CAMDEN — Camden’s Christmas by the Sea festivities are set for the long weekend of Dec. 3 – 6. The annual holiday celebration will feature local traditions that have been around for decades and some brand new traditions, as well.

Shops in downtown Camden will be open all weekend and with late hours on Friday evening, offering holiday specials and classic gifts. Opening ceremonies start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday with performances at the Camden Public Library by vocal and instrumental ensembles, followed by a 6 p.m., parade through Camden featuring unicyclists, community floats, fire trucks and vehicles of all kinds. At the end of the parade, the lighting of the community Christmas tree and caroling takes place at Harbor Park.

Horse and wagon rides will take people around town Friday evening, and an open house will be held at Camden National Bank with cookies, cocoa, and entertainment. Atlantic Avenue will be closed to traffic Friday, from 3 to 8 p.m.

Features of the weekend include:

●      Visits by Santa to Rockport Harbor, Camden Harbor and Lincolnville Beach;
●      Cookie decorating at the Penobscot Bay YMCA;
●      Free Photos with Santa at the Camden Public Library and Rockport Marine;
●      Santa’s Story Hour at the Camden Public Library;
●      An annual town celebration at Lincolnville Beach, including Santa’s arrival by fire engine, a bonfire on the beach and live music sponsored by the Lincolnville Business Group.

A variety of activities throughout the weekend will be sponsored by local churches and nonprofit organizations. The P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center fundraising auction will be held at the Samoset Resort on Thursday night, Dec. 3. The Chestnut Street Baptist Church hosts the annual Walk Through Bethlehem, and the Atlantic Ballet Company presents several performances of The Nutcracker at the Camden Opera House. 

A Student Holiday Fair in downtown Camden on Friday afternoon and evening will offer community groups the opportunity to raise funds and promote their organizations through bake sales, raffles and the sale of other holiday goodies. For safety and pedestrian access reasons, fundraising spots are being organized through a signup process this year and spots will be designated for tables. Group leaders should check in at the Camden Town Office to pick up a signup form  or call 236-3353 ext.103. Additional information will be available Friday afternoon at the Smiling Cow for fundraising groups as they set up.

Other events through the Christmas By the Sea weekend include the Holly Berry Fair at the Rockport Opera House, tours of the Conway Homestead hosted by the Camden-Rockport Historical Society, a Beltie Holiday celebration at Aldemere Farm, a choral bell concert at the First Congregational Church, an Art Show at High Mountain Hall, a Holiday Children’s Book Fair at the Camden Public Library and Ann Dodson and Friends’ Holiday Concert at the Congregational Church.

Organizing this year’s event has been a partnership between community volunteers, the Camden Area Business Group and the Town of Camden.  

"Christmas By the Sea is a 29-year Camden tradition that we anticipate each time the holidays come around,” said Karen Brace, Camden’s community development director, in a news release. “The group of people who've stepped forward to create this year's celebration have brought with them new ideas and energy. Citizens are showing us how much they love this event.”

Community volunteers who’ve helped organize Christmas By the Sea are Kathleen Gilbert, Jean White and Patti Siegenthaler. 

Cindy Lampley, of Surroundings, who along with Camden National Bank’s Jody Landrith, represents area merchants on the committee, said that "The Camden Area Business Group is pleased to join the Town of Camden in presenting Christmas by the Sea and continuing this long-standing community tradition. It’s a great time to experience all that Camden offers. We hope everyone will come out to shop downtown Camden’s unique stores, dine at the outstanding restaurants and enjoy the special holiday events throughout the weekend.”

Special thanks to the sponsors of this year’s event:
• The Hawthorne Inn - Christmas By the Sea Parade
Inns at Blackberry Common - Camden Hills High School performances at the Camden Public Library The First Bancorp - the Hat and Mitten Tree
Lincolnville Communications - Harbor Park Christmas Tree
Lodge at Camden Hills - Visit by Santa to Camden Harbor
Rockport Steel - Visit by Santa to Rockport Harbor
Lincolnville Business Group - Visit by Santa to Lincolnville Beach
Red Barn Bakery, Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe and 3 Dogs Café - Cookie decorating event
Global Packing and Shipping - Free Photos with Santa in Camden and Rockport
Pals for Living -  Santa’s Story Hour at the Camden Public Library
Sierra Peaks Tibbetts - Community Sponsor
Lincolnville Business Group - The annual town celebration at Lincolnville Beach including Santa’s arrival by fire engine, a bonfire on the beach, and live music.
Elm Street Marketing Essentials - brochure and posters
West Bay Rotary - donors of the Christmas Tree.

Christmas by the Sea schedule

Thursday - Dec. 3
4 p.m. — 4th annual Community Celebration – New England Real Estate, 98 Elm St., Camden
All are invited to NERE's 4th anniversary celebration. Donations to benefit PAWS Animal Adoption Center Forever Home Capital Campaign will be collected. Stop by on your way to the auction!

5-8 p.m. — P.A.W.S. Auction for Animals – Samoset Resort, Rockport
Silent and live auction and party at the Samoset Resort to benefit PAWS Animal Adoption Center. $20 entrance fee, tickets available at www.pawsadoption.org .

Friday - Dec. 4
All day until 9 p.m. —   Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Featured sales throughout downtown Camden stores.

Noon — Lunchtime Piano and Flute Interlude – First Congregational Church, 33 Elm St., Camden
Presented by Steve Weston and Amy Maier for the holiday season. Free. Donations gratefully accepted in support of Friends of Music concert series.

4:30-6 p.m. — Christmas by the Sea Opening Ceremonies – Camden Public Library
Holiday selections performed by CHRHS vocal groups and instrumental ensembles. Bring new or like new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to decorate the Hat and Mitten Tree.

4:30-8 p.m. — Student Holiday Fair - Downtown Camden
Visit the energy and excitement on Main Street and Atlantic Avenue in Camden where teens promote their bake sales, raffles and other holiday goodies at tables placed throughout the downtown. Proceeds support local student organizations and activities.

6 p.m. — Christmas by the Sea Parade – Downtown Camden
Parade travels from Union Street down Main Street, to Harbor Park.
Is your group or business interested in participating in the Christmas By The Sea Parade? Download and print the Parade Application here.

6-8 p.m. — Holiday Open House - Camden National Bank, 2 Elm St., Camden
Warm up inside with cookies and hot cocoa and holiday music.

6-9 p.m. — A Walk Through Bethlehem – Chestnut Street Baptist Church, Camden
Experience the first Christmas. Walk the streets of Bethlehem, listen to the characters' stories, and visit the stable where Christ was born.

6:30 p.m. Community Tree Lighting Ceremony – Harbor Park, Camden

6:30-8 p.m. — Horse & Carriage Rides – Downtown Camden
St. George Carriage Company rides provided by Camden National Bank. Rides through town begin on Tannery Lane near the Riverhouse.

7:30 p.m. — The Nutcracker – Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St., Camden
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets available at HAV II-Camden, Opera House Video-Belfast, Grasshopper Shop-Rockland and Town Line Video-Waldoboro; and day of show at Camden Opera House.

Saturday - Dec. 5
8 a.m.-noon — Holly Berry Fair – Rockport Opera House
Rockport Garden Club's Sparkle and Glitz; several raffles; baked goods; costume and vintage jewelry; crafted items and hand painted furniture; hostess gifts; cook's corner kitchen treasures; quick, ready-to-defrost soups and appetizers; and treasures from granny's attic.

9 a.m. — Frozen 5k – Point Lookout, Northport
Come run the toughest 5k in Maine! Benefits Augie's Quest for the Treatment and Cure of ALS. Registration at 9:00, race begins at 10:00 am.

9 a.m.-noon — Beltie Holiday – Aldermere Farm, Rockport
Join this unique holiday celebration at Aldermere Farm, Maine Coast Heritage Trust's historic saltwater farm preserve, and enjoy homemade treats, craft memorable gifts for your loved ones and get your photo taken with a belted Galloway calf.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — St. Thomas Episcopal Church Holiday Fair, 33 Chestnut St., Camden
Shop for holiday crafts from our St. Thomas artisans. Warm up with our luncheon of seasonal soup, rolls and gingerbread. Enjoy Polly's Pantry filled with homemade cookies, cakes, candies, jams and jellies. Find that one-of-a-kind gift at Vintage Treasures, and our jewelry table. Visit our raffle table and see our Maine Made basket brimming with local items.  Handicap accessible around the corner on Wood Street.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Local Artisan Fair – First Congregational Church, 33 Elm St., Camden
Fabric arts, handmade jewelry, delicious jams and jellies, browse through a glittering array of locally made crafts! A great opportunity to find that one-of-a-kind gift, or maybe something for yourself.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Craft Fair – Windward Gardens, 105 Mechanic St., Camden
Vendors, crafts, food items, lunch and snacks along with dessert items and music by David Clarke.

9:30 a.m. — Santa Arrives – Rockport Harbor
Greet Santa as he arrives by boat in Rockport Harbor, followed by free photos with Santa at Rockport Marine, taken by photographer Mark Haskell.

10 a.m.-noon — Holiday Craft Making for Children – Children's House Montessori School, 58 Elm St., Camden
New this year, children (accompanied by parents) can create holiday crafts in the old Elm Street school building. Free and open to all.

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Holiday Cookie Decorating – YMCA, 116 Union St., Rockport
New this year, children (accompanied by parents) can decorate holiday cookies provided by Red Barn Baking Company with candy decorations provided by Uncle Willy's Candy Shoppe.

Noon —  Santa Arrives by Boat – Camden Harbor, Public Landing
Story hour with Santa at the Camden Public Library.

1 p.m. — Free Photos with Santa at Camden Public Library, Atlantic Avnenue
Photos taken by photographer Mark Haskell.

1-4 p.m. — Camden-Rockport Historical Society open for tours
The Historical Society (just south of Hannaford Supermarket) will be open for tours of the historic 1780s Conway Homestead which will be decorated for the holidays.

3 p.m. — The Nutcracker – Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St.
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets will be available at HAV II-Camden, Opera House Video-Belfast, Grasshopper Shop-Rockland and Town Line Video-Waldoboro; and day of show at Camden Opera House.

3:30 p.m. — Ringing in the Season Christmas Concert – First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden
Features Choral Bells, Joyful Bells, Penobscot Bay Ringers, Pine Tree Academy Bell Ringers and handbell soloist Debra Hall, with Steve Weston on piano. A Massed Ring will conclude the program. Doors open 3 p.m. Pre-show music with Midcoast Harps and Friends starts at 3:30 p.m. A free-will offering will benefit the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry.

3:30 p.m. — Bonfire Lighting – Lincolnville Beach, Route 1
Come enjoy the sights as the bonfire is lit.

4 p.m. — Tree Lighting and Sing Along – Lincolnville Beach, Route 1

4:30 p.m. — Santa Arrives – Lincolnville Beach, Route 1
Santa arrives by fire engine.

5-9 p.m. — 8th annual Art Show – High Mountain Hall, 5 Mountain St., Camden
Reception with wine and light hors d'oeuvres. Wayfinder Schools Benefit Raffle featuring 18K gold earrings with diamonds by Patty Bolz . Works by Patty Bolz, Monica Kelly, Antonia Munroe, Margaret Rizzio, Anneli Skaar and Lucinda Zeising will be featured.

6-8:30 p.m. — A Walk Through Bethlehem – Chestnut Street Baptist Church, 33 Chestnut St., Camden
Experience the first Christmas. Walk the streets of Bethlehem, listen to the characters' stories, and visit the stable where Christ was born

Sunday - Dec. 6
11 am-4 p.m. — 8th annual Art Show – High Mountain Hall, 5 Mountain St., Camden
Works by Patty Bolz, Monica Kelly, Antonia Munroe, Margaret Rizzio, Anneli Skaar and Lucinda Zeising will be featured.

2 p.m. — Wreaths Across America (approximate time)
Watch the Patriot Escort truck parade pass through Lincolnville, Camden, Rockport and beyond as they transport wreaths from Harrington, down the East Coast to Arlington National Cemetery to be placed on veterans' graves.

2-4 p.m. — Ho Ho Holiday Children's Book Fair – Camden Public Library, Atlantic Avenue
The Camden Public Library and Sherman's Books present a meet and greet with authors and illustrators along with book signing. This is a fabulous opportunity for some special gift giving ideas! Authors to include Chris Van Dusen... and more.

3 p.m. — The Nutcracker – Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St., Camden
Atlantic Ballet Company's full length version of this magical holiday production. Tickets will be available at HAV II-Camden, Opera House Video-Belfast, Grasshopper Shop-Rockland and Town Line Video-Waldoboro; and on the day of the show at Camden Opera House.

7 p.m. — Anne Dodson & Friends 28th annual Winter Program – First Congregational Church, 33 Elm St., Camden
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets available at the Owl & Turtle-Camden and Rock City Café-Rockland.

For more information about the weekend’s events, visit camdenmaineexperience.com or pick up a brochure at the Chamber of Commerce, the Camden Town Office, or downtown Camden merchants.