Christmas by the Sea
Ogunquit’s annual Christmas by the Sea celebration runs Friday, December 12 – Sunday, December 14. This beloved weekend fills the town with lights, music, and holiday activities for all ages.
What is Christmas by the Sea?
Christmas by the Sea is Ogunquit’s signature holiday celebration, created through the efforts of local businesses and volunteers. From Ogunquit Village to Perkins Cove, the town sparkles with festive decorations, warm treats, and seasonal cheer.
For a list of activities going on throughout the weekend, check out our .
events page
Make sure to for quick access to all the events happening during Christmas by the Sea while you're here.
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Friday Evening
Festivities begin on Friday at 5:00 PM with Christmas in the Cove, where Ogunquit Parks & Recreation and the Rotary transform Perkins Cove into a holiday wonderland.
Highlights include:
- Free hot chocolate, cookies, and s’mores
- Live holiday music with local favorite Beau Dalleo
- Kids’ craft stations
- A lighted lobster trap tree
- Santa and Mrs. Claus appearances
- Tree lighting at Rotary Park at 6:45 PM
Afterward, stroll through the shops on Shore Road and in Ogunquit Village for a Sip & Stroll, where participating shops serve festive treats and holiday drinks.
End your night at the tree lighting and caroling in Veteran’s Park, which begins at 8:15 PM at the center of town (intersection of Shore Road & Beach Street).
Saturday Family Fun
Saturday is packed with family-friendly activities:
- Story Trees by the Sea at Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Explore community-decorated trees, enjoy storytime, snacks, and a visit from Santa. Free parking available.
- Lunch: Have Pizza with Santa at La Pizzeria.
- Stop by Pepper's Seafood for Cookie Decorating and a Hot Chocolate Bar for kids and adults.
- Christmas Parade: Beginning in Perkins Cove at 3:00 PM, the parade travels up Shore Road and down Beach Street where it ends at Ogunquit Beach. Grab a hot cider or holiday drink from Village Food Market to warm up while watching the parade.
- Bonfire at Ogunquit Beach at 4:00 PM, followed by fireworks at 4:45 PM - a perfect (and warm!) way to end the afternoon.
Sunday Wrap-Up
Finish the weekend with a visit to Santa at the Beachmere Inn, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Enjoy photos with Santa and a lobster trap tree on the Beachmere’s oceanfront lawn — one of the most scenic backdrops in Ogunquit. It’s a perfect spot for a family holiday photo.
Where to Stay
Hotels fill up quickly for Christmas by the Sea, so booking early is recommended. Staying centrally makes it easier to walk to most events, since parking can be limited.
- : Family-friendly with an indoor pool, hot tub, and onsite restaurant. Walkable to both Ogunquit Village and Perkins Cove.Anchorage by the Sea
- : Modern amenities for couples just north of Ogunquit Village, close to shops and restaurants.Grasshopper Inn
- : Budget and family-friendly with an indoor pool and onsite breakfast. A bit farther from the village center.Gorges Grant
Parking
The Lower Parking Lot and Main Beach are town-owned lots within walking distance of most festivities, restaurants, and shops. These lots are free in December.
Perkins Cove has a small town-owned lot that fills early. A larger privately owned (paid) lot, the Perkins Parking Lot, is located just outside the cove at 324 Shore Road.
More Information
Check out our to see a list of events going on throughout the weekend. Or visit the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce for more information.
events page
website
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