Calendar of Events 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
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.: Receive a surprise gift bag with a purchase of $20 or more (one per customer).
Angelo Santo, 64 Main St.: Find a gift for them, receive a gift for you! All purchases over $25 receive a free chocolate bar tucked into your bag! Open from 10am to 6pm today.
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!
BIRCH Home Furnishings and Gifts, 72 Main St.: Enjoy 10% off your entire purchase of up to $99; 15% off all purchases totaling $100 or more. Open from 10am to 5pm today.
Red Bull Antiques, 8 Federal St., is offering discounts, wine, and Prosecco during your shopping day!
Holiday decorations at BIRCH, 72 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. 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.
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan invites shoppers to sample as you browse in the Holiday Gift Shop, 1pm 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:
78 Main POP-UP
Marketfest’s new pop-up features local crafted items for sale, Partners in Education’s (PIE) raffle for snowshoes for the family (4 pairs), DIY gift wrapping, and a FREE raffle for local dining to The Alna Store, Water St. Kitchen, or Back River Bistro! 78 Main St.
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10:30am to 3pm
The historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807, will be dressed for the season in holiday greens. $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.
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 8 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.
cosmo Time at Water Street Kitchen & Bar
With a recent receipt from any shop in Wiscasset Village, order a seasonal and delicious Pomegranate Cosmo for $8! Open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30 to 9pm. 15 Water St.
Santa’s Workshop, 78 Main St. , Friday, Dec. 1, 5 to 7pm
Merry & Bright Parade of Lights brings Santa to the door
Santa visits with children
free drop-in workshop: make your own festive garland
woolly sheep for petting
hot cocoa and seasonal treats
Saturday, december 2, 2023
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 78 Main.
Take a chance on a FREE raffle for gift certificates to local restaurants.
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 2023 include:
Wreaths around the holidays
Wiscasset area businesses decorate wreaths in the spirit of the season and shoppers vote for the People’s Choice favorite. Wreaths are donated to Toys for Tots’ families after Marketfest.
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.
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples to browsing shoppers, noon to 3pm.
Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library, 10am to noon, Saturday, Dec. 2
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 all purchased gifts wrapped. Proceeds support the efforts of Friends of the WPL. 21 High St.
78 Main pop-up, 10am to 5pm
Local crafters sell hand-made items for holiday gift-giving; DIY gift wrapping; FREE Drawing for Dining – win a $50 gift certificate to The Alna Store, Water St. Kitchen, or Back River Bistro! 78 Main 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.
Solstice Star Workshop with Mare LeMay, 11am to 12:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 2
Make your own Solstice Star 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 and completed star for your tree top or window. Class is limited to 8 students with advance registration. $15 class fee, $5 materials fee. 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. 2
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.
music in the gallery, noon to 2pm, Saturday, Dec. 2
Visit Wiscasset Bay Gallery and surround yourself with sumptuous art! And enjoy the talents of keyboard artist Terry Heller who’ll be playing holiday selections. Request your favorites! And don’t be shy - sing along! 75 Main St.
Christmas Cookie Challenge, noon to 2pm, Saturday, Dec. 2
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 with proceeds donated to Feed Our Scholars. 78 Main St.
wine tasting, 2pm to 5pm, Saturday, Dec. 2
Drop in to TREATS and sample some delicious wine selections. Take some home for the holidays! 80 Main St.
Lounge Time at Water Street Kitchen & Bar
Take a break from shopping with a snack! Help yourself to FREE chicken nuggets and fries in the lounge, 4pm to 6pm. And show your recent receipt from any Village shop to receive a Pomegranate Cosmo at $8 during open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30pm to 9pm. 15 Water St.
Christmas tree lighting and carols on wiscasset common, saturday, Dec. 2, 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.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
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!
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
Last chance to cast a vote for People’s Choice. And the 2024 People’s Choice is YONDER!
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, Immodest Cotton, Liane Pottery, Mindful Gardens, Paper Moon Jewelry, Sheepscot Handwovens, Sheepscot Turnings, The Chocolate Pan, Whimsy, and more. See the brimming basket!
Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples while you shop, 1pm to 3pm!
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. Purchase tickets at www.historicnewengland.org/property/nickels-sortwell-house. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.
