• BENEFITS

TODAY

Live auction to benefit Pen Bay Healthcare’s Creative Learning and Childcare Center, Hanley Center, Rockport. 596-8700. 6:30 p.m.

A Night to Make Wishes Come True, refreshments, entertainment, silent auction and more to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Woodfords Club, Portland. 797-9007. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Fight, adults-only spelling bee; benefits the theater company, Theater Project, Brunswick. $5. 729-8584. 7:30 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Designing Women Fine Art and Craft Show, benefits Women, Work and Community; Merriconeag Waldorf School, Freeport. $2/donation. 865-1489. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art for Dog Sake, art show and sale, benefits Dogs Deserve Better; Down East Village Restaurant, Yarmouth. $2/donation. www.festivefish.net/shows.html. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ArtFull Gifts Craft and Art Show, benefits Coastal Mountains Land Trust and United Mid-Coast Charities, Point Lookout, Northport. www.artfullgifts.com. Opening night with live music and refreshments, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday ($10); show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday ($3; free for children).

Holiday Craft Show, benefits the Brunswick Hockey Boosters, Brunswick High School. www.mainemade.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. 

• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

FRIDAY

Holiday Show and Sale, crafts by studio artists, Sawyer Street Studios, South Portland. 767-4394. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, North Congregational Church, Buxton. 727-4933. 3 to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, crafts and other handmade items, North Pownal United Methodist Church, Pownal. 688-4101. 2 to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 

SATURDAY

Holly Daze Bazaar, wreaths, knit goods, books and lunch, First Congregational Church, South Portland. 799-3361. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Village Christmas Fair, Cumberland Congregational Church, Cumberland Center. 829-3419. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas in the Country, ornaments and decorations, crafts and silent auction, Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, Cumberland. 829-3766. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Bazaar, annual craft show, Central Lincoln County YMCA, Damariscotta. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pine Cone Fair, ornaments, jewelry, wreaths, arrangements and silent auction, Christ Church, Kennebunk. 985-4494. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fair, crafts, jewelry and food items, Mill Brook Estates, Westbrook. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Holly Days Fair, gifts, crafts, cookie walk and gingerbread houses, Falmouth Congregational Church. 781-3413. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Saco Valley Fiber Artists, annual craft show and sale with demonstrations, North Scarborough Grange Hall, Scarborough. www.sacovalleyfiberartists.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Craft Fair, crafts, wreaths, cookies and silent auction, West Scarborough United Methodist Church, Scarborough. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fair, Lovell United Church of Christ, Center Lovell. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Craft Fair, fine arts, crafts, luncheon, raffles and more, Alfred Elementary School. 324-3831. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

FEZtival of Trees, decorated trees, food court, entertainment, craft fair and pictures with Santa, Kora Shrine Temple, Lewiston. $2; free for children under 12. www.KoraShriners.org. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; 4 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Christmas Fair and baked goods sale, North Saco Congregational Christian Church, Saco. 282-4283. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fair, sponsored by Waterborough Historical Society, Town Hall, Waterboro. 247-5160. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fair for All, crafts and food, Prides Corner Congregational Church, Westbrook. 797-4636. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Craft Fair, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kennebunk. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, crafts, baked goods, jewelry, books and more, West Gorham Union Church, Gorham. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, greens, gifts, cookie walk and luncheon, First Baptist Church, Springvale. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fest, art show and food, Unitarian Universalist Church, Saco. 282-0062. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Craft Fair, crafts, baked goods, white elephant tables and more, West Falmouth Baptist Church, Falmouth. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Santa’s Workshop, holiday craft fair, First Congregational Church, North Yarmouth. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Craft Show, Stevens Avenue Armory, Portland. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Craft Fair, wreaths, handmade items and bake sale, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Hollis. 727-3566. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, American Legion Hall, Westbrook. 775-1468. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Steep Falls PTO Holiday Craft Fair, Steep Falls Elementary School. 838-5495. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Hannaford Associates’ Holiday Craft Fair, Elks Club, Portland. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Holiday Fair, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Augusta. 622-2424. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Craft Fair, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gorham. 648-7213. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Craft Fair with entertainers, Portland Arts and Technology High School. 754-6843. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, Holy Martyrs Church, Falmouth. 781-4573. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Christmas Fair, United Methodist Church, Brunswick. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Holly Fair, gifts, crafts, cookie trail and food items, First Congregational Church, Gray. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Yuletide Fair, United Methodist Church of York and Ogunquit, York. 363-2749. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Handmade Hoopla, handmade crafts, 25 Caleb St., Portland. kristabrown@maine.rr.com. 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Holly Days Fair, Rockland Congregational Church. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Fair Trade Gifts for the Holidays, Little Meetinghouse of North Windham, Windham. www.karmafairtrade.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 

• FILMS

Film Series, Rockland Public Library. Free. “RUMI: The Wings of Love” (2002) and “The Master of the Carriage” (2010), 6:30 p.m. today.

Warren Miller’s “Wintervention,” action sports film, Merrill Auditorium, Portland. $27. www.porttix.com. 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday.

African Film Night, Museum of African Culture, Portland. “Transformation” ($5), 6:30 p.m. Saturday. 

• PRO SPORTS

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

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

Day One’s Annual Celebration with keynote speaker Patty Duke, Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, South Portland. $60 in advance; $65 at door. www.day-one.org. 6:15 p.m.

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

FRIDAY

Little Lake Stewards Series, environmentally-themed stories, activities and crafts for pre-schoolers, Sebago Lake Ecology Center, Standish. $10 for the series. 774-5961, Ext. 3319. “Harvesting at Home,” 10 a.m. to noon Friday. Series runs through April 15.

“A Victorian Christmas,” 1800s-themed holiday celebration by the Victoria Mansion, Portland High School. $10; $5 for youths under 18. Reservations required. www.victoriamansion.org. 8 to 9 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Frozen Turkey Hunt, treasure hunt-type search resulting in prizes to enhance your Thanksgiving feast, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay. Free. 11 a.m.

“Kids’ Magic Lantern Show,” Victorian-era show geared toward ages 3 to 8 by the Victoria Mansion, Portland High School. $10; $5 for youths under 18. Reservations required. www.victoriamansion.org. 10 to 10:45 a.m.

ExTRAINaganza, model train show with special activities, Great Falls Model Railroad Club, Auburn. $2. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 4 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Skatepark Grand Opening, open skate and lessons, music and refreshments, Dougherty Field (Portland Skatepark), Portland. www.portlandmaine.gov. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Turkey Trot, 5K road race and one-mile jog/fun walk with dogs, Sanford Junior High School. $10-$15. www.sanfordmaine.org. Register by Nov. 18. 9 a.m.

“Says You,” live recording of NPR radio show, University of Southern Maine (Abromson Community Education Center), Portland. $20-$25; reservations required. www.saysyou.net/tapings. 4 p.m.

National Survivors of Suicide Day, presentations and support groups, Thornton Academy, Saco. 775-5216, Ext. 107. 12:30 p.m. (registration), 1 to 4:30 p.m. (event).

The Magic of the Steelgraves, illusions, magic and juggling, Lucid Stage, Portland. $10; $5 for children. 899-3993. 11 a.m. to noon.

Christmas Tree Lighting, kicks off Northern Lights series with music and special holiday characters, L.L. Bean Discovery Park, Freeport. Free. www.llbean.com. 6:30 p.m. 

SUNDAY

“Says You,” live recording of NPR radio show, Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. $20-$25; reservations required. www.saysyou.net/tapings. 1 p.m. 

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

Thomas Powers, “The Killing of Crazy Horse,” author talk, Maine Historical Society, Portland. 774-1822. 7 p.m.

Ed Webster, “Snow in the Kingdom,” talks about his years on and off Mt. Everest, Fryeburg Academy (Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center). $7; $5 for students and seniors. www.fryeburgacademy.org. 7 p.m.

Meg Wolff, “A Life in Balance: Delicious, Plant-Based Recipes for Optimal Health,” book signing, cooking class and demonstration, Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport. $45. www.nonantumresort.com. 6 to 8 p.m.

Catherynne Valente, “The Habitation of the Blessed,” author talk/book signing, Longfellow Books, Portland. Free. 772-4045. 7 p.m.

Melissa Kelly, “Cooking Down East,” author talk/book signing, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta. 563-3207. 10 a.m. 

SATURDAY

Play Me a Story, play reading series of children’s books by company actors followed by an acting workshop for children ages 4 to 10, Portland Stage Company. $15. www.portlandstage.org. Readings of “Princess Hyacinth” and “The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster,” 10:30 a.m.

Dahlov Ipcar, “The Calico Jungle,” book signing, Georgetown Historical Society. 371-9200. Noon to 2 p.m.

Multicultural Children’s Books Fair with Charlotte Agell, author of “The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister,” Breakwater School, Portland. 772-8689. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jane Ziegelman, “97 Orchard” and Andrew Coe, “Chop Suey,” book signing/author talk, Roma Cafe, Portland. $15. 774-1044. 3 to 5 p.m.

Meg Wolff, “A Life in Balance,” book signing, Nonesuch Books, South Portland. 799-2659. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Open house with author programs and book signings, Kennebooks, Kennebunk. Free; reservations recommended. 967-8282. Rebecca Emberly, 10:30 a.m.; Carol Lambert and Ellen Thayer, 1 p.m.

James Richardson, “Standing on Two Feet,” book signing, Royal River Books, Yarmouth. 846-8006. 10 a.m. to noon.

Book launch, some of the auto racing personalities in the book will be in attendance, Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch. www.buschsportscene.com. George Campbell, “Busch North Scene: A Ten Year Retrospective,” 2 to 4 p.m. 

MONDAY

Chris Abani, author of “Becoming Abigail,” presents “Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Rights,” Bowdoin College (Kresge Auditorium), Brunswick. Free. 725-3982. 7:30 p.m. 

• PARTICIPANT DANCE

TODAY

Cold Rice, dance party with DJ Name Names; 18-plus. Space, Portland. $3. www.space538.org. 9 p.m. 

FRIDAY

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

Dance party with Southern Maine USA Dance, Roost Function Hall, Buxton. $12. www.smusadance.com. 7 to 8 p.m. (lesson), 8 to 11 p.m. (dance). 

SATURDAY

Ballroom dancing, American Ballroom Dance Academy, Portland. 879-5761. 8 to 11 p.m. Argentine tango lesson at 6 p.m., group lesson at 7 p.m. Each lesson session is $10; $15 for both; $5 dance only.

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

SUNDAY

International Folk Dancing, dances taught, beginners welcome, Portland New Church. $5; $3 for children. 318-7108. 7 to 9 p.m. 

TUESDAY

Contradance, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. $5. www.mayostreetarts.org. 7 p.m.