Christmas Prelude is an annual festival in
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is a resort town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,629 people at the 2020 census. It is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area.
The town center, the area in and around Dock Squa ...
, United States, coinciding with the unofficial start of the
winter holiday shopping season. Many retailers in the town remain open late to allow customers to browse the stores before and after the tree lighting in
Dock Square. The tree is lit on the first Friday of December, after a performance of carols from the local high school. The tree is noted for its decorations in the form of
lobster traps.
A fireworks display has taken place after the tree lighting since 2011.
The Prelude is put on with the help of hundreds of volunteers. The event is an opportunity for many groups in the Kennebunk area to fundraise.
Established in 1982, after a meeting of local business people spearheaded by Henry Pasco,
the event takes place in late November or early December. The 2022 Prelude was the 41st edition;
the 42nd will run from November 30 to December 10, 2023.
HGTV
HGTV (an initialism for Home & Garden Television) is an American basic cable channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The network primarily broadcasts reality programming related to home improvement and real estate. HGTV Dream Home is an ...
named Kennebunkport runners-up in their "Christmas Town in America" ranking.
See also
*
Mathew Lanigan
References
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Kennebunkport, Maine
Festivals in Maine
Christmas festivals
Recurring events established in 1982
Festivals established in 1982
1982 establishments in Maine