Here come the holidays! There’s no sense in fighting it – we humans are powerless against the kindness-engendering effects of Christmastime. Besides, they once wrote a story about some old greedy dude who shirked holiday spirit for alone time and bottom line profits, and let me tell you, no one much liked him at all. So revel in the season, even if your way of reveling involves a bonfire, bar crawl or cold-weather run. We can all find something to get us into the spirit this December.
Nov 27-Jan 3: Christmas at Victoria Mansion
Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St., Portland | $13.50-15, under 6 free, college students $7, family rate 435 | victoriamansion.org
Your holiday decor is amazing. The tree decked with shiny bulbs, the faux snow on the windows, the stockings you thought about knitting yourself but realized you don’t know how to knit. You are truly a master of Christmas merry-making. But that Victoria Mansion, with its rooms of big trees and velvety red ribbon and garland and gold stars and ornaments made of oranges and cloves, it’s done pretty well for itself too. Christmas at Victoria Mansion kicks of on Friday, Nov. 27 and visitors can peruse the rooms decorated by local designers.
Nov. 28-Dec. 31: Old Fashioned Christmas in Bath
Downtown Bath | visitbath.com
Bath’s holiday events begin on the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the tree lighting, a jingle bell walk and a visit from Santa. During December, you can hop on the trolley and ride through the streets of Bath for caroling on Friday nights (the trolley ride is free – bring your own hot chocolate for the ride). The downtown shops stay open late on Dec. 11 for holiday shopping and you can tuck a letter to Santa into one of the red mailboxes.
Press Herald file photo
Nov 28-Dec 6: The Nutcracker
Merrill Auditorium, Portland | $21-66 | mainestateballet.org
It’s tradition. And for good reason. The Nutcracker is a holiday staple in many households (I remember going to see this every year as a kid, and then returning again as an adult just to feel some of that Nutcracker magic). And per tradition, Maine State Ballet’s annual production includes thirty ballet company members along with over two hundred local dancers. Performances continue through Dec 6.
Portland Press Herald file photo by Gregory Rec.
Dec. 2-13: Christmas Prelude
Kennebunkport | Many activities free | christmasprelude.com
You know those utopian-looking holiday cards depicting a New England Christmas with carriage rides, giant trees draped in white lights and cheery, rosy-cheeked townspeople singing carols or sipping hot cocoa and peering into downtown shop windows? Prelude in Kennebunkport is kinda like that. Except the sleigh rides are really jaunts in an historic electric streetcar, one of the decorated trees is made out of lobster traps and the hot cocoa might be a cocktail. There are craft fairs, chowder supper, string quartets, cookie contests, lobster bakes, bonfires and more.
Dec 5-7: Art on the Hill SEA Holiday Art Sale
East End Community School, Portland | facebook.com
Over 80 local artists and an incredible weekend of holiday shopping! There’ll be something for everyone on your shopping list at this three-day event.
Dec. 4-5: MECA Holiday Sale
Maine College of Art, Portland | 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 | www.meca.edu
Give the gift of original art. Find the perfect gift, crafts, and fine arts by MECA students, alumni, faculty and staff. Shop, connect with the arts, and buy local. Free admission.
Dec. 5: Harbor Lights Festival
Boothbay Harbor | www.boothbayharbor.com
This decades-old event includes a festival of trees, craft show, live nativity, lap time with Santa, wagon rides, tree lighting and a host of other holiday goings on. And the a lighted boat parade, of course, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand with other lively characters, like elves, moose and lobsters.
Dec. 4: Downtown Holiday Festival
Downtown Biddeford | Free | heartofbiddeford.org
Entertainment kicks off at 5 p.m. on the stage in City Square with the Academy of Dance’s Nutcracker and the Biddeford Middle School choir. At 5:35 p.m., Santa arrives in all his jolly glory to help light the tree. Then get ready for free horse-drawn wagon rides and family photos with Santa.
Dec. 4: South Portland’s Holiday Fest
Mill Creek Park, South Portland | www.portlandregion.com
Now if this isn’t good old-fashioned fun, I don’t know what is. Eat hot cider, hot dogs, meatball heroes, cupcakes, hot chocolate and s’mores and sing along to Christmas carols with the South Portland High School and Middle School chorus students. Once properly in the spirit, visit Santa at City Hall or go on a horse drawn carriage ride through the park. Then watch the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Now that’s some holiday.
Dec. 4 & 5: Gardiner Days of Light
Downtown Gardiner | www.gardinermainstreet.org
Days of Light runs all month in Gardiner with tree lightings, shopping specials and contests and a variety show, but this particular weekend is extra bright. There’s a Holiday ArtWalk on Friday and a performance by David Wilcox at Johnson Hall. On Saturday there are no less than six area craft fairs, free horse drawn wagon rides and the Gardiner Parade of Lights, which takes place on Water Street at 4:30 p.m. Plenty of stuff for the kids all day, too.
Winter Street Center graphic
Dec. 4 & 5: Twisted Christmas
8 p.m. Winter Street Center, 880 Washington St., Bath. $15. studiotheatreofbath.com
Leave the kids at home for this Christmas event. It’s naughty. Studio Theatre of Bath presents an offbeat evening of music and merriment, and, like we said, naughty. Show starts at 8 p.m. both nights.
Sparkle weekend photo
Dec. 4-6: Sparkle Weekend
Freeport | sparklecelebration.com
It’s a town-wide holiday celebration featuring a talking Christmas tree, a parade of lights, visits from Santa, dynamic light shows, an ice walk and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Plus concerts, performances, parades, movies, and craft sales. And, oh yea, the shopping.
City Theater promotional poster
Dec. 4-13: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. $20. www.citytheater.org or 207-282-0849
The crazy Herdman kids are going to turn a church Christmas pageant into utter chaos! Act One of the night features the hilarious tale of mischievous kids and a Christmas play – Act Two features local singers performing classic Christmas carols.
Press Herald file photo
Dec. 5: Santacon
Starts at 6 p.m., various bars, Portland. Free to participate. www.facebook.com
Hundreds of Santas, Mrs. Clauses, Rudolphs, Mistletoes, Christmas trees, Abominable Snowmen and Elves turn out for a festive bar crawl. This is the 8th year for Santacon in Portland and it just keeps getting bigger and more festive. And remember, you’re representing Santa out there, so be jolly, be generous and for Kris Kringle’s sake, don’t drink too much!
Photo courtesy Good Will-Hinckley
Dec. 5-12: “Festival of Trees”
Good Will-Hinckley, Hinckley | gwh.org
See dozens of beautiful holiday trees decorated by local artists, students and nonprofits, each with a story to tell. On Dec. 5, enjoy an elegant brunch and wine tasting. The festival opens to the public Dec. 6, there’s a “Down Home Dinner” Dec. 9 and a chance to eat breakfast with Santa on Dec. 12. There’s also a Santa letter-writing station, scavenger hunt, craft fair, cookie decorating workshop and woodworking workshop.
Dec. 6: OOB365 Christmas at the Beach
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. American Legion Hall, 14 Imperial Street, Old Orchard Beach. oob365.com
Check out the Christmas Crafter Fair while the kids hit the Kids Shop, which is full of items priced at 25 to 50 cents. There’ll be kids games, hot cocoa, cookies and a chance to paint your own Christmas ball, too, before taking some tome to sit with Santa. Then head down to the town square for the lighting of the Christmas tree at 4 p.m.
Dec 7: Beat Santa 4-Miler
9 a.m. Starts at Loranger Middle School 148 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach. $17 in advance, $25 day of. www.running4free.com
Which Santa is the mystery Santa? You won’t know until the race is over, but if you run faster than the mystery Santa, you’ll get $10 off your registration fee for 2016. There will be best costume awards, too, so bring it.
Dec 7: Freeport Jingle Bell Run/Walk
10 a.m. Starts at Mast Landing School, 20 Mollymauk St., Freeport. $30 in advance/$35 day of for adults, $15 in advance/$20 day of for children under 10. www.jbr.org
You’re welcome to go all-out Santa for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Or elf it up. Or wait – run as a yeti! No matter what your inspiration, you’re encouraged to wear a holiday themed costume and run to raise fund for the Arthritis Foundation.
Press Herald file photo
Dec. 10: Merry Madness
4 to 10 p.m. Starts at Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St., Portland. $15. www.portlandmaine.com
Those local shops you love stay open late for your winter shopping pleasure during Portland Downtown’s annual Merry Madness event on Dec. 10. Start the evening off at Portland House of Music from 4 to 6 p.m. and retrieve your official Merry Madness wine glass or mug. There will be food, entertainment and raffles, too. Then shop away at participating shops until 10 p.m.
Dec. 11-13: A Christmas Carol
The Public Theatre, 31 Maple Street, Lewiston | $5-20 | www.thepublictheatre.org
Everything you need in a Christmas play: family, love, greed, generosity, ghosts(!) and Tiny Tim. “A Christmas Carol” is a classic story, worth revisiting every year. And at The Public Theatre, all performances are followed by a short program of holiday carols and stories with fiddler and storyteller Jennifer Armstrong.
The Nonantum Resort photo
Dec. 11 & 12: Fire & Ice Bar
5 to 10 p.m. The Nonantum Resort, 95 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport | $30 | www.nonantumresort.com
Ice, bonfires, cocktails, music. Need we say more? OK, here’s more: Live music, handcrafted ice bars, martinis, local flavor from the area’s finest restaurants and vendors, dancing under the stars and an unparalleled bonfire. Last year there was even a baked potato bar and plenty of sticks and marshmallows for s’mores makin’. There’s also a VIP Pre-night on Thursday for $150, which includes a full dinner, two drinks, dancing and a “creative black tie” atmosphere.
Nutcracker Burlesque photo
Dec. 11-13 & 16-19: Nutcracker Burlesque
St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland. $18. www.vividmotion.org
The Nutcracker Burlesque takes the holiday tale and transforms it into something sultry and modern. This year, Vivid Motion is reprising some favorites from old shows and adding new “twists and titillating choreography.” The show features a wide array of dance genres including ballet, disco, swing, and classic burlesque performed to rock versions of classic songs by Tchaikovsky and others you’ll recognize. All shows are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 and always sell out fast.
Dec. 11-13: “A Christmas Carol”
The Public Theater, 31 Maple St., Lewiston. $20, children 18 and under only $5. www.thepublictheatre.org
Rediscover the magic of theater, when six actors and a fiddler bring Charles Dickens’ classic story to life in a way you’ve never imagined and will never forget. Performances at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 12.
Dec 13: Santa Dash 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run and 1K Elf Shuffle
Starts and ends at Narragansett Point, Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk. $30 5K, $35 10K, $10 1K Elf Dash. seasidesantadash.com
The first 200 registrants get a free Santa suit to run in, which means you won’t have to panic over where to get the right costume. Instead, use that effort to pick up a small gift to be placed under the tree at Narragansett Point. Those toys will then be donated to Toys for Tots. Runners will get to walk, run or sprint along the beaches and roads of the Kennebunks. Run starts at 10 a.m.
Press Herald file photo
Dec. 12: Boat Parade of Lights
Casco Bay, Portland. $10 for ferry ride on Casco Bay Lines. www.cascobaylines.com
The Annual Portland Harbor Boat Parade of Lights is the magical night of the year when watercraft gather together, draped in their holiday finest. The parade of well-lit boats is visible from the shoreline, and Maine State Pier is a fine place to gather and gawk. But you can also climb aboard a Casco Bay Lines ferry and watch it all from the water. (Tip: Smart folks board early to snap tables in the enclosed upper deck and uncork a few bottles of wine.) Boat leaves at 4:30 p.m., parade begins at 4:45 p.m. Free to watch from shore, $10 to watch from Casco Bay Lines ferry.
Portland Ballet graphic
Dec. 12, 13 & 16: The Victorian Nutcracker
Westbrook Performing Arts Center (Dec. 12 & 13) and Merrill Auditorium, Portland (Dec. 16). Tickets $39-$45 at Westbrook Performing Arts Center and $23-$58 at Merrill Auditorium. www.portlandballet.org
Join Portland Ballet for a magical journey through Victorian Portland to the enchanted Kingdom of the Sweets! This classical Nutcracker story is set in beautiful Victorian Portland, with sets and costumes inspired by the Victoria Mansion.
Sarah Morrill/mainetoday.com photo
Dec. 13: PICNIC Holiday Sale
Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore St., Portland. Free admission. www.picnicportland.com
Crafters and artists from the local indie DIY scene will be selling handmade products in a variety of materials. Shoppers fine art, as well as vintage goods. Admission is free. Shoppers and their little ones can get their photo taken with the Yeti, and enjoy delicious food. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission.
Brewer’s Dash promotional graphic
Dec. 13: Portland Brewers’ 5K Holiday Dash
Eastern Prom, Portland. $30. trails.org
Runners assemble on the Eastern Promenade Trail between Ocean Gateway and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. The course heads down the trail toward Back Cove and turns around at the intersection of the Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Bayside Trail & Loring Memorial Stairs. After party at Ri-Ra! $30 registration supports Portland Trails. Race starts at 11 a.m.
Dec. 17, 18, 19 & 20: “A Christmas Carol – The Musical!”
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. chocolatechurch.com
Scrooge is better when he’s singing! Same goes for the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Showtimes at 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 18, 19 and 2 p.m. Dec. 20.
Dec. 19: 3rd Annual Holiday Whisky Tasting
Parsons Education Center and Jefferds Tavern, Museums of Old York | $35/$30 members | www.oldyork.org
Learn about whiskey (and by that we mean drink it) with the help of whisky connoisseur Peter Blyberg, who’ll lead guests through a comparison of whiskies from Scotland and Ireland and a bourbon from the American South. There will also be folks tunes from Great Bay Sailor and Scottish foods like Cullen Skink and oatcakes.