Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude runs December 3–13, 2026. Most events are free. The two big days are Sunday, December 6, when Santa arrives by lobster boat, and Friday, December 11, when the Family Street Festival and the fireworks (6:15 p.m.) take over Dock Square. Below are the key dates, what costs money, and where to park. We checked every detail against the official Prelude pages on November 7, 2026.
Key Dates for 2026
- Thursday, Dec. 3: Dock Square tree lighting at 6 p.m. (caroling starts at 5:30), then the Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tree Lighting, 7–8 p.m.
- Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 4–6 and Dec. 11–13: holiday trolley rides at the Seashore Trolley Museum, $15 per person, about 25 minutes.
- Saturday, Dec. 5: craft fair (9 a.m.–3 p.m.), Prelude boat rides (10 a.m.–4 p.m., $10, cash only), the Adopt-A-Tree Festival (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) and the Hat Parade (3–4 p.m.).
- Sunday, Dec. 6: Santa arrives by lobster boat on the Kennebunk River, then docks at the Nonantum Resort for free activities. The official pages list the timing about 30 minutes apart (roughly 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.), so confirm before you go.
- Friday, Dec. 11: the Family Street Festival in the afternoon, with roads closed from Dock Square through Lower Village, and the 15th annual Christmas fireworks at 6:15 p.m. Good viewing spots are the Mathew Lanigan Bridge in Dock Square, the South Congregational Green, and near the bridge in Lower Village.
- Saturday, Dec. 12: trolley rides, plus the second weekend’s shuttle and trolley service (see parking below).
The official schedule at christmasprelude.com had events listed through December 8 when we checked, so look there for the later days.
What Does It Cost?
The Prelude’s FAQ says most events are free and that anything with a charge is marked on the schedule. Free items include the tree lightings, Santa’s lobster boat arrival, the fireworks, the Hat Parade and Mrs. Claus storytime. Paid examples from the 2026 schedule:
- Seashore Trolley Museum trolley rides: $15 per person (children under 2 on a lap are free)
- Prelude boat rides: $10, cash only, no reservations
- Victorian-era mansion tours at White Columns: $22 per person
- Candlelight Victorian tours at White Columns: $25 per person
- “The Official” Dock Square walking tour: $25 per person, advance tickets
- Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at the Nonantum: $35 adults, $20 ages 2–12 (reservations required)
- Prelude brunch buffet at Ultramar: $65 per person
- Candlelight Christmas Party at White Columns: $75 non-members, $65 members
- Craft fair: $2 suggested donation
Parking and Shuttles
Parking is the hard part of Prelude weekends. These are the options listed on the official Parking & Shuttles page:
- Municipal lot behind Alisson’s Restaurant (11 Dock Square): $5 per hour, benefits a local nonprofit. It is limited and fills up early.
- Municipal lot beside the Kennebunkport Fire Station (30 North St.): free, about a 5-minute walk to Dock Square. A RideMaine shuttle is also listed at $5 per person per day.
- Colony Hotel (140 Ocean Ave.): $25 for all-day parking, with a free Intown Trolley to Dock Square and Lower Village. Trolley days are Saturday Dec. 5 (9 a.m.–9 p.m.), Sunday Dec. 6 (10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.) and Saturday Dec. 12 (10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.).
- Quest Fitness shuttle (2 Livewell Dr., Kennebunk): $25 covers all-day parking and a shuttle ticket to Village Marketplace in Lower Village. It runs Fridays Dec. 4 and 11 (3:30–10 p.m.) and Saturdays Dec. 5 and 12 (10 a.m.–8 p.m.).
- RideMaine Prelude Shuttle: free rides sponsored by Maine Community Bank on Friday Dec. 4 (4–8 p.m.), Saturday Dec. 5 (8 a.m.–1 p.m.) and Saturday Dec. 12 (8 a.m.–2 p.m.), connecting the North Street lot, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Cape Porpoise. Availability is limited; book through the TaxiCaller for Passengers app or by text to 207-502-5067.
- Shipyard Shops and Village Marketplace in Lower Village: private paid parking, so check the fees on arrival. On-street parking is limited in both towns.
Tips for Visiting
- Most shops in Dock Square, Ocean Avenue and Lower Village stay open until 8 p.m. or later on Prelude weekends.
- Ten portable restrooms are placed in Lower Village, Dock Square and Cape Porpoise.
- Events run rain or snow. The Prelude says they rarely cancel unless there is a major blizzard or safety issue, and postponements are posted on its official Facebook page.
- You can text PRELUDE to 226787 to get the event’s safety alerts.
- For Santa’s arrival, the river side of the Mathew Lanigan Bridge in Dock Square is a recommended viewing spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Christmas Prelude?
December 3–13, 2026. The official site bills it as “45 Years of Magic.”
Is the Christmas Prelude free?
Most events are free. Anything with a charge is marked on the official schedule, and some events, such as the trolley rides, need tickets or reservations.
When are the Kennebunkport fireworks?
Friday, December 11, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. It is the 15th annual display, set off over the cove and visible from the Mathew Lanigan Bridge and around Dock Square.
When does Santa arrive?
Sunday, December 6, by lobster boat on the Kennebunk River, followed by free all-ages activities at the Nonantum Resort. The official pages differ slightly on the exact time, so check the schedule that week.
Where should I park?
The free lot beside the fire station on North Street is a short walk from Dock Square. The lot behind Alisson’s is closer but costs $5 an hour and fills early. See the parking and shuttles section for shuttle options.
Our details come from the official Christmas Prelude schedule, FAQ and Parking & Shuttles pages at christmasprelude.com, and the Seashore Trolley Museum listing on the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce site, all checked November 7, 2026. Times, prices and schedules can change, so confirm on the official pages before you go.