Decorative balls hang from trees in the Lerner Garden at the 2018 Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
NOV. 19
Warren Miller’s ‘Daymaker’
Get stoked for the upcoming ski and snowboard season with epic footage of extreme snow sports courtesy of Warren Miller Entertainment. Tickets are $22 in advance, $24 day of show, $37 VIP. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. All ages.
State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland. statetheatreportland.com
NOV. 19 – DEC. 31
Gardens Aglow
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ light display returns to its roots as a walking event with a reimagined design and more than half a million lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens. Open evenings Thursday through Sunday, plus select dates (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Tickets are $18, $16 for age 65-plus, $10 for ages 3-17, $45 for family of four, free for children under 3.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay. mainegardens.org
A scene from Maine State Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Courtesy of Maine State Ballet
NOV. 25 – DEC. 4
Maine State Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’
The classic story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince with dancers from Maine State Ballet and music by the Maine State Ballet Orchestra and Chorus. Shows at 2 and 7 p.m. on various days. Tickets are $28 to $85, depending on show and seat.
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland. porttix.com
NOV. 25 – DEC. 29
Saco Festival of Trees
If you’re looking for tree-decorating inspiration, you’ll find plenty among the dazzling displays at this indoor exhibit. Donations accepted for the Dyer Library/Saco Museum.
Saco Museum, 371 Main St., Saco. dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org
NOV. 30 – DEC. 24
‘A Tuna Christmas’
Escape to Tuna (the “third-smallest town” in Texas) for the holidays – or for two hours – with this play following a contentious annual lawn display competition and the effort to unmask the Christmas Phantom. Showtimes vary by week; tickets are $20 to $70.
Portland Stage, 25A Forest Ave., Portland. portlandstage.org
DEC. 1 – 11
Christmas Prelude
More than a week of festivities in the Kennebunks, including Dock Square tree lighting, a gala at White Columns, craft fairs, live music and parties, a hat parade and a pooch parade, caroling at the monastery, Santa’s arrival by lobster boat and fireworks over the Kennebunk River.
Various locations in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. christmasprelude.com
DEC. 2
Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights
Dozens of floats and marching groups lead a twinkling parade, from 6-7 p.m., with Santa bringing the talking tree to life at the corner of Main and Bow streets.
Main Street, Freeport. visitfreeport.com
DEC. 2 – 18
‘Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash’
Four singers serve up cool versions of Sinatra standards and holiday favorites. Shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. All seats $25.
City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. citytheater.org
Ben Lizotte bangs his fist on the glass yelling for a puck while the Worcester Railers and Maine Mariners warm up on the ice at Cross Insurance Arena last year. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
DEC. 4
Mariners’ Hockey & Family Skate
Watch the Mariners play at 3 p.m., then get out there with them to skate after the game. Bring your own skates and check them in at security. (Other post-game family skates without the players: Dec. 28, March 5 and 19, April 9.)
Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Square, Portland. marinersofmaine.com
DEC. 8
Merry Madness
Portland Downtown hosts an adults-only, ticketed Merry Madness Passport shopping season kickoff party at the historic U.S. Custom House. From there, event-goers embark on a shopping crawl, with select businesses staying open late and offering treats or tastings to each participant with a 2022 Merry Madness event glass.
Downtown Portland. portlandmaine.com/events-downtown
DEC. 9
Photo A Go-Go Exhibition
One of the largest annual photography shows in Maine and the primary fundraiser for Bakery Photo Collective, an all-volunteer nonprofit digital imaging and darkroom facility. Includes a silent auction. 6-9 p.m.
Maine Studio Workshop, 170 Anderson St., Portland. bakeryphoto.com
DEC. 11
Cozy Winter Market
Tasty treats, hot beverages and locally made gifts for sale, plus fire pits to sit down and snuggle up around and listen to live jazz. Hosted by Friends of Congress Square Park. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Congress Square Park, Portland. congresssquarepark.org
DEC. 15 – 18
Disney on Ice: ‘Let’s Celebrate’
The ultimate Disney party skating show, featuring the cast of characters from “Toy Story 4,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more. Showtimes vary; tickets start at $19.
Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Square, Portland. crossarenaportland.com
DEC. 16 – 18
Christmas Village Drive-Through
See the lights and listen to festive music – and you don’t even have to get out of your car. 6-9 p.m.
Sebago Signworks, 206 Ossippee Trail, Limington. Facebook: Limington Christmas Village
DEC. 28
Pleasant Mountain Winter Festival
Celebrate winter at Pleasant Mountain (formerly known as Shawnee Peak) with live music at Blizzard’s Pub followed by a torchlight parade and fireworks. 8 p.m.
119 Mountain Road, Bridgton. pleasantmountain.com
DEC. 29
WinterKids Welcome to Winter
A chance to try snowshoeing, Nordic and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and snow sculpting – all for free. Just bring money for something hot from one of the food trucks. All ages, but kid-centric. 5-7 p.m.
Lost Valley Ski Area, 200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn. winterkids.org
Participants in the 2022 Lobster Dip make their way to the water on Old Orchard Beach. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
JAN. 1
Lobster Dip
Take the icy plunge for Special Olympics Maine on New Year’s Day at Old Orchard Beach in front of The Brunswick – at 10:30 a.m. or noon. Register in advance and raise at least $100 to participate in the 35th anniversary dip. Costumes welcome.
39 West Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach. somaine.org
JAN. 5 and 6
Maine Celtics vs. Motor City Cruise
Tickets to NBA G League games at the Portland Expo start at just $14. The Maine Celtics season runs from November to March, and for two nights in a row, on Jan. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m., you can see them face the Motor City Cruise from Detroit.
Portland Expo Building, Park Avenue, Portland. maine.gleague.nba.com
JAN. 12
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Live
For fans of the “Dancing With the Stars” TV show, this is your chance to see your favorite pros and special guest stars live in a new production. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45.
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland. dwtstour.com
FEB. 3 – 5
Maine Pond Hockey Classic
The biggest pond hockey-style tournament in Maine, this annual event is on Snow Pond (also known as Messalonksee Lake). There are divisions for all levels, including “just for fun.” Teams register online in advance, and players must be 18-plus.
Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney. mainepondhockey.org
Patrick Fritz of Camden, left, Dwight Nickles of Warren and Terry Laukka of Warren of the team Pour Farmers splash through water at the end of their run during the 31st annual U.S. National Toboggan championships in 2021 at Camden Snow Bowl. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
FEB. 3 – 5
U.S. National Toboggan Championships
The only traditional wood toboggan race in the United States. Register a team for the “championships” – or take the plunge when the chute is open to the public (weekends, holidays and during school vacation, weather permitting).
Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road, Camden. camdensnowbowl.com
FEB. 17 and 18
Flavors of Freeport Signature Events
Enjoy savory and sweet bites from Freeport-area restaurants and food and alcohol producers at Fare & Ice (Feb. 17) or a funkadelic dance party with Motor Booty Affair (Feb. 18). Either night, there’s a winter bar just outside with roaring fires and frosty beverages. Tickets are $30 per night or $50 for both. 21-plus.
The Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown, 5 Park St., Freeport. visitfreeport.com
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