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The holiday is here, and many businesses and community organizations have arranged activities to make it a holiday in Vacationland. While we strive to be your community link, our elves have been working hard to create a calendar of events to help you blend into the festive atmosphere. If you want to put yourself on a good list and have an event you want to mention, please send an email to maddison.raynor@charter.com and we will provide it below. We have divided the holiday list into two parts; events that occurred this week (December 1-8) and ongoing events that occurred in December. Please note that this is a list of running events; please check back next Wednesday and the weeks leading up to December 31 for more products. So, grab your calendar and mark it with community events happening near you: 

The "Gift Worth Presenting" book sale is held at the Camden Public Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is filled with books in excellent condition. It will be the best for you in the annual book sales event of the Camden Public Library. Readers who like it choose a gift. Books will be purchased regularly to ensure that there are a large number of novels, non-fiction, children's books, young people's selections, audio books, etc. to choose from. Most prices range from $1 to $3. For more information about this community event, please visit the library website. 

Festival traditions around the world At 4pm in the Pittsfield Public Library, learn how people from all over the world celebrate festivals as several MCI international students share their traditions. In addition to lectures, the library will also hold decoration making workshops and will provide snacks for attendees. For more information or to reply on Facebook, click here. Hanukkah Music Adventure 4:45-6 pm Enjoy an interactive performance by Carla Friend of Tkiya at Temple Israel in Portsmouth, as well as public candlelights, candlestick parades and sufganiyot. Everyone is welcome to participate in this family-friendly event. Although the event is free, the organizer requires attendees to register online in advance. Christmas cards at Region-9 Adult Ed (377 River Road, Mexico) from 5 to 9 pm. Holiday cards are made to send to loved ones during a seminar organized by Region-9 Adult Education. Upon completion, you will have 12 cards ready to be signed, sealed and delivered. Please call 207-364-2012 to reserve your place. snort! The joyous Christmas carol is described as a hilarious comedy of the 1940s at the Footlights Theatre in Falmouth from 7-8:30 in the evening. It is said that this show "captures your inner lie and fills you with the Christmas spirit." Written by Michael J. Tobin, you will tour with a group of incompetent performers who try to perform Dickens' classic "Christmas Carol" after heavy snowfall in the town. For tickets and other screening times, please click here. 

Pentatonix: Evergreen Christmas Tour 7-10pm at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland to listen to three-time Grammy Award winner and platinum sales group Pentatonix playing songs from the sixth holiday-themed album. Buy tickets on Ticketmaster. 

Get ready to ring the bell and listen to Pentatonix's new holiday album, which has "Evergreen" on it. 

The 10th Annual Festival and Light Parade 5:30-6:15 pm Saco Main St. Enjoy the fun celebrations around town on Saco’s main street throughout the weekend. Activities on Friday night include carols and lighting up the Christmas tree at the Saco train station. For the complete schedule of events, click here. The Christmas Prelude Tram ride from 10 am to 5 pm at the Waterfront Tram Museum in Kennebunkport. Take a tram ride and enjoy hot chocolate and a private heritage railway. Tickets are $10 per person, and children two years and younger are free. Santa Claus will also appear on campus during the weekend activities. For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, please visit the museum's website.

Westcastle Holiday Market from 10 am to 7 pm in the historic village of Wiscaster This weekend there are many shops in the charming historic village of Wiscaster. Stroll in the city, browse local businesses and art galleries, and enjoy the sound of carols. Go to the Creamery Wharf and watch the firework show, live DJ, hot cocoa and more on the Sheepscot River. For details of the event, please click here.

Our partner newsroom Bangor Daily News has a great feature on Wiscasset Holiday Marketplace, please read it here.

Enjoy the Falmouth/Cumberland Community Chamber of Commerce fireworks show at the Legion Field at 6-8 pm at the very happy Falmouth Fireworks. It features music, hot chocolate, and carriage rides-eating, drinking and having fun. For more information about this free event, click here. 

Ugly Sweater 5K/Merry Mile at 65 Depot Rd at 9am. Get rid of those ugly sweaters in Falmouth, head to Falmouth, and spend a holiday along Highway 1. Proceeds from the event will be used for the Falmouth Memorial Library. Register on RaceWire to get your bib. 

Cheers! Wreath decoration holiday event 4-8:30 pm held at Dunegrass Golf Club on Old Orchard Beach Does your door look a bit bare? Give it some festive cheers with homemade garlands. This weekend, head to Old Orchard Beach and attend a wreath decoration workshop at Dunegrass Golf Club. Your ticket includes wreaths, decorations, two glasses of wine, snacks and entertainment. Buy tickets on Eventbrite.

The community Hanukkah party will be held at Rockland Harbour Park at 4:30-6 pm. Go to Rockland Waterfront to participate in the first community candlestick lighting and Hanukkah party. Free activities include live music, dancing, children’s crafts and desserts. To reply on Facebook, click here.

The 32nd Annual Holiday Lights Parade will be held on the streets of Presque Island at 6 pm The Central Alustock Chamber of Commerce will host the 32nd Annual Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday. The floats start to line up at 4:30 pm, and the parade starts at 6 pm. For event details and parade route map, please click here.

Portsmouth holiday parade and tree lights will be held at Portsmouth Market Square from 5:30-7 pm. Portsmouth’s annual tree lights start at 5:30, followed by parades and food events. Please note that there will be a parking ban in the city centre during the parade. Looking for a parking garage? We provide you with a list of locations in this area. For event details or to reply on Facebook, please click here.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus and the elves 7:30-11 AM. Breakfast at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport. Visit with Mrs. Claus and the elves during this community event. Guests will have the opportunity to send their Christmas list to the North Pole, share their holiday wishes with Mrs. Claus, and get a commemorative photo to capture the magic. You can call (207) 967-4050 to make dining reservations. For other activities and dining experiences, please visit the resort’s website. 

Santa Claus on the Sunday River on Sunday 7:30-10:30 AM At the Sunday River Resort in Newry More than 250 Santa Claus cruised down the mountain on the Sunday River, thinking of a better way to celebrate the coming and coming of winter Your vacation? Put on your Santa Claus costume and head to Newry on Santa’s Sunday to get a sense of fashion. Registration requires a donation of $20. All proceeds raised will benefit the River Fund. In the spirit of dedication, anyone wearing a red jacket (don't forget to grow a beard) during the shooting at 11 am will get an extra lift ticket valid until mid-December. For event details, please visit the resort’s website. 

what. what. Grab your (Santa Claus) hat. Santa’s registration on Sunday starts at noon and usually sells out within a few minutes. https://t.co/2j2zPVf1IN pic.twitter.com/R42cw9Ad2O

Chanukah On Ice will be held at the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth on the border of Maine from 2-4 pm. Enjoy skating, candlestick lighting, traditional Jewish music, etc. during the community Hanukkah celebrations. During this free activity period, skate rental services and refreshments will be provided. Skating requires registration. Visit the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center website to register. 

"Who's Holiday" by Penobscot Theatre Company at 5:30pm at 51 Main St, Bangor. This crazy parody of the classic holiday movie "How the Christmas Geeks Stole Christmas" is a must-see movie for adult audiences of pranksters this holiday season. For more information, please call 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.

Augusta Elk Tree Festival 3-8 pm in Augusta Elk Hut #964 kicked off the festival with the first annual Augusta Elk Tree Festival. This community event has more than 25 holiday displays, pictures of Santa Claus, music and holiday refreshments. For the route, click here. 

DIY Book Holiday Decorations During the DIY seminar in the Old Town Public Library at the Old Town Public Library from 4 to 6 pm, use recycled books to make your own holiday decorations. All materials and instructions will be provided. Regardless of the vaccination situation, participants need to wear a mask. For directions or reply on Facebook, click here.

Holiday boxwoods are held at Marshwood High School in South Berwick from 6 to 8 pm. During a seminar hosted by Marshwood Adult and Community Education, fresh boxwoods, velvet ribbons, golden balls, berries, etc. are used to create elegant Holiday decoration. Register online or call (207) 384-5703 to secure your location.

Christmas Prelude Tea at Historic Hotel in Kennebunkport 2-4 PM Enjoy a cup of tea at the Kennebunk Hotel in Kennebunkport while learning about Maine at 1802 House, English Meadows Hotel and Waldo Emerson Inn History. You will get a cup of authentic English tea and a dish from each hotel. Buy tickets in advance on Eventbrite.

Balsam Fir Kissing Ball Seminar 6:30-8:30pm in the Biddeford Technical Center. At the seminar held at Biddeford Adult Education, learn how to make your own "kissing ball". Space is limited, please register online or call 207-282-3883 to secure your location. 

Visiting Santa’s Hut at Bell Farm in York from 4 to 7 pm. Santa visits Santa at his Maine Hut and explores the brightly lit garden of Bell Farm. This event, known as the "Iconic Movie Scene", will surely immerse everyone in the festive atmosphere. For ticket and event information, click here.

Holiday series: From 6 pm to 8 pm, a sparkling wine course is held at Coastal Wine in Ogunquit. During the sparkling wine course held by Coastal Wine, celebrate the holiday with a bottle of sparkling wine. For event details and registration, please call (207) 360-2741

Holiday Sewing Activity-Quilted Tablecloths will be held at the Whitman Memorial Library in Woodstock at 1pm. Bring your sewing machine, concepts, scissors and cheers to learn to make quilted tablecloths for your holiday dinner. The required fabrics and other materials will be provided. Reservation is required for this activity. Please call the library at (207) 665-2505 to save your place. For the route, click here. 

From now until December 31, the Tree Festival of the Greater Lovell Land Trust will plant a tree along the Homestead Trail in Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve for the holidays. Natural decoration is preferred and must be removed before January 4th. Register and adopt your tree on the Land Trust website today. Don't forget to take a selfie and share it with the event organizer via leigh.hayes@gllt.org. 

From now to December 20th, pet night with Santa Claus at the Maine Mall. Who says pets can’t take photos with Santa Claus? Let your furry friends join the holiday fun and pose with the big guys to capture the perfect holiday moment. Reservations are required. It will be held at the Maine Mall from now until December 20. 

From December 21st, Santa Claus will take pictures with your elves at the Maine Mall every day. Seats are limited, please book your shoot online. 

Light up your holiday from now until December 10th. Participate in a one-month holiday celebration in Portland’s Old Port and Art District and feel the festive atmosphere. Enjoy holiday light displays, free horse riding and wagons, free gift wrapping, and Christmas tree and wreath sales. Check Portland's website for details. Gardens Aglow will light up the Boothbay Peninsula during the seventh annual Gardens Aglow, starting from now until January 1st at the Maine Botanical Garden. Refuel your car and enjoy a driving journey with nearly 650,000 lights. Tickets should be purchased online or by calling 207-633-8000 in advance. For many years, viewing gardens during holidays has been a family tradition of the Reynolds. No matter how many times we go, the magic will never become dull. I strongly recommend that you head to Boothbay to see the lights for yourself-it is truly a breathtaking experience. 

LLBean Northern Lights will head to Freeport from now until December 31 to enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience at LL Bean’s flagship campus. See how the Discovery Park turns into a winter wonderland where you can play, shop and have fun with the whole family. Take an interactive stroll in the "Holidays Around the World" exhibition, or warm up with free hot cocoa.

Want to meet Rudolph's elf? Santa’s reindeer will visit LLBean on Thursdays in December from 4 to 7 pm (excluding December 30). For a complete list of events and holidays on the Freeport campus, please visit the store's website.

We have turned our Freeport campus into a winter wonderland where you can play, shop and have fun together. Because giving is an act of joy, and joy is the best way to share. Our Northern Lights celebration will last until December 31: https://t.co/qHdfj762li pic.twitter.com/SqYXYMs7iO

Augusta Orthodontics' holiday light show is not an official event from now until December 31, but you don't want to miss the light show of Augusta Orthodontics, the capital of Maine. Tune your radio to 97.1 FM and watch 10,000 lights flashing and dancing with the holiday classics you know and love. From November 26 to December 31, you can watch the exhibition in person at 132 State St. in Augusta. 

The Nutcracker is a classic holiday season from now to December 23. Watch the Nutcracker come to life in the Merrill Lynch Auditorium in Portland. Experience the magic of the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" while performing truly fascinating performances and live scores at the Maine Ballet. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Ticketmaster. 

Visit Freeport from December 3rd to 12th. The 28th Annual Glittering Celebration Lights Parade will start the celebrations in Freeport on Friday, December 3rd at 6 pm, and then Santa Claus will lead the countdown and let the Talking Christmas Tree Lifelike-yes, it does speak. Look out for Stealth Elves of Freeport, who will distribute gift cards to local businesses. For more information or to view the full schedule of events, please click here.

From now until December 12th, provide community funds with online holiday benefits. During the holiday auctions in children’s museums and theaters, choose the perfect holiday gifts for public welfare. The product goes live on Black Friday and will last for 17 days. All proceeds are used to support the museum’s community fund, which helps Maine at this time of the year. For details of the event, please click here.

A Very Ida Christmas Watch the "A Very Ida Christmas" video-on-demand performance at the Lewiston Public Theater from December 16th to 26th. Watching Maine’s "Women Running with Moose" share holiday insights and suggestions will surely make you laugh. To purchase tickets for the recorded performance, click here. 

Please note that there will also be face-to-face performances from December 10th to 12th. For tickets and show times, please visit the theatre website.