What to know about Kennebunk’s 10 days of fun
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — The Kennebunks are ready to welcome the holiday season with Prelude, a 10-day celebration that kicks off Thursday, Nov. 30, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 10.
The annual holiday celebration, which “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager last year compared to a “Hallmark Christmas movie,” is bringing back all of the beloved traditions and adding a few new festive touches to boot.
That means merry-makers can look forward to caroling at the Franciscan Monastery, joining the tree-lighting in Dock Square, and marching in the Hat Parade, as well as enjoying such new events as the Lucky Pup Rescue Adopt-aTree Festival and a pre-tree-lighting party at Bradbury Bros. Market in Cape Porpoise.
“Each year, Prelude gets better,” said Ashley Padget, the president of the Kennebunkport Business Association, a group of volunteers who work all year long to plan the event.
For a full schedule of events, please visit the festival’s official website.
Free parking and shuttle bus available for first-time
Padget spoke of one new feature that could prove a game changer. For the first time, free and off-site parking will be available, with a 48-seat bus taking people to and from Prelude.
“You can park at Sea Road School for free, and a custom coach bus – it’s heated, it’s handicap-accessible – will be running on Friday and Saturday both weekends,” Padget said.
Sea Road School is located at 29 Sea Road in Kennebunk. The bus will offer rides between 3:30 and 10 p.m. on both Fridays and between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on both Saturdays.
Also during the festival, for $5 per day, RideMaine will be providing a shuttle service from the parking lots at the Village Fire Station at 30 North St. and Chicks Marina at 75 Ocean Ave. The town trolley will also provide rides around Prelude.
More information about parking, both free and for a charge, can be found on
Prelude’s website.
Padget said these parking and shuttling arrangements are the biggest change in Prelude this year. While the festival is always well attended by many thousands, Padget said she hopes that the first-ever parking and transportation offerings will draw even more people to the festivities.
“I hope more locals will come out,” Padget said.
Adopt-a-Tree Festival to benefit Lucky Pup Rescue part of Prelude
While Lucky Pup Rescue is holding its eighth Adopt-a-Tree Festival this holiday season, this is the first time the event will be a part of Prelude.
“It’s exciting – just one more way that Prelude helps raise funds for local nonprofits,” Padget said. “The more, the merrier.”
The Adopt-a-Tree Festival will take place at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, this time from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3.
According to Sue Richardson, of Lucky Pup Rescue, the event will have 40 entries of trees and wreaths and as many as 25 sponsors. The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the organization, which is a family-run, foster-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and finding homes for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds and backgrounds.
“We specialize in the match-making part of the process because our goal is to make the right connection so the dog and family can have a long and happy life together,” Richardson said.
At the event, people will be able to buy raffle tickets in the hopes of winning the tree or wreath that catches their eye. And, of course, while there, people can learn about Lucky Pup Rescue.
Richardson said the organization is excited about being a part of Prelude for the first time.
“We are expecting even higher attendance this year,” she said. “We are excited to make it the best one ever.”
Also new this year – or, rather, back to form – is the lobster trap tree lighting at Cape Porpoise Square. The event will once again be held on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. During the COVID years, that lighting had been held earlier.
The tree in Dock Square will be lit an hour earlier on that first Friday, at 6 p.m. Caroling at the site, however, will begin at 5 p.m.
Midweek Magic returns with Cookie Crawl, Merry Market and more
Prelude is celebrating its 42nd year as a holiday tradition that attracts locals and visitors from around the globe. Originally held during two weekends at the start of the season, the festival added “Midweek Magic” in recent years and became a 10-day stretch of holiday happenings.
“We are working hard to build Midweek Magic events for travelers looking to extend their stay and locals hoping to enjoy a less hectic celebration,” Padget said.
This year, midweek merriment will include a Cookie Crawl, tours of the beautifully decorated White Columns homes, a Merry Market at Maine Art Hill, cookie decorating, art classes, and, on Dec. 7, the return of the popular Storybook Christmas for children.
Santa Claus returns via lobster boat Sunday, Dec. 3
And, of course, what would any discussion about Prelude be without mentioning its most famous annual guest? On Sunday, Dec. 3, Santa Claus will hop on a lobster boat at 12:30 p.m. and will arrive at the Nonantum Resort at 95 Ocean Avenue at 1 p.m.
To wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus and their helpers as they board the boat and depart for the Nonantum, gather on the sidewalk on the Mathew Lanigan Bridge in Dock Square for the best view.
The arrival of the Clauses at the Nonantum will launch Prelude’s signature event: a chance to meet the North Pole couple, take pictures with them, make crafts and enjoy beverages from 1 to 3 p.m.
“We are super excited to have Santa return this year,” said Tina Gordon, the general manager of the Nonantum.