Our round-up of MDI region holiday events . . . so far.
Dec 03, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—It’s December, and it’s a month full of holiday events, fun and celebrations.
The celebrations we know of, we’ve listed here. If there is something we missed, just let us know and we’ll get it right in! There’s a message button at the end of the story.
As we learn of things, we’ll update this story. Events (both holiday inspired and otherwise) are also listed in our weekly THINGS TO DO.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
Holiday Craft Fair. Atlantic Oceanside, Bar Harbor.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Island Arts Association makes 50 look really good.
Holiday Crafternoon, Jesup Library, Bar Harbor.
3 – 4:30 p.m. It’s a holiday crafternoon at the library with Mike Duffy.
Village Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Comes to Town. Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce sponsors a tree lighting and Santa on the Village Green.
4:30 p.m. Gather for hot chocolate and cookies.
5 p.m. Santa arrives, reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and lights the tree.
A short time later: Santa and crew head to the MDI YMCA via Main Street. Photos, crafts and more all happen in the Y’s gym on Park Street.
Village Holiday Sale. Downtown Bar Harbor.
6 to 10 p.m. Many local businesses will be open for sales and shopping. You can see who will be open late here.
Bar Harbor Congregational Church Nativity Scene, Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor.
6 p.m. The annual Living Nativity Scene happens outside the Bar Harbor Congregational Church. It usually lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes.
A Christmas Story!
7 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Northeast Harbor Christmas Festival, multiple locations, Northeast Harbor.
It’s an all-day celebration in Northeast Harbor. Events are included in the list below.
Neighborhood House Frosty 5K, Northeast Harbor.
- 8:30 AM – Registration
- 9:00 AM – Walker Start Time
- 9:15 AM – Kids’ Run
- 9:30 – Runner Start Time
Holiday Craft Fair. Atlantic Oceanside, Bar Harbor.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Island Arts Association makes 50 look really good.
Holiday Book Sale and Scallop Raffle Kickoff, Southwest Harbor Library, Southwest Harbor.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the annual book sale and raffle. What’s that raffle for? A one-gallon bucket of scallops donated by Holly Masterson! Hundreds of new & nearly new hardcover and paperback books, perfect for gift giving, will be for sale, including a selection of glass ornaments.
TRENTON GRANGE CRAFT AND VENDOR MARKET, Trenton Grange. Trenton.
10 to 4 p.m.
Card Making & Holiday Storytime at the Northeast Harbor Library.
10 to 12:30 Make cards and hear stories!
MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS with Mike Duffy, Jesup Memorial Library. Bar Harbor.
10:30 – 12 p.m.
Christmas Crafts for Littles, Mount Desert Nursery School, Northeast Harbor.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas craft making for kids.
Santa’s Workshop, Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor.
12 – 2:30 p.m. Kids shop for gifts for family members | Donation of canned goods or cash donation accepted | Benefits area food pantries.
Maine Seacoast Mission Open House, Northeast Harbor.
1 – 3 p.m. The Maine Seacoast mission at 6 Old Firehouse Lane will host crafts and fun for kids.
A Christmas Story!
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
Santa & Mrs. Claus Arrive on Maine Seacoast Mission Sunbeam, 41 Harbor Drive, Northeast Harbor.
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. The Northeast Harbor Marina will host Santa and Mrs. Claus’s big arrival via the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Sunbeam. They usually arrive at 3:15 p.m.
Family Fun on Main Street, Northeast Harbor.
- 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. Visit with Santa at Carter’s Real Estate: 116 Main St, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662.
- 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. Carol Singing, Gingerbread House Contest, S’mores, and More at FT Brown Hardware: 106 Main St, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662.
- 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. Frosty Photo Stand In at Rising Tide Park.
Italian Dinner, Neighborhood House.
5 p.m.
Clusterfunk & Company Concert, Neighborhood House.
6 p.m.
Swedish Lucia Festival Dance, YWCA, Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor.
7-9 p.m. Live music and dancing with Kotwica and the Downeast Folkdancers.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Holiday Craft Fair. Atlantic Oceanside, Bar Harbor.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Island Arts Association makes 50 look really good.
TRENTON GRANGE CRAFT AND VENDOR MARKET, Trenton Grange. Trenton.
10 to 4 p.m.
A Christmas Story!
2 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
BEE PARKS AND THE HORNETS, Criterion Theatre, Bar Harbor.
3 p.m. In celebration of Kids’ Corner’s 35th year, Bee Parks and the Hornets perform high-energy concert parties that combine rockin’ music, puppetry and audience participation to inspire young people to get up and move — both with their feet and in their communities.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
MDI HOSPITAL AUXILIARY JEWELRY SALE
THE GRINCH! The Neighborhood House. Northeast Harbor.
4 p.m. The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers present the Grinch.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Christmas at the Museum Open House. Manset Meetinghouse.
1-4 p.m. The Southwest Harbor Historical Society’s lovely open house.
CHILI COOKOFF AND TOWN TREE LIGHTING AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION. Southwest Harbor various downtown locations.
5-7 p.m. is the chili cook-off.
5:30 p.m. Santa arrives on the town’s finest fire truck to light the tree.
BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER! 46 Ledgelawn, Bar Harbor.
6 p.m. Show followed by a dessert fellowship.
A Christmas Story!
7 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
HARBOR HOUSE CRAFT FAIR. Southwest Harbor.
9-2 p.m.
YWCA MDI’s Christmas Bazaar, Mount Desert Street. Bar Harbor
Various times in the morning according to age group. It’s a shop for kids so they can buy family gifts. Call Abby at (207) 288-5008 for information.
Witham Family Hotels Christmas Event, Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, Bar Harbor.
10-12 p.m. Join Santa & Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 13th for Witham Family Hotels’ 11th Annual Charitable Christmas event at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel In Bar Harbor.
There will be food, fun, a petting zoo with pony rides, crafts, and more! The entire event is absolutely FREE!
If you’re able, please bring a new unwrapped toy for Maine Seacoast Mission (dont forget about teens!) or hygiene items such as full size conditioner, bodywash, toothpaste and deodorants for H.O.M.E. Inc. to share with community members in need this holiday season.
Gingerbread House Contest, Bar Harbor Historical Society, West Street.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Create something house like. Make it out of gingerbread. Win cool prizes. Ogle the creations! Admission is donations for the Bar Harbor Food Pantry. So bring a non-perishable food item, pet food, or hygiene products.
SEAL COVE AUTO MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE. 1414 Tremont Road. Seal Cove.
1-3 p.m. Join Santa for holiday photos in front of the beautifully decorated 1906 Wayne.
Christmas at the Museum Open House. Manset Meetinghouse.
1-4 p.m. The Southwest Harbor Historical Society’s lovely open house.
A Christmas Story!
2 and 7 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
Tremont Trap Tree Lighting, Tremont School.
4:30 p.m. Come help light the trap tree with Santa, the Tremont School community and PTO and the Tremont Volunteer Fire Department.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Community Open House and Art Show, Wendell Gilley Museum, Southwest Harbor.
1-4 p.m It’s the annual open house and art show from 1-4 p.m.
Christmas at the Museum Open House. Manset Meetinghouse.
1-4 p.m. The Southwest Harbor Historical Society’s lovely open house.
A Christmas Story!
2 p.m. The Acadia Community Theater presents “A Christmas Story” at the Acadia Repertory Theater in Somesville.
THE GREAT QUIETSIDE BAKEOFF, the tent at Next Level Sports, Southwest Harbor.
3 – 7 p.m. Join the cookie making gang for holiday and cookie cocktails while answering the question: Who has the best cookies on the Quietside?
DECEMBER 16
NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY EVENTS
- 10:30 a.m. TABLETOP TREES
- 3 -4 p.m. TEEN SPACE ACTIVITY AT THE NEH LIBRARY: DIY CLAY SNOWMAN
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20
Christmas at the Museum Open House. Manset Meetinghouse.
1-4 p.m. The Southwest Harbor Historical Society’s lovely open house.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers “The Grinch” performance. Criterion Theatre – Bar Harbor
4 p.m. The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers will perform their rendition of “The Grinch” at the 1932 Criterion Theatre at 4 p.m. The event is free, with donations encouraged. There will be an opening-act dance recital by Two Shoes Dance.
A NOTE FROM US (Don’t worry, we’ll stop this note super soon especially since I–Carrie–feel awkward about it.)
This is Carrie and Shaun, and as you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been working hard at the Bar Harbor Story, providing local news in a way that keeps you informed, but also embraces and promotes community and the good that is within it.
We take so much time—just the two of us, with a special needs kid that has to be homeschooled—to cover our island community’s (plus, Trenton) local news in a way that’s timely, daily, and remembers that underneath the news . . . there are people who are our neighbors.
We are working hard to get the news out there—for free—for everyone. But it’s taking its toll on our family financially and honestly, sometimes, emotionally, because frontline local news in a small community? It’s hard.
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