Maine Stories

The holidays in Maine are celebrated with entertaining shows and concerts, community festivals, and parades. There’s a day to honor the inventor of the winter earmuff, a December 5K run/walk for those who missed their quota of races in summer and fall, and lobster trap tree lightings in multiple coastal communities.

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra presents The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet Company Dec. 19-20 at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono. Meanwhile, the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 30th annual Magic of Christmas show runs Dec. 11-20 at Merrill Auditorium. “Magic” shares the traditions, story and spirit of Christmas through dance, live music and singing. See scenes from The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, hear a choir and soloists perform favorite carols, and watch the stage transform into a holiday fantasyland complete with a kickline of dancing Santas.

Young and old enjoy the sights and sounds at the annual Trees & Trains Celebration at McLaughlin Garden in South Paris. The public garden’s 1840s barn is filled with elaborate and festive model train dioramas created by the Maine Garden Railway Society. The post and beam barn will also be decorated with locally cut evergreen trees, garlands and wreaths for sale. The event happens Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13.

In Franklin County, the town of Farmington celebrates Chester Greenwood Day on Dec. 5. Chester Greenwood is the town native who invented the earmuff in 1873. There’s an earmuff themed parade, chili cook-off, gingerbread house building contest, music and entertainment, a decorated tree auction, and shopping specials at downtown stores. Sparkle Weekend in Freeport is another downtown celebration happening Dec. 4-6. Don’t miss the tuba Christmas concert, open house tour of historic B&Bs, the Jingle Bell 5K run/walk, shopping specials and discounts, free horse drawn carriage rides, and a parade.

There are lobster trap tree lightings in Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, and Cape Porpoise during Christmas Prelude on Dec. 4-13. Choose from multiple public suppers, arts and crafts fairs, concerts, gallery and shop sales and specials, a historic walking tour, caroling, and roving entertainment.

Presque Isle’s annual Holiday Light Parade draws thousands of spectators to see dozens of glowing floats and vehicles decorated with miles of colorful lights. This year’s parade happens Dec. 5.