Calendar of Events 2024
Friday, December 6, 2024
shop till you drop all day
Enjoy browsing through the stunning collection of specialty shops in Wiscasset Village. Knowledgeable owners help with selecting the right gifts for everyone on your list. Doorway candy canes mark participating merchants.
shopping specials
Old and Everlasting, 49 Water St.: Discounts of 30% on merchandise.
Rock Paper Scissors, 68 Main St.: Shoppers will get a mystery discount from 10-40% at the time of check-out. Also, a raffle for a $100 gift card!
Red Bull Antiques, 8 Federal St., is offering discounts, wine, and Prosecco during your shopping day!
Ingram Art & Antiques, 85B Main St.: Special pricing on antique Oriental rugs during Marketfest.
Drawing for Dining, a FREE raffle in participating shops for a $100 gift certificate to Water St. Kitchen & Bar or Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery or Back River Bistro.
Enjoy a discounted Holiday Cocktail at Water St. Kitchen & Bar with Village shopping receipt, noon-3pm & 4:30-9pm.
Enjoy a discounted appetizer and a discounted cocktail at Back River Bistro with Village shopping receipt, 4-8pm.
Find beautiful clothes and fashion accessories at In the Clover, 85A Main St.
Holiday Gift Shop for handmade. Open each day of Marketfest, 10am to 4pm.
Holiday decor and personal luxuries at Old and Everlasting, 45 Water St.
Holiday Gift Shop, 10am to 4pm
This seasonal pop-up shop features artisan wares and specialty gifts just perfect for everyone on your list. Plastic accepted. Nickels-Sortwell Barn on Federal St., immediately behind the historic house. Sweet Monkey Business’ cookies samples, 1-3pm. Vendors include:
basket to the brim Raffle in the holiday gift shop
Take a chance on a basket filled with items from the gift shop’s artisan vendors! Purchase raffle tickets in the Holiday Gift Shop in the Nickels-Sortwell House barn.
Cookie samples
Sure to please cookies from Sweet Monkey Business. Taste them! 1 to 3pm.
Wreaths Around the holidays in the holiday gift shop
Featuring wreaths decorated by Wiscasset Area businesses. Often themed and with a sense of humor! Shoppers vote for People’s Choice in the Nickels-Sortwell barn on Federal St.
People’s Choice winners:
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10:30am to 3pm
Visit the historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807 and dressed to celebrate the holiday season. Self-guided tour admission is $5. for Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members; others, $10. Purchase tickets here. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Solstice Star Workshop with Mare LeMay, 11am to 12:30pm
Join basket-maker and flower farmer Mare LeMay in her workshop to make your own holiday Solstice Star. Mare will guide you step by step. Take it home and top your tree, hang it in your window, or find your own unique use. Class is limited to 10 students with advance registration. Class fee, $15; materials, $5. To register, send your message to mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com and pay the class and materials fee at the door. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
cocktail Time at Water Street Kitchen & Bar
With a recent receipt from any shop in Wiscasset Village, order a discounted Kranberry Kringle, a seasonal and delicious cocktail prepared just for Marketfest shoppers. Open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30 to 9pm. 15 Water St.
A tasting at treats, 4-6pm.
Gather, sample, and pick up something great for the holidays! 80 Main St.
Back River Bistro’s Marketfest Specials
Enjoy your holiday purchases even more when you present today’s shopping receipt for a Mushroom Toast app discounted to $10; “Town Favorite” cocktail discounted to $8. (The Town Favorite is a specialty cocktail of gin and elderflower created by bartender, Erin, when neighbors asked her to “make something special.” And so she did: light, refreshing, with a lemon citrus finish.) Open hours: 4 to 8pm. 65 Gardiner Rd.
Santa’s Workshop, Friday, Dec. 6, 5 to 7pm+, Scout Hall, 7 Lincoln St.
Merry & Bright Light Parade brings Santa to the door
Santa visits with children, hot cocoa and seasonal treats, and make your own festive garland
woolly sheep for petting; s’mores at the fire pit
outdoor food truck and holiday biergarten featuring warm spiked drinks
Saturday, december 7, 2024
gift shopping in wiscasset village, 10am to 5pm
The Village’s remarkable collection of shops and galleries is open. On-site owners are ready to assist shoppers, searching for just-right gifts for everyone on the list, with advice and suggestions.
Drawing for Dining raffle in participating shops.
Take a chance on a FREE raffle for $100 gift certificates to local restaurants: Water St. Kitchen & Bar, Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery, and Back River Bistro.
Holiday Gift Shop, 10am to 4pm
The Holiday Gift Shop is a seasonal pop-up shop featuring a curated collection of artisan wares, holiday greens, and gifts for guys and gardeners. Located in the Nickels-Sortwell barn on Federal St.
Artisan vendors in 2024 include:
Wreaths around the holidays
Wiscasset area businesses decorate wreaths in the spirit of the season and shoppers vote for their People’s Choice favorite. Wreaths are donated to Toys for Tots’ families after Marketfest. Wreaths from 2023 below.
basket to the brim raffle
Featuring merchandise and hand-made items from local artisans and shops. Raffle tickets available for purchase in the Holiday Gift Shop on Federal St..
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples to browsing shoppers, 2 to 4pm.
Paper Star Workshop, 10am to 11:30am
Learn to create your own paper star ornaments in this hands-on workshop with paper artist Joelle Webber. Bring your scissors if you have them; all other materials provided. $10 suggested donation to support St. Philips’ Church programs. Registration in advance recommended, but not essential. Leave a message: stphilips@wiscasset.net or 207-481-1043. Hosted by St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St.
Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library, 10am to noon, Saturday, Dec. 7
Children shop for family members with the help of friendly Elves. All items priced modestly. Parents wait upstairs, and the children rejoin them after shopping with purchased gifts wrapped. Drop-in. Proceeds support the efforts of Friends of the WPL. 21 High St.
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10:30am to 3pm
The historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807, opens its doors to visitors for a glimpse into another era - festooned with seasonal florals inspired by history. $5. Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members; others, $10. Purchase tickets at www.historicnewengland.org/property/nickels-sortwell-house. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Kissing Ball Workshop with Mare LeMay, 11am to 12:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 7
Make your own Kissing Ball for holiday decorating in this workshop with basket-maker and flower farmer Mare LeMay. Mare will guide you through every step and you’ll take home a beautiful, evergreen kissing ball for your home. Class is limited to 8 students with advance registration. $30 class fee includes materials. To register, send your message to mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com; fees are payable at the door. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
Wreath-Making Demo and Sale, 11am to 3pm, Saturday, Dec. 7
Watch Desiree Bailey make wreaths on the sidewalk as you shop. Take home a few tips or take home a few wreaths! Main St.(Rte. 1), Wiscasset Village.
caroling in the village with the Heart ‘n soul quartet, 11am to 2pm, Saturday, Dec. 7
Enjoy the harmonies of the Heart ‘n Soul Quartet as they circulate through the Village, stopping at the Holiday Gift Shop and other in-town locations. 11am to 2pm
Christmas Cookie Challenge, 1:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 7
A flock of home bakers each presents a dozen seasonal cookies for this holiday challenge. Appearance, crumble, seasonality, presentation, and FLAVOR! Judges sample and choose the BEST. A Christmas Cookie sale follows at 2pm with proceeds donated to Feed Our Scholars. Hosted by AEkeir Brew Pub (lower level), 111 Main St.
horse-drawn wagon rides around the village on Saturday, dec. 7, noon to 3pm
Hop on board Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon for a pleasant ride around the town or a shuttle to your Village destination. FREE to all!
Smokin’ Pig Food Truck, noon to 4pm
Find the Smokin’ Pig Food Truck parked on Main St., near AEkeir Brew Pub. The menu offers all the BBQ favorites including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, mac&cheese, and so much more! Purchase your meal then head into AEkeir for warmth, cheer, and maybe a brew, too! 111 Main St.
Lounge Time at Water St. Kitchen & Bar, 4-6pm
Take a break from shopping with a snack! Help yourself to COMPLIMENTARY tasty bites in the lounge, 4pm to 6pm. Show your recent receipt from any Village shop to receive a Kranberry Kringle cocktail at $8 during open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30pm to 9pm. 15 Water St.
Back River Bistro’s Marketfest Specials
Enjoy your holiday purchases even more when you present a Village shopping receipt for a Mushroom Toast app discounted to $10; “Town Favorite” cocktails discounted to $8. (The Town Favorite is a specialty cocktail of gin and elderflower created by bartender, Erin, when neighbors asked her to “make something special.” And so she did: light, refreshing, with a lemon citrus finish.) Open hours: 4 to 8pm. 65 Gardiner Rd.
Christmas tree lighting and carols on wiscasset common, saturday, Dec. 7, at dusk
A long Wiscasset tradition is the annual tree lighting on the Common accompanied by the angelic voices of schoolchildren. A Wiscasset Parks & Rec. Dept. event. 4:00pm.
Snow Ball, Dec. 7,6:30-9:30pm
Dance to local rock band, Deadly Desire, and enjoy a cash bar and light bites for purchase. $10.pp. This is an adult dance, but childcare is available on site with services provided by high school seniors - donations requested - who are raising funds for the Class of 2025. Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Rd.
Sunday, December 8, 2023
Holiday Brunch at Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery, 8am to 3pm.
Enjoy brunching along the Sheepscot with holiday specials on the menu including Eggnog French Toast and a Holly Jolly Yogurt, Fruit, and Nut Parfait! 45 Water St.
Holiday Marketfest shopping
Enjoy holiday shopping in Wiscasset’s exceptional collection of shops and galleries featuring women’s chic wear, accessories, and personal care; home furnishings; vintage and antiques; fine art and craft. And ornaments for the season!
Free Raffle for dining
Last chance to win a $100 gift certificate for local dining to Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery, Water St. Kitchen & Bar, or Back River Bistro! Look for the raffle in each participating shop. (not in galleries or eating places)
Holiday Gift Shop and Wreaths Around the Holidays, 10am to 4pm
The Holiday Gift Shop is a curated collection of craft and artisan wares. The place to shop for one-of-a-kind specialty items including unexpected treasures for family and friends. And last chance to cast your vote for Wreaths Around the Holidays People’s Choice. Nickels-Sortwell barn on Federal St.
Wreaths around the holidays
In 2023, People’s Choice was YONDER! Cast your vote today!
Basket to the Brim
Last chance to purchase raffle tickets for a basket brimming with artisan goods from Asian Accents, A New Haven Design, Byre Farm, Carriage House Gardens, Colonni’s Sauces, High Tail Toys, Holler Leather Works, Mindful Gardens, Paper Moon Jewelry, Sheepscot Handwovens, Sheepscot Turnings, The Chocolate Pan, Whimsy, and more.
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples while you shop, 2 to 4pm!
Horse-drawn wagon rides on Sunday, noon to 3pm
Hop on board Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon for a pleasant ride around the town or a shuttle to your Village destination. FREE to all!
Nickels-Sortwell House dressed for the season, 10:30am to 3pm
Complete the Marketfest weekend with a tour of the historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807, festooned with seasonal florals inspired by history. $5. Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members; others, $10. Advance tickets recommended; purchase tickets here. Walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Haunted Holiday Ghost Walk, 3:30-5pm
Complete Marketfest weekend with this guided tour of eerie places. Hear chilling stories of local hauntings and learn about the practices of Christmas past! Please order your advance tickets here.
