There are many annual holiday events taking place this weekend, from the classic tree lightings to a polar bear dip in Bowdoinham and trolley caroling in Bath.

Bath

Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. is trolley caroling in Bath. Grab a blanket and thermos of hot chocolate and hop on the trolley for a night of caroling as the trolley travels through the streets of Bath.

During the event, downtown Bath shops, restaurants and banks will be open late to welcome visitors. Bath’s vibrant downtown will be lit up and decked in its Christmas best.

The Chocolate Church will feature the COIG Irish Christmas Friday at 7:30 p.m., with a cost of $20 at the door; and jazz musician Brad Terry will play at Solo Bistro from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday night.

Now You’re Cooking will have a cupcakes and cookies demo at 49 Front St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be free holiday events at Maine Maritime Museum. Bring the kids to meet Christmas mascots Santa Claws and Captain Christmas. For more details go to http://visitbath.com.

Bowdoinham

Bowdoinham’s third annual Holiday Festival is this weekend, starting with a tree lighting at the Town Hall Friday at 6 p.m.

Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Bowdoinham Public Library is a kids holiday storytime, and then pictures with Santa and a make-a-gift workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bowdoinham Community School.

From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday the pony parade will travel around the village. At 3 p.m., Polar Bear Dip participants will plunge into the Cathance River to raise money for an organization of their choice.

The Bowdoinham Guild of Artisans Show and Sale is Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Town Hall. The Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bowdoinham Community School (23 Cemetery Road); and the EMS Craft Fair is at the fire station at 57 Post Road Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Several businesses will be open and horse wagon rides will be available between the event sites. For more details visit www.bowdoinham.com.

Brunswick

In Brunswick on Saturday, Santa Claus will visit the Skolfield-Whittier House at 161 Park Row and from 9 a.m. to noon greet children in the elegant parlor. Free refreshments will be next door at the Pejepscot Museum and Research Center.

Freeport

Freeport’s Sparkle Weekend kicks of Friday with the Parade of Lights down Main Street at 6 p.m. followed by a visit from Santa at the Main Street patio 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at 10 a.m. is the Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Freeport High School. It is also Winter Sports Weekend at the L. L. Bean campus, which will include among several events horse-drawn wagon rides Saturday and Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.; and a musical holiday light show 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Freeport Players will return to Freeport Performing Arts Center this weekend with a light-hearted spoof: The WFCP “Telethon” is a family friendly variety show that mixes music, dance and comedy acts in the spirit of Jerry Lewis telethons, MPBN pledge drives, and Live Aid and its descendants. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday and cost is $15 at the door.

Harpswell

Harpswell will have a Christmas tree lighting and potluck Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Holbrook Wharf in Cundy’s Harbor; and another tree lighting with merriment and refreshments at Centennial Hall on Route 123 — opposite 929 Harpswell Neck Road, at 5:30 p.m.

Lisbon

Lisbon’s Very Merry Main Street offers free family holiday fun Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Free activities include horse drawn carriage rides, musical performances and the chance to visit Santa.

“Lisbon Falls is the perfect place to experience an authentic small town holiday celebration,” said Ross Cunningham, President of Positive Change Lisbon, the coordinator of the event. “As a family friendly destination, we offer activities that will bring smiles to children of all ages.”

The evening begins at 4:30 p.m. at the MTM Center at 18 School St., where carolers from Lisbon Falls Baptist Church will lead the singing as Santa lights the town’s Christmas tree at MTM park. After the lighting, everyone is invited to follow Santa in a “caroling procession” down Main Street to Route 196.

From 5-7 p.m., more than 15 businesses in Lisbon Falls will open their doors and welcome visitors to their stores, many providing snacks and drinks and activities. Stop by the Positive Change Lisbon table outside Mike’s Flooring on Main Street to receive a card to be stamped by local businesses. Return the stamped cards to be entered into a contest to win a gift basket.

Children can meet Santa for free after he arrives at the “North Pole Annex” in the Masonic Hall on Route 196. Parents can take photos of their child’s visit. All visitors are invited to line up outside Mike’s Flooring on Main Street for free horse drawn carriage rides.

During the evening, singers Rick Graham, Melinda Liberty and Frank Coffin will be performing at Tangles Hair Salon and the Lewiston trio known as “Present Company” will perform holiday favorites at Drapeau’s Costumes on Main Street.

Positive Change Lisbon is an organization of business owners, citizens, and government officials who work together to make Lisbon a more attractive place to live, recreate and to conduct business. For more information, contact Ross Cunningham at 751-2417 or [email protected].

Wiscasset

The tree lighting at the Town Commons in Wiscasset is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday in front of the Congregational Church on Main Street. The Wiscasset Band and Chorus will provide holiday music.

Woolwich

The annual Yule sing and tree lighting in Woolwich is at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Nequasset Meeting House. Performing will be a variety of talents from the town, including a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” with Ann Pierson and Friends followed by the arrival of Santa Claus.