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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

The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge)

Event · Portland, ME · $37 to $111

Opens soon

Nov 20 – Dec 28

Victoria Mansion Holiday Season

Walk-thru · Portland, ME · Ticketed (price not listed)

Opens soon

From Nov 27

Monument Square and Longfellow Square lights

Neighborhood · Portland, ME · Free

Monument Square Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Portland, ME · Free

Pandora's Winter Lights, downtown Portland

Neighborhood · Portland, ME · Free

Portland Harbor Christmas Boat Parade of Lights

Parade · Portland, ME · Free to watch

Near Portland (within 25 miles)

L.L.Bean Northern Lights

Event · Freeport, ME · Free

On now

16 miNov 6 – Jan 18

Maine Celebration of Lights

Drive-thru · Cumberland, ME · Car $22-$25 online, $30 at gate; Flex Pass $30

Opens soon

11 miNov 27 – Dec 30

Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights

Parade · Freeport, ME · Free

Opens soon

16 miDec 4 – Dec 13

Christmas Prelude

Event · Kennebunkport, ME · Free (some rides ticketed)

Opens soon

23 miDec 3 – Dec 13

Downtown Westbrook holiday lights

Neighborhood · Westbrook, ME · Free

6.2 mi

Seashore Trolley Museum Christmas Prelude rides

Event · Kennebunkport, ME · $14 per person (2025)

21 mi

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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