Maine

Kennebunkport Christmas Tree

Written by:
Tom Riley
Date Published:
December 2, 2023

"Dock Square" by technodad is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Kennebunkport Christmas Tree at Dock Square in Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport is often rated as one of the greatest towns in New England. It is home to amazing beaches, shops, cafes, restaurants, breweries, and more. Downtown Kennebunkport is the heart and soul of the town year-round. In early December, the main road transforms into what essentially looks like the set of a Hallmark Christmas Movie. Each of the independently owned shops lining the street are maliciously decorated and at the very center of town stands the huge Kennebunkport Christmas Tree.

"Dock Square" by technodad is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Dock Square Christmas Tree is massive. It ranges from 35 to 50 feet in height each year and is always some type of fir tree. The town seeks a donor for the tree each year and oftentimes it is a local resident willing to help. After the tree is selected, it is cut and transported to Dock Square. After it is erected using a crane, it needs to be decorated. The Kennebunkport Christmas tree features at least 5,000 lights, 100 buoys, and 50 wooden lobsters. On the very top of the tree is always a lobster decal.

"dock square, kennebunkport tree." by row4food is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

When it comes to seeing the tree, it is lit each year to kick off Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude. The lighting typically occurs on the first Friday of December. Hundreds, if not thousands, of locals and tourists flock to Dock Square to witness the tree light up, listen to carols from the Kennebunk High School Choir, and support the local shops. Following the tree lighting, there is the Prelude fireworks display which is always spectacular! The Kennebunkport Christmas Tree at Dock Square is definitely one of the top Christmas tree displays to see in New England!

"Kennebunkport Tree & Balls" by Frank Gruber is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Written By

Tom Riley

Tom was born and raised in New England and loves exploring all around the Northeast. From the mountains of New Hampshire to the waterfalls of Vermont, rugged coast of Maine, and white sand beaches of Cape Cod - Tom loves seeing what each state around him has to offer. Tom's favorite quote is by Seneca and it reads, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it." He believes everyday should be spent living life to the fullest!

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