History of Christmas Prelude

Christmas Prelude was just a glimmer of an idea in the summer of 1982 when Kennebunkport merchants first discussed creating a holiday event to give back to the community.

“We want to give the town a Christmas festival,” one organizer said of the group that would come to be known as the Kennebunkport Business Association.

And so, that December, what was described as a “three-day extravaganza” filled with a tree lighting, chowder luncheon and carol singing took place. And so, Christmas Prelude was born.

Over time, Prelude has changed to include two full weekends and nearly two full weeks, dozens of events and draws thousands of people from around the world.

More importantly, it has helped to raise thousands of dollars for local nonprofits and supported its member businesses while staying true to its local roots.

In 2018, it honored the passing of one of its biggest fans, President George H.W. Bush, by counting down from 41 at the tree lighting. And in 2020, most of the traditional events were held virtually, because of the still-active pandemic. Throughout the years, though, the KBA, through its Christmas Prelude, has honored its mission: to give back to the community and to share in the joy and magic of the Christmas community. As long as there are people to come together, to celebrate, there will always be a Christmas Prelude.

What We Are:

We are the Kennebunkport Business Association, an organization of local merchants, restaurateurs, innkeepers and other tourist-related businesses and organizations, all of which are found within Kennebunkport, Kennebunk’s Lower Village and Cape Porpoise. And we’d like you to consider joining us.

We are the all-volunteer group behind Christmas Prelude for the last 42 years, growing it into an event that attracts thousands of people from across the nation and tops the list of U.S. holiday events with multiple media outlets each year. Join us in decorating the tree, planning the parades and events and turning our town into one of the holiday hot spots! We share the common goal of promoting our area to both the tourist trade and the local residents while preserving the uniqueness of this very special New England community.

For businesses, Prelude is a game-changer, the busiest shopping days of the year, increasing revenue during those weekends up to 200% for some shops and eateries, and helping to burnish the Kennebunkport brand as a year ‘round destination. Only member businesses have the opportunity to:

• Be featured in our social media campaigns and accounts (our accounts have grown by more than 150% in the last two years)
• Sponsor/host official Prelude events
• Be featured on our websites (christmasprelude.com and kennebunkport.org)
• Be included in press coverage
• Apply to use the official Christmas Prelude logo and copyrighted name

You will find KBA members focusing on issues crucial to the KBA and its members (restrooms, parking lot fees and other specific needs of the town).  The KBA and the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Chamber have complimentary roles and collaborate throughout the year. The annual membership dues are a very small price to pay for the decorating, marketing and promotion of our town that goes on all year long, not to mention the incredible power of Prelude.

In the past few years, we’ve really expanded our marketing and digital presence, not only creating a “virtual” Prelude for 2020, but taking on these initiatives as well:

• Securing a marketing grant from the Maine Office of Tourism
• Working with the Chamber to grow our social media presence and create campaigns. In 2020, we had more than 1.5 million social media impressions!
• Increasing our email list more than 50% through text to sign-up and a pop-up on our website
• Creating “Midweek Magic” to increase visitors and revenue on weekdays
• Increasing press placements, with more than a dozen in 2020.

And YOU can be a part of it all!

If you have any questions, please drop us an email at ChristmasPrelude@gmail.com. We hope you will join us as the newest member of the KBA!