BELFAST — Belfast residents will begin gathering at Post Office Square for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, beginning at 4:30 p.m., on November 30, 2024, around the tree donated by Savage Farms.

Attendees will enjoy carols and cookies baked by the Culinary Arts Program at the Waldo County Technical Center. Shortly before 5 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a Belfast Fire Department engine to greet the hundreds of children and adults.

Mayor Eric Sanders will lead the countdown from 10 till the tree lights magically come on. After the tree is lit, families can head to KeyBank to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The tree lighting is sponsored by First National Bank.

"Thank you to the many volunteers, the City of Belfast, Belfast Parks and Recreation, Belfast Public Works, Belmont Boatworks, Central Maine Power, and Reynolds Electric for your support in pulling this anticipated event together every year," said Out Town Belfast, in a news release.

The day begins with the 15th Small Business Saturday.

Shop small and support more than 80 small businesses in Belfast’s historic downtown commercial district on Saturday, November 30 for 

"When you shop small you are supporting your family, friends, and neighbors who have contributed to the vibrancy of our working year-round downtown by running a small business that creates jobs, boosts our local economy, and contributes to making Belfast a healthy, thriving city," said Our Town. "Shopping small for the holidays also helps to bolster our local merchants, helping them through the oncoming shoulder season of January to May."

Bring your (or pick one up) Downtown Holiday Passport with you when you shop downtown throughout the holiday season. Fifty five (55) businesses are participating in the passport program this year that is again sponsored by Rollies Bar & Grill. When you make a purchase, have your passport stamped (one stamp per business). When you have a minimum of five (5) stamps, you can turn it in (do not forget to include your name) for a chance to win one of the gift card raffles ranging from $50 to $500. The Passport Program ends on Sunday, December 15, at 9 p.m. Winners will be announced on the OTB website, FB page, and a dedicated newsletter on Tuesday, December 17. Learn more about these and all Our Town holiday plans at https://ourtownbelfast.org/downtown-for-the-holidays/.

Our Town Belfast is a community-driven and nationally accredited Main Street organization whose mission is to grow and sustain our historic downtown while celebrating our unique cultural heritage. We believe in supporting local businesses, honoring our heritage through historic preservation, and bringing together the community to make downtown Belfast a better place to live, work and play. Our Town Belfast envisions a vibrant future in which our waterfront, commercial district, treasured historic buildings, and outdoor public spaces are alive with activity.