Ogunquit’s annual Christmas by the Sea festival is one of our favorites. For us, the energy of the many winter activities and the fun that our guests have brings to life the joy of the season.

At our Ogunquit hotel, we celebrate with holiday fun on site throughout the weekend. Classic Christmas movies fill the afternoon and evening. Favorites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Mr Magoo’s Christmas Carol for the little ones and for those a little older, The Grinch and It’s A Wonderful Life. And just in case one can’t wait for the 24 hour A Christmas Story marathon , we throw that one in too. Carolers welcome you in our West Meadow Pub – it’s a great sing-a-long and we have the fire roaring in our field stone fireplace.  And since we all keep hearing how stressful the holidays are, Your Body Works gives away free massage chair treatments in our lobby. Now that’s holiday relief!

Throughout Ogunquit Village there’s even more. We really enjoy the bonfire on Friday night on Ogunquit Beach. It’s a beautiful sight – especially as the bonfire blazes through the snow flurries. On Saturday, stop by the outstanding bake sale with excellent cookies and treats. Piles of sweets. Mounds of brownies and candies. But get there early for items like Janet’s Flourless Chocolate Cake, a favorite treat (and a way out of cooking dessert this holiday too!). Also on Saturday, save some room for the ChowdaFest Competition. While there is an admission, there’s also endless chowder and important bragging rights on the line. Drop your chip in your favorite restaurant’s bucket and they could be named Ogunquit’s Best Chowda!

However, there’s no competing with the Big Man, Numero One on everyone’s mind – Santa. Naughty, nice – he’s in town checking his list Saturday morning. He’s even willing to take a photo or two. We got him here with some treats and rumor has it the folks at Clay Hill Farm have connections up North. So if you need to make a case for that wish list, Ogunquit’s the place to be.

Happy Holidays! See you by the Sea!

Christmas by the Sea Festivities & Calendar of Events

Friday

Carolers. Throughout town, stopping at sponsors’ locations. Sponsored by Meadowmere Resort, Julie’s Ristorante, Five-O Shore Road, Gorges Grant Hotel, Juniper Hill Inn, Wild Blueberry Cafe.

Concert by Melodies and Memories, A Barbershop Quartet. Ogunquit Baptist Church. Sponsored by Anchorage by the Sea, Barrel Stave and Out of the Blue.

Bonfire. Ogunquit Main Beach. Sponsored by Meadowmere Resort.

Saturday

Hay Rides. (Weather permitting.) Originating from Veteran’s Park, Beach Street.

Kids’ Ornament-Making. Ogunquit Baptist Church, downstairs. Sponsored by Raspberri’s Restaurant.

3rd Annual Arts & Crafts Show. Firs Station, downstairs. Featuring many fine New England artisans. Free admission. Sponsored by Ogunquit Fire Rescue. Proceeds benefit Ogunquit Fire Rescue.

Visit with Santa. Fire Station, upstairs. Santa will be available for a chat and photos. Santa courtesy of Clay Hill Farm. Photos courtesy of Ogunquit Camera Shop and Santa’s treats courtesy of Harbor Candy Shop.

Bake Sale and Ornament Sale. Dunaway Center, downstairs. Come try the homemade treats lovingly baked by our members, and take advantage of our reduced prices to stock up on the limited edition Christmas by the Sea ornaments you may be missing! Sponsored by Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce.

The “Giving Tree” Silent Auction. Dunaway Center, downstairs. Theme-decorated artificial trees have been donated by local businesses, groups, and individuals, to be silent auctioned. Come see the popular Lottery Tree. 100% of the proceeds to benefit Hospice of York.

Chowder & Chocolatefest. 18th Annual Chowder Tasting Competition. Dunaway Center, upstairs. This year, we’re adding a chocolate dessert competition! Area restaurants compete – you be the judge! Present a non-perishable food item at the door and be entered to win gift certificates from the winning businesses. Donated food items will be delivered to St. Mary’s Ecumenical Food Pantry and York Community Food Pantry. Once within, please help Santa fill the stockings of the Chamber’s non-profit members. Stocking donations will go directly to the member organization of your choice.

Open House. Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Winn House. 18th century decorations, special Santa and angel exhibit, menorah exhibit and holiday refreshments.

Storytelling with Diana Abbott. Ogunquit Library. Sponsored by Animal Instinct.

The Village Spirit Committee presents the Christmas Parade. Beginning at the Main Beach and ending at Perkins Cove.

Children’s Christmas Plays by Danie Connolly. Dunaway Center, upstairs. Preview two short plays about Christmas. Performed by area high school kids. Sponsored by Pink Blossoms.

Tree Lighting & Caroling. Rotary Park, Perkins Cove. Christmas tree sponsored by Ogunquit Rotary Club. Caroling led by the realtors of Rivers by the Sea.

Candlelight Walk, Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Baptist Church. Luminaries sponsored by Spoiled Rotten. Walk sponsored by Rivers by the Sea. Living Manger sponsored by Ogunquit Baptist Church.

Concert by Melodies and Memories, A Barbershop Quartet. Ogunquit Baptist Church. Sponsored by Norseman Resort.

Candlelight Walk, Ogunquit Baptist Church to Veteran’s Park. Sponsored by Rivers by the Sea.

Town Tree Lighting & Caroling. Veteran’s Park. Announcement of the town-wide decorating contest winners. Hot cider and cookies provided by Village Food Market. Tree decorating courtesy of Spoiled Rotten.

Sunday

Hay Rides. (Weather permitting.) Originating from Veteran’s Park, Beach Street.

FREE Gift Wrapping; Drop Box for Caring Unlimited. Gypsy Sweethearts Restaurant. Purchase your holiday gifts at our members’ shops, then bring them to be wrapped for free! (See the attached list of open member businesses.) Gift wrapping sponsored by Gypsy Sweethearts Restaurant and Harbor Candy Shop. In the holiday spirit, purchase something extra for Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence program. We will also have our limited edition ornaments available at reduced prices.

Ogunquit Open House. Come in and view our members’ properties decked out for the holidays. Please see the map for participating locations.

Open House. Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Winn House. 18th century decorations, special Santa and angel exhibit, menorah exhibit and holiday refreshments.

Community Events:

Saturday:

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast. Wells-Ogunquit Senior Center, 300 Post Road. All you can eat pancake breakfast with sausage, orange juice and coffee.

Holiday Shopping. Throughout town. Most shops serving refreshments. In the holiday spirit, pick up an extra gift for Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic abuse program. The Ogunquit Chamber will collect your donations and wrap your other gifts for free on Sunday. Participating businesses will have a Caring Unlimited Wish List. Please see the attached list of open member businesses.

Sunday:

Holiday Shopping. Throughout town. Most shops serving refreshments. In the holiday spirit, pick up an extra gift for Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic abuse program. The Ogunquit Chamber will collect your donations and wrap your other gifts for free on Sunday. Participating businesses will have a Caring Unlimited Wish List. Please see the attached list of open member businesses.

24th Annual Southern Maine Christmas Parade. Wells Plaza to Wells Junior High. Sponsored by Wells Chamber of Commerce.