Camden, Lincolnville, Rockport: Nov.30-Dec. 2

Camden Area Business Group gears up for Christmas by the Sea

Tue, 11/13/2018 - 3:30pm

    CAMDEN — Camden gets especially festive on the first weekend of December as the community’s annual Christmas By the Sea celebration kicks off. The event begins Friday afternoon, November 30, as downtown shops stay open late and streets will be lined with decorations. Horse-drawn carriage rides will carry visitors along village streets to see the holiday sights. Annually, onlookers line the streets on opening night to watch the Christmas By the Sea parade with Santa on the last float that makes it way through town. 

    During Christmas By the Sea weekend, community events are held throughout town from Friday afternoon through Sunday, beginning with a 6 p.m. holiday parade.

    Events include special performances at the Camden Public Library, a community tree-lighting with Santa at Harbor Park, an open house at Camden National Bank, and open stores and galleries.

    On Saturday morning, Santa cruises into Rockport Harbor by boat. Santa’s arrival is followed by Pictures with Santa at Rockport Marine. The next stop for Santa will be the Camden Public Landing where he will arrive onshore, courtesy of Lyman Morse. Santa’s arrivals by boat define this unique coastal event, which is Christmas By the Sea.

    Story Hour with Santa, as well as free photos, are offered at the library immediately following his arrival in Camden. Cookie decorating for kids will be held on the lower level of 16 Bay View Hotel starting at 10:30 on Saturday, Dec. 1, sponsored by the Bay View Collection.

    Santa travels to Lincolnville, as well, arriving at the Beach by fire engine at 4:30 p.m., Saturday. The traditional bonfire on the beach will be lighted at 3 p.m. The event is followed by a sandwich supper and photos at Lincolnville’s School House Museum. Later in the evening, from 7-9 p.m., a Christmas Social takes place at the Lincolnville Community Center. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable item to benefit the local food pantry.

    This year, the Camden Area Business Group is hosting Christmas By the Sea. The full schedule of events can be found at the CABG website, under the Events tab. Brochures listing the detailed schedule of community events will be available at the Chamber of Commerce on the Public Landing and will be distributed at downtown businesses.

    Those wishing to participate in the Christmas By the Sea parade should register through the Camden Town Office.

    Valued sponsors of this year’s Christmas By the Sea in addition to The Camden Area Business Group include Camden National Bank, Bay View Collection, Lincolnville Communications Inc., O’Hara Corporation, Union Farm Equipment, First National Bank, Camden Coast Real Estate, Viking Lumber and Mark Haskall.