Oh, Christmas Tree

Video by Gabe Souza

The holidays are coming, as evidenced by the 55-foot blue spruce that was delivered to Portland's Monument Square Nov. 17. Check out the time lapse above, and upcoming tree lightings below -- not to mention craft fairs and other holiday things to do.

Go to TREE LIGHTINGS
Go to CRAFT FAIRS
Go to HOLIDAY EVENTS

TREE LIGHTINGS

L.L. Bean Northern Lights | Nov. 18
Discovery Park, Freeport
877-755-2326; http://freeportevents.com/
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride along Main Street before enjoying L.L. Bean's annual tree lighting event at the center of the Freeport campus. Lighting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Waterville Parade of Lights | Nov. 25
Downtown Waterville
680-2055; http://www.watervillemainstreet.org/events.php
Parade begins at 6 p.m. at the north end of Main Street and ends at Castonguay Square with the lighting of the giant spruce and Santa's arrival at Kringleville.

Brunswick Tree Lighting Festival and Santa Visit | Nov. 25
Town Mall, Brunswick
729-4439; http://www.brunswickdowntown.com/events
Event runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a community sing, visit from Santa and Frosty, cookies, hot chocolate and lighting of the town tree.

Portland Annual Tree Lighting | Nov. 25
Monument Square, Portland
772-6828; http://www.portlandmaine.com/events/
Musical entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides and Santa arrives by fire truck before the lighting of the holiday tree. Event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Rockland Festival of Lights Celebration | Nov. 25-27
Downtown Rockland
596-0376; http://www.rocklandmainstreet.com/
Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Friday to light the World Famous Lobster Trap Tree. Festival of Lights parade takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday. Sunday features breakfast with Santa at TradeWinds Red Jacket Restaurant. Also enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and holiday music.

Country Christmas in Bethel | Nov. 25-Dec. 24
Bethel Village
824-2282; http://www.bethelmaine.com/index.php?page=country-christmas-in-bethel
Santa arrives Saturday for the Christmas tree lighting. Also a Jingle Bell Run, Living Nativity (Dec. 18), wagon rides, open houses and local crafts and wares fair.

Lighting of the Nubble | Nov. 26
York Beach
363-1040; http://chamber.gatewaytomaine.org/Events/details/lighting-of-the-nubble-1904
Event runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. and features music, Santa, cookies, hot chocolate and a countdown to the lighting of the Cape Neddick Lighthouse.

Bath Children's Tree Lighting | Nov. 26
Patten Free Library & Gazebo, Bath
442-7291; http://visitbath.com/?page_id=598
Story time and ornament making in the library, followed by Santa's arrival at 3 p.m. for the tree lighting and a walk with jingle bells to City Hall for photos, refreshments and caroling.

Gorham Tree Lighting and Light Parade | Nov. 27
75 South St., Gorham
222-1630; http://www.gorhamrec.com/info/default.aspx
Parade begins at 4 p.m. and follows Main Street. Tree lighting around 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will collect non-perishable food items for the Gorham Food Pantry.

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CRAFT FAIRS

Little Craft Studio Holiday Fair | Nov. 5
Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local artists and crafters offering quilts, knitted goods, photography, baked goods, soaps, vintage goods and hand-made jewelry.

Medomak Middle School PTO Christmas Craft Fair | Nov. 5
318 Manktown Road, Waldoboro
9 a.m. 3 p.m.
Free admission and door prizes every hour. More than 50 of Maine's finest craftspeople and artisans participating.

Bangor Fine Art and Crafts | Nov. 5
Husson College, 1 College Circle, Bangor
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fine arts and crafts from more than 20 professional craftswomen.

Annual Holiday Craft Fair | Nov. 5
Gray-New Gloucester High School, 10 Libby Road, Gray
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Featuring crafts, knitted items, jams/jellies, jewelry, dried flowers, wreaths, baked goods.

Stevens Avenue Congregational Church Bountiful Craft Fair | Nov. 5
790 Stevens Ave., Portland
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items include crafts, jewelry, baked goods, antiques, knits and a luncheon counters.

23rd Annual Bangor Arts & Crafts Show | Nov. 5-6
Bangor Civic Center, 100 Dutton Street
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Items from United Maine Craftsmen members. Free gift giveaway every hour.

28th League of Maine Craft Show | Nov. 5-6
Wells Junior High School, 1470 Post Road
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juried show featuring 60 New England artists and crafters with a mix of contemporary, traditional and country crafts.

Portland Holiday Craft Show | Nov. 5-6
Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Ave.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Presented by the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen.

Maine Crafts Guild at Maine State Museum | Nov. 5-6
230 State St., Augusta
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thirty of Maine's finest craftspeople show heirloom-quality work that's made by hand and made to last. Free admission.

Benton Elementary School Craft and Vendor Fair | Nov. 6
68 School Drive
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Event supports the Benton PTO.

The Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft & Gift Show | Nov. 11-12
Ramada Inn, 215 High St., Ellsworth
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Cited by the Boston Globe as on to the top 10 New England winter craft shows with more than 60 juried artisans. Admission $2 adults (portion benefits the Schoodic Sculpture Symposium in Winter Harbor.

Acadia Christian School Annual Harvest Craft Fair | Nov. 12
171 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Features crafters, lunch room, bake sale, silent auction, scholastic book fair and kids activity corner.

'Tis The Season Craft Fair | Nov. 12
128 Presumpscot St., Portland
9 a.m., to 2 p.m.
Handmade mittens, hats, holiday ornaments, greeting cards, jams, fudge, gourmet spice rubs. Free admission. All proceeds benefit Easter Seals Maine Center for Therapeutic Recreation.

Holiday Craft Fair | Nov. 12
Fairbanks School Meeting House, 508 Fairbanks Road, Farmington
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All homemade items. Plenty of parking.

School Around Us Winter Craft Fair | Nov. 12
89 Fletcher St., Kennebunk
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featuring 80 juried artists and artisans, live music and delicious homemade food.

Vendredi Club Craft Fair
940 Meadow Road, Casco
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Local crafters selling jewelry, quilts, artwork, baked goods, tote bags, alpaca yarns, pet beds and more.

Brunswick All Elementary School Craft Fair | Nov. 12
44 McKean St., Brunswick
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 55 vendors, bake sale, raffle, handmade wood work, ornaments, fiber art, soaps, dried flowers, candles and more.

30th Annual Augusta Arts and Crafts Show | Nov. 12-13
76 Community Drive, Augusta
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Presented by United Maine Craftsmen. Hourly gift giveaways and daily drawing for a $100 Visa Gift Card. Admission $2.

Annual Christmas Craft Show | Nov. 12-13
Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Artisans and crafters from Maine and New England offering jewelry, photography, baskets, soaps, clothing, toys, fudge and more.
USM November Craft Show | Nov. 12-13
37 College Ave., Gorham
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday Large annual event held at Costello Sports Complex.

Annual CLC YMCA Holiday Bazaar | Nov. 19
525 Main St., Damariscotta
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nearly 100 Maine artists, plus food and music.

York Art Association Fine Craft Holiday Fair | Nov. 19
Ramsdell-Rogers Function Facility, 9 Hannaford Drive, York
Fine-crafted jewelry, pottery and art.

37th Annual DECA Holiday Craft Fair | Nov. 19
256 Main St., South Paris
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 150 Maine crafters, music by the Oxford Hills Chamber Choir and more than 100 door prizes. $1 admission.

Waynflete School Artisan Fair | Nov. 19
360 Spring St., Portland
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Unique holiday gifts, live performances from Waynflete students and food offerings. Free admission.

Freeport Fine Art and Crafts Show | Nov. 19
Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juried show from more than 20 women artists and craftswomen, including pottery, jewelry and fine arts. Admission is $2 suggested donation.

Freeport Lioness-Lions 14th Annual Craft Fair and Fish Chowdah Luncheon | Nov. 19
Harraseeket Grange Hall, 13 Elm Street
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Homemade chowdah and chili luncheon and shopping for jewelry, ornaments, quilts, knit items and more. Free admission.

Christmas Memories Craft Fair | Nov. 19
Old Town Methodist Church, 744 Stillwater Ave.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find crafts, holiday decorations, baked goods, silent auction and photos with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon.

Christmas Craft Fair | Nov. 19
St. Bartholomew's Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 25 local craftsmen, Silent Night Raffles, bake sale.
MES Craft Show & Pie Sale | Nov. 19
Manchester Elementary School, 17 School St., Manchester
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Craft show and pie sale. Free admission.

Eastern Maine Snowmobile Club Christmas Craft Fair | Nov. 19
263 Levenseller Road, Holden
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All handcrafted items from local artists. Free admission.

Annual Made in Maine Christmas Craft Show | Nov. 19-20
Mt. Ararat High School, 73 Eagle Way, Topsham
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Presented by the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen.

Annual Alfred Elementary PTC Holiday Craft Fair | Nov. 19-20
21 Old Sanford Road, Alfred
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring arts & crafts, bake sale, children's craft room, face painting and visit from Santa. Free admission.

Annual Christmas Craft Show at Stevens Avenue Armory | Nov. 19-20
772 Stevens Ave., Portland
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Craftsmen from Maine and New England showing jewelry, fine art, baskets, personal care items and more.

Annual Tree Lighting in Monument Square | Nov. 25
Monument Square, Portland
5:30 p.m.
Come see the spectacular lighting of the Christmas Tree at this annual tradition! Entertainment by Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band and a visit by a very special guest!

Twelve Days of Christmas | Nov. 25 to Dec. 18
Monument Square, Portland
Every weekend during the holiday season (12 days in all!) downtown merchants host a celebration with free raffles for distinctive local items. Visit portlandmaine.com for a list of participating stores. Two raffle winners chosen per week! Horse and Wagon Rides | Nov. 25 to Dec. 18
Monument Square, Portland
Fridays 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays 2 to 6 p.m.; Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
Free rides throughout enchanting downtown on a horse-drawn wagon. Enjoy the lights and sounds of the holiday season. Pick up and drop off every half hour in Monument Square.

15th Annual Craft & Wares Fair | Nov. 25
Bethel Inn Resort Conference Center, 2 Broad St.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Find handmade baskets, paintings, knit items, soaps, wooden products and more.

Annual Home for the Holidays Craft Show | Nov. 25-26
Scarborough High School, 20 Gorham Road
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Presented by the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen.

Christmas in the Country Craft Fair | Nov. 25-26
Bonny Eagle High School, 700 Saco Road, Standish
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Sponsored by the Trustees of the Old Red Church in Standish. Find jewelry, ceramics, quilts, specialty foods and more.

37th Annual Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show | Nov. 25-27
Brewer Auditorium, 203 State St.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
More than 55 members of United Maine Craftsmen with hourly giveaways and daily drawing for $100 Visa Gift Card. $1.50 admission.

Etsy Maine Team & Friends Craft Fair| Nov. 26
Champions Fitness Center, 30 Elm Plaza, Waterville
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Over 30 vendors offering Maine-made arts and crafts. Choose from unique accessories, art, bath and body, candles and home fragrances, clothing, crochet, felted, home decor, jewelry, knits and more. Free admission

32nd Annual Festival of Lights Craft Fair | Nov. 26
Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton St., Rockport
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 50 unique artisans selling authentic Maine made items. $3 admission for adults.

Lucid Holiday Arts & Crafts Show | Nov. 26-27
Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Boulevard, Portland
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locally made arts and crafts plus caricatures by Ed King.

32nd Annual Christmas in New England Craft Show | Nov. 26-27
Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
More than 100 artisans and craftsmen showing jewelry, photography, baskets, clothing, toys, fashion accessories, fudge, personal care items and more.

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HOLIDAY EVENTS

The Santaland Diaries | Nov. 25-Dec. 18
Portland Stage Company, 25A Forest Ave.
Tickets $20 at 774-0465 or www.portlandstage.org
This show for mature elves only invites you to share an evening with cranky Crumpet, one of Santa's helpers during the holiday rush at Macy's. Based on the story by David Sedaris.

Polar Express | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Commercial St., Portland
Tickets $25 & $40 at www.porttix.com
Depot from the Ocean Gateway depot for a journey to the "North Pole" featuring carols, hot chocolate, holiday decorations and a visit from Santa.

The Nutcracker | Nov. 26-Dec. 4
Merrill Auditorium, Pearl Street, Portland
Tickets $20 to $60 at www.porttix.com
The timeless story of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy presented by Maine State Ballet.

The Nutcracker | Nov. 26-27
Chocolate Church Arts Center, Bath
Call 442-8455 or check http://chocolatechurcharts.org for tickets
Presented by Midcoast Dance Company.

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