• BENEFITS

FRIDAY

Art auction, benefits Lucid Stage, Lucid Stage, Portland. www.LucidStage.com. 5 to 8 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Kimmy’s Odd Ball and FUNdraiser, with catered VIP reception, performances by eight bands, vendors, dancers, poets and more; benefits the Open Sky Fund. 21-plus. Port City Music Hall, Portland. $20-$75. www.portcitymusichall.com. 5 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fair, benefits the school’s music program, Wells Junior High School. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Holiday Festival for Children, with musical and other entertainers; benefits Advocates for Children, St. Dominic Academy, Auburn. $4-$8. www.advocatesforchildren.net. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Homegrown Fine Art and Crafts Show, exhibit, sale and silent auction benefits the farm, Skyline Farm, North Yarmouth. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Caring for Kenya, music performances, presentations and fellowship; benefits the Joseph Waweru Home School orphanage in Kenya, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts. $10. 948-7469. 7 p.m.

Thrifty Kitty Christmas Fair, benefits Friends of Feral Felines, Friends of Feral Felines, Portland. www.feralfelines.net. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

TUESDAY

Festival of Trees, special events and silent auction; benefits the Bath Area Family YMCA, Sewall House, Bath. 443-4112. Tots and Trees, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (by donation) Tuesday; all-ages viewing, 4 to 5:30 p.m. (by donation) Tuesday; holiday gala ($25), 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

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• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

TODAY

Holiday Fair, Sea Road School, Kennebunk. 985-1105. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival of Trees, variety of associated activities, Saco Museum. Free. 283-3861. Noon to 8 p.m. today and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (children’s crafts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.); noon to 5 p.m. Sunday (Mrs. Claus’ Gingerbread Tea at 1 and 2:30 p.m., reservations required); noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

Artisans Holiday Market, work by 11 local artists, The Gallery, Boothbay. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

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Christmas Fair, crafts, workshops for children, lobster luncheon and more, Holy Cross Church, South Portland. 799-6661. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday (Italian dinner, $6 to $9, with seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m.); 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Bazaar, greens, decorations and baked goods, Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick. 373-6015. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MECA Holiday Sale, handmade arts and crafts by students and alumni, Maine College of Art (Porteous Building), Portland. www.meca.edu. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Holly Jolly Fair, First Parish Church Congregational, Freeport. 865-3573. Cake party, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Sale with the Society of East End Arts, East End Community School, Portland. www.SEAportland.org. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Bowdoinham Guild of Artisans Show and Sale, Town Hall, Bowdoinham. www.bowdoinham.com/guildofartisans. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Christmas Prelude, house tours, music, parades, walking tours, tree lighting and more. Various locations, Kennebunkport. www.christmasprelude.com. Friday.

Christmas the Sea, weekend celebration at various locations in the Rockport-Camden-Lincolnville area with many events including a tree lighting, parade, singing and horse-drawn wagon rides. Various locations in Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville. www.camdenme.org. Friday.

Festival of Trees with silent auction and specialty items for sale presented by the Boothbay Region Garden Club. Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. 633-7439. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Bradbury Mountain Arts, annual art and craft show and sale featuring works by local artists, Mallett Hall, Pownal. 688-4153. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Women’s Holiday Art Sale, more than 20 artisans, Town Hall, South Berwick. 384-6254. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sparkle Weekend, entertainment, horse and carriage rides, strolling carolers and more, downtown Freeport. www.FreeportUSA.com. Friday to Sunday.

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SATURDAY

Old Fashioned Christmas Fair, crafts, ornaments, greens and antiques, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland. 772-7421. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Fair, crafts, wreaths, food items, silent auction and raffle, Sacred Heart Church, Yarmouth. 846-5584. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas at First Parish, crafts, sleigh rides and Santa, First Parish Congregational Church, Gorham. 839-6751. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jolly Snowman Fair, crafts, books, silent auction, lunch, baked goods and more, United Methodist Church, Cape Elizabeth. capeelizabethumc@aol.com. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holly Berry Fair, wreaths, baked goods, silent auction, prizes, children’s crafts and activities, singing supper at 5:30 p.m. ($10, $3 for children for supper; call 625-8646 for reservations). Riverside United Methodist Church, Kezar Falls. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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“A Walnut Hill Christmas,” arts and crafts show and sale, Wescustogo Grange, North Yarmouth. 829-6273. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Yuletide Fair, crafts, handmade items and lunch, First Congregational Church, Scarborough. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Fair, West Cumberland Methodist Church, Cumberland. 829-4366. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cookie Faire, Cressey Road United Methodist Church, Gorham. 675-3317. 9 a.m. to noon.

Christmas Angel Fair, greens, crafts and raffles, Bar Mills Parish House, Buxton. 929-5468. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Christmas Craft Show, St. John’s Catholic Church, Brunswick. 725-5507. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Christmas Prelude Fair, arts and crafts, white elephant table, silent auction, cookie exchange and poinsettias, St. Bartholomew Church, Cape Elizabeth. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas Fair, luncheon, jewelry, attic treasures and more, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Yarmouth. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shaker Christmas Fair, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Julefest, with food, St. Lucia procession, dancing, carol singing, silent auction and more, Sky-Hy Conference Center, Topsham. $15. 215-6186. Noon to 4 p.m.

Christmas Fair, silent auction, crafts, luncheon and more, Williston West Church, Portland. 9 a.m.

Ye Olde Christmas Fair, baked goods, raffles, wreaths, silent auction, handmade items and more, Winthrop Congregational Church. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Holiday Arts and Crafts Show with the United Maine Craftsmen, University of Southern Maine (Sullivan Gymnasium), Portland. $2. 621-2818. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Gingerbread Fair, First Parish Congregational Church, Saco. 283-3771. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Creatorium, craft show, Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education, Rockland. www.thecreatorium.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friends and Neighbors Holiday Fair, Northfield Green, Portland. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Franklin County Arts and Crafts Association Christmas Craft Show, University of Maine (Olsen Student Center), Farmington. whouse2@myfairpoint.net. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Winter Wonderland Holiday Fair, Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland. 797-7240. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Holiday Fair and poinsettia/wreath sale, Morrison Center, Scarborough. 883-6680. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa will be available to meet children from 10 a.m. to noon.

Holiday Craft Fair, North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth. www.NYA.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Festival of Trees, decorated trees, activities, displays and entertainment to benefit local organizations, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, Westbrook. 854-9157. Various times Saturday to Wednesday. Special events — Saturday: Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 a.m.; Festival Feast, 5 p.m.; hayride, 7 p.m./ Sunday: Teddy Bear Tea Party, 1 to 2 p.m.; Celebration Choir concert,

7 p.m./ Tuesday: Celebration Choir concert,6:30 p.m.; Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, 1:30 to 3 p.m./ Wednesday: “The Dumpster Christmas,” 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Festival and Craft Fair, Coastal Community Church, Scarborough. 885-5820.9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Coastal Christmas Fair, Peoples United Methodist Church, South Portland. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Christmas Marketplace, handcrafts, foods, greens and more, Bar Mills Community Church, Buxton. 929-5555. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas with Alpacas, fiber products, children’s activities and refreshments; bring a non-perishable food item for donation, Estabrook’s Farm and Greenhouse, Yarmouth. www.abbottfarmalpacas.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Metaphysical Artisans Fair and Open House, Vywamus Foundation, Falmouth. www.metamorphysis.us. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Boothbay Harbor’s Lights Festival, with a community sing-along, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting and lighted boat parade, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. www.boothbayharbor.com. 4 p.m.

Bridgton’s Festival of Lights, with a candlelight stroll down Main Street, a parade, refreshments, crafts and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Stevens Brook Park. 647-8786. 5:25 p.m.

Country Christmas in Bethel, with children’s jingle bell run, Santa and tree lighting. www.bethelmaine.com. 4:30 p.m. 

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SUNDAY

“Christmas by the Sea,” annual tree-lighting event with hayrides, entertainment, parade, photos with Santa, caroling and more. Various locations, Old Orchard Beach. 934-2500. Parade at 1 p.m., tree lighting at 3:30 p.m.

Christmas Craft Fair, American Legion Hall, Gray. 657-3766. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Festival of Trees, co-sponsored by the Buxton Garden Club; donations accepted for the Buxton “Keep the Heat On” fund. Bar Mills Community Church, Buxton, Free. 929-8283. 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday. Special events — Sunday: Regional advent choir program, 4 p.m./ Monday: bluegrass music, 7 p.m./ Tuesday: luncheon, noon ($5 donation suggested)/ Wednesday: cookie decorating, 10 a.m.; music, 7 p.m.

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

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Holiday Extravaganza, musicians, art exhibits, poets and more, Aarhus Gallery, Belfast. www.aarhusgallery.com. Today to Dec. 24.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas,” tours of the mansion decked out in holiday splendor, Victoria Mansion, Portland. $5-$15; free for children under age 6; $35 family ticket. www.victoriamansion.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (holiday gala, 6 to 8 p.m., $50, reservations required); 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Wednesday. Through Jan. 8.

“Christmas with the Longfellows,” mid-19th-century holiday celebration with Longfellow House tours and children’s activities, Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Portland. 774-1822. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.) today to Saturday and Monday to Wednesday (music from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday); noon to 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.) Sunday.

Standish’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, with Christmas caroling and Santa Claus, Town Hall. 642-3461. 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Trees and Trains,” historic property decorated for the holidays including a display in the barn of model trains, McLaughlin Garden, South Paris. $3-$5. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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Lighting of the Copper Beech Tree, art activities, performances, refreshments and tree lighting; children must be accompanied by an adult. Portland Museum of Art. Free with museum admission: $4-$10; free for children under age 6. 775-6148. 6 to 7 p.m.

1930s Night, screening of the movie “The Wizard of Oz” and music by Over a Cardboard Sea, State Theatre, Portland. $5. www.statetheatreportland.com. 5:30 p.m. (music), 7 and 10 p.m. (movie) Friday.

Jingle Bell Express, wear your pajamas for a magical ride on the train to visit Santa, Maine Eastern Railroad, Rockland. $20; free for children under age 2; reservations recommended. www.maineeasternrailroad.com. 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m.

1880s Coastal Christmas, tours of the house decorated for a Victorian Christmas celebration, Harrington House, Freeport. $10; free for ages 18 and younger. 865-3170. Preview party ($25), 7 p.m. Friday; 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Wednesday. Through Dec. 19.

“Arts Downtown and All Around,” open studios, gallery exhibits and performances in Bath, Brunswick, Harpswell, Bowdoinham, Topsham, West Bath, Dresden and Woolwich. www.fiveriversartsalliance.org. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

“A Heartwood Christmas,” staged readings, poetry, storytelling and music, Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta. $8-$20. 563-1373. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 12.

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Cape Porpoise Lobster Trap Tree Lighting, with refreshments at fire station and caroling, Cape Porpoise Square. www.christmasprelude.com. 7 p.m.

Biddeford Tree Lighting, with break-dancing children, City Hall. www.heartofbiddeford.com. 7:40 p.m., followed by free holiday film screenings at the Heart of Biddeford office and The Oak and The Ax nightclub.

SATURDAY

Holiday Open House, several performers, Montpelier-Gen. Henry Knox Museum, Thomaston. Free. 354-8062. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Storytelling with Vernon Cox, by the campfire on Discovery Patio, L.L. Bean Retail Store, Freeport. Free. www.llbean.com. 2 and 4 p.m.

Open house, with photographic and historic vehicle displays, New Gloucester Historical Society (History Barn), New Gloucester. 9 a.m. to noon.

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“Share the Wonder,” seasonal celebration with the Wyeth family features an exhibit of holiday art and artifacts and a large model train set, Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland. 596-6457. Gingerbread house decorating ($5/donation per family; reservations required), 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday; book signing with Chris Van Dusen, author of “Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee,” 2 p.m. Sunday.

East End Holiday Stroll, special store events and other activities in east Bayside, East End, Portland. 253-8000. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday; shuttle available.

“Christmas at Norlands: Snowflakes,” 19th-century parlor games, storytelling and holiday readings from the past, children’s hands-on activities and decorated Washburn mansion. Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore. $4-$8; free for children under 6. www.norlands.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Viva Lebowski, tribute to the movie “The Big Lebowski” with bowling, trivia, screening of the film and costume contests, Bayside Bowl, Portland. $25 at door; $20 in advance. vivalebowski.com. 9 p.m. 

SUNDAY

Holiday Celebration, North Yarmouth Historical Society’s annual party with tree decorating, singing, crafting and cookie decoration, Old Town House, North Yarmouth. donation. 846-4379. 1 to 3 p.m.

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North Yarmouth Community Potluck and Tree Lighting, bring an entree, side dish, bread or salad to share at the potluck; beverages provided. Tree lighting follows dinner, and sweet treats follow the tree lighting. Wescustogo Grange, North Yarmouth. 5 p.m. (potluck), 6:15 p.m. (tree lighting).

WEDNESDAY

Holiday Memories, seasonal readings and music, L/A Arts, Lewiston. $12 at door; $10 in advance. 782-7228. 7 p.m.

• FILMS

TODAY

“Strange Powers: Stephen Merritt and the Magnetic Fields” (2010), documentary about the songwriter’s work, Space, Portland. $7. www.space538.org. 7:30 p.m.

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“Race to Nowhere” (2009), documentary looks at high-pressure culture of the lives of children, Merriconeag Waldorf School, Freeport. $10. www.merriconeag.org. 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Global Lens Film Series, touring program, Bates College (Ronj Coffeehouse), Lewiston. $5. 786-6135. “The Shaft” (2010), 8 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. Monday. Series runs through Dec. 13.

MONDAY

“Lobster” and “Rachel Is,” two new films made by filmmakers with local ties; screenings followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick. $7. www.explorefrontier.com. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

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Classic Film Series: “The Life of Emil Zola” (1936), presented by Ogunquit Performing Arts; discussion before and after the film. Dunaway Center, Ogunquit. Free. 646-6170. 7 p.m.

• PRO SPORTS

Maine Red Claws, NBA Development League basketball game, Portland Exposition Building. 210-6655. Vs. Fort Wayne, 7 p.m. Friday; vs. Springfield, 5 p.m. Sunday.

Portland Pirates, AHL hockey team, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $11-$17. 828-4665. www.portlandpirates.com. Vs. Norfolk, 7 p.m. Saturday; Vs. Worcester, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

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Steve Berry, “The Emperor’s Tomb,” book signing and author reading, Borders Books and Music, South Portland. Free. 7 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Roland Wallace, “Maney the Sneezing Moose,” book signing and author reading, Patten Free Library, Bath. www.patten.lib.me.us. 10:30 a.m.

SATURDAY

Sean Flathers, “Twas a Shepherd’s First Christmas,” book signing and author reading, Borders Books and Music, South Portland. Free. 11 a.m.

Ellen Thayer, “My Christmas Surprise,” book signing, Nonesuch Books, South Portland.

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799-2659. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dahlov Ipcar, “The Calico Jungle,” author signing, L.L. Bean Retail Store, Freeport. Free. www.llbean.com. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anita Shreve, “Rescue,” book signing, Nonesuch Books and Cards, Biddeford. 2 p.m.

Chris Van Dusen, “Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee,” book signing and reading, Kennebooks, Kennebunk. Seating is limited; reservations recommended. 967-8282. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

SUNDAY

Meg Wolff, “A Life in Balance,” book signing and reading, Kennebooks, Kennebunk. Reservations recommended. 967-8282. 1 p.m.

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• PARTICIPANT DANCE

Dancing with DJ John, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. 878-0584. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Dance-a-Thon with DJ Kevin Ouellette, Lucid Stage, Portland. 899-3993. Friday.

Ballroom dancing, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. 878-0584. 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Contra dance, all dances taught, with dessert potluck; partner not necessary, Falmouth Congregational Church. $5-$10; free for children under 5. 756-2201. With Perpetual eMotion, 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

International Folk Dancing, dances taught, beginners welcome, Mallett Hall, Pownal. $5; $3 for children. 688-2293. 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

 


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