Like the rest of the world, Maine businesses are navigating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to check websites for your destinations before visiting for the latest health and safety guidelines in place, and please remember to be patient and kind while visiting.
Holiday Shopping in Maine
Maine’s shopping is worth a visit year-round, but during the winter holidays, communities across the state step up their game to celebrate the season.
There are holiday art and craft fairs like the Maine College of Art’s Holiday Sale, online for 2020, where you can purchase artwork made by both students and staff, and towns that recreate traditional European Christmas markets with food and drink and outdoor shopping. Kennebunkport’s annual Christmas Prelude has been reimagined for 2020 due to coronavirus. It'll include a weekend outdoor Christmas Market, plenty of decorations and lots of holiday food and shopping.
Portland – with its Old Port charm – is ideal for holiday shopping. Clothing, cookware, specialty food and drink and gifts for everyone on your list can be found as you stroll the cobblestone streets.
Freeport is known for its elegant outlet stores and, of course, L.L.Bean’s impressive flagship location but the town’s Sparkle Celebration takes it up a notch! Check the website for events this year including Giveaways with the Stealth Elf, Sparkle Market Pop-Up Shops and new COVID-safe/socially-distanced surprises!
Kittery’s countless outlets (okay, there are more than 100) are the perfect one-stop shopping destination. Near the New Hampshire border and minutes from the interstate, holiday shopping here offers affordable convenience.
And don’t miss Maine’s downtowns this time of year as holiday shopping gears up and shops and galleries warmly welcome shoppers with the most unique gifts.