Christmas By The Sea
Christmas By The Sea - A unique Camden, Maine holiday festival that combines tradition with local seaside flair
Most people would agree that Christmas is one of the best times of year. For Rockland locals and tourists alike, this is even more accurate. Just a short distance away, Camden, Maine is known for its “Christmas by the Sea” festival that is a loved event by people of all ages. This festival, a treasured tradition for more than twenty years, brings together the seaside village of Camden as well as the people and businesses in the neighboring communities of Lincolnville and Rockport.
The festivities begin with the Christmas Parade that travels through downtown Camden to Harbor Park. Its last stop is the famous Community Tree Lighting ceremony, in which people travel from nearby towns to see this beautiful display. Santa and his helper, Ellen the Elf, usually show up in a lobster boat instead of a sleigh, and then zip around town like magic, making sure they get to see each and every child. Santa is available for free photos in both Camden and Lincolnville, and he is known to show up at the famous Camden Public Library for a special Christmas story time!
This time of year also lends itself to other perks for adults. Local stores are known for their beautiful holiday crafts and special annual sales. Delicious restaurants showcase unique culinary creations and offer guests a variety of dining specials during this holiday season. And on your walking travels, be sure to visit the Lincolnville Community Bonfire for some hot chocolate.
There is also one shining star to this time of year that everyone needs to experience. Every year on Thanksgiving night, people at Camden Hills State Park light a giant star atop the tower at the summit of Mt. Battie. The star is powered by a generator, which has been manually fired up each night for over forty years. On most nights, you can’t see the outline of the mountain, so the star appears to be magically floating in the sky. It is just one more example of why Camden's Christmas by the Sea Festival is one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season.
