Events

Holiday

Belfast Flying Shoes, Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St. Oh! Flying Shoes! Special Solstice Shine Dance, Dec. 20; Last Night Contra Dance, Dec. 31. 338-0979.

The Burleigh, Kennebunkport Inn, 1 Dock Sq. Holiday Cocktail Class, Dec. 21. 204-9668.

Cadenza, 5 Depot St., Freeport. Pat Colwell & The Soul Sensations’ Motown Christmas, Dec. 21. 560-5300.

Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Lúnasa: Irish Solstice Celebration, Dec. 20. 236-7963.

Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Sing! It’s Christmas, Dec. 16. 442-8455.

City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, to Dec. 22. 282-0849.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. Gardens Aglow, to Dec. 31; Making a Festive Arrangement, Dec. 14. 633-8000.

Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. The Nutcracker, Dec. 21–22. 581-1755.

Earth at Hidden Pond, 354 Goose Rocks Rd., Kennebunkport. Casino Royale New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. 967-6550.

The Ecology School, Riverbend Farm, 184 Simpson Rd., Saco. Winter Solstice Stroll, Dec. 19. 283-9951.

Fete Market, Toad & Co., 31 Diamond St. B. Fete Holiday Market, Dec. 14. 303-9145.

Footlights Theatre, 190 US-1, Falmouth. Humbug! A Spirited Christmas Carol Gone Wrong, to Dec. 22; A Christmas Carol, to Dec. 23. 747-5434.

Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle St. 2024 Holiday Show, to Jan. 25, 2025. 772-2693.

The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Magic 8 Ball Winter Solstice Concert, Dec. 22. 347-7177.

Kittery Art Association, 2 Walker St. KAA Holiday Show & Gift Bazaar, to Dec. 21. 451-9384.

Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland. A Christmas Carol, The Musical, to Dec. 22. 799-1421.

Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. Lowry’s Lodge Holiday Open Reading, Dec. 15. 773-2339.

Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. St. Lucia’s Day Procession with Northbound, Dec. 15. 879-4629.

Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St., Freeport. Sparkle, to Dec. 29. 865-0040.

Mystic Theater, 49 Franklin St., Rumford. THUNDERSTRUCK New Years Even with Monsta, Dec. 31. 369-0129.

New England Craft Fairs, Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave. 35th Annual Last Minute Arts & Craft Show, Dec. 14–15; 35th Annual Last Chance Arts & Craft Show, Dec. 21–22. 946-7079.

Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St., Bath. Cookie Decorating Drop-In, Dec. 14. 443-1402.

One Longfellow Square, 181 State St. Rock My Soul, Dec. 15; Lúnasa, Dec. 16; Portland Jazz Orchestra Holiday Show, Dec. 19–20; Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, Dec. 21; Low Lily’s Winter Solstice Celebration, Dec. 22; Lyle Divinsky & Friends, Dec. 29; A Havana New Year’s Eve Bash feat. Primo Cubano, Dec. 31. 761-1757.

​​Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Holiday Potluck & Carols, Dec. 18; Irish Christmas with John Doyle & Mick McAuley, Dec. 20. 633-5159.

Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum St. STEM Saturdays: 3…2…1… Happy New Year!, Dec. 28. 594-4418.

Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. A Christmas Carol, to Dec. 22; Holigays are Here Again, to Dec. 22; Santa’s Storytime & Singalong, to Dec. 22. 942-3333.

Portland Ballet, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. A Victorian Nutcracker, Dec. 17–22. 842-0800.

Portland Conservatory of Music, 28 Neal St. ChoralART Singalong, Dec. 19; Home for the Holidays, Dec. 26–28. 775-3356.

Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. Griffin William Sherry’s New Year’s Eve(ish) Party, Dec. 27–28; Tim Sullivan’s Half Dead, Dec. 31. 805-0134.

Portland Symphony Orchestra, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Magic of Christmas, to Dec. 22 (on demand Dec. 20–Jan. 10, 2025). 842-0800.

Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH. 34th Annual Gingerbread Contest, to Dec. 30. (603)436-8433.

Railway Village Museum, 586 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay. North Pole Express, Dec. 14–15. 633-4727.

Richard Boyd Art Gallery, 15 Epps St., Peaks Island. Holiday Offerings, to Dec. 31; Ringing in the New Year, Jan. 3–26, 2025. 712-1097.

State Theatre, 609 Congress St. The Fogcutters Superfantastic Christmas Extravaganza, Dec. 14; Santa Rave, Dec. 20. 956-6000.

Stonington Opera House, 1 School St. A Christmas Carol Community Reading, Dec. 15; A Very Merry Holiday Concert, Dec. 21. 367-2788.

Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. Candlelight Stroll, Dec. 20–22. (603)433-1100.

Ticonic Gallery & Studios, 93 Main St., Waterville. Holiday Bazaar, to Jan. 27, 2025. 873-7000.

Vivid Motion, The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Holly Jolly Follies, Dec. 19–21. 347-7177.

Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Dec. 13–15; Heather Pierson Trio: Holiday Charlie Brown Christmas Concert, Dec. 22. 975-6490.

Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Dec. 19; Christmas with the Celts, Dec. 23. 873-7000.

Wells Christmas Parade, Route 1. The 39th Annual Christmas Parade begins at Wells Plaza and ends at the Wells Junior High School, Dec. 15. wellschristmasparade.com.

Theater

Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq. Disney On Ice: Into The Magic, Dec. 19–22. 791-2200.

Mad Horse Theater, 24 Mosher St., South Portland. A Delicate Balance, Jan. 9, 2025–Feb. 7, 2025. 747-4148.

Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. Tanglewood Marionettes’ Sleeping Beauty, Dec. 21–22. 879-4629.

Ogunquit Playhouse, The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, NH. Frozen: The Broadway Musical, Dec. 18–22. 646-5511.

Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. By the Light of the Silvery Screen, Dec. 30–31. 942-3333.

Portland Players Theater, 420 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Into the Woods, to Dec. 22. 799-7337.

Portland Stage, 25A Forest Ave. The Snow Queen, to Dec. 24. 774-0465.

Dance

Belfast Flying Shoes, Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St. First Friday Dance, Jan. 3, 2025. 338-0979.

Blue, 650A Congress St. Salsa Nite, Dec. 27. 774-4111.

Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Grit & Grace Repertoire Fundraiser Show, Dec. 14. 236-7963.

Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Dancing with the Stars, Live!, Jan. 14, 2025. 842-0800.

Music

Bay Chamber Concerts, Hammer Hall, 5 Mountain St., Camden. Chamber Music Recital, Dec. 19. 236-2823.

Blue, 650A Congress St. Open Mic Live, Dec. 17; Matt Meyer and The Gumption Junction & El Malo, Dec. 20; David Newsam with Maddie Adams & Gruppo Antudo, Dec. 21; Saguaro & Connor Ellis Group, Dec. 28; Jazz Sesh, every Wed. 774-4111.

Cadenza, 5 Depot St., Freeport. Duane Edwards, Dec. 19. 560-5300.

Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Hiroya Tsukamoto, Dec. 20. 442-8455.

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Grand Opera Meets the Mighty Kotzschmar, on demand to Dec. 24; Christmas with Kennerley, Dec. 23 (on demand Dec. 30–Jan. 29). 842-0800.

The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Reed Foehl Band, Dec. 28. 347-7177.

Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Wishbone Ash, Dec. 14. 646-4777.

Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. Met Opera Encore: The Magic Flute (Mozart), Dec. 21. 873-7000.

One Longfellow Square, 181 State St. Katie Matzell & Friends, Dec. 28; Enter the Haggis, Jan. 2, 2025. 761-1757.

​​Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Ellis Paul, Dec. 28; The Boneheads, Jan. 11, 2025. 633-5159.

Portland Conservatory of Music, 28 Neal St. Mary Rosen & Diane Walsh, Dec. 15. 775-3356.

Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. Joe Samba, Dec. 20; Enter the Haggis, Jan. 3, 2025. 805-0134.

State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Pink Talking Fish, Dec. 21; Start Making Sense, Dec. 28; Zakk Sabbath, Jan. 2, 2025. 956-6000.

Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Adam Ezra Group, Dec. 21; Dar Williams, Dec. 27; Soggy Po’ Boys, Dec. 31; Albert Lee, Jan. 10, 2025. 935-7292.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Nefesh Mountain, Dec. 20; Met Opera Encore: The Magic Flute, Dec. 24. 594-0070.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St. David Mallett, Jan. 11, 2025. 729-8515.

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Rd., Arundel. 12/OC & The Gang, Dec. 14. 985-5552.

Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Adam Ezra Group, Dec. 20. 975-6490.

Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. Portrait of Aretha starring CeCe Teneal, Jan. 9, 2025; EagleMania, Jan. 10, 2025; Julia Gagnon, Jan. 11, 2025. 873-7000.

Comedy

Blue, 650A Congress St. Comedy Open Mic, every Tues. 774-4111.

Grand Theater, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. Bob Marley, Jan. 4, 2025. 667-9500.

Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St., Freeport. Capital City Improv Comedy, Jan. 18, 2025. 865-0040.

Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Bob Marley, Dec. 18. 935-7292.

Art

Bates College Museum of Art, 75 Russell St., Lewiston. Across Common Grounds, to Mar. 15, 2025; Array: Recent Acquisition Series, to Mar. 15, 2025. 786-6158.

Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 245 Maine St., Brunswick. Re|Framing the Collection: New Considerations in European and American Art, 1475-1875, to Dec. 31; Etruscan Gifts: Artifacts from Early Italy in the Bowdoin Collection, to Feb. 9; 2025; Currents: Art Since 1875, to Mar. 2, 2025; Hello, Stranger: Artist as Subject in Photographic Portraits since 1900, to Mar. 23, 2025. 725-3275.

Caldbeck Gallery, 12 Elm St., Rockland. Winter Exhibition, to Jan. 31, 2025. 594-5935.

Carol L. Douglas Studio and Gallery, 394 Commercial St., Rockport. Landscape and marine paintings, workshops, and instruction. Watch-me-paint.com. (585) 201-1558.

Center for Maine Contemporary Art, 21 Winter St., Rockland. Letha Wilson: Cut, Bend, Burn, to Jan. 12, 2025; Lauren Luloff: Paint the Air, to Jan. 12, 2025; Katrina Weslien: i forgot to remember, to May 4, 2025. 701-5005.

Colby College Museum of Art, 5600 Mayflower Hill Dr., Waterville. Surface Tension, to Jan. 12, 2025; Square + Triangle, to Apr. 21, 2025; Into the Wind: American Weathervanes, to Jun. 8, 2025. 859-5600.

Cove Street Arts, 71 Cove St. Lateral Passage, to Jan. 11, 2025. 808-8911.

David Lussier Gallery, 66 Wallingford Sq., Kittery. Gallery with works by artists including Benjamin Lussier, David Lussier, Pamela Lussier, & Jennifer Simpson, to Dec. 24. (860) 336-9051.

De’Bramble Art Gallery, 16 Middle St., Freeport. Art by Marilyn J. Welch and Friends. (510) 717-8427.

Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum St., Rockland. The Wyeths: Impressions of Coastal Maine, to Dec. 31; Magwintegwak: A Legacy of Penobscot Basketry, to Jan. 5, 2025; Lynne Drexler: Color Notes, to Jan. 12, 2025; Sue De Beer: The White Wolf, to Jan. 26, 2025. 596-6457.

First Friday Art Walks, Creative Portland, 84 Free St. Jan. 3, 2025. 370-4784.

Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. Frederick Ndabaramiye, to Dec. 31. 873-7000.

Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St. Music in Maine, to Dec. 31; Rearranging History: Waynflete School & Maine Memory Network, t0 Dec. 31; Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History, to May 17, 2025. 774-1822.

Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. The Teaching of Isaac Luria to Reflections on Melville & Other Paintings, to Jan. 3, 2025; A Paler Shade, to Jan. 3, 2025; Echoes of the Other, to Jan. 3, 2025; Season 2, Episode 1: Rick Graff, Jan. 9, 2025–Feb. 28, 2025; Ancient Text Renewed: Marlene D’Orazio Adler, Jan. 9, 2025–Feb. 28, 2025. 773-2339.

Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Sustaining Maine’s Waters, to Dec. 31; Hashi: Connecting Maine and Japan Through Student Art, to Jan. 5, 2025; Upta Camp, to Nov. 28, 2025. 443-1316.

Maine Sculpture Trail, Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium. An outdoor exhibit of 34 sculptures over 200 miles Downeast. schoodicsculpture.org.

Moss Galleries, 100 Fore St. Gail Spaien & Lynne Drexler: Light in Every Room, to Jan. 4, 2025. 804-0459.

Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, 9500 College Station, Brunswick. Northern Nightmares: Monsters in Inuit Art, to May 4, 2025; Collections and Recollections: Objects and the Stories They Tell & At Home In the North, to Jun. 1, 2025. 725-3416.

Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq. Peggy Bacon: Biting, never Bitter, to Feb. 2, 2025; As We Are, to Apr. 27, 2025. 775-6148.

Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH. Upstairs with the Furniture Masters, to Dec. 31. (603)436-8433.

River Arts, 36 Elm St, Damariscotta. Celebration, to Dec. 30. 563-6868.

University of New England Art Galleries, UNE Art Gallery, 716 Stevens Ave. Spark of Live: Abstraction, Microscopy, and Discovery, to Feb. 16, 2025. 602-3000

University of New England Art Galleries, Jack S. Ketchum Library, 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford. Studio Ecosystems: UNE Visual Art Faculty Show 2024, to Feb. 9, 2025. 602-3000.

Film

Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Moana 2, to Dec. 19. 564-8943.

Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. Stagecoach (1939), Jan. 2–3, 2025. 563-3424.

Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. The Iron Giant, Dec. 29; When Harry Met Sally, Dec. 31. 873-7000.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. The Muppet Movie (1979), Dec. 19. 594-0070.

Don’t Miss

24th Annual Atlantic Plunge, Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk. Dip in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean in this fun event to raise funds for Caring Unlimited, Jan. 1, 2025. caring-unlimited.org/atlantic-plunge.

3rd Annual Vertical Challenge, Saddleback Mountain. A series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities, with a festival element featuring snowy activities, games, free samples, and swag for all ages, Jan. 5, 2025. 864-5671.

Lobster Dip 2025, in front of The Brunswick Hotel, 39 West Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach. Fun event to raise funds for Special Olympics Maine, Jan. 1, 2025. somaine.org/get-involved/lobster-dip.

Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St. Maine Irish reads The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Jan. 9, 2025. 780-0118.

Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. STEAMbox Family Workshop: Wonderful World of Whales, Jan. 11, 2025. 443-1316.

Polar Bear Dip & Dash, Southern Maine Community College, 2 Fort Rd., South Portland. Gather your friends, start a team, or fundraise on your own to support NRCM’s climate change work for this 17th annual event, Dec. 31. nrcm.org/events/polar-bear-dip-dash.

Print: A Bookstore, 273 Congress St. Abbie Kiefer presents Certain Shelter with Gibson Fay-Leblanc, Jan. 15, 2025. 536-4778.

Stonington Opera House, 1 School St. Trivia Night, Dec. 19. 367-2788.

Tasty

Maine Tasting Center, 506 Old Bath Rd., Wiscasset. Entertaining with Maine Ingredients: Mocktail Mixology, Jan. 9, 2025. 558-5772.

Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St., Bath. Soup Basics, Jan. 5, 2025; Tapas Cooking Class, Jan. 8, 2025; Pasta: Spaghetti & Fettuccine 101, Jan. 15, 2025. 443-1402.

To submit an event listing: portlandmonthly.com/portmag/submit-an-event/

Compiled by Bethany Palmer