And while there’s still some time before Christmas Day, several communities across York County will begin their holiday celebrations this weekend with festivals, tree lightings and plenty of cookies to share.
Biddeford
• Biddeford’s Downtown Holiday Festival presented by Heart of Biddeford kicks off Friday at 5:30 p.m. in City Square outside City Hall.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse-drawn sleigh shortly into the event, and Santa and Mayor Alan Casavant will light the city’s holiday tree. Prior to Santa’s arrival, there will be performances by the Academy of Dance and the Dynasty Dance Center.
• There will be visits with Santa for children, who can take home a free photo and a free wrapped gift. Sleigh rides will be be provided, free of charge, until 7:30 p.m. Attendees can participate in a scavenger hunt of the downtown’s latest pop-up shops and new lighting installations, put up this week as part of the “Holiday Lights and Sights” art event.
Saco
• On Saturday, Saco Main Street will host its portion of the Downtown Holiday Festival featuring the annual Parade of Lights. Events begin in the afternoon with crafts and a cookie walk, and children may visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Saco City Hall from 2-4 p.m.
• The city’s tree will be lit at 5 p.m., and there will be a bean supper held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Most Holy Trinity Church.
•The Parade of Lights is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Old Orchard Beach
• The Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Celebration by the Sea from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The event, held at First Street, will feature free refreshments, visits and pictures with Santa Claus and performances by local choirs.
Alfred
• Santa arrives around 6 p.m. Saturday at Parsons Memorial Library. After a tree lighting there, folks can walk over to Alfred Congregational Church for story time and photos, followed by snacks and crafts.
Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
• Kennebunkport’s 35th annual Christmas Prelude presented by the Kennebunkport Business Association kicks off tonight with the Prelude Ale Release Party at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub, 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk from 4-6 p.m. Events, include ornament decorating and musical performances continue throughout the evening.
• On Friday, the tree in Dock Square will be lit at 5:30 p.m., officially reigning in the holiday season. At 7 p.m., the Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tree will be lit in Cape Porpoise Square. Refreshments will be served at Cape Porpoise Fire Station.
• The 11th annual Hat Parade will kick off at 3 p.m. in Dock Square in Kennebunkport. All hat wearers are welcome, and should gather in the town parking lot at 2:45 p.m. The parade marches over the bridge to Best of Everything, where prizes will be awarded. The Lower Village tree will also be lit at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Christensen Lane and Route 35.
• Santa will arrive by lobster boat on Sunday at 2 p.m. He’ll dock at David’s KPT on Ocean Avenue, where kids and parents can follow him and his elves through Dock Square for photos at the Community House on Temple Street.
This is just a sample of this weekend’s Prelude events, and the celebration continues through Dec. 11. For a full schedule of events, visit christmasprelude.com.
Wells
• The Wells High School Drama Club is presenting Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in the school’s new performing arts center, now through Saturday.
The show runs at 7 p.m. tonight and Friday, with a final presentation on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens, and $8 for adults.
Limerick
Limerick will host a Christmas parade on Main Street beginning at noon Saturday. Cookies with Santa will be given out following the parade, and shoppers can stop by the craft fair at Brick Town Hall on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dayton
The Dayton Community Club is hosting a holiday fair at the Dayton Consolidated School, Saturday Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa will be stopping in for a visit at 10 a.m. There will also be a bake sale, The Scholastic Book Fair and much more. Free admission.
Sanford
• In Sanford, the Holly Daze parade downtown steps off at 5:30 p.m. Friday. A tree lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus will take place in Central Park, across from City Hall, immediately following the parade.
• A variety of kids activities will take place downtown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, including cookie decorating and photos with Santa.
Waterboro
Santa will be greeting children at the Waterboro Fire Station, John Smith Road in East Waterboro, from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday.
— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.
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