Collections & Donations

Giving Tree, Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath. Donations made until Jan. 8 helps patrons unable to pay fines due to financial hardship.

Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale, The Rink at Thompson’s Point, Portland, Fri., 3-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., through Christmas, all proceeds benefit Cancer Community Center.

Toys for Tots, drop off until Dec. 17 at Wireless Zone of Topsham, 20 Topsham Fair Mall Road.

Festivals

Wednesday 12/16

Bright Night: A Solstice Ride of Bikes & Lights, 5:30 p.m., Ocean Gateway to Deering Oaks Park, free bike lights, cocoa, snacks, trails.org/programs.

Music

“The Gifts of Christmas,” with opera singer Maura Gwyer, through Dec. 19, Thursdays, 7 p.m., Fridays, 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., The Footlights, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

“Behold the Lamb of God,” Koelker-Martelle Band, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 19 and 20, Falmouth High School theater, 74 Woodville Road. Free, donations benefit Making Roots mission in Haiti, tinyurl.com/btlog15.

“Christmas with Renaissance Voices,” a cappella group, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19; 2 p.m., Dec. 20, St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland, $12 advance at Starbird Music and Longfellow Books in Portland, The Book Review in Falmouth, renaissancevoices.net, $15 at the door, students $5, 729-4958.

Friday 12/18

Songs of the Season, featuring Wintery Songs In Eleventy Part Harmony, 7 p.m., 317 Main at First Parish Congregational Church, Yarmouth. Tickets $15 adults, $10 kids and seniors, in advance at Brown Paper Tickets or at the door. Includes food drive.

Saturday 12/19

Holiday Mix, 6-8 p.m., Curtis Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick, featuring original music, songs from around the world and classical guitar. Suggested donation $10.

Stämbandet, Nordic Yule vocal ensemble, 7:30 p.m., Mayo Street Arts International Heritage Music Series, 10 Mayo St., Portland. Tickets $10-$15 in advance, mayostreetarts.org/event/stambandet/.

Holiday Caroling, noon, Northgate Plaza, 91 Auburn St., Portland, with North Deering Neighborhood Association. Free reusable shopping bags and candy canes.

“A Musical Tour of Dickens’ London,” 2 p.m., Musica de Filia Choirs, guest narrator Louis Phillipe, musical guests the Exchange Street Quartet, South Portland Auditorium 637 Highland Ave., $15/adults, $8 students/seniors, bit.ly/21BZdoQ and at the door.

Thursday 12/24

Christmas Carol Sing, 7:30 p.m., Brunswick Mall. Sing the traditional carols just for 15 minutes. Lyrics will be provided; bring a flashlight. For every person who attends, All Saints Parish will donate $1 to Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention. FMI, 725-2624.

Theater/Dance

“A Christmas Carol – The Musical,” 7 p.m., Dec. 17-19; 2 p.m. Dec. 19-20, Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Tickets $12  in advance, chocolatechurcharts.org, 442-8455; $15 at the door.

“Holiday Tales,” seasonal scenes and songs, 7 p.m., Dec. 18-20, The Theater Project, 14 School St., Brunswick. Suggested donation $10, 729-8584, theaterproject.com.

“The Gifts of Christmas,” with opera singer Maura Gwyer, The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, various dates and times through Dec. 19, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

“A Christmas Carol,” one-man show by Michael J. Tobin, The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 7 p.m. Dec. 21-23, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

Christmas at Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St., Portland, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily to Jan. 3, except Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission varies, special events throughout the season, victoriamansion.org.

Nutcracker Burlesque, 8 p.m., through Dec. 19, St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St., Portland, vividmotion.org.

Sunday 12/20

The Naughty Elves Burlesque Show, 7:30 p.m., local comics and vaudeville, Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland, mayostreetarts.org.

Monday 12/21

Wales and Tales, a celebration of the holiday season, 7 p.m.,The Theater Project, 14 School St., Brunswick. Suggested donation $10, 729-8584 or theaterproject.com.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” 2 p.m. movie, Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main St., Yarmouth, free and open to the public, light refreshments.

Family Fun 

Holiday Skate-tacular, 6 p.m., Family Ice Center, Falmouth. Skating exhibition, public skating, refreshments. Free; check northatlanticfigureskating.org if inclement weather. 

Wadsworth-Longfellow House tours, 19th-century-inspired decorations and families’ holiday traditions, history of celebrating Christmas in New England. Various dates and times to Dec. 30. Special children and family tours 3 p.m., Dec. 19 and 26 include “treasure hunt” to gather ingredients for Henry’s favorite dessert, gingerbread.

Polar Express, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, 58 Fore St., Portland, various ticket prices; reservations recommended at mainenarrowgauge.org, 828-0814.

“The Nutcracker,” by Santa’s reindeer, Portland Children’s Museum, various dates and times through Dec. 22. Tickets $10 visitors/$9 members, available at the front desk or online at kitetails.org. 828-1234; info@kitetails.org.

Saturday 12/19

Mrs. Claus reads, 10 a.m. to noon, Christmas stories with children, Mustard Seed Bookstore, 74 Front St., Bath.

Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 9 and 11 a.m., The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth. A magical hour of stories and music. Reservations required, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

Visit with Santa, Christmas village and animated displays, noon to 3 p.m., Portland Fire Museum, 157 Spring St. Free, donations encouraged.

Teen Craft and Gift Making, 1-2:30 p.m., ages 11-18 can create bookmarks, key chains. Registration required, cyndi@topshamlibrary.org, Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, 725-1727, topshamlibrary.org.

Sunday 12/20

Breakfast with Santa, 8-9 a.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 807 Middle St., Bath. Breakfast served 7:30-9:30 a.m., with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, home fries, biscuits, gravy and muffins. Suggested donation: adults, $7, children under 12, free.

Tuesday 12/22

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” Pajama Movie Night, 6-7 p.m. Recommended for ages 3 and up; popcorn will be served. Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, topshamlibrary.org.

Thursday 12/24

Holiday Stories with Phyllis And Al, winter storytelling and songs for the whole family, 11 a.m., The Theater Project, 14 School St., Brunswick. Admission by donation (food or check) to Midcoast Maine Hunger Prevention Program. FMI 729-8584 or theaterproject.com.