YORK COUNTY — Santa Claus is making his rounds, and whether you’re naughty or nice, you can catch him in Biddeford, Saco or Old Orchard Beach this weekend.
The holiday fun begins on Friday in downtown Biddeford. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., youngsters can take part in free cookie decorating at Reilly’s Bakery and listen to the Biddeford Middle School Chorus sing Christmas carols or do arts and craft activities at the McArthur Library.
Santa will arrive and light up the tree at the Hanukkah menorah and tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at city square. There will be music, hot chocolate, s’mores and free sleigh rides through the downtown. Children can get a free photo with Santa from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ArtWalk venues will be open until 7 p.m, as will a number of downtown businesses.
On Saturday, it’s Saco’s turn to bring on the holiday cheer..
Saco Museum continues its holiday tradition of the Festival of Trees from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a display of festive, fun and elegant trees and wreaths.
Saco Main Street’s Holiday Festival will bring several fun activities to Saco’s downtown during the afternoon. Park your car at the Saco Museum or the train station and take a free trolley that will run from noon to 4:30 p.m between the two locations, making stops along the way.
“There will be a lot of the same beloved traditions,” said Saco Main Street Executive Director Rob Biggs.
There will be face painting, children’s crafts and cocoa with the parks and recreation staff from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m at Saco City Hall, and horse drawn carriage rides from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. behind Post Office Park.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Saco train station from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and there will be children’s craft activities along with cocoa and s’mores.
A tree-lighting ceremony with caroling will be held 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the train station.
One new attraction will be an ice carving demonstration at Post Office Park.
A bean supper will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church to benefit Toys for Tots.
The Festival of Lights parade will begin at 6:30 p.m., with about 80 groups parading down Main Street with lighted displays. The parade is a popular event that draws a huge crowd of onlookers.
“It will be another packed house, a repeat of last year,” said Biggs.
You can also catch Santa and Mrs. Claus in Old Orchard Beach on Saturday. The jolly couple will be at the Celebration by the Sea.
Celebration by the Sea runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, at 11 First St., with a tree-lighting ceremony at the town square.
“This is a free, family-friendly event for the community,” said Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Member Relations Manager Chelsea Tarbox.
In addition to the tree lighting and the visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, there will be live music, arts and crafts, games, and free cookies, popcorn and cocoa.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or [email protected].
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