A full bar at Dock Fore in Portland on a snowy day in January 2018. Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald
Whether you’re not celebrating Christmas and need a hot meal, are late to making plans or just don’t feel like cooking, several places throughout the state will be open and serving food on Christmas Day.
These spots offer everything from fancy prix-fixe meals to Chinese takeout, breakfast spreads and pub food.
Note: All locations require a reservation unless otherwise specified.
EMPIRE CHINESE KITCHEN
Empire, located at 575 Congress St. in Portland, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for takeout only. They will serve an à la carte menu of classic American-Chinese food. No reservation is required.
MISTER BAGEL
Mister Bagel, located at 599 Forest Ave. in Portland will be open for bagels and cream cheese from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. No reservation is required but preorders are recommended.
ZEN CHINESE BISTRO
Zen, located at 45 Danforth St. in Portland, will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for an à la carte menu takeout only This bistro will serve its dinner menu, takeout only, on Christmas Day. Visit the restaurant’s website to view the whole menu and to order.
ALTO TERRACE BAR + KITCHEN AT THE CAMBRIA HOTEL
Alto, located at 25 Hancock St. in Portland, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon with an à la carte menu featuring its rotating Sunday brunch menu on Christmas morning. No reservation is required.
HARBOR BISTRO + TERRACE AT THE HARBOR HOTEL
Harbor Bistro, located at 468 Fore St. in Portland, will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. with an à la carte breakfast menu. No reservation is required.
ROSIE’S RESTAURANT & PUB
Rosie’s, located at 330 Fore St. in Portland, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. with an à la carte menu of its usual items along with Christmas specials. No reservation is required.
PANDA GARDEN
Panda Garden, located at 1041 Brighton Ave. in Portland will be serving an à la carte menu of their American-Chinese cuisine for dine-in and takeout. You can view the full menu here.
BENKAY SUSHI BAR
Benkay, located at 16 Middle Street in Portland, will be serving an à la carte menu from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Benkay offers an array of sushi, nigiri, omakase, udon, bento boxes, and other specialties. For reservations call the restaurant at 207-773-555.
EIGHTEEN95 AT THE REGENCY HOTEL
EIGHTEEN95 on 20 Milk St. in Portland will be open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. with an à la carte menu of regular breakfast items. Reservations can be made here.
THE ARMORY LOUNGE AT THE REGENCY HOTEL
The Armory Lounge, located at 20 Milk St. in Portland, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with an à la carte menu. Patrons can choose from their exclusive Christmas menu. Reservations can be made on OpenTable here.
TOMASO’S CANTEEN
The Canteen, located at 18 Hampshire St. in Portland, will be open from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for food and their bar will open at 4 p.m. They will serve an à la carte menu of Christmas specials as well as their regular menu. No reservation is required.
DOCK FORE
Dock Fore, located at 336 Fore St. in Portland, will be open from noon to 9 p.m. serving up an à la carte menu of their regular items as well as some Christmas additions. Hot food will be available until 3 p.m.; after that time, only cold items will be available. No reservation is required.
CITY FARMHOUSE KITCHEN AND BAR
City Farmhouse, located at 200 Sable Oaks Dr. in Portland, will be open from noon to 3 p.m. for a buffet, including a carving and hot food station. And from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a prix-fixe meal. It’s $52 per adult and $26 per child under 12 for both the buffet and prix-fixe meal. 10% off will be offered for seniors. Reservations can be made by calling 207-871-8000, holiday hotline extension: 6071.
SICHUAN KITCHEN
Sichuan, located at 612 Congress St. in Portland, will be serving an à la carte menu of their traditional Sichuan Chinese fare. Christmas hours are still to be determined. For more information call 207-536-7226.
PORTER KITCHEN + BAR AT THE HARRASEEKET
Porter, located at 162 Main St. in Freeport, will serve an à la carte menu that includes confit pork torchon, pan-roasted beef tenderloin, grilled Atlantic halibut and cranberry swirl cheesecake. For hours call 207-865-9377. To make a reservation head over to Resy.
SEA GLASS AT INN BY THE SEA
Sea Glass, located at 40 Bowery Beach Road in Cape Elizabeth, will be open from noon to 7 p.m. serving a four-course, prix fixe dinner for Christmas. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for $95 per adult and $35 per child ages 4-12. Reservations can be made by calling 207-799-3134 or online.
HAPPY GARDEN
Happy Garden, located at 174 US-1, Scarborough, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving an à la carte menu of American-Chinese fare. No reservation is required.
EVERGREEN CHINESE
Evergreen, located at 29 Western Ave. in South Portland, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving an à la carte menu of classic Chinese cuisine. No reservation is required.
NATALIE’S AT CAMDEN HARBOUR INN
Natalie’s, located at 83 Bayview St. in Camden, will be serving a five-course, prix fixe menu, with vegetarian options available with seatings at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. for $149 and $93 for wine pairing. Reservations can be made by calling 800-236-4266 or online.
LA BELLA VITA AT THE SAMOSET RESORT
La Bella, located at 220 Warrenton St., Rockport, will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. serving an à la carte menu as well as offering Christmas specials. Reservations can be made by calling 207-593-1549.
LOTUS RESTAURANT
Lotus, located at 279 Center St. in Auburn, will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving à la carte choices from their regular menu as well as offering ham, stuffed haddock, and classic American sides for Christmas. Reservations are required for parties with six or more people. Call 207-241-0870.
THE MILLBROOK TAVERN AND TERRACE
Millbrook, located at 21 Broad St. in Bethel, will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. serving a a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $65 per adult and $28 per child. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling 207-824-2175.
TIMBER KITCHEN AND BAR
Timber, located at 22 Bass Park Blvd. in Bangor, will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. serving a three-course, prix fixe menu for $44.95 per adult and $18.95 per child under 12. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 207-433-0844.
Summertime means packed touring schedules for bands of many musical genres, and plenty of them are making stops in Maine. From ’90s alternative darlings The Breeders to legends like Joe Jackson and Barry Manilow, along with Maine acts 12/OC and The Ghost of Paul Revere, there are many ways to make this a live music summer to remember.
Here are 19 shows to consider between now and early September at some of Maine’s biggest indoor and outdoor venues.
6 p.m. June 16. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $63.75-$159.75. waterfrontconcerts.com.
One of the biggest events of the summer of 2013 was Mumford & Sons bringing their “Gentlemen of the Road Stopover” festival to Portland’s Eastern Prom. This summer, the band will be performing in Bangor, in support of its sixth album “Prizefighter.” Dylan Gossett opens.
8 p.m. June 18. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $49.50 in advance, $55 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Alternative rock darlings The Breeders is sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim MacPherson. Since 1990, the band has released five albums and gone through several hiatuses while members were involved with other projects. Most notable is their 1993 release “Last Splash,” home to quintessential ’90s tune “Cannonball.”
7:30 p.m. June 20. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $85.25-$223.95. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Jelly Roll is the professional name of Jason Bradley DeFord. Popular songs by the country, rock and hip-hop singer-songwriter include “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner.” Jelly Roll won a 2024 Best Contemporary County Album Grammy for “Beautifully Broken.” His Little Ass Shed Tour pulls into Bangor with blues, country, rock and folk artist Kashus Culpepper opening the show.
7 p.m. June 21. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $62 in advance, $70 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Chicago-based rock band Wilco has played in Maine many times through the decades, and the next show is an outdoor one. Fronted by Jeff Tweedy, Wilco also features bassist John Stirratt, who owns a home in the Midcoast. With 13 albums of material to choose from, the show should satisfy new fans and longtime ones.
7 p.m. July 3. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $77-$385. crossarenaportland.com.
Pop singer Barry Manilow’s final concert in Portland is one of the crown jewels of the summer, after being rescheduled from April 19 because Manilow was ill. With classic songs like “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Copacabana (At the Copa),” the legacy artist will likely draw a huge crowd as he takes his final bow in Maine.
8 p.m. July 11. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $55.50-$99.50. statetheatreportland.com.
British singer, songwriter and pianist Joe Jackson released the album “Hope and Fury,” his 20th, in April. The Grammy winner’s discography dates back to the 1979 debut album “Look Sharp!,” home to Jackson staples “Sunday Papers,” “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” and “Fools in Love.” His piano chops are as impressive as his vocals, so you expect a first-rate show from Jackson and his band.
6 p.m. July 11. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $70-$153. snowpond.org.
Alison Krauss & Union Station have been in the forefront of bluegrass and roots music for more than 40 years. With a show that will include songs from their latest album, “Arcadia,” you can look forward to a fantastic performance from the multiple Grammy winners. The band includes Krauss (fiddle, vocals), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), Barry Bales (bass, vocals) and Russell Moore (guitar, mandolin, vocals). Theo Lawrence opens the show.
6:30 p.m. July 18. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $27.76. snowpond.org.
This on-the-rise Maine country band was founded by Portland brothers Will and Reid Nichols, who started playing gigs when they were 10 and 13. 12 O/C has been building a loyal following in Maine for several years and moved to Nashville about two years ago. The show is a benefit for the Travis Mills Foundation, with Kelsey Hart opening.
7:30 p.m. July 19. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $56.75-$213.45. waterfrontconcerts.com.
No one writes and sings pop parodies quite like Weird Al Yankovic. The Grammy winner has been at it for more than 45 years, and has sold more than 12 million albums. Hits include parodies of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” (“Eat It”) in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (“Like a Surgeon”) in 1985 and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (“Smells Like Nirvana”) in 1992. Yankovic’s “Bigger & Weirder” show will kick off with Puddles Pity Party, a sad clown character who sings covers.
6:30 p.m. July 21. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $63.43-$120.06. snowpond.org.
For a summer night full of rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop and Caribbean-influenced music, head to Sidney for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Shorty is the pride of New Orleans and his shows are both celebratory and musically tremendous. JJ Grey & Mofro will open the show.
6:45 p.m. July 23. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $35-$233.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Relive the heyday of ’80s pop music with a trio of acts who know how to pack a Top 40 punch. Toto will have you scream-singing along to “Africa,” Christopher Cross will remind you that the canvas can do miracles with “Sailing,” and the Romantics will have you jumping up and down with “What I Like About You.” All three have multiple hits, so plan on a highly entertaining and nostalgic night of music.
7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $75-$110. porttix.com.
Herbie Hancock, 86, has been a huge presence in modern jazz, funk, electronic music, rock and other genres for his entire career. It’s no wonder he’s won 14 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. You may recall Hancock’s 1983 instrumental hit “Rockit,” and his 2007 release “River: The Joni Letters” with its lush piano interpretations of Joni Mitchell’s songs like “Both Sides Now” and “Sweet Bird.”
4 p.m. Aug. 8 & 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $70, $40 kids, $130 adult two-day pass, $30 kids two-day pass. statetheatreportland.com.
This will be the eighth year that the rock band Guster, featuring Cape Elizabeth singer and guitarist Adam Gardner, has made Portland the home of its summer festival. The Merrill Auditorium show on Aug. 7 with the Portland Symphony Orchestra is long sold out, but there are still tickets to two big outdoor shows at Thompson’s Point. The lineup features Iron & Wine, Watchhouse, The Barr Brothers, Neal Francis, Eggy, Dave Butler & Friends, Bebe Stockwell, Khatumu and Cilla Bonnie.
7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $44.50-$181.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
British rocker Billy Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles in November. Before that happens, he’ll be on a huge tour that includes a show in Bangor. Sing along with hits like “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “Dancing With Myself” and “Rebel Yell,” among others.
7 p.m. Aug. 13. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $85-$497. crossarenaportland.com.
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile’s latest record is “Returning To Myself.” The Human Tour, named for its second track, swings through Portland in August. Since 2005, Carlile has released nine studio albums, including a collaboration with Elton John, and has won 11 Grammy Awards. Some of Carlile’s best known songs include “The Story,” “Hold Out Your Hand” and “The Joke.”
7 p.m. Aug. 25. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $53 in advance, $61 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Indigo Girls is the folk duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, known for their vocal harmonies, songwriting and musicianship. The show will feature sing-alongs of Indigo Girls’ signature songs like “Closer to Fine,” “Galileo” and if we’re lucky, “Kid Fears.”
7 p.m. Sept. 6. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $65.20-$304.70. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Texas rock band ZZ Top’s hits include “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” The band continues to play righteous shows after losing original Dusty Hill, bassist, in 2021. “The Big One!” tour features opening act George Thorogood & The Destroyers. Be ready to belt out “Bad to the Bone.” B-b-b-bad!
5 p.m. Sept. 6. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $55 in advance, $65 day of show, free for kids 3 and under. statetheatreportland.com.
Take part in a festival that’s a reunion for one of Maine’s best-loved bands. The Ghost of Paul Revere, started by childhood friends Griffin William Sherry, Sean McCarthy and Max Davis from Buxton and Hollis, were together for more than a decade and toured nationally before breaking up in 2022. The band hosted its own annual festival, Ghostland, usually at Thompson’s Point. They’ll play this year’s Thompson’s Point show with Futurebirds, Weakened Friends and Mikaela Davis.
7 p.m. Sept. 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $75 in advance, $85 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
With a devoted following, dance-punk act LCD Soundsystem is led by James Murphy. Popular tracks include “Dance Yrself Clean” and “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House.” They called it quits in 2011, then rebooted in 2016. They’ve released five albums, starting with their breakthrough self-titled 2005 release.
This story was originally published by the Maine Trust for Local News. Aimsel Ponti can be reached at aponti@pressherald.com.
PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — While the statewide moratorium on data center development was vetoed by Governor Mills, local communities across the state are now taking matters into their own hands, with some passing their own pauses.
At least four southern Maine cities and towns, including Scarborough, Sanford, and Westbrook have all implemented local data center moratoriums in recent weeks.
It comes as new polling show most Mainers opposed the construction of these facilities.
That poll, conducted by UMass Lowell and released last week, shows 72% of Mainers don’t want a data center built in their community, including 51% who strongly opposed it.
Just 28% said they would support that type of development.
The results mirror what’s being seen across the country.
According to a poll released Friday by Reuters, only 14% of Americans said they felt comfortable with a data center being built nearby.
77% said they worried AI-driven data centers would raise their electricity costs.
Those are concerns lawmakers here in Maine say cross the political spectrum.
“Red states, blue states, purple states are having this conversation, and people just want to have some answers about what this technology means, what this development opportunity means,” Rep. Melanie Sachs said.
Maine currently has a data center advisory council studying the potential impact large-scale data center development could have on the state’s energy grid and resources.
They’re expected to release a final report in January.
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