With a distinctly nautical flavor, the Harbor Lights Festival is fun for the entire family and will help get everyone in the holiday spirit. The Festival will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Festival highlights include Santa and Mrs. Claus and a whole cast of characters arriving in grand style … by boat, of course! There will be horse drawn carriage rides, lap time with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony with caroling and a walk across the footbridge with the Three Wisemen. The evening concludes with the lighted boat parade, where local captains deck their hulls with twinkling lights for a festive spin around the harbor and compete for cash prizes for the most imaginative decorations. Last year, the Chamber added a new event, the “Light the Shore” contest, inviting everyone along the harbor shorefront to decorate their decks, docks and floats! This year’s winner will be announced at the Wrap-up Party at Mine Oyster. Both contests offer a warm sight on a chilly December night that’s sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit!  

A parade viewing party will be held at Mine Oyster from 4 to 6 p.m.  Tickets are $35 each and include two drinks, light hors d’oeuvres and a warm spot to take in the Lighted Boat Parade. A wrap-up and awards party open to the public will be held at Mine Oyster from 6 to 9 p.m. This year, Mine Oyster will have a special designated area where captains and their crew can enjoy the festivities after the parade. 

To reserve tickets for the Mine Oyster Parade Viewing Party or for more information on the Festival, please call Kathrine Norcott at the Chamber, 633-2353.  If you would like to register for the Lighted Boat Parade or the Light the Shore contest, please call the Chamber at 633-2353.  

Special thanks go to this year’s Harbor Lights Festival Sponsors: St. Andrews Village, Boothbay Harbor Apparel, Seacoast Security, The Thistle Inn, First Federal Savings and Loan, The Flagship Inn, Camden National Bank, Harbor Fest, LCI Communications and the town of Boothbay Harbor. 

Schedule of events for the 2018 Harbor Lights Festival  

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Craft Show at the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station 

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Festival of Trees at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor 

1 p.m.: Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by boat at the Boothbay Harbor Town Landing 

1:30-3:30 p.m.: Visits and photos with Santa at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library 

1:30-4 p.m: Horse drawn wagon rides; rides begin at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House 

2-3:30 p.m.: Story Time at Sherman’s Bookstore 

4 p.m.: Caroling and ighting of the Christmas Tree on the Boothbay Memorial Library lawn 

4-6 p.m.: Grand opening reception for Art in the Square, Boothbay Region Art Foundation 

4-8 p.m.: Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 

4:30 p.m.: Live Nativity at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church 

4-6 p.m.: Parade Viewing Party at Mine Oyster, Pier 1 ($35/person light hors oeuvres and two drink tickets) 

5 p.m.: Lighted Boat Parade and Light the Shore in the inner harbor 

6-9 p.m.: Wrap up and Awards Party at Mine Oyster on Pier 1