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
The Peaceful Pagan Vintage, 8 Railroad Ave.: 10% off vintage clothing (not consignment).
Trifles, 55 Water St.: 50% off all merchandise in the shop.
Plain Goods, 54 Water St.: Find antique sap buckets filled with winter blooming Amaryllis and Paperwhites and homespun fabric balsam-filled sachets - until they sell out.
Enjoy a discounted Pomegranate Tequila Sour at Water St. Kitchen & Bar with Village shopping receipt, noon-3pm & 4:30-9pm; and complimentary appetizers in the lounge, 4:30-9pm.
Treats, 80 Main St. is offering 15% off wine today and through the weekend.
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 (no purchase necessary).
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 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 2025, 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! Raffle tickets for purchase in the Holiday Gift Shop in the Nickels-Sortwell House barn.
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. Wreaths given to local long-term care facilities after Marketfest.
People’s Choice winners:
Nickels-Sortwell House Tours, 10am 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; accompanying children (under 12) are free. Advance tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. Purchase tickets here 121 Main St.
Gift Bow Workshop, 1pm to 3pm
Make elegant bows to grace your gifts with crafter, Cindy Cayton. Register in advance at mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com. A fee of $20 includes materials for at least 6 bows and is payable at the workshop. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
cocktail Time at Water Street Kitchen & Bar; noon to 3pm & 4:30 to 9pm
With a recent receipt from any shop in Wiscasset Village, 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’s a kids’ night out, but adults are welcome to experience the magic of the holiday season! Scout Hall, 7 Lincoln St.
enjoy hot cocoa and seasonal treats; make 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
Merry & Bright Light Parade, starting at 5:30pm, brings Santa to the door. Watch the parade as it glows 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 is open. On-site owners are ready to assist shoppers, searching for just-right gifts for everyone on the list, with advice and suggestions. Look for the doorway candy canes marking participating shops.
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. Find raffle tickets 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 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 given to long-term care facilities 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..
tastings
Sample chocolates, cookies, honey, throughout the day.
music
Nancy Cook plays violin, 1-3pm.
Morning Tea and Toast, 10am to noon
Start today’s holiday shopping with complimentary tea and toast, served with Plain Goods Preserves. Drop in to one of Wiscasset’s newest shopping locations, Plain Goods, 54 Water St.
Solstice Star Workshop, Dec. 6, 10am to noon
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. A fee of $20 includes materials and is payable at the workshop. Register in advance at mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.
Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10am to noon
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, 10am 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, 10am to 3pm. $5. Wiscasset residents and Historic New England members; others, $10; accompanying children (under 12) are free. Advance tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. Purchase tickets here. 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
Watch ice artist, Tim Pierce, use the tools of his trade as he carves live on the sidewalk in Wiscasset Village, noon to 2pm.
horse-drawn wagon rides around the village on Saturday, dec. 6, 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! Get on board: corner of Water and Main Sts. and the Holiday Gift Shop on Federal St.
bar Time at Water St. Kitchen & Bar; noon to 3pm & 4:30 to 9pm
Show your recent receipt from any Village purchase to receive a discounted Pomegranate Tequila Sour, made specially for Marketfest. 15 Water St.
Card-making Workshop, 1pm-3pm
Make your own holiday cards with crafter, Cindy Cayton. Register in advance at mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com. A $20 fee includes materials and is payable at the workshop. 62 Middle St.
Christmas Cookie Challenge, 1:30pm.
Judges sample festive seasonal cookies made by home bakers and declare the Challenge winner! At 2pm, a Christmas cookie sale follows with proceeds donated to Feed Our Scholars. Hosted by AEkeir Taproom, 1st floor, 111 Main St.
Upcycled Lobster Rope Garland Workshop, 3pm-6pm
Craft a colorful holiday garland from recycled fishing rope under the guidance of Kerin O’Keefe of @capeporpoisetradingco. Rope comes in a rainbow of colors, all salvaged from the sea. Registration is $40; participants can sign up for time slots 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 the angelic voices of schoolchildren. A Wiscasset Parks & Rec. Dept. event.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Garlic Basket Workshop, 9am to noon
Make a classic basket for storing your garlic with basket maker, Mare LeMay. Register in advance at mindfulgardensmaine@gmail.com. A $25 fee includes materials and is payable at the workshop. Limited to 10 students. 62 Middle St.
Holiday Marketfest shopping, 10am to 5pm
Holiday shopping in Wiscasset’s exceptional collection of shops and galleries features 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, no purchase necessary. (not in galleries or eating places)
Holiday Gift Shop and Wreaths Around the Holidays, 10am to 4pm
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.
Tastings
Enjoy samples while you shop!
music
Nancy Cook plays violin, 1-3pm.
Nickels-Sortwell House dressed for the season, 10am to 3pm
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; accompanied children (under 12) are free. Advance tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. Purchase tickets here. 121 Main St.
Holiday Ornaments Drop-in Workshop, noon to 3pm
Drop in for 15 mins. and make an ornament with paper artist, Joelle Webber. Using Joelle’s handmade decorative papers and a kit of materials, students complete a lovely ornament for tree or home. This is a kid friendly workshop. Kits are $10 payable at the workshop. Additional kits for $10 ea. are available to take home. Hosted by Ley Lines, 64 Main St.
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, noon to 3pm. FREE to all! Get on board: corner of Water and Main Sts. and Holiday Gift Shop on Federal St.
