Things to do with kids in Greater Portland, ME
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Greater Portland time)
Coming up in Greater Portland: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (from Nov 6), The Santa Experience at L.L.Bean (from Nov 20), The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge, from Nov 20) and 4 more events. 7 always-open places, led by Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light and Portland Museum of Art. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
L.L.Bean Northern Lights
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Mon, Jan 18
- Schedule
- Light displays every day; Winter Village activities Fri–Sun
- Hours
- Winter Village open Fri until 8pm and Sat–Sun until 7pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed; family photo sessions and fly-tying lessons need Eventbrite reservations
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Tens of thousands of lights across L.L.Bean's new flagship campus, with fire pits, a Winter Village, a complimentary s'more at the S'mores Shed (Fri–Sun), Saturday holiday movies in Discovery Park and Tuesday-evening kids' storytime in pajamas.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
The Santa Experience at L.L.Bean
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Dec 20
- Schedule
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Hours
- Fri 4–8pm; Sat–Sun 11am–5pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
Santa and Mrs. Claus in L.L.Bean's camp-themed Kids' Department: share wishes, take photos and enjoy live holiday music.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge)
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Mon, Dec 28
- Schedule
- Select Thu–Mon dates; no trains Dec 24–25
- Hours
- Departures between 1:30 and 7:45pm (varies by day); about 50 minutes
- Cost
- Coach $35 ($40 on peak nights); First Class $65 ($70); Presidential $105 ($110); lap children $5
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
The story comes to life on a round trip along Casco Bay in decorated historic coaches, with hot chocolate and a cookie, a reading of the book and the first gift of Christmas for every child. Popular departures sell out.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 20
- Hours
- Music 4–8pm; tree lighting 5:45pm; Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive 6pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed; complimentary hot cocoa; food trucks extra
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
L.L.Bean's annual tree lighting in the newly expanded Discovery Park, with local a cappella groups and a DJ, fire pits and light displays; Santa and Mrs. Claus then settle into the Kids' Department for photos.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas at Victoria Mansion: Santa's Whimsical Workshop
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3
- Schedule
- Tue–Sun; closed Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Hours
- Self-paced entries every half hour from 10am; last entry 3pm (noon on Dec 24 and 31)
- Cost
- Regular-season ticket prices; see site
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
Local florists and designers decorate the 1860s mansion's rooms around this year's theme, Santa's Whimsical Workshop, for a six-week holiday season.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights
- When
- Fri, Dec 4
- Hours
- 6–7pm, rain or shine
- Cost
- No tickets listed (street parade)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Lighted floats and marching groups on Main Street to open Visit Freeport's Sparkle Celebration; the parade ends with Santa bringing the Talking Christmas Tree to life.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! (Maddy's Theatre)
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 – Wed, Dec 30
- Schedule
- Run of performances; see site for showtimes
- Hours
- See site for showtimes
- Cost
- Kids and adults $25; babies under 12 months free; members $5 off
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
A brand-new holiday musical with Mo Willems' Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie and the Unlimited Squirrels, with songs, puppets and audience participation, at the nation's longest-running children's theatre.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
- Price
- Adults and kids 1–17 $20; babies under 12 months free; $2 with EBT (Museums for All)
- Best for
- Ages 0–10 (our guidance)
Three floors of hands-on play plus Maddy's Theatre, at Thompson's Point; closed Tuesdays
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light
- Price
- See site
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Oceanfront park around Maine's most photographed lighthouse, with lawns, trails and fort ruins
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Portland Museum of Art
- Price
- Adults $20; seniors and students 22+ $18; 21 and under free; free for everyone Fridays 4–8pm
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Maine's largest art museum on Congress Square; everyone 21 and under gets in free
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
- Price
- Free; sanctuary trails open sunrise to sunset
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Maine Audubon's 65-acre sanctuary with gentle trails, a pond and a Children's Discovery Room; no dogs
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Victoria Mansion
- Price
- Tickets required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 5–17+ (our guidance)
1860s Italianate mansion; decorated for Christmas Nov 27 – Jan 3 (closed Mondays in the holiday season)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Portland Public Library (Downtown)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown branch on Monument Square with baby and preschool storytimes
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Smiling Hill Farm
- Price
- See site
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
Family dairy farm since 1720 with a barnyard (open 10–5) and a farm store
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Greater Portland this weekend?
Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light and Portland Museum of Art are open most days, but we don't have a Greater Portland event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Nov 6) and The Santa Experience at L.L.Bean (Nov 20).
What are free things to do with kids in Greater Portland?
These are free according to their official sites: 2 places in Greater Portland, including Gilsland Farm Audubon Center and Portland Public Library (Downtown).
Where can kids play indoors in Greater Portland when it's cold or snowy?
We list 4 indoor places in Greater Portland: Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (kids $20), Portland Museum of Art (kids free), Victoria Mansion (Tickets required) and Portland Public Library (Downtown, kids free).
When and where can kids see Santa in Greater Portland?
We list 3 events with Santa in Greater Portland: The Santa Experience at L.L.Bean (Nov 20 – Dec 20), L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov 20) and Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights (Dec 4). Our Santa guide for the Portland area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Greater Portland?
We list 3 holiday light events in Greater Portland: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Nov 6 – Jan 18), L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov 20) and Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights (Dec 4). Our holiday lights guide for the Portland area has more nearby.
What is there to do with toddlers in Greater Portland?
We list 4 places in Greater Portland that welcome kids under 2, including Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light and Portland Public Library (Downtown). See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Greater Portland?
The best-known family attractions we list in Greater Portland are Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (kids $20), Fort Williams Park & Portland Head Light (See site) and Portland Museum of Art (kids free). See all 7 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Greater Portland family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Greater Portland: Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine (adult $20, kids $20), Portland Museum of Art (adult $20, kids free), Gilsland Farm Audubon Center (free) and Portland Public Library (Downtown, free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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