Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Portland (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 family events around Portland for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
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
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
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Portland over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Freeport, Nov 6 – Jan 18), The Santa Experience at L.L.Bean (Freeport, Nov 20 – Dec 20) and The Polar Express Train Ride (Maine Narrow Gauge, Portland, Nov 20 – Dec 28). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Portland need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Freeport). Book through each official page.
Which Portland-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Freeport (2) and Portland (2).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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