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Christmas Lights in Portland, ME
The top places to see Christmas lights in Portland this season are Victoria Mansion Holiday Season (From Nov 27), Maine Celebration of Lights (Nov 27 – Dec 30) and The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge) (Nov 20 – Dec 28). We've mapped 6 displays in Portland and 6 more nearby (4 events, 3 neighborhoods, 2 parades). 8 are free. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 11, 2026
Near Portland (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Portland? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Portland: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Portland?
Popular picks this season include Victoria Mansion Holiday Season (From Nov 27), Maine Celebration of Lights (Nov 27 – Dec 30), The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge) (Nov 20 – Dec 28) and Christmas Prelude (Dec 3 – Dec 13). In all, 12 displays are mapped in and around Portland, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Portland?
Free options include Christmas Prelude, L.L.Bean Northern Lights, Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights and Pandora's Winter Lights, downtown Portland. 8 of the 12 displays near Portland are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Portland?
Yes. Maine Celebration of Lights (Car $22-$25 online, $30 at gate; Flex Pass $30). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
When do Christmas lights start in Portland?
The earliest Portland-area displays turn on Nov 6, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
Want your house to look like this?
Professional Christmas light installers in Portland hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.
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