Christmas by the Sea is a December tradition in the Midcoast, with a bevy of events and activities all weekend long in Camden, Lincolnville and Rockport. The kick-off Friday, Dec. 2, includes holiday concerts and the festive parade through downtown Camden, with stores open late, carriage rides, a tree-lighting in Harbor Park, and caroling with Santa Claus. Saturday and Sunday bring many craft fairs and activities throughout the communities, including visits by Santa to Rockport and Lincolnville, a beach bonfire in Lincolnville, ballet performances and more holiday music.

Most events are free or by donation, and there’s plenty of holiday activities to get everyone in the mood for the big day, Dec. 25.

Keep up to date with Christmas  by the Sea on their Facebook page.

Christmas by the Sea
Schedule of Events

Thursday - Dec. 1
5:30-8 p.m. — PAWS Auction for Animals (Samoset Resort, 20 Warrenton St., Rockport)
Silent and live auctions at the Samoset Resort to benefit Paws Animal Adoption Center. There are over 100 items available for auction. Heavy hors d'oeuves will be served along with a cash bar. FMI: PAWS Auction for Animals.

Friday - Dec. 2
All day until 9 p.m. — Holiday Shopping Extravaganza (Downtown Camden)
Featured activities and holiday shopping specials.

Noon — Holiday Music Concert (First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden)
Festive holiday music to enjoy to put you in the spirit for this joyous season.

4:30-6 p.m. — Christmas by the Sea Opening Ceremonies (Camden Public Library)
Holiday selections performed by Camden Hills Regional High School choral and instrumental groups. Bring new or like-new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to decorate the Camden Community Hat and Mitten Tree. Your items will benefit those who need a bit more warmth this winter.

6 p.m. — Christmas by the Sea Parade (Downtown Camden)
A festive parade through Downtown Camden. Floats gather on Union Street Camden and travel down Main Street to the tree lighting with Santa Claus at the Harbor Park. Is your group or business interested in participating in the Christmas by the Sea Parade? Apply online here.

6-8 p.m. — Holiday Open House (Camden National Bank, downtown Camden branch)
Warm up inside with cookies and hot cocoa and holiday music.

6-8 p.m. — Carriage Rides Through Town (Camden)
See the holiday lights decorating the streets of downtown Camden as you ride aboard a horse-drawn carriage. Carriage rides courtesy of Camden National Bank.

6:30-9 p.m. — A Walk Through Bethlehem (Chestnut Street Baptist Church, Camden)
Experience the First Christmas as you stroll through the city to get a personal view of more then 80 costumed cast members as the recreate the city of Bethlehem as it might have been the night of Jesus' birth.

6:30 p.m. — Community Tree Lighting Ceremony (Camden Harbor Park, Atlantic Avenue)
Experience Christmas as you stroll through town to where Santa Claus presides over the community tree-lighting ceremony at Harbor Park, ushering us officially into the holiday season. With schooner masts lit in the background and the star visible above on Mt. Battie, the full sight can only be witnessed from this vantage point in Camden.

7:30 p.m. — The Nutcracker (Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St.)
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets are $18/Adults, $14/Children under 12 and Senior Citizens. Tickets can be purchased online or the day of the show at the Camden Opera House.

Saturday - Dec. 3
8 a.m.-Noon — Holly Berry Fair (Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St.)
Rockport Garden Club brings you Sparkle and Glitz, featuring appetizers and baked goods, and tables full of costume and vintage jewelry. A craft boutique offers hand-crafted items and hand-painted furniture, the Cook's Corner filled with kitchen items, as well as baked goods, quick, ready-to-defrost, frozen soups and appetizers. Also treasures from Granny's attic and several raffles.

9 a.m.–2 p.m. — Local Artisan Craft Fair (First Congregational Church, Camden)
Come run the toughest 5k in Maine! Benefits Augie's Quest for the Treatment and Cure of ALS. Registration at 9 a.m., race begins at 10 a.m.

9 a.m.-Noon — Beltie Holiday (Aldermere Farm, Russell Avenue, Rockport)
Join this unique holiday celebration at Aldermere Farm, Maine Coast Heritage Trust's historic saltwater farm preserve, and enjoy handmade treats, craft memorable gifts for your loved ones, and get your photo taken with a belted Galloway calf.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — St. Thomas Episcopal Church Holiday Fair (33 Chestnut St., Camden)
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church will be holding its annual Christmas Fair, a tradition in Camden. Crafts, Vintage Treasures rummage sale, homemade baked goods and preserves, a raffle of three "Made In Maine" product baskets and one "For Kids" basket, and a soup and bread luncheon. Handicap entrance around the corner on Wood Street.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Local Artisan Fair (First Congregational Church)
Come to shop and be inspired by all of the wonderful creations. There will be an array of jellies, fabric arts, handmade jewelry and local-made crafts.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Face Painting! (25 Mechanic St., in the hallway between Bagel Café and Manny's and Karyl's)
Free face painting. Choose a colorful, creative holiday design and enjoy refreshments that benefit a student program.

9:30 a.m. — Santa Claus Arrives by Boat (Rockport Harbor and Rockport Marine)
Greet Santa as he arrives by boat in Rockport Harbor, followed by photos with Santa and his elf at Rockport Marine, taken by photographer Mark Haskell.

10 a.m. — Frozen 5K (Point Lookout, Route 1, Northport)
Eighth annual Frozen 5K Thomas F. Chester Memorial Run. Registration starts at 9 a.m.; the race begins at 10 a.m. Tickets: $20/person or $30/two adults and two kids. Tickets available at mda.donordrive.com.

10 a.m.-Noon — Holiday Craft Making for Children (Children's House Montessori School, Wood Street, Camden)
Free children's holiday craft activity.

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Holiday Cookie Decorating (YMCA, Union Street, Rockport)
Children can come decorate holiday cookies provided by the Red barn Baking Company with candy decorations provided by Uncle Willy's Candy Shoppe, and frosting provided by 3 Dog Café.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Free Gift Wrapping and Refreshments (Watershed School Open House, 32 Washington, Camden)
Watershed School students will offer complimentary gift-wrapping, hot chocolate and cider, and live music.

Noon — Santa Claus Arrives by Boat (Camden Public Landing)
Santa's reindeer get to take a break as Santa's sleigh turns into a boat and traverses Camden Harbor. Santa will come ashore at the town's Public Landing.

1 p.m. — Free Photos with Santa Claus (Camden Public Library)
Children of all ages will enjoy a treasured photo with Santa and his elf, taken by local photographer Mark Haskell.

3 p.m. —The Nutcracker (Camden Opera House)
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets are $18/Adults, $14/Children under 12 and Senior Citizens. Tickets can be purchased online or the day of the show at the Camden Opera House.

3 p.m. — Bonfire Lighting (Lincolnville Beach, Route 1)
Come enjoy the sights of the beach and Penobscot Bay beyond.

4 p.m. — Tree Lighting and Sing Along (Lincolnville Beach)
This is a special event to mark the holiday season.

4 p.m. — The Ringing of the Bells (First Congregational Church)
A concert of a variety of glorious bell ringers. Doors open 3 p.m. A free-will offering will benefit a local charity.

4:30 p.m. — Santa Claus Arrives by Fire Engine (Lincolnville Beach)
Santa arrives by fire engine to greet children of all ages on the beach at Lincolnville. Visit Santa by the bonfire, sing carols and stay toasty warm.

6-8:30 p.m. — A Walk Through Bethlehem (Chestnut Street Baptist Church)
Experience the First Christmas as you stroll through the city to get a personal view of more then 80 costumed cast members as they recreate the city of Bethlehem as it might have been the night of Jesus' birth.

Sunday - Dec. 4
2-4 p.m. — Ho Ho Holiday Children's Book Fair (Camden Public Library)
Children will be able to purchase books at the event and the local authors will be on-hand to sign them.

3 p.m. — The Nutcracker (Camden Opera House)
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets are $18/Adults, $14/Children under 12 and Senior Citizens. Tickets can be purchased online or the day of the show at the Camden Opera House.