The Portland, ME area has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from The Nutcracker in Portland on November 27 to The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! in Portland, which runs through December 30. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Maine, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Portland, ME for 2026, in Portland and Kennebunkport
- First: The Nutcracker, Portland, November 27. Runs latest: The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!, Portland, through December 30
- Free: Santa Arrives by Lobster Boat, Storybook Christmas at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and Prelude Family Street Festival
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
What are you looking for?
All 5 events
Nothing matches yet. Try another kind of event, or .
Rally’s Christmas research
Rally the corgi has 4 more Portland, ME events researched for you.
- New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Portland, ME.
- Exclusive access to free events Find the free Christmas events in Portland, ME before they fill up.
- Start your magical Christmas season now Every event appears the moment you enter your email.
- Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
- One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.
Waiting inside
- 2 Santa
- 2 Shows
- 2 Crafts
- 1 Story time
- 3 Free
Enter your email and all will appear instantly.
The Christmas magic awaits
Enter your email to get Christmas event notifications all season long and unlock the details on 4 Christmas events in Portland, ME.
- New events in Portland, ME every week
- Exclusive access to free events
- Your magical Christmas season starts now
- Christmas Eve Express and free advent calendar
- One-tap add to calendar
Christmas events for kids in Portland
2 confirmed events for kids in Portland, soonest first.
Holiday show
The Nutcracker
- When: Fri November 27 (2 pm), Sat November 28 (2 pm), Sun November 29 (2 pm), Sat December 5 (2 to 7 pm) and Sun December 6 (2 pm), 2026
- Where: Merrill Auditorium, Portland
- Cost: $23 to $93 reserved seating, $4 off for children 12 and under, plus service fees
Details, tips and host
Maine State Ballet presents the beloved tale of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they travel through the Land of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Artistic Director Janet Davis stages the production with choreography by George Balanchine and Linda MacArthur Miele, and the Maine State Ballet Orchestra and Choir perform live under conductor Robert Lehmann.
Performances are at Merrill Auditorium in downtown Portland, with matinees at 2 pm on November 27, 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, plus an evening show at 7 pm on December 5. The show runs about two hours. Reserved seats run $23 to $93 including the Merrill facility fee, with a $4 discount for children 12 and under and for seniors, plus a per ticket service fee. PortTIX is the only authorized box office, by phone at 207-842-0800, online, or in person at 400 Congress Street.
Parent tip: Buy only through PortTIX to avoid marked up resale tickets, and check availability early since some performances may sell out. Plan for a two hour show.
- Host
- Maine State Ballet (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Portland, ME 04101
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday show
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!
- When: Sat December 5, Sat December 12 (11 am) and Sat December 19 (11 am), 2026
- Where: Maddy's Theatre at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland
- Cost: $25 per person; babies under 12 months free; members $5 off
- Ages: Children and families of all abilities
Details, tips and host
Maddy's Theatre, the stage inside the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine at Thompson's Point, presents a holiday musical based on the books and characters of Mo Willems. The Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls, Elephant and Piggie arrive ready to celebrate, and the Pigeon has to decide whether to join the festivities or run off to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever. Expect songs, puppets, silly stories and audience participation.
The show runs about 75 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $25 for children and adults, babies under 12 months are free, and members save $5 per ticket. Show your theatre ticket at the front desk for a discount on same day museum admission. ASL interpreted performances are offered on December 12 and December 19 at 11 am, and the theatre has hearing assistance devices and accessible seating. Late seating is permitted.
Parent tip: Pair the show with museum play time using the Stay and Play admission discount. Choose the December 12 or 19 morning shows for ASL interpretation.
- Host
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Maddy's Theatre at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, 250 Thompson's Point Road, Portland, ME 04102
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Portland, ME? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Kennebunkport
3 confirmed events for kids in Kennebunkport, soonest first.
Santa and Mrs. ClausFree
Santa Arrives by Lobster Boat
- When: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 1 pm
- Where: The Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
On Sunday, December 6, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Nonantum Resort marina in Kennebunkport at about 1 pm. Visitors can also watch Santa travel up the river at 12:30 pm from the sidewalk of the bridge in Dock Square or along Ocean Avenue.
At the resort, families can meet the Clauses, take a complimentary photo, make holiday crafts and have warm drinks. The event is free and open to the public.
Parent tip: The 12:30 river sighting is a good chance to watch the boat before heading to the resort.
- Host
- Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- The Nonantum Resort, 95 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 (near Portland)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Story time with SantaFree
Storybook Christmas at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust
- When: Thursday, December 10, 2026, 4 to 6 pm
- Where: Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, Kennebunkport
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Children
Details, tips and host
Part of the Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude, this event is held in a rustic lodge at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. Santa reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and free cocoa is served near the fire.
Downstairs, helpers guide children through decorating cookies to take home. The page also mentions plenty of chances for holiday photos. Admission is free, and the event runs from 4 to 6 pm on a Thursday afternoon.
Parent tip: The lodge is on a country road, so allow extra time for the drive.
- Host
- Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, 57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 (near Portland)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday paradeFree
Prelude Family Street Festival
- When: Friday, December 11, 2026, 4 pm
- Where: Dock Square, Kennebunkport
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Prelude Family Street Festival begins at 4 pm on Friday, December 11, and the roads from Dock Square in Kennebunkport through Lower Village in Kennebunk are closed to traffic. Strolling carolers, live music and food vendors fill the route, and there is ice carving to watch.
The same evening the schedule lists a tree lighting ceremony in Dock Square at 5:30 pm with caroling, and a Christmas fireworks display at 6:15 pm. The street festival is described as family friendly.
Parent tip: Parking is limited when streets close, so walk in from a distance if possible.
- Host
- Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Dock Square, Dock Square, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 (near Portland)
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Maine Christmas train rides page.
Portland, ME Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Portland and Kennebunkport
- Season
- November 27 to December 30, 2026
- Free events
- 3
- Kinds of events
- holiday show, Santa and Mrs. Claus, story time with Santa and holiday parade
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Portland, ME Christmas event for kids happens
The first is The Nutcracker in Portland on November 27; the last runs to December 30. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- The NutcrackerPortland · Nov 27 to Dec 6
- The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!Portland · Dec 5 to Dec 30
- Santa Arrives by Lobster BoatKennebunkport · Dec 6
- Storybook Christmas at Kennebunkport Conservation TrustKennebunkport · Dec 10
- Prelude Family Street FestivalKennebunkport · Dec 11
Looking further afield? Our Maine Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Boothbay and Bangor. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Portland, ME
Portland, Maine has put a Christmas tree in Monument Square since at least 1939, and for more than 25 years one local sculptor has filled the city with glowing winter lights. Add a parade of boats in the harbor and you have a Christmas shaped by the sea and the city.
How Portland celebrates
Portland's Christmas starts in Monument Square, where the city has placed a Christmas tree since 1939 or earlier. Since 1999, sculptor Pandora LaCasse has created the city's winter lights, beginning with a holiday installation in Tommy's Park that Portland Downtown hired her to make. The Portland Symphony Orchestra's Magic of Christmas began in 1980, and Victoria Mansion is decorated for about six weeks each winter. On the water, the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights fills Portland Harbor, typically on the second Saturday of December.
Christmas last year in Portland
On the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 28, 2025, Portland lit its tree in Monument Square. The tree was a 40-foot red spruce donated by the Portland Housing Authority, and Portland Downtown streamed it live on YouTube. It stays lit for the rest of the year. The Merry Madness Passport ran November 29 to December 15, with more than 70 downtown retailers and a prize raffle for collecting 10 stamps. The Christmas Boat Parade of Lights followed on December 13, with Mrs. Claus waving from her boat, and Victoria Mansion was decorated through January 4.
Fun facts about Christmas in Portland
Portland's winter lights have grown from one park to about 15 sites, and roughly 400 light forms are stored in the Maine College of Art & Design basement each summer. A 2017 tree in Monument Square was a 40-foot fir that a Westbrook family planted in their yard about 30 years earlier, and a four-year-old Make-A-Wish child lit it. In 2024 the tree was a 50-foot blue spruce. At the Merry Madness Passport, kids and parents collect stamps from shops around downtown.
Trains and Christmas near Portland
Portland has its own holiday train. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad runs a holiday train ride from November 15 to December 23, with riders boarding one of ten decorated coaches before hot chocolate and cookies. Its two-foot gauge cars roll along Casco Bay from Thames Street. Farther afield, Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport has the world's first and largest electric railway collection, and Boothbay Railway Village runs holiday trains in December through a recreated Maine village.
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum: Historic two-foot gauge cars along Casco Bay in Portland, with a holiday train ride each winter.
- Seashore Trolley Museum: The world's first and largest electric railway museum, with rides on restored early 1900s trolleys.
- Boothbay Railway Village Museum: A narrow gauge steam train loops a recreated Maine village, with holiday trains in December.
Traditions today
- Monument Square tree lighting: A free evening on the Friday after Thanksgiving with performances and activities, and a tree that has stood in the square since at least 1939.
- Portland winter lights: Sculptor Pandora LaCasse's glowing light installations, which began in Tommy's Park in 1999 and now cover about 15 sites.
- Christmas Boat Parade of Lights: Decorated boats parade through Portland Harbor, typically on the second Saturday of December, with Mrs. Claus waving from her boat.
- Merry Madness Passport: Shoppers collect stamps at more than 70 downtown stores for a chance to win prizes.
- Magic of Christmas: The Portland Symphony Orchestra's holiday show at Merrill Auditorium, a tradition since 1980.
- Christmas at Victoria Mansion: The historic mansion is decorated for about six weeks each winter.
A fact for kids
In Portland, Maine, Christmas boats sail through the harbor covered in lights, and Mrs. Claus waves from her own boat!
Questions about Christmas in Portland, ME
How long has Portland, Maine had a Christmas tree in Monument Square?
Portland has placed a Christmas tree in Monument Square since 1939 or earlier. The tree lighting happens on the Friday after Thanksgiving, with performances and family activities. The tree usually stays lit through the end of the year, and in 2025 it was a 40-foot red spruce.
When is the Portland tree lighting held?
The Monument Square tree lighting is usually held the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was November 28 in 2025. It is free, with family activities and performances. In 2024 the day ran from 1 to 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting around 4:30 p.m. See our Portland Christmas events guide on this page.
What was the Portland tree last year?
In 2025 it was a 40-foot red spruce donated by the Portland Housing Authority and installed in Monument Square the week before. Portland Downtown streamed the decorated tree live on YouTube, and it stays lit for the rest of the year. The year before, it was a 50-foot blue spruce.
Who makes Portland's winter lights?
Sculptor Pandora LaCasse has created Portland's winter light displays since 1999, when Portland Downtown hired her for a holiday installation in Tommy's Park. In 2024 she marked 25 years of installations. The displays now cover about 15 sites and run from roughly November to March.
Where are Portland's winter light sculptures stored?
About 400 light forms are stored in the Maine College of Art & Design basement during the rest of the year. Setup begins in late summer and takes more than a month. The displays began in 1999 in Tommy's Park and now cover about 15 sites around the city.
What is the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights in Portland?
It is a parade of boats decorated with Christmas lights and costumed passengers in Portland Harbor, typically on the second Saturday of December. In 2025 it was December 13, and Mrs. Claus waved from her boat. Boats must register to take part. See our Portland Christmas events guide for this year's details.
How do I explain the harbor boat parade to a young child?
Tell your child that in Portland even boats dress up for Christmas. Boats are covered in Christmas lights, and the people on board wear costumes. Mrs. Claus waves from one of them. Kids can count the boats and pick a favorite from the waterfront.
What is Merry Madness in Portland?
Merry Madness is Portland Downtown's holiday shopping passport. In 2025 it ran from November 29 to December 15 with more than 70 downtown retailers taking part. Shoppers collect 10 stamps to enter a prize raffle, which gives kids a fun reason to visit shops.
What is Magic of Christmas in Portland?
Magic of Christmas is the Portland Symphony Orchestra's holiday show at Merrill Auditorium. The tradition began in 1980. In 2025 performances ran December 12 to 21, and a Magic of Christmas Chorus has sung at the tree lighting as well.
Can kids visit Victoria Mansion at Christmas?
Victoria Mansion is decorated each winter for about six weeks, and in 2025 the display ran from November 28 to January 4. The historic house is a Portland holiday tradition, and visiting it is a good way to show kids how Christmas looked in the past.
Was there a famous tree donation in Portland?
Yes. In 2017 the Monument Square tree was a 40-foot fir donated by the LaFlamme family of Westbrook, who had planted it in their yard about 30 years earlier. A four-year-old from the Make-A-Wish Foundation lit it, which made the evening special for the child and for the crowd.
What do kids do at the Portland tree lighting?
In 2024, the day included a princess and superhero meet-and-greet, an outdoor movie watch party and eggnog tastings for adults, with live music and dance starting at 3:30 p.m. Thousands have gathered in past years. Our Portland Christmas events guide on this page has this year's schedule.
Why is Christmas in Portland tied to the waterfront?
Portland is a harbor city, so the water is part of its celebration. The Christmas Boat Parade of Lights fills Portland Harbor each December, and the narrow gauge holiday train runs along Casco Bay. The tree lighting in Monument Square starts the whole season.
Does Portland, Maine have a Christmas parade?
Its best known parade is on the water: the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights in Portland Harbor, usually on the second Saturday of December. Nearby Freeport has a Parade of Lights during its Sparkle Celebration. For this season's confirmed dates, see our Portland Christmas events guide on this page.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Portland?
Look for the winter light sculptures downtown and in parks, which have been part of Portland since 1999, plus the lit tree in Monument Square. The Boat Parade of Lights sparkles on the harbor. Our Portland Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates.
What is Freeport Sparkle Celebration?
It is a nearby holiday celebration in Freeport that ran December 5 to 13 in 2025. It includes a Parade of Lights, a holiday decorating contest, gift certificate giveaways and Santa's arrival at the famous talking tree. It is an easy day trip from Portland.
Is there a holiday train ride in Portland, Maine?
Yes. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad runs a holiday train ride, which in 2025 ran November 15 to December 23. Riders board one of ten decorated coaches and get hot chocolate and cookies. The two-foot gauge train rolls three miles along Casco Bay from Thames Street.
Where else can kids see trains near Portland at Christmas?
Boothbay Railway Village runs holiday trains in December on a narrow gauge steam loop through a recreated Maine village. Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport has restored early 1900s trolleys you can ride, and it welcomes dogs. Check hours before you go, since schedules change.
What is Gardens Aglow near Portland?
Gardens Aglow is the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' holiday light display in Boothbay, a coastal town east of Portland. In 2025 it ran Thursdays through Sundays from November 15 to January 4, and tickets had to be bought in advance, so plan ahead if your family wants to see the lights.
What makes Christmas in Portland different?
Portland combines a very old tree tradition with an artist-made light trail and a harbor boat parade. The tree has been in Monument Square since 1939 or earlier, the winter lights began in 1999, and Mrs. Claus waves from a boat in the harbor.
Sources
- Portland ushers in holiday season with Monument Square tree lighting, The Maine Wire
- Thousands gather for tree lighting in Monument Square, WGME
- Pandora LaCasse's winter light display is part of Portland's identity, Portland Press Herald
- Experience the Magic of the Holidays and Celebrate Christmas in Maine, Visit Portland
- Municipal events shine during the holidays, Portland Press Herald
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Seashore Trolley Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Boothbay Railway Village Museum, Rally Takes the Train
Portland, ME Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Portland, ME this year?
We confirmed 5 for the 2026 season, and 3 of them are free. Good places to start: The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (Dec 5 to Dec 30), Prelude Family Street Festival in Kennebunkport (Dec 11) and Storybook Christmas at Kennebunkport Conservation Trust (Dec 10). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Portland, ME?
Yes, 3 of the 5. Santa Arrives by Lobster Boat in Kennebunkport (Dec 6) is a good one to plan around. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Where can kids meet Santa in Portland, ME?
2 events here include a visit with Santa. Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Are there Christmas story times for kids in Portland, ME?
Yes. Library story times are usually free and walk-in; ones with a meal or a show are ticketed.
Is anything on for kids in Portland, ME on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes. The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! runs through Dec 30.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 2 of the 5 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Portland, ME?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Portland, ME Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.