L.L.Bean Northern Lights in Freeport
Experience the dazzling holiday light display at L.L.Bean in Freeport, a festive tradition that illuminates the campus during winter.
Every year, as the days grow shorter and November cold settles over Maine, the L.L.Bean campus in Freeport transforms into something magical. The Northern Lights celebration bathes the buildings, trees, and grounds in over 100,000 sparkling lights, creating a holiday spectacle that has become one of Maine’s cherished seasonal traditions. What started as a modest holiday decoration has evolved into a full-scale winter wonderland that draws visitors from across New England to Freeport’s shopping district.
What Northern Lights Is
Northern Lights is essentially a massive holiday light display centered around the L.L.Bean flagship store and campus. The lights illuminate the main store, surrounding buildings, trees throughout the parking areas and walkways, and the Discovery Park behind the main store. The display goes well beyond simple white lights strung on buildings - expect themed areas, sculptural light installations, colorful displays, and carefully choreographed arrangements that create distinct atmospheres in different areas.
The celebration runs from mid-November through early January, typically beginning the weekend before Thanksgiving and continuing past New Year’s.
- Expected 2026 Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027.
Unlike many holiday displays that close after Christmas, Northern Lights extends the season into January, offering a bright spot during the darkest part of the Maine winter.
Because the L.L.Bean flagship store maintains its famous 24-hour schedule even during the holidays, the lights stay on all night, every night. This means you can visit at literally any time that suits your schedule - 2 PM on a Saturday afternoon, midnight on a Tuesday, dawn on Christmas morning. The flexibility is remarkable and allows visitors to choose times that work for their schedules and crowd tolerance.
The Display Details
The lighting design changes and expands somewhat each year, but certain elements have become consistent features. The main store facade receives elaborate treatment, with lights outlining the building and creating patterns across the walls. Trees throughout the campus sparkle with thousands of lights in various colors and arrangements.
The Discovery Park area behind the main store has become a focal point in recent years, with walking paths lit and themed areas created specifically for the holiday season. This area works particularly well for families with children, offering space to walk around and explore different sections of the display.
Certain areas feature synchronized light shows set to music, with lights programmed to pulse and change in rhythm with holiday songs. These shows typically run on a loop, so if you miss one, another starts within 15-20 minutes.
The company has been adding more interactive elements each year. Recent displays have included photo opportunity spots with props and backdrops, areas where visitors can interact with light installations, and even some augmented reality elements accessible through smartphones.
Special Events and Activities
Throughout the Northern Lights season, L.L.Bean schedules special events and activities to enhance the experience beyond just viewing lights. These typically include:
Visits with Santa are scheduled regularly, particularly on weekends in December leading up to Christmas. The Santa setup usually occupies a location inside the main store, with the jolly fellow available for photos and wish lists. These sessions can get busy, so expect lines on weekend afternoons.
Live music performances happen regularly, with local musicians and groups performing in various locations around the campus. The schedule varies week to week, but weekends and the days between Christmas and New Year’s typically see the most activity.
Outdoor demonstrations showcase winter activities and equipment. L.L.Bean staff might demonstrate snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter camping gear, or ice fishing equipment. These demos serve both entertainment and educational purposes, and you don’t need to make purchases to participate or watch.
Hot cocoa stations appear periodically, particularly during special event weekends. The company sometimes offers complimentary hot chocolate at outdoor stations, creating a festive atmosphere and giving cold visitors a chance to warm up.
Special shopping promotions align with the Northern Lights season. While the lights themselves are completely free to view, the obvious hope is that visitors will shop while they’re there. The holiday season brings special products, extended sales, and exclusive items available only during this period.
The Shopping Connection
Let’s be honest about what Northern Lights is - it’s absolutely a retail promotion designed to draw holiday shoppers to Freeport. L.L.Bean makes no secret of this, and it works brilliantly. The lights create an atmosphere that puts people in a holiday shopping mood, and the 24-hour store means you can shop whenever inspiration strikes.
That said, you’re under no obligation to buy anything. Plenty of visitors come just for the lights, walk around the campus enjoying the display, maybe grab a hot chocolate, and leave without entering the stores. The company has been smart enough to create an experience that stands on its own as entertainment, making the shopping optional rather than mandatory.
If you do plan to shop, the Northern Lights season coincides with L.L.Bean’s major holiday sales and promotions. The store stocks gift-appropriate items and creates special holiday sections. This can be an efficient way to handle holiday shopping - browse the outlet stores up and down Main Street during daylight hours, then shop L.L.Bean and see the lights after dark.
The other stores in Freeport also decorate for the holidays and extend hours during this season. Many coordinate with Northern Lights, recognizing that the L.L.Bean display draws people to town who then shop elsewhere. Downtown Freeport becomes something of a holiday shopping destination, with Northern Lights as the anchor attraction.
Family-Friendly Appeal
Northern Lights works exceptionally well for families with children. The outdoor nature of most of the display means kids can move around freely without the “don’t touch” restrictions of indoor attractions. The Discovery Park area provides space for children to run and explore. The variety of elements keeps different ages interested.
The free admission removes a significant barrier for families. Taking a family of four to see lights that charge admission can easily cost $50-100 or more at some attractions. Northern Lights costs nothing beyond getting yourself to Freeport, making it accessible regardless of budget.
Santa visits, when scheduled, are free, though photos might cost extra depending on the setup. The outdoor demonstrations give children a chance to see winter gear and activities up close. The general atmosphere of the campus - designed to showcase outdoor recreation - naturally appeals to active kids.
The timing flexibility matters enormously for families. If children are melting down at 7 PM, you can leave and come back at 9 PM or 10 PM when they’ve recovered. Or you can visit before bed, making it a special evening outing without fighting crowds.
Parking and Crowds
Parking at the L.L.Bean campus is extensive, with large lots serving the stores. During the Northern Lights season, particularly on weekend evenings in December, these lots can fill up. The busiest times tend to be Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-9 PM, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
If the main lots are full, overflow parking is available at nearby municipal lots in downtown Freeport. The walk from downtown to the L.L.Bean campus is about 5-10 minutes, giving you a chance to see other shops’ holiday decorations along the way.
To avoid crowds entirely, visit on weekday evenings or late at night. A Tuesday evening at 8 PM will be dramatically less crowded than Saturday at 6 PM. The after-midnight hours offer the most peaceful experience if you don’t mind the cold and want the lights essentially to yourself.
The display actually looks quite beautiful in falling snow, and Maine’s winter weather means you have a decent chance of seeing this. Dress warmly regardless - you’ll be outside walking around, and Maine in December and January is genuinely cold. Layers, warm coats, hats, gloves, and good boots make the experience much more enjoyable.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Plan to spend 30-60 minutes walking around to see all the displays properly. If you’re also shopping or attending special events, you’ll obviously need more time. The campus layout is straightforward enough that you won’t get lost, but grab a map at the main store entrance if you want to make sure you see everything.
The lights look different at different times of evening. Twilight offers a nice balance between darkness and ambient light. Full darkness creates more drama and makes the lights more vibrant. If you’re photographing the display, twilight often produces the best results.
Combine your Northern Lights visit with a meal in Freeport. Several restaurants downtown offer holiday menus during this season, and making an evening of it - dinner followed by lights - creates a nice holiday outing.
Consider visiting more than once if you’re local or visiting Maine for an extended period. The display changes subtly as you move through the season, special events vary week to week, and seeing it in different weather conditions offers very different experiences.
Accessibility and Practical Details
The display is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The L.L.Bean campus has paved surfaces throughout, and the main walking areas around the lights are maintained and cleared of snow. The Discovery Park paths are also accessible, though they’re slightly less formal than the main campus areas.
Restrooms are available inside the stores, which remain open 24 hours. This is particularly important for visits with young children.
The Northern Lights display is completely free. No tickets, no admission fees, no parking charges at the L.L.Bean lots. This makes it one of the most accessible holiday attractions in New England.
Freeport is about 20 minutes north of Portland via I-295. Plan on about 2 hours driving time from Boston, longer if hitting traffic. The location right off I-295 makes it easy to reach and convenient to incorporate into travel plans. Many people visiting Maine during the holidays make Northern Lights a planned stop or combine it with shopping in Freeport.
Check the L.L.Bean website before visiting for the current year’s exact dates, special event schedules, and any changes to the display or activities. While the general format remains consistent, specific details vary year to year.