Calendar of Events 2025
Friday, December 5, 2025
shop till you drop all day, 10am to 5pm
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 2025
Discounts and specials included on vintage clothing at The Peaceful Pagan Vintage, other vintage goods at Trifles, a cocktail unique to Marketfest at Water St. Kitchen & Bar, wine at Treats, selected joyful things at Moulinette, and, of course, the free raffle for dining at participating shops.
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, 10am to 4pm
This seasonal pop-up shop featured 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 2025, vendors included:
basket to the brim Raffle in the holiday gift shop
The basket was filled with items from the gift shop’s artisan vendors, and raffle tickets for purchase were available in the Holiday Gift Shop located in the Nickels-Sortwell House barn on Federal St.
Wreaths Around the holidays in the holiday gift shop
Beautiful and fanciful wreaths, decorated by Wiscasset Area businesses, were featured. All were themed and many came with a sense of humor! Shoppers voted for People’s Choice. At the end of Marketfest, the wreaths were given to a local long-term care facility.
People’s Choice winners:
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10am to 3pm
Visitors were welcomed to the historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807 and dressed to celebrate the holiday season. Self-guided tour admission was $5. for Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members; others, $10; with accompanying children (under 12) free. 121 Main St.
Gift Bow Workshop, 1pm to 3pm
Crafter Cindy Cayton led workshop participants in the making of elegant bows to grace their gifts. At the end, some workshop bow-makers were stunned to take home a bunch of bows that looked just like these!
cocktail Time at Water Street Kitchen & Bar; noon to 3pm & 4:30 to 9pm
With a recent receipt from any shop in Wiscasset Village, shoppers could order a discounted Pomegranate Tequila Sour, a seasonal and delicious cocktail prepared just for Marketfest shoppers. 15 Water St.
Santa’s Block Party, 5pm
It was kids’ night out, but adults were welcome to experience the magic of the holiday season! Scout Hall, 7 Lincoln St. The delightful and fun-packed evening included:
hot cocoa and seasonal treats; holiday crafts while waiting for Santa
woolly sheep for petting; s’mores at the fire pit
outdoor food options and holiday biergarten featuring warm spiked drinks
and a Merry & Bright Light Parade that brought Santa to the door. Onlookers were gathered along the route, down Hooper St., right onto Federal St., left onto Main St. (Rte. 1), right onto Water St.
Saturday, december 6, 2025
gift shopping in wiscasset village, 10am to 5pm
The Village’s remarkable collection of shops and galleries was open. On-site owners were on hand and ready to assist shoppers, searching for just-right gifts for everyone on the list, with advice and suggestions. Doorway candy canes marked participating shops.
Drawing for Dining raffle in participating shops.
So many shoppers took 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. The raffle tickets were in participating Village shops (no purchase necessary.)
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 2025 included:
Wreaths around the holidays
Wiscasset area businesses decorated wreaths in the spirit of the season and shoppers voted for their People’s Choice favorite. Wreaths were given to a local long-term care facility after Marketfest. Wreaths from 2025 below.
basket to the brim raffle
Featuring merchandise and hand-made items from local artisans and shops; raffle tickets were available for purchase in the Holiday Gift Shop on Federal St.
tastings
Sampling chocolates and honey throughout the day.
music
Nancy Cook entertained afternoon shoppers with her violin.
Morning Tea and Toast, 10am to noon
Today’s holiday shopping began with complimentary tea and toast, served with Plain Goods Preserves. Shoppers were invited to drop in to one of Wiscasset’s newest shopping locations, Plain Goods, 54 Water St.
Solstice Star Workshop, Dec. 6, 10am to noon
Basket-maker and flower farmer, Mare LeMay, hosted a Solstice Star-making workshop, and participants took home their hand-crafted star to top the tree, hang in a window, or any other unique use. Fees included materials; advance registration for this popular workshop are recommended. mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10am to noon
Children shopped for family members with the help of friendly elves. All items were priced modestly. Parents waited upstairs, and the children joined them after shopping with purchased their gifts already wrapped. This program is drop-in and proceeds support the efforts of Friends of the Wiscasset Public Library. 21 High St.
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10am to 3pm
The historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807, opened its doors to visitors for a glimpse into another era - festooned with seasonal florals inspired by history, 10am to 3pm. (Wiscasset residents and HNE members, $5; others, $10; accompanying children under 12 are free.) 121 Main St.
caroling in the village with the Heart ‘n soul quartet, Saturday, Dec. 6, 11am to 2pm
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
Ice Carving in the Village, noon to 2pm
Strollers watched ice artist, Tim Pierce, use the tools of his trade to carve a block of ice into Frosty on the sidewalk in Wiscasset Village!
horse-drawn wagon rides around the village on Saturday, dec. 6, noon to 3pm
Visitors were invited to hop on board Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon for a pleasant ride around town or to use as a shuttle to a Village destination. In spite of December temps, this FREE to all feature, was very popular and well used!
bar Time at Water St. Kitchen & Bar; noon to 3pm & 4:30 to 9pm
A recent shopping receipt from any Village purchase meant a discounted specialty cocktail, made just for Marketfest, and complimentary apps in the lounge! 15 Water St.
Card-making Workshop, 1pm-3pm
Crafter Cindy Cayton made holiday cards with crafty workshop participants! Registration in advance was recommended and the $20 fee included materials. mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com.
Christmas Cookie Challenge, 1:30pm.
Judges Shane McCarthy, Cheryl Rust, and Daphne Cromwell, sampled festive seasonal cookies made by 15 home bakers and declared the Challenge winner, Laura Neebling with her Chocolate Mint Cookie Bar! A Christmas cookie sale followed with proceeds donated to Feed Our Scholars. Hosted by AEkeir Taproom, 1st floor, 111 Main St.
Upcycled Lobster Rope Garland Workshop, 3pm-6pm
Workshoppers crafted colorful holiday garlands from recycled fishing rope under the guidance of Kerin O’Keefe of @capeporpoisetradingco. The rope came in a rainbow of colors, all salvaged from the sea. Participants could sign up for workshop time slots on the day-of by stopping in at the workshop location, Panacea, 100 Main Street.
Christmas tree lighting and carols on wiscasset common, saturday, Dec. 6, 4pm
A long Wiscasset tradition is the annual tree lighting on the Common accompanied by a visit from Santa and the angelic voices of schoolchildren. A Wiscasset Parks & Rec. Dept. event.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Garlic Basket Workshop, 9am to noon
Participants made a classic basket for storing garlic with basket maker, Mare LeMay. The workshop was limited to 10 students with a request for advance registration. A $25 fee included materials. Mindful Gardens workshop, 62 Middle St.
Holiday Marketfest shopping, 10am to 5pm
Holiday shopping in Wiscasset’s exceptional collection of shops and galleries featured women’s chic wear, accessories, and personal care; home furnishings; vintage and antiques; fine art and craft. Below, Wiscasset’s newest shops!
Free Raffle for dining
Today was the last chance to win a $100 gift certificate for local dining to Jodie’s Cafe & Bakery, Water St. Kitchen & Bar, or Back River Bistro! The raffle was located in each participating shop, no purchase necessary. (not in galleries or eating places)
Holiday Gift Shop and Wreaths Around the Holidays, 10am to 4pm
The Holiday Gift Shop, an annual pop-up, curated collection of craft and artisan wares, was the place to shop for one-of-a-kind specialty items including unexpected treasures for family and friends. This was the last chance to cast a vote for Wreaths Around the Holidays People’s Choice. Nickels-Sortwell barn on Federal St.
Wreaths around the holidays
Enjoy more wreaths below from 2025! All wreaths were given to a local long-term care facility after Marketfest.
Basket to the Brim
Last chance to purchase raffle tickets for a basket brimming with artisan goods.
Tastings
Samples to enjoy while shopping!
music
Nancy Cook plays violin for afternoon shoppers.
Nickels-Sortwell House dressed for the season, 10am to 3pm
Final tours of the historic Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807, and festooned with seasonal florals inspired by history. The solarium was a very special place to enjoy. Fee for Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members, $5.; others, $10; accompanied children (under 12) were free. 121 Main St.
Holiday Ornaments Drop-in Workshop, noon to 3pm
Paper artist Joelle Webber welcomed shoppers and visitors to this drop-in paper ornament workshop. Using Joelle’s handmade decorative papers and a kit of materials, students completed a lovely ornament for tree or home. Kits were also available for purchase to take home. Hosted by Ley Lines, 64 Main St.
Horse-drawn wagon rides on Sunday, noon to 3pm
Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon invited shoppers to hop on board for a ride around town or a shuttle to a Village destination. FREE to all! On boarding was the corner of Water and Main Sts. and the Holiday Gift Shop on Federal St.
