Old Port December Holiday Historic Walking Tour

CLICK HERE TO GET PUBLIC TOUR TICKETS!

Holiday time in the Old Port is the place to be! Explore the Old Port and downtown Portland's rich history and places of interest from 1632 in this 2 ½ hour, 2-mile, exciting walking tour and historical adventure for all members of the family! Upon meeting in front of Longfellow Books (directly next to Monument Square and One City Center Parking Garage), then we will begin our tour in the center of Monument Square to discuss the origins of the Christmas Tree and the first Christmas celebrated in America. During our journey, we will discover over 50 historic stops, visit the magical Lobster Trap Tree in the heart of the Old Port, and hear the story of Charles Dickens “bizarre visit” to Portland in 1868. At the end of the tour, we will visit the outside of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous home (the oldest home on the Portland peninsula) where you'll hear the history of his famous poem Christmas Bells. Don't miss it! 

Public tours will run every weekend from December 5th through December 20th, 2026. Tour starts at 11AM and finishes approximately at 1:30PM. Advanced tickets required at ticketmaster/ticketweb. Tickets go on sale in November. $45 per ticket. Kids 6 and under are free.

Private tours and special group rates are available by emailing LeighOlson@OldPortHistoricTours.com. If you would like to speak with your tour guide for any questions, please email or call Leigh directly at 207-807-0009.

Leigh Rush Olson, your tour guide and founder of Old Port Historic Tours, holds a BA in History from CUNY Brooklyn College and is a certified Portland History Docent. Moreover, Leigh is a Portland native and a resident of Kennebunk, Maine. You're in good hands! Click here for more background about Leigh.

Where to meet: 1 Monument Way in downtown Portland in front of Longfellow Books - conveniently located directly next to One City Center Parking Garage and Monument Square.  

Please note this tour might require walking on possible uneven, icy, or snow covered, cobblestone/Belgium block surfaces. Please wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes regardless of the season.