Durham church offers holiday music and hilarity

“An Afternoon of Christmas” will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at the First Congregational Church of Durham, featuring the music of Larissa Smith, Jeff and Valerie Chipman and The First Congregational Church Choir. Local jokesters Jill Litchfield and Tina Broomhall-Snow will make an appearance; there will also be a reading and a children’s story. The program will end with a Christmas carol sing-a-long, followed by refreshments. Freewill donations will benefit Lisbon Area Community Outreach, 773 Royalsborough Rd. in Durham.

‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ to be presented

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” by poet Dylan Thomas, will be recited by  Abraham A. Schechter at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Mechanics’ Hall, 519 Congress St. in Portland.  Schechter is an archivist and librarian at the Portland Public Library’s Portland Room and will also share photos from the time he spent in Wales. All are welcome to have some tea and traditional cakes in the historic library to celebrate a Welsh Christmas – lechyd da! (Cheers!).

St. Paul’s Christmas Fair has something for everyone

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will hold its 81st annual Christmas Fair 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at 27 Pleasant St. in Brunswick (corner of Pleasant and Union streets).

Holiday shoppers can browse several rooms full of items, including artwork and handicrafts by local artisans; handmade hats and scarves; breads, pies, cookies, jams & jellies; and fresh wreaths and other Christmas decorations. Bargain hunters can find vintage items, jewelry, collectibles and gently used household wares.

For the second year, St. Paul’s will also hold a silent auction. Shoppers can bid on gift certificates local businesses, a fly fishing rod and reel, Maine State Music Theater tickets, a consult with a Master Gardener, and multiple gift baskets, among other items.

There will be a children’s activity table, plus Santa and his helpers will be on site. Chowder, taco salad, sandwiches, coffee and desserts will be available at the Christmas Café.

The Christmas Fair is St. Paul’s largest charitable fundraiser. Over the past six years, the community’s support of the fair has allowed St. Paul’s to donate more than $100,000 to programs such as Mid Coast Hunger Prevention, Tedford Housing, Oasis Free Clinics and Brunswick Area Student Aid Fund.

Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. For more information about the silent auction, go to www.facebook.com/StPaulsBrunswick/.

Moody to direct his last ‘Magic of Christmas’

The 2017 Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas celebrates Music Director Robert Moody’s last Magic with the PSO with special guest artists and longtime Portland favorites. The traditions of the orchestra’s lively rendition of “Sleigh Ride” and the rousing holiday carol sing-along will both be part of the concert.

The 12 concerts from Dec. 8-17 will be led by Moody. Nicolás Dosman is the chorus master, directing the 100-plus member Magic of Christmas Chorus, made up primarily of members of the Portland Community Chorus. Additional concert highlights include Susie Pepper’s rendition of “Let it Go” from Frozen, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” sung by Suzanne Nance, and more classic holiday pieces, such as “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” and “Hallelujah!” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Magic of Christmas festivities begin an hour before the orchestra takes the stage with the organ prelude performed on the Kotzschmar Organ by Portland Municipal Organist Ray Cornils. The lobby at Merrill Auditorium will be fully decorated, adding to the holiday atmosphere.

Tickets range from $25-$70 and are available through PortTIX at 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.

Boat Parade of Lights will be merry and bright

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Boat Parade of Lights on Casco Bay in Portland. Two ferries will depart from Casco Bay Lines at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 to view the annual event at 4:45 p.m. The parade of lights is a festive, fun cruise where revelers can watch beautifully decorated boats lighting up the harbor. Snacks are provided, and beverages will be available at the cash bar. Tickets are $10 each at www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/special-event-holiday-cruises,with proceeds donated to SailMaine.

Holiday sale at Maine College of Art features over 50 works

This year’s Holiday Sale at the Maine College of Art will be held 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. In its 23rd year, the MECA Holiday Sale is the Arts District’s premier holiday sale event, connecting Maine makers and buyers.  The juried 2017 Holiday Sale will include over 50 alumni vendors, selling handmade ceramics, jewelry, furniture, prints, and textiles. Student vendors include the Printmaking, Illustration, Metalsmithing & Jewelry, and Drawing departments. The Joanne Waxman Library at MECA will be holding its annual book sale as well.

In addition to the two-day event, this year there is a new sales venue. #MECAmade is a pop-up shop at Artists at Work from Dec. 6 to 23 featuring selected alumni creations. Hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special hours include Thursday, Dec. 7 until 7 p.m. as part of Merry Madness and Saturday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for last-minute shoppers.

Tate House Museum Hosts a Colonial Christmas

It’s Christmas at the historic Tate House Museum and everyone is invited to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes as the season is celebrated colonial-style Dec. 9 and 10 beginning at noon. George Tate, his wife Mary, and their friends celebrated with much food and drink, music and games. It was a joyous, bright spot in what could turn out to be a long, cold winter, and the Tate family and their friends made the most of it. Come and see how an affluent mast agent’s family may have celebrated the holidays in the 18th century.

Docents donned in period attire will introduce visitors to the prevailing traditions and customs of the time as they make their way through the Tates’ 1755 home. Why did the Tates celebrate Christmas while many of their neighbors did not? How did decorations differ from those of today? What types of food and drink would be served? What kind of games and gifts might the children have enjoyed? What is Boxing Day all about?

Admission is $15 for adults and seniors and $10 for children under 12. Tickets can also be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/o/tate-house-museum-8364593136.

Benefits

Toys for Tots Drive, bring a new, unwrapped toy to Freeport Edward Jones Office, 5 Depot St., during regular business hours through Dec. 11.

Call for Volunteers

Project GRACE in Scarborough needs people to stock the food pantry, sponsor a giving tree or toy drive, knit mittens & hats, keep a neighbor’s home warm this winter, or fulfill a child’s holiday wish, apply at http://conta.cc/2iioYe7.

Saturday 12/2

Toy to the World concert & toy drive, Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder St., Portland. MAMM student bands will be rocking and rolling all afternoon for a cause. Admission $5 with a toy to donate to Toys For Tots.

Fairs

Mill Run Holiday Market, Frontier, 14 Maine St., Brunswick, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 2 & 3, local artists & crafters, live music, cash bar, free.

Saturday 12/2

Christmas Fair, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Brunswick United Methodist Church, 320 Church Rd. Wreaths, crafts, baked goods, handmade gifts, jewelry, books, gifts for pets & kids, Ed’s famous haddock chowder.

Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Pejepscot Terrace, Jordan Avenue, Brunswick. Crafts, cookie walk, white elephant, & hot dog lunch.

Holiday Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, corner of Pleasant and Middle streets. Crafts, art, greens, treasures and children’s tables, lunch.

Jolly Snowman Christmas Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Road (Route 77). Decorations, crafts, wreaths. baked goods, knits, attic treasures, silent auction. Lobster roll/hot dog lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Christmas Craft Fair & Luncheon, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cundy’s Harbor Community Hall, Harpswell. Crafts, baked goods, lunch includes lobster stew, lobster rolls, chili and hot dogs, with a visit from Santa from 10 a.m.-noon.

Ye Olde-Fashioned Christmas Fair, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave., Portland. Greens, ornaments, antiques, children’s room, baked goods, jewelry, Santa Cafe.

A Vintage Christmas, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., First Congregational Church of Scarborough, 167 Black Point Road. Handmade items with a Maine theme, greens, vintage & collectibles, books, quilts, jewelry, toys, takeout chicken potpie meal.

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Blue Point Church Congregational, 236 Pine Point Rd., Scarborough. Local crafters, wreaths & centerpieces, baked goods, grandma’s attic, raffles; haddock chowder lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fair, Poinsettia, & Wreath Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Morrison Center, 60 Chamberlain Rd., Scarborough. 35+ local crafters, Santa, raffles, bake sale, homemade lunch.

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth. Silent auction, lunch, wreaths, handcrafts, attic treasures, baked goods, gourmet soups, books, music.

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., First Parish Church, 116 Main St., Yarmouth. Baked goods, handcrafted items, kids’ shopping room, attic treasures, silent auction, cookie walk, Kris Kringle’s lunch.

Evergreen Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., First Universalist Church, 97 Main St., Yarmouth. Crafts, pantry, silent auction; soup luncheon starts at 11 a.m.

Saturday 12/9

Christmas Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Bath area Senior Citizens Activity Center, 45 Floral St., Bath. Crafts, knitting items, decorations, silent auction, breakfast and lunch.

Festival of Greens, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 9 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10, The Winter Street Center, 880 Washington St., Bath. Wreaths, swags, floral arrangements, tree ornaments, vintage items, refreshments. Proceeds benefit projects Bath Garden Club sponsors.

Holiday Greek Pastry and Sweet Bread Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Holy Trinity Parish House, 133 Pleasant St., Portland.

Music

Saturday 12/2 

Christmas is Magic, 2 & 7 p.m., Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington Street, Bath, tickets $12/advance, $15/door, 442-8455, www.chocolatechurcharts.org. 

Christmas Songs and Stories at the Library, 10:30-11 a.m., special holiday-themed story time for toddlers and preschoolers at Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Dr.

Monday 12/4

Christmas Caroling, 5:30-8 p.m., Flaherty’s Family Farm Event Barn,
128 Payne Rd., Scarborough. All welcome.

Saturday 12/9

Interfaith Christmas Concert, 6:30 p.m., Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church,  280 Ocean House Road (Route 77). Featuring vocal and instrumental music with a combined choir from six Portland-area churches and other faith communities. Freewill offering.

Theater

“A Christmas Carol,” The Footlights Theatre, 190 US Route 1, Falmouth, 7 p.m. Dec. 5-22, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Magical, fun-filled family show, $15,  747-5434, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.

Tree Lightings

Friday 12/1

Mill Creek HolidayFest Tree Lighting, 4:30-7 p.m., Mill Creek Park, South Portland. Wagon rides, concessions, chorus, photos with Santa in City Hall; tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Sunday 12/3

Christmas Tree Lighting Walk, 4:30 p.m., Cundy’s Harbor, Holbrook’s Wharf to the Hall for a potluck supper. Dress warmly and bring flashlights.

StarLights tree lighting ceremony and reception, 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 195 Fore River Parkway, Portland.