Last weekend, I was in Boothbay Harbor for the 28th annual Harbor Lights Festival.

The weekend included a number of crafts fairs, cookie swaps and other festivities at local churches, the Festival of Trees and crafts fair at the Opera House, a Christmas carol sing-a-long and tree lighting ceremony, and of course the arrival of Santa Clause and his entourage on a lobster boat.

There were activities for kids and adults alike. And many local shops crank up the discounts for the weekend’s shoppers.

A number of local galleries hosted receptions and the local Historical Society kicked off a new Civil War exhibit.

The main event of Saturday night was the boat parade in the harbor. A number of Boothbay’s boats are decorated in holiday cheer and light up the harbor. This video from a few years ago gives you a good sense of the parade.

See the full calendar of festival events here.

Will we see you in Boothbay next year for the Harbor Lights Festival?