EVENTS: Children’s Discovery Museum announces 2023 holiday programs line-up

Santa waving from his home away from home at Kringleville, in Waterville, last season. (photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

The Children’s Discovery Museum is excited to announce its line-up of holiday programs for the 2023 season, which will include the Parade of Lights, Kringleville, Light Up The Town, Letters to Santa, and new holiday lighting in Castonguay Square.

Kicking off the celebration will be the annual Parade of Lights, coordinated by the Winslow Parks and Recreation department in conjunction with Winslow and Waterville Police Departments and Children’s Discovery Museum volunteers. The parade will take place on Saturday, November 25, at 6 p.m., and will flow down Benton Avenue, in Winslow, across the Ticonic Bridge, then proceed up Main Street, in Waterville.

Along the parade route is Castonguay Square, which will be ablaze with new lights and decorations this year courtesy of SkyBox Holiday and Event Lighting. Several thousand feet of string lights, in addition to multiple kinds of novelty lights, will adorn the trees in the square as well as the iconic Kringleville Cabin.

Santa will meet children at the Cabin at the Square this year, every Saturday and Sunday from 1 – 4 p.m., between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to free meetings with Santa, local organizations will be on location to host activities and giveaways for children as they wait in line. Families can expect DJs, hot cocoa, winter princess visits, and more as part of the holiday celebration.

Kringleville is made possible with support from the city of Waterville, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Selah Tea, and GoNetSpeed. Additional support comes from United Ag & Turf, State Farm and Chase Toys.

Along with Kringleville, the museum is working with Chris Bernier, of CTB Electronics, to host a city-wide light celebration. This year’s holiday season fills the entire town, as businesses and individuals decorate their properties with as many lights as possible. The registered parties will be part of a city-wide map for members of the community to drive or walk by each location to admire the decorations. Registration is currently open, available at Kringleville.org and the Kringleville Facebook Page.

Like last year, children are encouraged to write letters to Santa to leave in his mailbox outside his cabin or send through the Waterville Post Office. Santa will be responding to all letters, as long as the child’s
address is included in the letter. Information will be kept confidential by the Children’s Discovery Museum.

For more information and registration, visit www.kringleville.org or facebook.com/kringleville.