Greater Portland

Benefits

The Salvation Army of Greater Portland is in need of volunteers for the holiday season. Positions include: ringing bells at a kettle (great for groups or families), packing food baskets, toys, drivers to take volunteers and equipment to and from kettle locations, call 774-4172 ext. 265 or email danielle.gudroe@use.salvationarmy.org.  

Toy Drive Drop Off Locations:

To Benefit Youth Alternatives, Ingraham of Maine, drop-off new, unwrapped toys to Cape Elizabeth Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office, 295 Ocean House Rd., Cape Elizabeth now through Dec. 8, Roni Barbera, 799-5000.

To Benefit Toys for Tots, drop off new, wrapped or unwrapped toys to Weichert, Realtors – Waterglen Group, 100 Commercial St., Portland, Diane Churchill, 773-2425; or to Jim O’Clair, Edward Jones financial advisor, 94 Auburn St. Suite 209, Portland, Jim, 797-4104.

Wednesday 11/18

Holiday Grief Support Meetings, hosted by VNA Home Health & Hospice, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, 16, 30, Jan. 13, 50 Foden Rd., South Portland, Linda Hopkins, 400-8714.

Friday 11/20

Winter Coats for Seniors Collection, donate winter coats at L.L. Bean Flagship Store Nov. 20-22, distributed by Maine Agencies on Aging, Betsy Cantrell, 386-0508.

Saturday 11/21

Crossroads Cafe Holiday Craft Fair, proceeds go to provide Thanksgiving baskets for Gray/ New Gloucester families, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Crossroads Coffeehouse, Main Street, Gray Village, www.crossroadsmaine.org. 

Designing Women Fine Art, Craft Show & Sale, suggested admission donation to benefit Coastal Studies for Girls, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Merriconeag Waldorf School Community Hall, 57 Desert Rd., Freeport, Michelle Henning, 833-5556.

Holiday Fun Day, with crafts, cookie decorating, family photos, face painting, to benefit Operation Christmas Child, 10 a.m. – noon, free / bring small gifts for children ages 2-14; 12 p.m. assemble shoebox gifts for charity, hosted by The Rock Church, 7 Braeburn Ave., South Portland, Eric Samuelson, eric@rockmaine.com, 730-2693.

“Stuff-the-Truck,” food drive to benefit Good Shepherd Food-Bank, donate non-perishable foods, cash donations greatly needed, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Maine Mall parking lot at Gorham Road and Philbrook Ave., South Portland, www.gsfb.org, 782-3554. 

Friday 11/27

46th Annual Rotary Christmas Tree Sale, to benefit community charitable causes, Nov. 27-29; Dec. 5-6; Dec. 12-13; Mill Creek Park, South Portland, hosted by The South Portland- Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club, Adrienne Murphy, 243-3292. 

Thursday 12/3

Holiday Wreath Display and Silent Auction, to benefit Maine Alzheimer’s Association, 5-7 p.m., Bay Square at Yarmouth, 27 Forest Falls Dr., Yarmouth, Mary Willson, 846-0044.

Saturday 12/5

Giving Tree of Hats and Mittens, bring new unwrapped hats, mittens of all sizes to Yarmouth tree lighting on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.; after Dec. 5, drop off donations to Yarmouth Town Hall, Merrill Memorial Library, or Yarmouth Community Services, sponsored by Yarmouth Fire-Rescue, Margaret Downing, 846-9295.

Santa Steamed Clam Supper, to benefit Santa Fund of the Maine Clammer’s Association, bring new unwrapped toy, 4-7 p.m., $12 adult/ $6 child, ages 5 and under free, Freeport Masonic Lodge, Mallet Dr., Freeport, Adam, 615-5640.

Sunday 12/6

Jingle Bell Run and Walk for Arthritis, 5K timed race or leisure walk, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. race, meet at Freeport Middle School gym, 19 Kendall Ln, Freeport, register, www.freeportjbr.kintera.org, 1-800-639-2113.

Fairs, Festivals, Food and Fun

Saturday 11/21

4th Annual Casco Bay High School / PATHS Craft Fair, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free admission, cookie walk, entertainment, more, 196 Allen Ave., Portland, 754-6843.  

Annual Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Falmouth Baptist Church, 18 Mountain Rd., Falmouth, 797-4066. 

Christmas in the Country, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland, 829-3766.  

Holiday Craft Fair and Fish “Chowdah” and Chili Luncheon, hosted by the Freeport Lioness-Lions Club, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. fair; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. luncheon, Harraseeket Grange, Elm St., Freeport, Cheryl Smith, 504-1946. 

Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Greely High School, Main St., Cumberland, 829-4805.

Holiday Prelude Christmas Fair, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Thornton Heights United Methodist Church, 100 Westbrook St., South Portland.

Holiday Arrangements Class, make boxwood trees, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; extra class 2 p.m. Sunday only at Falmouth Skillins, $20, Gray Road, Cumberland, 829-5619; Foreside Road, Falmouth, 781-3860.

Holiday Pie-Making Workshop, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., $5, Eureka Center, Durham, Mary Fallon, maryerin88@yahoo.com.

Holly Days Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Rd, Falmouth, 781-3413, www.falmouthcongregationalchurch.org.

Holly Daze Bazaar, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Congregational Church, 301 Cottage Rd., South Portland, 799-4001. 

Santa’s Workshop, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., handmade items, silent auction, First Congregational Church of North Yarmouth, 3 Gray Rd, North Yarmouth, 829-3644. 

“A Village Christmas,” Cumberland Congregational Church Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Main St, Cumberland.  

Thursday 11/26

Thanksgiving Dinner, free for needy and elderly, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toddy Brook Golf Course and Cafe, 925 Sligo Road, North Yarmouth, Mike Smith, 829-5100.

Friday 11/27

Home For The Holidays Craft Show, by the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Scarborough High School, 20 Gorham Rd., Scarborough, Stone Soup Artisans, 283-4715.

The Polar Express, Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 27 – Dec. 21; trains leave at 4, 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m., $24 child, $26 adult, $40 first class coach car, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Ocean Gateway Depot, 58 Fore St., Portland, extra dates/times at www.mngrr.org/polar_express.html, tickets at www.porttix.com.

Saturday 11/28

Jane Freeberg and Astrid Sheckels, author and illustrator of children’s book, “The Scallop Christmas,” 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., L.L. Bean flagship store, Main St., Freeport.

Sunday 11/29

“Artsy Crafts on 88,” a juried artisan holiday show, with photography, painting, jewelry and more, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 267 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ritamae@maine.rr.com.

DIY Gift-Making Open House, “Art Night Out” inspired kits, $10-$25, 2-5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 29, Dec. 13, Dec. 20, Artascope Studios, 352 Cottage Rd., South Portland, Suzanne, 799-5154. 

Friday 12/4

Holly Jolly Fair, cake party, 6-8 p.m. Friday; fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, First Parish Congregational Church, 40 Main St., Freeport, Andrea Conner, 865-3573.

Saturday 12/5

Annual Christmas Fair, with silent auction, lobster stew lunch, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth, Cathy Ferretti, 846-1039.

Annual Yarmouth Town Carol Sing and Tree Lighting, 5 p.m., Town Hall Memorial Green, Main St., Yarmouth, Margaret Downing, 846-9295.

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; haddock chowder luncheon, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Blue Point Congregational Church, 236 Pine Point Road, Scarborough.

Christmas Fair, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., with silent auction, crafts, luncheon, Foreside Community Church, 340 Foreside Rd., Falmouth.

Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bay Square at Yarmouth, 27 Forest Falls Dr., Yarmouth, Mary Willson, 846-0044.

Holly Jolly Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Parish Congregational Church, 40 Main St., Freeport, Andrea Conner, 865-3573.

New Gloucester Historical Society Open House/ Holiday Sale, with exhibit of historic town photos and antique vehicles, New Gloucester History Barn, 9 a.m. – noon, behind Town Hall, U.S. Route 231, New Gloucester, 926-3188.

Old Fashioned Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church Portland, 580 Forest Ave., Portland.

Winter’s Glow Gala, Holiday Art Show & Sale sponsored by Freeport Creative Arts, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., free admission, Freeport Square Gallery, 140 Main St., Freeport, 865-1616.

Friday 12/11

Fraser Art Studio’s Group Holiday Art Sale, Dec. 11-13, 5-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, 81 Congress St., Munjoy Hill, Portland, www.fraserartstudio.com.

Music and Theater

Sunday 11/22

Oratorio Chorale Yuletide Music Festival, 3 p.m., $20 advance/ $25 door, students half-price, Sacred Heart Church, Main St., Yarmouth, www.oratoriochorale.org, 725-1420.

Saturday 11/28

“The Nutcracker,” presented by Maine State Ballet and Orchestra, with Musica de Filia Girlchoir and Wescustago Youth Chorale, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., Nov. 28; 2 p.m. Nov. 29; 7 p.m. Dec. 4; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 2 p.m. Dec. 6, $15-$45, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, tickets, PortTix, 842-0800, www.mainestateballet.org.

Tuesday 12/8

“The Bells of Christmas,” performance by Casco Bay Ringers and Falmouth Community Handbell Group, hosted by The Falmouth Historical Society, 7 p.m., open to public, OceanView Community Room, Falmouth, reservations, 781-4727.

Friday 12/11

“PSO’s Magic of Christmas,” a Portland Symphony Orchestra production, Dec. 11-13; Dec. 18-20; 7:30 p.m. Fridays ; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays; extra show Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., $25 and up, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, tickets, www.porttix.com, box office at 20 Myrtle St., Portland, 842-0800.

Sunday 12/13

83rd Annual “Pageant of the Nativity,” presented by The First Parish in Portland, Unitarian Universalist, non-denominational pageant with cast of 80; 4:45 p.m., free and open to public, 425 Congress St., Portland, 773-5747.

Wednesday 12/16

“Victorian Nutcracker,” presented by Portland Ballet, 7:30 p.m., Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, tickets, PortTix, www.porttix.com, or 842-0800.

Mid Coast

Benefits

Saturday 11/21

Halls Of Holly Fair, proceeds benefit First Parish Church, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Christmas table, books, jewelry, pony rides, more; muffin bar 9-11, lunch items 11-2; 9 Cleaveland St., Pilgrim House, First Parish Church, Brunswick, 729-7331.

Thursday 11/26

InspireME’s 6th Annual 5k Turkey Trot, informal walk run for families, registration 7-8:15 a.m., trot 8:30 a.m., requested cash donation $10/minimum or non-perishable food contribution, tote given for $20 donation, for pre-registration contact Perian, 443-2509 or turkeytrot@inspiremept.com, InspireME Personal Fitness Training Studio, 30 Front St., Bath, race starts at Cafe Creme.

Wednesday 12/2

“Holiday Gala,” to benefit the Bath Area Family YMCA, with champagne and appetizers, performance by Oratorio Chorale, 5:30-8 p.m., $25, Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath, tickets, Springer’s Jewelers, Now You’re Cooking, Bath YMCA, 443-4112 or www.bathymca.org.

Saturday 12/5

Ridin’ Steel Fundraiser Holiday Party, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. kids’ events and holiday craft fair, with Santa, food, free admission; 7-11 p.m. adult party, with music, raffles, food, $20 single/ $35 couple, Topsham Legion Post 202, Foreside Road, Topsham, bring non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy for donation, Amanda, 841-3518, www.ridinsteel.com.

Sunday 12/6

37th Annual Spirit of Christmas Craft Fair to benefit the Bath Police D.A.R.E program, with Santa, face painting raffles and more, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Shelley Merrill, 443-8339.

Fairs, Festivals and Fun

Saturday 11/21

Christmas Fair, wreaths, crafts, children’s shopping area, visits with Santa, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; 11 a.m. luncheon, free admission, Brunswick United Methodist Church, 320 Church Road.

Made in Maine Christmas Craft Show, by the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham, Stone Soup Artisans, 283-4715.

Saturday 11/28

Annual Gingerbread Social, raffle, bake sale, 12-4 p.m., $2/child, $4/adult, everyone welcome, Cosmopolitan Club, 894 Washington St., Bath, Diane Nicol, 443-6134.

Victorian Christmas Open House & Cookie Walk, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Phippsburg Historical Society Museum, 24 Parker Head Rd., Phippsburg, 443-6309.

Tuesday 12/1

15th Annual Festival of Trees, hosted by the Bath Area Family YMCA; “Tots & Trees,” with storytelling by Mrs. Claus, Santa visit, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; tree viewing, 4-5:30 p.m., with refreshments, holiday activities; ongoing silent auction to benefit the Bath YMCA, all events at Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath, FMI, Bath Area Family YMCA, 443-4112 or www.bathymca.org.

Saturday 12/5

35th Annual St. John’s Christmas Craft Show, by juried craftsmen and artists, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., free admission, St. John’s Parish Hall, Pleasant St., Brunswick. 

St. Paul’s Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; cafe 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 27 Pleasant St., Brunswick, 725-5342.

Santa Visit, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., free and open to public, Skolfield-Whittier House, 161 Park Row, Brunswick, bring camera, refreshments next door at Pejepscot Historical Society, 159 Park Row, Brunswick, 729-6606.

Music and Theater

Saturday 11/21

Oratorio Chorale Yuletide Music Festival, 7:30 p.m., $20 advance/ $25 door, students half-price, United Church of Christ, Bath, www.oratoriochorale.org, 725-1420.