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, Dec. 12 and 13, Scratch Bakery, 416 Preble St., South Portland.

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

Craft Fairs

Saturday 12/12

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bath Area Senior Citizens Activity Center, 45 Floral St., crafts, greens, White Elephant, raffle, food.

Christmas Craft Show, to benefit St. John’s Catholic School, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Brunswick, art, pottery, children’s books, fiber art, handmade toys, raffles, food and Santa, craftshow@sjcsbme.org, 725-5507.

Holiday Fine Art and Crafts Showcase, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Designing Women, 150 Ocean Ave., Portland, designingwomen.org.

SMCC Softball Arts & Crafts Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., HUB Gymnasium, 119 Fort Road, South Portland, raffle and concessions.

Festivals

Saturday 12/12

Community Winter Party, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Bickford Education Center, Main Street, Yarmouth. Santa, exhibits, bonfire, music. Suggested donation $25/family.

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

“This Shining Night: A Yuletide Concert,” 7:30 p.m., Dec.11, Chocolate Church, 804 Washington St., Bath; 5 p.m., Dec. 20, Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Maine St., Brunswick. Tickets $20/$10 students/18 and under free at the door and voxnovachamberchoir.com.

“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.

Wednesday 12/9

“Spread the Joy,” 6:30 p.m. holiday performance by ukulele ensemble The Flukes, benefits Falmouth Food Pantry,  Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road.

Friday 12/11

Holiday violin music, 6-8 p.m., Mustard Seed Bookstore, 74 Front St., Bath. Refreshments served.

“Festival of Lessons & Carols,” 7 p.m., by Cantus, University of New England and community-based choir, Deering Center Community Church, 4 Brentwood St., Portland. Free.

Saturday 12/12

St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, 4 p.m., Bowdoin College Chapel, Brunswick, with chamber orchestra and professional soloists. Tickets $15, free for students, online at ceciliachoir.org, at the door.

Christmas Carol Community Sing-a-long, 4:30 p.m., Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church, 84 Main St., Topsham. Free, all-ages event, concessions available, 729-3193.

Sunday 12/13

Messy GRACE, 4-6 p.m., family meal and caroling, Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, 829 3766.

Monday 12/14

Downeasters Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., benefit Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, 52 Tuttle Road, Cumberland, $10; under 8, free, 829 3766.

Tuesday 12/15

“Coastal Winds Christmas” by Freeport Community Concert Band, 6:30 p.m., Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main St., Freeport. Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Admission is a nonperishable food item for Freeport Community Services Food Pantry or cash donation, 865-4747.

Saturday 12/19

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.

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.

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, 19, 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., Dec. 11-19, St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St., Portland, vividmotion.org.

Saturday 12/12

“Cricket on the Hearth,” Christmas entertainment at Victoria Mansion, seatings at 6 and 8 p.m., 109 Danforth St., Portland, $15-$25, 772-4841.

Sunday 12/13

Live Nativity, 5:30-7 p.m., West Scarborough United Methodist Church, corner of Route 1 and Orchard Street, Scarborough, with hot cocoa and a craft project inside for kids. Free.

Monday 12/14

HoHoHo! HaHaHa! Christmas Comedy Show, 7 p.m., The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth. Award-winning comedian Karen Morgan will share the spotlight with local comedians Kate Ghiloni and Smith Galtney, 747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

Monday 12/21

“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 

Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 12 and 19, 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. Dec. 12 and 19, Portland Fire Museum, 157 Spring St. Free, donations encouraged.

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

Saturday 12/12

“The Polar Express,” 10:30 a.m., reading for age 3 and older, Portland Public Library Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library, 5 Monument Square. Refreshments.

Wednesday 12/16

Storytime with Santa, 10 a.m., meet Santa, and have a tasty treat, cameras encouraged. Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, 725-1727, topshamlibrary.org.

Santa Reads, 6 p.m., Dec. 17; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Santa will be at Topsham Library to read to children in grades K-5 and give out award-winning children’s books, 25 Foreside Road, topshamlibrary.org.

Saturday 12/19

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

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.