The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be the sponsor of the 31st annual Harbor Lights Festival. The festival runs from Friday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 4 and will offer a variety of enjoyable holiday events throughout the weekend, in conjunction with Gardens Aglow, and The Boothbay Festival of Lights.

Among the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season, will be “Home for the Holidays” the Boothbay Region Garden Club’s 14th annual Festival of Trees at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House from Dec. 2 through the Dec. 4. The Festival of Trees is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Don’t miss out on Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' spectacular light show, Gardens Aglow from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance by either calling the Gardens at 633-8000 or online at http://www.mainegardens.org/calendar-events/gardens-aglow/

On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. make sure to visit the Annual Craft Show to be held at the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station featuring hand crafted items, food, and baked goods.

The highlight of the day’s festivities begins when Santa, Mrs. Claus and his North Pole Entourage arrive at the Boothbay Harbor Public Landing at 1 p.m., aboard Captain Bill Campbell’s Novelty boat. Once the Novelty is docked, Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with the elves, will be escorted on a horse-drawn carriage ride through town and presented at the footsteps of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library for Santa’s most important mission for the day: Visits and photos with Santa!

Another highly anticipated part of the day is Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn carriage rides that will carry passengers throughout the downtown streets of the Harbor from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The carriage rides are sponsored by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce and through the generosity of the town of Boothbay Harbor.

Story Time will behosted by Sherman’s Bookstore beginning at 2 p.m. and running until 3:30 pm. All children and parents are welcome to attend and enjoy your favorite holiday classics read aloud.

The official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carol Sing will begin at 4 p.m. where Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Elves, and the Boothbay Region Community Band will lead a Holiday Sing-A-Long on the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn.

From 4 to 6 p.m., visit Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s grand opening for “Art in the Square.”

At 4:30 p.m., be sure to visit the Live Nativity and meet the Three Wise Men at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Atlantic Avenue.

To round up the Harbor Lights festivities is the popular Lighted Boat Parade beginning at 5 p.m. Local fishermen, lobstermen, tour boats, sail boats and our very own US Coast Guard will be on hand to circle the harbor and compete for the “Best in Fleet” title. Immediately following the parade, the festivities will continue at Mine Oysterrestaurant where guests can enjoy a cash bar during the wrap-up party and awards ceremony. As in past years, each and every lighted boat parade participant will receive a cash prize, including a grand prize of $250 for the winner, $150 for second and $100 for third. A limited number of tickets will be available at the Chamber for a Parade Viewing Party at Mine Oyster. Tickets are $25 each and include food, two drink tickets and a warm spot to watch the Lighted Boat Parade.

Show your community and holiday spirit with the Harbor Lights Window Decorating Contest, back for 2016. We are encouraging local merchants and business owners to show their holiday spirit. Please remember to sign up so that your window can be judged for the grand prize of a basic membership for a year for a non-member winner or an enhanced website listing for a member. Entry registrations are available at the chamber and must be received by Thursday, Dec. 1 in order to compete.

A variety of weekend lodging packages will be available throughout the Boothbay Harbor Region, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a weekend getaway in the lovely harbor village that knows how to have fun.

The Harbor Lights Festival is a Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce sponsored event along with the town of Boothbay Harbor. The Chamber of Commerce would like to offer its sincere thanks to the following event sponsors for their support and generosity: Town of Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Public Library, Hannaford Supermarket, Mine Oyster, Baldwin Realty, Boothbay Harbor Fire Department, Michael Maxim, Alan P Baldwin, Balmy Days Cruises, Woodfield Farm Carriage Rides, Country Coach Charters, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as their merry band of elves!

Boothbay Harbor is located approximately one hour and fifteen minutes north of Portland off US Route 1. For a list of businesses participating in this event and other event information, visit the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce website www.boothbayharbor.com , the Harbor Lights Facebook page at www.facebook.com/harborlightsbbh or call 207.633.2353.