Schedule:

Friday, December 6, 2024

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 (and more to come)

Old and Everlasting, 49 Water St.: Discounts of 30% 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!

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.

Enjoy a discounted appetizer and a discounted cocktail at Back River Bistro with Village shopping receipt.

10am to 4pm - 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.

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.

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.

10:30am to 3pm - Nickels-Sortwell House Tours

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 here. Advance timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.

11am to 12:30pm - 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. Class fee, $15; materials, $5. To register, send your message to [email protected] and 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, seasonal and delicious cocktail prepared just for Marketfest shoppers. Open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30 to 9pm. 15 Water St.

4pm-6pm - A 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 Mushroom Toast app discounted to $10; “Town Favorite” cocktail discounted to $8. (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.) Open hours: 4 to 8pm. 65 Gardiner Rd.

5 to 7pm+ - Santa’s Workshop, 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

10am to 5pm - 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.   

10am to 4pm - 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.

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 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 on Federal St..

Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples to browsing shoppers, 2 to 4pm.

10am to 11:30am - Paper Star Workshop

Learn to 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. Registration in advance recommended, but not essential. Leave a message: Hosted by St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St.

10am to noon - Children’s Christmas Sale at the Wiscasset Public Library

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.

10:30am to 3pm - 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.

11am to 12:30pm - Kissing Ball Workshop with Mare LeMay

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. $30 class fee includes materials. To register, send your message to [email protected]; fees are payable at the door. 62 Middle St., Wiscasset, ME.

11am to 3pm - Wreath-Making Demo and Sale

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.

11am to 2pm - caroling in the village with the Heart ‘n soul quartet

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.

2pm - Christmas Cookie Challenge

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. Hosted by AEkeir Brew Pub (lower level), 111 Main St.

noon to 3pm - horse-drawn wagon rides around the village
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

4-6pm - Lounge Time at Water St. Kitchen & Bar

Take a break from shopping with a snack! Help yourself to COMPLIMENTARY tasty bites in the lounge, 4pm to 6pm. Show your recent receipt from any Village shop to receive a Holiday cocktail at $8 during open hours: noon to 3pm; 4:30pm to 9pm. 15 Water St.

Back River Bistro’s Marketfest Specials

Enjoy your holiday purchases even more when you present a Village shopping receipt for a Mushroom Toast app discounted to $10; “Town Favorite” cocktails discounted to $8. (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.) Open hours: 4 to 8pm. 65 Gardiner Rd.

Christmas tree lighting and carols on wiscasset common 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. 4:00pm.

6:30-9:30pm - Snow Ball

Dance to local rock band, Deadly Desire, and enjoy a cash bar and light bites for purchase. $10.pp. This is an adult dance, but childcare is available on site with services provided by high school seniors - donations requested - who are raising funds for the Class of 2025. Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Rd.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

8am to 3pm - 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
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.

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, 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.

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, Mindful Gardens, Paper Moon Jewelry, Sheepscot Handwovens, Sheepscot Turnings, The Chocolate Pan, Whimsy, and more.

Chocolate Samples
The Chocolate Pan offers samples while you shop, 2 to 4pm

noon to 3pm - Horse-drawn wagon rides
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

10:30am to 3pm - Nickels-Sortwell House dressed for the season.

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. Advance tickets recommended; purchase tickets here. Walk-ins welcome. 121 Main St.

3:30-5pm - Haunted Holiday Ghost Walk

Complete Marketfest weekend with this guided tour of eerie places. Hear chilling stories of local hauntings and learn about the practices of Christmas past.

Date: December 6 - 8, 2024

Location: Various venues in Wiscasset

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