more!
Looking to REALLY get in the holiday spirit? Want to feel like you walked into a Norman Rockwell winter scene in real life? In 2017, Ogunquit is hosting their 31st annual Christmas by the Sea celebration – a cherished 3 day event that represents the perfect opportunity for a holiday getaway in our gem of a small town on the scenic coast of Maine!
Scroll down to see the current lineup of 2017 Christmas by the Sea events – including when and where to show up to enjoy the Basement Bazaar, Taste the Season, Town Tree Lighting, Visit with Santa, Living Manger, Music & Nightlife events, Art events, Parade, Bonfire, Fireworks, and much, much more — PLUS a chance to enter your name to win a $250 gift certificate to the Hartwell House Inn (and partake in cookies, hot cider, cocoa, and a photo opportunity – courtesy of some hand-drawn and painted snowmen by Innkeeper/artist Charlene Taubert – who will be dressed as Mrs. Claus alongside her team of elves – in the process)!
And in the meantime, here are a few visual elements to stoke your Ogunquit holiday nostalgia – and give you an idea of what to expect as our favorite Christmas celebration in Maine heads our way once again!
Here is some video from the 2016 Christmas by the Sea Parade:
Here’s a video of the 2015 Christmas by the Sea Bonfire at Ogunquit Beach (taken by the Ogunquit Police Department):
And here are a few images from previous years’ Christmas By The Sea events:
Official Event Information
Name: 31ST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA
Date: December 8, 2017 – December 10, 2017
Website: https://chamber.ogunquit.org/events/details/31st-annual-christmas-by-the-sea-1650
Event Description:
Thank you to our Christmas by the Sea 2017 Sponsors!
PREMIER: The Weekly Sentinel
ASSOCIATE: Hartwell House Inn, Meadowmere Resort, Anchorage by the Sea, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Ogunquit Baptist Church, InnSeason Resorts The Falls at Ogunquit
SUPPORTING: Aland Realty Group, Gorges Grant Hotel & Raspberri’s, Juniper Hill Inn, Ogunquit Rental Properties
IN-KIND: Cornerstone Artisanal Pizza, Harbor Candy Shop, Ogunquit Camera Shop, Revelations Gift Shop, Puffin Inn Ogunquit, Bourne Bed & Breakfast, Moon Over Maine, Village Food Market
The following events are confirmed for our Christmas by the Sea weekend. Please check the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce page for the official Christmas by the Sea schedule as events are added!
All weekend:
LOVE FOUR PAWS at Junebug’s Beach House (16 Shore Road, Ogunquit). Purchase Any LOVE FOUR PAWS fundraising items and receive a special holiday treat for your pup! Fundraising items include: pet lover hand stamped cuff bracelets, a custom “Dogs to the Rescue” tee, their “LOVE” line of handcrafted sterling silver jewelry or a “Take Me Home” signed lithograph print. 100% of the proceeds from all of these items are donated to: Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Puppy Love, Inc. in Harpswell, and Chihuahua Rescue in Wells. (while supplies last). We will also be serving yummy treats for dogs and their humans, too!
HOLIDAY DISPLAY / PHOTO OPPORTUNITY at Hartwell House (312 Shore Road) Take your picture with the hand-drawn and painted, life-sized snowmen decorating a Christmas tree. While you’re there, stop in to enter to win a gift basket including a $250 gift certificate toward a stay at the Hartwell House! PLUS Innkeeper/Artist Charlene Taubert will be dressed as Mrs. Claus alongside her team of elves!
Friday, December 8, 2017
9am-4pm: FREE GIFT WRAPPING at Bangor Savings Bank (Main Street). Enjoy a cookie and coffee while your gifts are wrapped.
7-8pm: CONCERT at Ogunquit Baptist Church (157 Shore Road). Wells High School Select A Cappella group performs. Free admission.
8pm: KIM KUZMA HOLIDAY SHOW upstairs at the Front Porch (9 Shore Road).
8:15pm: TOWN TREE LIGHTING at Veterans Park. Join us in caroling and enjoy some warm drinks and cookies. Weather permitting.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
9am-noon: FREE GIFT WRAPPING at Bangor Savings Bank (Main Street). Enjoy a cookie and coffee while your gifts are wrapped.
9-11am: VISIT WITH SANTA upstairs at the Fire Station (School Street). Get there a little early to see Santa arrive by fire engine. Have your photo taken with Santa and pick it up later at Ogunquit Camera Shop. One photo per family.
9:30am-2:30pm: BASEMENT BAZAAR downstairs at the Dunaway Center (23 School Street). Can’t figure out what to get for that hard-to-buy-for person? Find a little bit of everything and something for everyone at this bazaar.
10am-1pm: HISTORY GAMES & DIY GIFTS FOR FAMILIES at Meetinghouse Museum at the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit at 938 Post Road, Wells. Bring your kids and you’ll jump back into time together and make old fashioned games, projects, and crafts to give as gifts, and take a “Family Fun Tour” of the Meetinghouse Museum. FMI: 207-646-4775. Sponsored by Crickets Corner Toys and Kites of Ogunquit, Maine. $3 per family.
10am-3pm: ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW (at the Fire Station on School Street). Proceeds benefit Ogunquit Fire Rescue.
10am-5pm: OPEN HOUSE at Hutchins Antiques (166 Main Street) Hot mulled cider and refreshments served. Dealers are offering 10%-50% discounts throughout the store.
11am-1:30pm: TASTE THE SEASON upstairs at the Dunaway Center (23 School Street). Taste a variety of foods (including lots of chowder!) from local dining establishments. Beer and wine tastings, too! Bring a donation for our local food pantry or animal shelter. VIP early admission at 11am: $15. Regular admission beginning at 11:45am: $10. Check back for updates on participants.
11am-3pm: ANNUAL ART SALE at Gypsy Sweethearts, (30 Shore Road). More than fifteen artists and crafters selling their wares! Original art, jewelry, wreaths, knit items, baked goods and more. There will be wine available by the glass for your shopping enjoyment.
1-2pm: HOLIDAY STORY HOUR downstairs at Ogunquit Baptist Church (157 Shore Road). Seasonal stories read to the little ones!
2-3pm: KIDS’ ORNAMENT AND CHRISTMAS CARD MAKING downstairs at Ogunquit Baptist Church (157 Shore Road). We’ll bring the supplies; kids bring the creativity! Drop in to make an ornament or card to take home or send to Grandma (or to Santa).
2:30-4pm: COMPLIMENTARY TREATS AND WARM DRINKS at Hartwell House. Share some Christmas cheer with Mrs. Claus and a few elves! We’re offering complimentary cookies, hot apple cider and cocoa in Hartwell House Inn driveway area. Watch from this location as the parade passes.
3-4pm: CHRISTMAS PARADE Entrance of Perkins Cove to Main Beach. Presented by the Village Spirit Committee. Weather permitting.
4:30pm: BONFIRE at Main Beach. Warm up in front of the bonfire while you get ready for the fireworks display. Please note — due to property safety concerns, parking will not be available in the Main Beach Parking Lot afternoon on Saturday. Parking will be available at the Lower Lot, on River Road. Weather permitting.
5:30pm: FIREWORKS! A magnificent fireworks display will be shot from the Main Beach Parking Lot. Please note — due to property safety concerns, parking will not be available in the Main Beach Parking Lot afternoon on Saturday. Parking will be available at the Lower Lot, on River Road. Presented by the Village Spirit Committee.
6:30pm: LIVING MANGER at Ogunquit Baptist Church (157 Shore Road). Beautifully performed by members of Ogunquit Baptist Church, this living nativity reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. Weather permitting.
7-8pm: CONCERT at Ogunquit Baptist Church (157 Shore Road). Barbershop back by popular demand. Not just a quartet, but a choir! Seacoast Men of Harmony perform. Free admission.
8pm: LEVI KREIS – HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS TOUR at MaineStreet Nightclub (195 Main Street). Join Levi for a night of piano/vocal perfection delivering your favorite Christmas carols and holiday classics. Admission charged.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
8-11am: PROJECT GRADUATION BREAKFAST at Mike’s Clam Shack. All proceeds go to Project Graduation.
2pm: SOUTHERN MAINE CHRISTMAS PARADE in Wells. Wells Plaza to Wells Junior High School.
8pm: KIM KUZMA FINAL SHOW upstairs at the Front Porch (9 Shore Road). Hear this season’s favorites from a variety of genres.
