Wanderlusting: Kennebunkport at Christmas Time

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is the quintessential New England town. Located on the well known coast of Maine and discovered in 1653 before officially being established in 1820, it is rich in history, old New England architecture, and to feed the nautical heart, especially mine! Known for its ship building and fishing, in many ways it feels like taking a step back in time.    

Kennebunkport has all the Nantucket vibes without the hassle of being on an actual island which makes it the perfect place to visit year round. Yes, even in the cold winter months. From walks along the beach in Cape Porpoise to strolling around Dock Square window shopping, to driving around admiring all the Victorian houses and maybe catching a glimpse of the Wedding Cake House, Kennebunkport is a nice respite from the hectic hustle and bustle of life, if you love the ocean and are craving amazing food, especially seafood!

Christmas Prelude

While Kennebunkport is a true coastal town, unlike its’ neighbors that shutter their doors come Columbus Day Weekend, Kennebunkport is festive long into January with what is known as Christmas Prelude.

Christmas prelude is celebrated over the course of two weeks the beginning of December, though decorations stay up until after the New Year. During Christmas prelude, they light their tree which is decorated with buoys and a lobster star. They will have parades and costume contests, and Santa even arrives in a lobster fishing boat. It is one big festive celebration that they have been doing for 39 years.

Unfortunately, thanks to COVID, this year was a little different and they decided to do everything virtually. Despite that, Dock Square still looked like the New England version of Whoville. The town was so incredibly festive and decorated with their signature quaintness. And I was one hundred and ten percent here for it, hand sanitizer, masks and all!

All Decked Out

I felt like a kid in a candy store as I walked along Dock Square. It was freezing, but I was so happy, that to quote Elsa, “The cold didn’t bother me anyway!” Everything was decorated to Christmas perfection, from garland strung across the bridge railings, to a Christmas tree in a boat, to all the stunning wreaths, some filled with nautical details that had me fan girling, I was in my element.

This season, this year, really has been an interesting one, and it was SO nice to be able to go and safely explore a town and take all the pictures. (and I really do mean ALL the pictures!) There weren’t many people around, and those who were, were great about social distancing so I didn’t feel stressed or unsafe. 

In fact, after a stressful couple months, it was exactly what I needed to center myself and rejuvenate. I haven’t been able to travel the world like I wanted too, but this year I have had the incredible opportunity to really explore and experience Maine in a way that I hadn’t been able to before and that is a gift and a bright side to all of this. It truly was a Nautical Christmas and I can not wait to go back next year to hopefully really experience a true Prelude Christmas. Until then I definitely will see you again Kennebunkport! 

Have you been to Kennebunkport? Does your town do anything special for the holidays? 

If you missed it, here are the other Nautical Christmas Links:

Day 1 Blogmas 
Day 2 Tips on Trimming the Tree
Day 3 Hallmark Graphic Tee
Day 4 Tips on Wrapping The Perfect Present 
Day 5 2020 Christmas Skating Ornament
Day 6 Saint Nicholas Day
Day 7 A Christmas Graphic Sweatshirt
Day 8 Favorite Christmas Quotes 
Day 9 North Pole Village
Day 10 Getting Craft: Christmas Elf Ornaments
Day 11: Friday Favorites
Day 12: Advent Calendar
Day 13: Christmas PJ’s
Day 14: Christmas Cards
Day 15: Holiday Activities to do this year
Day 16: My Skating and Christmas Oasis
Day 17: Buffalo Plaid 
Day 18: First Snow Fall of the Season 
Day 19: Festive Nails