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here’s something wicked cozy and magical about the holidays up in Maine’s Aroostook County. Picture this: downtowns twinkling with giant Christmas trees in the town squares, shops lined with evergreen garlands and windows that sparkle, and the air filled with that unmistakable hush — until a surprise snowstorm drifts in, dusting everything with extra holiday glitter.
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With 2,300 miles of trails and 120″ of annual snowfall, winter here isn’t just a season — it’s the season that starts off Maine's best winter.
Start new holiday traditions — or rediscover old ones — a trip to the Crown of Maine is just the ticket. Here, you won’t be lost in the swirl of big-box stores or chain malls. Instead, you’ll find one-of-a-kind shops, local artisans, and real people who know how to celebrate. Think handmade ornaments, cozy boutiques, and downtowns that feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard — all while being backed by real snow and genuine small-town cheer.
Bundle up, load the car, and come north to explore: ride Molly the Trolley at the tree lighting in Presque Isle, shop at the Caribou Christmas Village, or enjoy the glow of the Festival of Trees in Fort Kent or Danforth. It’s a magic getaway that’s a little bit Hallmark, alot of Winter Wonderland, and a touch of nostalgia.
In Aroostook, the locals have the gift of gab - and you'll likely hear how the best presents from come from Deep in the Woods Giftshop (a store located in the woods of Oxbow), Third Street in Presque Isle has the BIGGEST light display, Van Buren is known as 'Christmas Town', memories of the Living Christmas Tree of Caribou Baptist Church, and how the Houlton Chamber of Commerce building is so beautifully decorated it should be turned into a postcard.
Our Favorite Holiday Classics
- November 14-23rd - Houlton's Festival of Trees
- November 22 - December 6th - Christmas in Caribou
- November 29th - Christmas Town Celebration
- December 5-7th - Madawaska's Festival of Trees
- December 6th - Presque Isle Light Parade
- December 12-13th - Victorian Christmas at the Estey House
- December 21st - Skiing with Santa at Lonesome Pine Trails
- December 21st - Nutcracker on Ice
Holiday Events in Aroostook
Festivals of trees in Aroostook
- Houlton Festival of Trees: Nov 14-23
- Frenchville Festival of Wreaths: Nov 22-23
- Ashland Festival of Trees & Wreaths: Nov 22-23
- St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce Festival of Baskets: Nov 11-December 13
- Danforth Festival of Trees: Nov 28-Dec 5
- Van Buren Carnival of Trees Festival: Nov 29-30
- Madawaska Festival of Trees: Dec 5-7
- Presque Isle St. Apollonia Festival of Trees: Dec 5-7
- Fort Kent Festival of Trees: Dec 12-14
Where to Stay & Soak in The County’s Warm Hospitality
After a day of parades, lights, and snowflake-dusted streets, there’s nothing better than heading to a cozy inn. In Aroostook , the places you stay don’t just give you a bed — they invite you stay with a warm smile and are happy for your visit. The innkeepers hang wreaths, share hot cocoa, and are a refuge from the all too common winter storms that sometimes force you to spend an unexpected night or two.
In this season we recommend staying at a hotel or motel right downtown so you're close to the pubs, shops, and festive downtown lights. Wake up to fresh snow on your car, sip coffee while frost sparkles on the windows, and feel that deep, breathing-in-the-season calm you only get when you're somewhere special. Staying local means soaking in more than just the scenery — you’re living the Hallmark holiday, not just watching it from home alone on the couch.
Stocking Stuffers & Gifts Straight From The County
One of the best parts of a trip here? Bringing home little pieces of Aroostook to tuck into stockings, gift baskets, and share with friends. Think maple moose lollipops, ploye mix, hand-painted ornaments, Scandinavian Dala horses, scented candles, and beautifully hand painted postcards of snowy Main Streets and owls. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill holiday gifts — they’re tokens of a place so near and dear to your heart. Visit just once and you’ll see, Aroostook is a place one may simply just be.
