Calendar of Events 2024
Friday, December 6, 2024
shop till you drop all day
Browse 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 in 2024
Old and Everlasting, 49 Water St.: Discounts of 50% 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.
Moulinette, 60 Main St., is offering discounts up to 30%.
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. Nickels-Sortwell House barn, Federal St.
Antique rugs, fancy items, and works of art at Ingram Art & Antiques, 85B Main St.
Holiday Gift Shop
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. In 2024, vendors included:
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! Raffle tickets for purchase in the Holiday Gift Shop in the Nickels-Sortwell House barn.
Cookie samples
Sure to please cookies from Sweet Monkey Business. Taste them!
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
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. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Solstice Star Workshop with Mare LeMay
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. 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. 15 Water St.
wine tasting at treats
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 discounted Mushroom Toast app and a discounted “Town Favorite” cocktail. (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.) 65 Gardiner Rd.
Santa’s Workshop, Friday, Dec. 6, 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
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
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 included:
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 given to low income senior housing after Marketfest. Wreaths from 2024 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.
Paper Star Workshop
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. Hosted by St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset.
Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library, Saturday, Dec. 7
Children shopped 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
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. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Kissing Ball Workshop with Mare LeMay, 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, fees payable at the door. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
caroling in the village with the Heart ‘n soul quartet, 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.
Christmas Cookie Challenge, Saturday, Dec. 7
A flock of home bakers each presented a dozen seasonal cookies for this holiday challenge. Appearance, crumble, seasonality, presentation, and FLAVOR! Judges sampled and chose the BEST. A Christmas Cookie sale followed 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
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
The Smokin’ Pig Food Truck was parked on Main St. with a menu offering all the BBQ favorites including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken, mac&cheese, and more!
Lounge Time at Water St. Kitchen & Bar
Take a break from shopping with a snack of COMPLIMENTARY tasty bites in the lounge. Show your recent receipt from any Village shop to receive a discounted Kranberry Kringle cocktail. 15 Water St.
Back River Bistro’s Marketfest Specials
Enjoy your holiday purchases even more when you present a Village shopping receipt for a discounted Mushroom Toast app; “Town Favorite” cocktails discounted. (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.) 65 Gardiner Rd.
Christmas tree lighting and carols on wiscasset common, saturday, Dec. 7
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.
Snow Ball, Dec. 7
Dance to local rock band, Deadly Desire, cash bar and light bites for purchase. High School seniors offered on-site childcare. Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Rd.
Sunday, December 8, 2023
Holiday Brunch at Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery
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
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
The Holiday Gift Shop is a pop-up 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
Enjoy the wreaths!
Basket to the Brim
Last chance to purchase raffle tickets for a basket brimming with artisan goods.
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples while you shop!
Horse-drawn wagon rides on Sunday
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
Tour 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. Walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
Haunted Holiday Ghost Walk
Complete Marketfest weekend with a guided tour of eerie places. Hear chilling stories of local hauntings and learn about the practices of Christmas past!
