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Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing 2025 | Bath, Maine’s Best Local Holiday Shopping Event

  • Writer: Gerry Caron
    Gerry Caron
  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read


Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing 2025 | Bath, Maine’s Best Local Holiday Shopping Event

🎄 Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing 2025: A Festive Local Shopping Event in Bath, Maine

Looking for one of the best holiday shopping events in Maine? The Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing Event returns on December 13, 2025, offering a charming, local, community-focused celebration perfect for holiday shoppers, book lovers, and history fans. Conveniently timed with Bath’s Downtown Day and the Bath Farmers Market, this festive morning is one of the year’s best opportunities to shop local, meet authors, support artisans, and take home unique gifts with authentic Maine character.


Step inside the historic Bath Freight Shed, where you’ll discover exclusive merchandise, books by award-winning Maine authors, beautiful prints, note cards, and limited-edition MFS-branded items—all with special 20% discounts for one day only.


December 13, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Bath Freight Shed — 27 Commercial St., Bath, Maine

📞 (207) 443-4242 •


🛍️ Why Attend the Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing?

This festive annual event brings together Maine authors, maritime history lovers, and holiday shoppers for a cozy morning of community and creativity.


⭐ Event Highlights

  • 📚 Meet & Greet with Maine Authors — Chat with published and award-winning writers, photographers, historians & musicians connected to Maine’s First Ship.

  • ✍️ Book Signings — Get personalized autographs—perfect for gifting.

  • 🎁 Holiday Gift Shopping — Shop MFS-branded gifts, books, art prints & more.

  • 💸 One-Day-Only Discounts — 20% off all MFS merchandise (December 13 only).

  • ❤️ Support Local History — Proceeds help fund Maine’s First Ship programs and educational initiatives.

  • 🎫 FREE Admission


✍️ Featured Authors Appearing at the Event

Meet talented writers who are also volunteers dedicated to preserving Maine’s maritime legacy:


  • James L. Nelson – Award-winning author and MFS head rigger

  • Paul Cunningham – Recreating Maine’s First Ship; Building a Viking Ship

  • Jody Bachelder – Here First

  • Keith Spiro – Making Magic Happen at Maine’s First Ship

  • David Bellows & Barbara Held – Gus – A Bird’s Life

  • Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee – Songs of Ships and Sailors

  • Peter Blachly – The Stone from Halfway Rock


These authors will be available throughout the morning for signings, photos, and conversations about their work.


🎄✨ NEW FOR 2025: Bath’s Downtown Day Events — Shop, Ride & Celebrate!

Your visit just got easier and even more festive! This year, the MFS event is part of a larger celebration: Downtown Day, a highlight of Bath’s beloved Old-Fashioned Christmas.


🚍 FREE Park & Ride Shuttle Sponsored by Fidium Fiber

Say goodbye to downtown parking stress!Thanks to Fidium Fiber, Morse High School, and the City of Bath, visitors can enjoy a free shuttle throughout the busiest part of the day.


Shuttle Schedule: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Pickup & Drop-off Locations:

  • 🅿️ Morse High School Parking Lot

  • 🚌 Front Street Bus Stop next to City Hall


Just park, hop on, and enjoy Bath’s holiday magic.


🎁 Fidium “Gift of Bath” Sweepstakes — Win Local Spending Money!

Support local AND enter to win!Fidium is giving away Gift of Bath Certificates to lucky shoppers.


Perfect for exploring Bath’s charming shops and eateries all season long.


🎶 More Downtown Day Festivities Happening December 13

After shopping at the Maine’s First Ship Holiday Sale, explore downtown for these festive activities:


  • 🎼 Trolley Caroling — Ride through Bath while enjoying cheerful Christmas music

  • 🎄 Storefront Decorating Contest — Vote for your favorite displays

  • 🥫 Bath Area Food Pantry Donation Drive — Give back during the season of generosity

  • 🛍️ Bright Night Bath Shopping — Explore extended hours and festive store specials



🎁 Plan Your Visit

📍 Location: Bath Freight Shed, 27 Commercial St., Bath, Maine

🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

💵 Admission: FREE

🌐 Website: https://mfship.org

📞 Phone: (207) 443-4242


❤️ The Perfect Way to Kick Off Your Holiday Shopping in Bath

Whether you’re hunting for locally crafted gifts, meeting Maine’s most engaging authors, or enjoying Downtown Day’s festive atmosphere, the Maine’s First Ship Holiday Gift Sale & Author Signing Event is a must-visit holiday tradition.

It’s warm. It’s welcoming. It’s wonderfully Maine.


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🏡 Where to Stay: Moose River Lookout – Your Basecamp for Adventure

Rockwood Maine Lodging • Moosehead Lake Cabin Rentals


Located in Rockwood, Maine, Moose River Lookout is the ultimate vacation home rental for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Nestled on the Moose River, this cozy home features:

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Book Your Stay

Experience the ultimate outdoor getaway in the heart of Maine's natural beauty. For inquiries or to make a reservation, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to Moose River Lookout, lodging Rockwood Maine a Vacation Home Rental, on Moose River with access to Moosehead Lake and Mt. Kineo!


Looking at a moose at the top of Mt Kineo from Moose River









Arrive early to stroll through the Bath Farmers Market and walk right into the gift sale — a festive, community-filled morning perfect for families, shoppers, and history lovers.


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