November 27-29, 2026 | York Beach, Maine

Celebrate Lighting of the Anchorage

Kick off the holiday season by the ocean at Anchorage Inn's annual Lighting of the Anchorage celebration. Gather along Long Sands Beach this Saturday, November 28, 2026, for an evening of holiday lights, fireworks, music, visits with Santa, and festive treats, all part of a coastal Christmas weekend filled with family-friendly activities.

Make a weekend of it with cookie decorating, indoor pool time, and holiday dining, with the beach just across the street from your room.

A COASTAL CHRISTMAS TRADITION

What Makes Lighting of the Anchorage Special

The holiday season gets a coastal welcome at Anchorage Inn, where festive lights, fireworks, and family traditions bring the York Beach community together. The Lighting of the Anchorage carries on the celebration surrounding the Nubble Lighthouse holiday lighting, with a full weekend of activities for guests and locals alike.

Holiday Lighting & Fireworks: Watch Anchorage Inn light up for the season, followed by a fireworks display over the coastline on Saturday evening.
Santa & Holiday Music: Meet Santa and enjoy festive music from a live DJ as the celebration gets underway.
Family-Friendly Activities: Enjoy complimentary cookie decorating on Friday and face painting on Saturday. Advance sign-up is required for both activities.
Hot Chocolate & S'mores: Warm up at the hot chocolate bar or gather around the fire pits, with s'mores ingredients available for purchase.
Ice Bar: Toast the season at the ice bar, serving adult beverages available for purchase.
A Weekend by the Ocean: Take a walk along Long Sands Beach, directly across from Anchorage Inn, and enjoy a quieter side of York Beach.
Stay for the Celebration: Turn the festivities into a weekend getaway with accommodations at Anchorage Inn, indoor pools, and seasonal dining at Sun and Surf.

Santa and Sign and Firework 2025 Credit York parks and rec department-1

How to Spend Lighting of the Anchorage Weekend in York Beach

Holiday Cookie Decorating

November 27 - 3:00 PM

Start the holiday weekend with complimentary cookie decorating at Anchorage Inn. A sweet way to get into the Christmas spirit before the main celebration. Call ahead to reserve your spot.

Festive Face Painting

November 28 - 1:00 PM

Bring the kids for complimentary holiday face painting at Anchorage Inn. Advance sign-up is required, so call ahead to secure a spot before the evening festivities begin.

Hot Chocolate & Fire Pits

4:30 PM

Enjoy holiday music from a live DJ, warm up with hot chocolate, and gather around the fire pits for s'mores. S'mores ingredients will be available for purchase.

Santa Visits Anchorage Inn

5:00 PM

Santa joins the celebration at Anchorage Inn, bringing a little extra Christmas magic to the evening. Stop by for a visit before the holiday lighting begins.

Lighting of the Anchorage & Fireworks

7:00 PM

Gather for the main event as Anchorage Inn lights up for the holiday season, with a festive fireworks display scheduled for 7 PM. It's the highlight of a weekend that brings York Beach together to welcome Christmas.

Holiday Breakfast at Sun and Surf

November 29 - 7:00 AM

Round out the weekend with a holiday breakfast at Sun and Surf, directly across from Anchorage Inn. Enjoy a relaxed morning by the coast before heading home.

FAQ

The Lighting of the Anchorage takes place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Anchorage Inn in York Beach, Maine. The celebration includes holiday music, Santa visits, festive treats, and fireworks, with activities throughout Thanksgiving weekend.

The main festivities begin at 4:30 PM on November 28, with holiday music, hot chocolate, and fire pits available throughout the evening. Santa visits begin at 5 PM, followed by the holiday lighting and fireworks at 7 PM. The evening's activities continue until 7:30 PM.

The event takes place at Anchorage Inn, located at 265 Long Beach Avenue in York Beach, Maine, directly across from Long Sands Beach. The inn hosts the community celebration, while you can view the Nubble Lighthouse holiday lights separately from Sohier Park.

The fireworks are scheduled for 7 PM on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Anchorage Inn, coinciding with the holiday lighting. Visitors can also enjoy music, Santa visits, hot chocolate, and fire pits earlier in the evening.

The celebration welcomes locals and visitors. Complimentary activities include Friday cookie decorating and Saturday face painting, both requiring advance sign-up by phone. The hot chocolate bar, s’mores ingredients, and ice bar with adult beverages are available for purchase.

Local attendees are asked to park along Long Sands Beach when visiting the Lighting of the Anchorage. Parking availability and posted restrictions may vary, so visitors should follow local parking regulations and allow extra time during the evening celebration.

Families can enjoy complimentary cookie decorating on Friday, November 27, from 3 to 5 PM, and festive face painting on Saturday, November 28, from 1 to 5 PM. Both activities require advance sign-up by phone. Saturday evening also includes Santa visits beginning at 5 PM, holiday music, hot chocolate, and fireworks.

Yes. Anchorage Inn offers a Lighting of the Anchorage Package featuring special event-related benefits, including VIP access, a designated viewing area, hot chocolate bar tickets, a s'mores box, and a welcome gift. Visit the Anchorage Inn offers page for package details and availability.