L.L.Bean is getting ready to ring in the holiday season. Since our Christmas tree – a 60-foot Norway spruce – arrived at the Freeport campus last weekend, our elves have been hard at work adding lights and decorations in preparation for our tree lighting ceremony.

Join us in Freeport, Maine, on Friday, November 16 at 6:45 p.m. for our annual Christmas tree lighting, the kick-off to our Northern Lights events.

What is Northern Lights? It’s a six-week celebration of the holiday spirit in our hometown of Freeport. When you visit Freeport during this time, you’ll find live music and caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a local harvest market, kids’ crafts and activities, a Crooked House play village and gift-wrapping services.

See our full schedule below.

Special Events

Tree Lighting Event

Friday, November 16, 6:45 p.m.

Join us for festive music and holiday cheer as we light up one of the largest Christmas trees in Maine with 207 TV hosts Kathleen Shannon and Rob Caldwell. We’ll even have festive holiday music from the Fogcutters.

Dazzling Light Display Show (NEW this year!)

Every Weekend – Friday, November 16 – Monday, December 31 

New this year – come be amazed and delighted as we bring our campus to life with a spectacular light show set to music. You won’t want to miss it.

Winter Coats for Seniors

Friday to Sunday, November 16-18

L.L.Bean and Maine Triad chapters will be collecting gently used coats for Maine’s older citizens, with the support of Maine Area Agencies on Aging. For every coat received, L.L.Bean will provide a matching donation of $5 to the Maine Area Agencies on Aging. Drop boxes are located in Discovery Lobby in our flagship store.

Harvest Market

Sunday, November 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Pick up everything for your Thanksgiving feast from local farms, including a fresh turkey, vegetables and all the trimmings. You’ll also find specialty foods, handcrafted items and even cooking tips to help you entertain in style.

Freeport’s Moonlight Madness Shopping Celebration

Friday, November 23, 12:01 a.m.

Stay up late for a midnight fun run, plus activities and special discounts all over town.

Home for the Holidays

Saturday and Sunday, December 1-2

Visit the L.L.Bean Home Store for food tastings, cookbook signings, special demonstrations and more. On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., also enjoy free samples from one of our favorites, Stonewall Kitchen.

A Traveling Christmas Carol

Sundays, December 2-23, 1-3 p.m.

Enjoy short theatrical interpretations of this holiday classic by Maine entertainer Mike Miclon and guests.

Freeport’s Sparkle Weekend

Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9

Enjoy a holiday parade, delicious treats and fun activities throughout Freeport, all weekend long.

The Weather Channel

Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

L.L.Bean Flagship Store

Come by and try out your skills as a TV meteorologist with The Weather Channel. Report the weather on a real camera and receive a free copy of your video segment.

Meet Real Sled Dogs

Saturday, December 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Discovery Park

Meet local sled dogs and watch exciting mini demonstrations. You’ll learn how the teams are assembled, how to harness the dogs and even how you could mush your own team. Weather permitting.

Maine Youth Orchestra

Friday, December 15, 6-8 p.m.

L.L.Bean Flagship Store

Enjoy a special holiday performance by members of the talented Maine Youth Orchestra.

KidNight New Year’s Eve Celebration

Monday, December 31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

L.L.Bean Flagship Store and Discovery Patio

Start the fun early with our family-friendly event, including crafts, activities and more at our flagship store. Then, we’ll ring in the New Year just for kids with a festive “KidNight” on the Discovery Patio, featuring live music from Rick Charette and a wintertime fireworks display.

Events Every Weekend 

Crooked House Play Village and Woodland Nature Forest

November 16-December 31

These whimsical, award-winning wooden playhouses will inspire plenty of imaginative play. Kids will also have fun playing amongst handcarved woodland creatures in our “enchanted” forest throughout our campus of stores.

Holiday Ornaments and Craft Projects

Saturdays, November 16-December 23, 2-4 p.m.

Kids’ Department

Kids can create one-of-a-kind works of art with Maine artist Julie Yeo.

Old-Fashioned Wagon Rides

Weekends, November 17-December 23, 1-7 p.m.

Main Street, in front of Flagship Store

Take a break from holiday shopping and explore the village at a leisurely pace. It’s a great way to view the lights, too.

Fun Holiday Photo Opportunities

November 16-December 31

Preserve holiday memories with a festive photo in front of our unique backdrops. Don’t forget to share on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Holiday Caroling

Saturdays, December 1-22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.

Enjoy holiday favorites performed by area choral groups.

Book Signings

Saturdays, December 1-22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Our in-store author signings let you personalize books for great one-of-a-kind gifts. We’ll have children’s books, cookbooks and, of course, outdoor experience books.

Bean Canteen – Water Bottle Engraving

Friday to Sunday, December 1-23, 10 a.m.-4p.m.

Purchase a Bean Canteen and have it personalized for free.

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

Weekends, December 8-15

Daily, December 15-24

Discovery Lobby, Flagship Store

Drop off your gifts and have them wrapped by the time you’re ready to leave the store. Donations accepted, and all proceeds go to nonprofits.

Winter Snowshoeing and Skiing Adventures

As soon as the snow falls, our Outdoor Discovery Schools expert instructors can have you snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in no time – for just $20.

The fun kicks off this Friday at L.L.Bean in Freeport, Maine.

Northern Lights 2011

Be sure to mark your calendars for all of these special events. Download the event schedule PDF here. What event are you looking forward to the most?