It’s time to odor the pine timber, spike the eggnog and fill your days and nights with some correct cheer. From vacation lights to performances of “The Nutcracker,” we’ve gathered a few of this season’s brightest occasions and invite you to mark your calendar as all of us march into the vacations with a skip in our step and a watch on 2023. Consider this as a vacation sampler, and we’ll remember to share extra concepts within the coming weeks.
The Christmas tree in Monument Sq. is illuminated for the primary evening on Friday on this long-exposure {photograph}. Ben McCanna/Employees Photographer
Monument Sq. Tree Lighting
4-6 p.m. Friday. Monument Sq., Portland, free. eventbrite.com
Collect every one for the annual lighting of the Monument Sq. vacation tree. You’ll get pleasure from free Hood eggnog samples, Subzero ice carving demos, Northern Pitch a cappella, Vacation Spectacular present by Mad Science of Maine, festive giveaways and free Dunkin’ beverage samples. What’s extra, the Tree Cam will allow you to see the tree in all its illuminated glory all season lengthy.
Scene from a costume rehearsal for Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Derek Davis/Employees Photographer
Maine State Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Via Dec. 4. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $28 to $80. porttix.com
You’ve acquired six possibilities to catch a efficiency of Maine State Ballet’s acclaimed vacation efficiency. The present is large with 30 skilled ballet firm members performing the standard story starring the Nutcracker Prince and Clara and that includes spectacular costumes and surroundings, together with stay music from the corporate’s orchestra and refrain.
The Dance Annex kicks off the vacation season with “The Nutcracker” at Kittery’s Star Theatre. Photograph courtesy of The Dance Annex
‘The Nutcracker’
6 p.m. Friday, 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Via Dec. 4. Star Theater, 120 Rogers Highway, Kittery, $33, $25 seniors and kids 12 and below. kitterycommunitycenter.org
The Dance Annex presents it interpretation of “The Nutcracker.” Clara will lead you on an unforgettable journey to the Land of Sweets in a manufacturing that can enchant viewers members of all ages. Forged members embrace Ruth Whitney from Metropolis Ballet of Boston because the Sugar Plum Fairy. Native seventh-graders Amelia Gordon of Kittery and Willoughby Staley of York will share the function of Clara. It doesn’t get extra traditional than “The Nutcracker” with regards to vacation traditions, so seize some tickets and luxuriate in.
Vacation lights on the seventh annual Gardens Aglow on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Brianna Soukup/Employees Photographer
Gardens Aglow
4, 5:30, 6:30 and seven:30 p.m. Thursday by Sunday, plus choose dates by Dec. 31. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay Harbor, $18, $16, $10 children 3-17, free for ages 3 and below. mainegardens.org
For an immersive expertise like few others, schedule your go to and head to the wonderland of Gardens Aglow. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens makes use of greater than 750,000 LED lights round its 14 acres of gardens throughout the vacation season. Snow or no snow, you’ll be strolling in a winter wonderland together with your path lit by among the most dazzling shows this facet of the Mississippi. A good looking sight certainly.
L.L. Bean’s flagship retailer in Freeport is aglow because the Northern Lights Celebration takes place with options together with the Discovery Forest with a warming hut, a walk-in snow globe, wagon rides and visits from Santa and his reindeer. Derek Davis/Employees Photographer
Northern Lights
Via Dec. 31. L.L. Bean campus, Freeport. llbean.com
It certain will get festive in Freeport this time of yr. L.L. Bean’s annual Northern Lights celebration is jam-packed with cheerful actions and sights like the large snow globe, free skating, twinkle gentle tunnel, mannequin practice village, letters to Santa, Vacation Across the World interactive stroll and extra. Northern Lights additionally contains a number of weekly actions, together with assembly Santa’s reindeer on Tuesdays and Thursdays and free customized Bean boot laces on Wednesdays.
The Sitting Room within the Victoria Mansion in Portland. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Employees Photographer
Christmas at Victoria Mansion
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday by Sunday, Nov. 25 by Jan. 8. Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St., Portland, $16, $14 seniors, $5 college students, free for below 6. victoriamanson.org
For a nostalgic journey again in time, make your method to Portland’s Victoria Mansion. Constructed within the mid-1850s, the mansion holds a long time of reminiscences, and so they’ll be mirrored on this yr’s theme of “A Maine Christmas.” As you wander from room to room, you’ll see the artistic visions of a number of native designers who will pull at your coronary heart strings in surprising methods. The Victorian period lives on eternally at Victoria Mansion, and throughout the vacation season, it involves life all of the extra.
The Competition of Bushes. Photograph courtesy of Saco Museum
18th Annual Competition of Bushes
Midday to five p.m. Tuesday by Sunday. Via Dec. 29. Saco Museum, 371 Most important St., Saco, free. sacomuseum.org
This yr’s Competition of Bushes on the Saco Museum opens on Black Friday however might be completely colourful as you’ll see dozens of Christmas timber on show. When you marvel at them, you may bid on a number of sensational silent public sale objects, together with reward certificates, dinners, native crafts and extra. All proceeds profit the museum and library’s group applications. Additionally word that kids’s craft day is on Dec. 3, Tea with Mrs. Claus is Dec. 10, and you’ll go to with Santa on Dec. 11.
twenty ninth Annual Freeport Sparkles
Dec. 2-11. Downtown Freeport. visitfreeport.com
Freeport Sparkles kicks off with a parade of lights on Dec. 2, and also you’ll see Santa arrive to convey the well-known speaking Christmas tree to life. Different enjoyable contains the adorning contest and reward certificates giveaways with the Stealth Elf. On Dec. 8, catch the Sparkle Stroll with particular offers and door prizes from a number of companies. There’s additionally a Frosty Frolic with meals vans, hearth pits, vacation music and treats on Dec. 10.
Santas stroll down Congress Road in Portland throughout SantaCon. Derek Davis/Employees Photographer
SantaCon
5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 3. Downtown Portland areas. Fb.com/SantaconPortland
SantaCon is a bar crawl like none different. Come dressed as Santa, a reindeer, Christmas tree, leg lamp, snowman, Hannukkah Harry or in another holiday-themed ensemble you may give you. You’ll ho, ho, ho your method to a number of bars within the downtown and Outdated Port space of Portland, and a merry time might be had by all. The SantaCon elves are nonetheless ironing out a couple of particulars so control the Fb web page because the date attracts nearer.
Merry Insanity
4-10 p.m. Dec. 8. U.S. Customized Home, 312 Fore St., Portland, $20, $25. eventbrite.com
The celebration begins on the U.S. Customized Home and continues at greater than 70 native companies in downtown Portland. Merry Insanity is a mighty good time, and your ticket contains admission to the celebration, a snacks to-go bag, consuming glass and pour of wine, beer or seltzer. Then you definitely’ll store until you drop with shops open late and enjoyable round each nook. Seize your tickets now; they gained’t be out there on the door.
‘Twas the Evening Earlier than…Burlesque
7:30 p.m. Dec. Sept. 11 and 14-18. St. Lawrence Arts Middle, 76 Congress St., Portland, $20, 18-plus. stlawrencearts.org
Let Vivid Movement Dance put a bit attractive sass in your season with ‘Twas the Evening Earlier than…Burlesque. Go away the youngsters at dwelling for this one as a result of these elves undoubtedly skew naughty. Nevertheless it’s all within the identify of enjoyable, and the annual occasion is actually and figuratively a red-hot ticket. Which means seize ’em quickly otherwise you’ll be unnoticed within the chilly.
The Gingerbread Spectacular. Photograph courtesy of The Opera Home at Boothbay Harbor Photograph courtesy of The Opera Home at Boothbay Harbor
Gingerbread Spectacular
5-7 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to three p.m. Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to three p.m. Dec. 18. Opera Home at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. boothbayoperahouse.com
Gingerbread Spectacular is an annual celebration of the unimaginable gingerbread creations made by group members. Catch the opening evening, and also you’ll hear music from Barney Balch and the Sheepscot Jazz & Swing Quartet and may hit the bar for a cocktail. Or swing by over the weekend. Both manner, you gained’t consider your eyes as you gaze upon the edible architectural accomplishments. If you happen to get hungry them, you should purchase tasty baked items from The Associates of the Opera Home all weekend lengthy. As for the homes, prizes might be awarded for many spectacular, finest vacation spirit, most hilarious, finest landscaping, finest illustration of a neighborhood landmark, finest youth design and most scrumptious wanting.
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