World AIDS Day Vigil
BELFAST — Thursday, Dec. 1, 4:30-5 p.m.: Annual candlelight vigil in Post Office Square to honor all who live with HIV/AIDS and remember those we have lost. Stand together safely. Sponsored by Camp Chrysalis.
Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to town
KNOX — Friday, Dec. 2, 4:30-7 p.m.: Knox Boosters Club will host Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Town Office. Christmas tree lighting, music, food, hot cocoa and bonfire.
Scottish Christmas Concert
FRANKFORT — Friday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.: Frankfort Congregational Church, 42 S. Main Road, presents the Wee Dram Pipes & Drums in concert at the church. For Scottish music lovers, here is a chance to hear familiar bagpipe tunes, along with some Christmas music adapted to the pipes. An Irish piper will play the Uilleann pipes during a special segment. A free-will offering plate will be available.
Carols in the Round
LIBERTY — Friday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.: Mount View Chamber singers will perform Carols in the Round at Liberty Baptist Church.
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
BELFAST — Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11: Belfast Maskers present the hilarious Christmas classic written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Emily LeBlanc-McConnell. A couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids — probably the most inventively awful kids in history.
Early Bird Sale
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 a.m. until ? The Early Bird gets the deals: Annual downtown-wide sale with deep discounts and promotions from retail shops and restaurants throughout the city.
Free Breakfast with Santa
BROOKS — Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.: Brooks Rec Department invites children of all ages to enjoy breakfast and have a picture taken with Santa. Free at the Varney Memorial Building.
Mount View Craft Sale
THORNDIKE — Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Mount View High School hosts its annual craft sale to support the 33rd annual Project Graduation. Raffle baskets, food, and over 100 crafters. Lunch and pictures with Santa Claus available.
Good Morning Belfast Holiday Concert
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m.: First Church in Belfast, UCC sanctuary at 104 Church St. Concert features George and Kristen Frangoulis and Jeff Weinberger’s MidCoast Ukes of Belfast.
Habitat Holiday Respite
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 3, 3 to 5 p.m., Belfast First Baptist Church vestry, 93 High St.: Take a break from the Early Bird Sale downtown, listen to live rocking blues from Anni and the Rainmakers and enjoy treats for purchase while Habitat for Humanity volunteers wrap your gifts. Donations accepted.
Tree Lighting
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.: Annual Christmas tree lighting event in Post Office Square.
Holiday Gathering
MONROE — Saturday, Dec. 3, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Monroe Town Hall, hosted by Friends of Gesner Park. Hot chocolate, cookies, Dreidel, photos with Santa, tree lighting at 5 p.m.
Living Nativity
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.: Living Nativity Scene at the Town Office, staged by Stockton Springs Community Church.
Advent education series
BELFAST — Sundays through Dec. 18, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St.: “Waiting with Expectation” sessions begin at 10:30 in the parish hall. No prior knowledge is required. Dec. 4, Waiting in the midst of suffering with Kristen Burkholder; Dec. 11 , The Visitation with Barbara Briggs; and Dec. 18, Signs of Hope.
Intergenerational Advent service project
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Sunday, Dec. 4, following the 9:30 a.m. service at The Congregational Church of Sandy Point, congregants will assemble Christmas gifts for residents of Bayview Manor and those who are homebound and prepare cards for distribution.
Christmas Bazaar
MONTVILLE — Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Union Harvest Grange annual Christmas Bazaar. There are still a few tables left to display your wares; contact Terry at 323-9151 or by email, tfischer1049@gmail.com, to reserve your space!
Wreath Sale
MONTVILLE — Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Montville Historical Society’s annual Wreath Sale. Pre-order by calling Barbara at 589-4414 or emailing her at hogback1@fairpoint.net. All wreaths must be picked up on Dec. 4 at the Kingdom Schoolhouse, 414 Center Road. Wreath prices: 12-inch for $18 decorated, $12 plain with a bow, or $10 plain. Funds support preservation, education and building projects. Kingdom Schoolhouse Museum will be open and staffed to receive visitors during the sale. 2023 Historical Calendars will also be available for $10. (Members pay $7 for their first calendar.)
Christmas Concert
SEARSPORT — Sunday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m.: Paul Sullivan performs at First Congregational Church of Searsport, 8 Church St.
Parade of Lights
UNITY — Sunday, Dec. 4, 3-7 p.m.: Unity’s 7th annual Yuletide celebration at Main and Depot streets. Night market, Santa’s Parade of Lights, caroling, tree lighting.
Tree Lighting
SEARSPORT — Monday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m.: Searsport Events Committee invites everyone to a festive evening with a tree lighting complete with cocoa, cookies and carols on Penobscot Marine Museum’s Crescent.
Community Christmas Sing
SEARSPORT — Thursday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m.: First Congregational Church of Searsport, 8 Church St.
Carols in the Round
BELFAST — Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.: Mount View Chamber Singers Carols concert at The First Church in Belfast, UCC sanctuary, 104 Church St.
Rabies Clinic
LINCOLNVILLE — Saturday, Dec. 10, 9-11 a.m.: Waldo County Humane Society is hosting its last Rabies Clinic of the year at Lincolnville Fire Station on Camden Road. Dogs on leash, cats in carrier. Bring proof of previous rabies vaccination for a three-year shot.
Holiday on the Harbor
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Steamboat Landing Park: Santa arrives at 11 a.m. for photos until noon and again from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Holiday book drive, ornament and cookie decorating, storywalk, caroling, horse-drawn family wagon rides, hot chocolate and popcorn.
Holiday House Tour
SEARSPORT — Saturday, Dec. 10, noon-4:30 p.m.: Searsport Historical Society is sponsoring a tour of six decorated homes, including the newly renovated Nichols Inn, the recently redecorated Homeport Inn and Tavern, several private homes with interesting collections, and two churches. The Methodist Church has a magnificent display of creches and the First Congregational Church will feature music from the newly created Bell Choir and others throughout the afternoon. Tickets are $15, available in advance from Karen Kelley at 548-2947 or at the Crary Carlin Coleman House on Sears Island Road the day of the tour.
Breakfast with Santa
BELFAST — Sunday, Dec. 11, 7:30-10 a.m.: Annual Lions Club event at Waldo County Shrine Club. Santa arrives at 8 a.m. Menu: bacon, eggs, sausage, homefries, made-to-order omelettes, coffee, orange juice and hot chocolate. Adults $8, kids $4.
Ride the Belfast and Moosehead Lake railroad Dec. 11 to find your Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Train Ride
UNITY — Sunday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m.: Ride the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad “over the river and through the woods” to hunt for a Christmas tree! Climb aboard at the Unity station for a 12-mile (round-trip) to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association station and choose from an assortment of Christmas trees. Santa Claus will accompany the train, and hot cocoa and cookies will be served. At the MOFGA station, Santa will listen to kids’ wishes and present a special gift. Volunteers will load trees onto the train. Fare includes refreshment, snack and tree. Visit belfastandmooseheadlakerail.org for more info.
Caroling for the homebound
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m.: The congregation of The First Congregational Church of Sandy Point will sing Christmas carols to homebound neighbors starting in the church parking lot. Materials will be provided and everyone is invited to participate.
‘A Country Christmas Concert’
BROOKS — Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m.: At Brooks Congregational Church, followed by a “Soups & Bread” supper at the Varney Memorial Building. The public is invited.
Carols in the Round
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Sunday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m.: Mount View Chamber Singers perform at Stockton Springs Community Church, 20 Church St.
Sip & Splurge
BELFAST — Thursday, Dec. 15, 5 to 8 p.m.: Downtown businesses will stay open late for a night of festive shopping. Registration begins at 5 p.m. at Delvino’s. $10 for appetizers, a cup for sipping, and a bag for splurging, with a list of participating businesses as well as a “wish list” you can fill out and give your loved ones.
‘Nutcracker’
BELFAST — Friday-Sunday, Dec. 16 (6 p.m.), 17 (11 a.m.) & 18 (11 a.m.) at the Crosby Center: A holiday event for the whole family.
Special Music Sunday
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Sunday, Dec. 18 9:30 a.m.: Sunday School children at The First Congregational Church of Sandy Point will singing several songs, and other musicians and singers will play and sing Christmas music.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
BELFAST – Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.: First Church in Belfast, UCC Children’s Christmas Pageant on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Menorah Lighting
BELFAST — Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m.: The annual menorah lighting will take place at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah. The community celebrates with music and readings. An additional candle will be lit each night of Hanukkah.
Christmas Eve at Sandy Point
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Saturday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.: The Christmas Eve service at The First Congregational Church of Sandy Point will end with an outdoor circle around a fire pit to sing “Silent Night” if the weather is fine. There will be no service Sunday morning, Dec. 25.
Christmas Eve Service
STOCKTON SPRINGS — Saturday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Service at Stockton Springs Community Church, 20 Church St.
Candlelight Service
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.: First Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in the First Church sanctuary, 104 Church St.
Christmas Eve Service
SEARSPORT — Saturday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.: First Congregational Church of Searsport, 8 Church St., service with music.
Family Christmas Eve Service
FRANKFORT — Saturday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.: Frankfort Congregational Church welcomes all to a community event. The service will feature old, beloved carols, with accompanying scripture readings, from an initial overview and through the scriptures to the birth of Christ. This service is both stirring and uplifting, a joyous, colorful time. Also featured are a solo vocalist and other, special music.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
BELFAST — Saturday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m.: St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St., Holy Eucharist with choir in the church.
Come as You Are
BELFAST — Sunday, Dec. 25, 9:30 a.m.: Christmas Day “Come as You Are” Holy Eucharist in St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St. An all-request Christmas carol service you can attend in your pajamas.
Carol Sing
BELFAST — Sunday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m.: Christmas Day Carol Sing in the First Church sanctuary, 104 Church St.
Free Community Meal
BELFAST — Sunday, Dec. 25: First Church Christmas Community Meal, free for everyone, begins at noon in the Parish House Fellowship Hall (55 Spring St. entrance).
New Year’s Worship
BELFAST — Sunday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: First Church in Belfast, UCC New Year’s Day Worship in the First Church sanctuary, 104 Church St.
ONGOING …
Prayer meetings
SEARSMONT — Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.: Searsmont United Methodist Church (located next to Fraternity Village General Store) is planning to offer weekly prayer meetings at the church, with coffee and light refreshments. All in the community are welcome. Feeling stressed? Can’t sleep? Want to learn the Breath Prayer? Need someone to listen and pray with you? Their doors and their hearts are open. Questions? Call the pastor: 785-4140.
For other listings, visit waldo.villagesoup.com/place/community/events.
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