The holidays are here and many businesses and community organizations have scheduled events to make it a festive season in Vacationland.

As we strive to be your community connection, our elves have been working hard to create a calendar of events to help you get into the holiday spirit.

If you want to land yourself on the nice list and have an event that you’d like mentioned, please email us at maddison.raynor@charter.com, and we’ll include it below.

We’ve broken our holiday list into two parts; events happening this week (Dec. 1-8) and ongoing events happening in December.

Note this is a running list of events; please check back next Wednesday and the weeks leading up to Dec. 31 for additional offerings.

So, grab your calendar and mark it with community events happening near you: 

‘Gift Worthy’ Book Sale
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Camden Public Library
Chock full of books in excellent condition, pick up a gift for your favorite reader during the Camden Public Library’s annual book sale. Books will be restocked regularly to guarantee a great selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, young adult selections, audio books and more. Most prices range from $1 to $3. For more information about this community event, visit the library’s website. 

Holiday Traditions Around the Globe
4 p.m. at the Pittsfield Public Library
Learn how people from around the world celebrate the holidays as several MCI international students share their traditions. In addition to the lecture, the library is hosting an ornament making workshop and will provide snacks to those in attendance. For more information or to RSVP on Facebook, click here.

A Hanukkah Musical Adventure
4:45-6 p.m. at Temple Israel in Portsmouth
Enjoy an interactive performance by Carla Friend of Tkiya, as well as a communal candle-lighting, a menorah parade and sufganiyot. All are welcome to this family friendly event. While the event is free, organizers ask that attendees register in advance online.

Cards for Christmas
5-9 p.m. at Region-9 Adult Ed (377 River Rd., Mexico)
I don’t know about you, but there’s something magical about receiving a homemade card in the mail during the holidays. Make holiday cards to send to loved ones during this workshop hosted by Region-9 Adult Education. After you have finished, you will have 12 cards ready to be signed, sealed and delivered. Reserve your place by phone at 207-364-2012.

HUMBUG! A Spirited Christmas Carol
7-8:30 p.m. at the Footlights Theatre in Falmouth
Described as a hilarious comedy set in the 1940s, this show is said to “capture your inner humbug and fill you with the Christmas spirit.” Written by Michael J. Tobin, you’ll follow a touring company of misfit performers who attempt to perform the Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” after getting snowbound in a small town. For tickets and additional showtimes, click here. 

Pentatonix: The Evergreen Christmas Tour
7-10 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland
Listen to three-time Grammy award award winners and platinum-selling group Pentatonix as they perform songs from their sixth holiday-themed album. Buy tickets on Ticketmaster. 

Get ready to jingle-bell-rock and listen Pentatonix's new holiday album, 'Evergreen' above. 

10th Annual Holiday Festival and Parade of Lights
5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Saco Main St.
Enjoy fun festivities around town all weekend long at Saco’s Main street. Friday night’s events include caroling and the lighting of the holiday tree at the Saco Train Station. For a full schedule of events, click here.

Christmas Prelude Trolley Rides
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport
Take a ride on a trolley and enjoy hot chocolatea private heritage railroad. Tickets are $10 per person and children two and under are free. Santa will also be on campus during the weekend-long event. For a full schedule of events and to purchase your ticket, visit the museum’s website.

Wiscasset Holiday Marketplace
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. in Wiscasset’s Historic Village
There’s a lot in store this weekend at Wiscasset’s charming historic village. Stroll through the downtown area and browse local businesses and art galleries while enjoying the sounds of carollers. Make your way to Creamery Pier for a fireworks display over the Sheepscot River, a live DJ, hot cocoa and more. For event details, click here.

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

Fireworks at Very Merry Falmouth
6-8 p.m. at the Legion Field
Enjoy a pyrotechnic display presented by the Falmouth/Cumberland Community Chamber. Featuring music, hot chocolate, wagon rides — eat, drink and be merry. For more information about this free event, click here. 

Ugly Sweater 5K/Merry Mile
9 a.m. at 65 Depot Rd. in Falmouth
Break out those ugly sweaters and head to Falmouth for a holiday hustle down Route 1. Proceeds from the event benefit the Falmouth Memorial Library. Register on RaceWire to get your bib. 

Cheers! Wreath Decorating Holiday Event 
4-8:30 p.m. at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach
Is your door looking a little bare? Give it some festive cheer with a homemade wreath. Head to Old Orchard Beach this weekend for a wreath-decorating workshop at Dunegrass Golf Club. Your ticket includes a wreath, decorations, two glasses of wine, snacks and entertainment. Purchase your ticket on Eventbrite.

Community Hanukkah Party
4:30-6 p.m. at Harbor Park in Rockland
Head to the waterfront in Rockland for its first community menorah lighting and Hanukkah party. The free event features live music, dancing, kids’ crafts and sweet treats. To RSVP on Facebook, click here.

32nd Annual Holiday Light Parade 
6 p.m. on Main Street in Presque Isle 
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce will play host to the 32nd Annual Holiday Light Parade on Saturday. The floats begin lining up at 4:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m. For event details and a map of the parade route, click here.

Portsmouth Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
5:30-7 p.m. at Portsmouth’s Market Square
The holidays kick off in Portsmouth with its annual tree lighting at 5:30, followed by a parade and food drive. Please note there will be a parking ban in effect downtown during the parade. Looking for a parking garage? We have you covered with a list of locations in the area. For event details or to RSVP on Facebook, click here.

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus & the Elves
7:30-11 a.m. at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport
Enjoy breakfast while visiting with Mrs. Claus and the elves during this community event. Guests will have the opportunity to deliver their Christmas list to the North Pole, share their holiday wishes with Mrs. Claus and receive a commemorative photo to capture the magic. Dining reservations can be made by phone at (207) 967-4050. For additional events and dining experiences, visit the resort’s website. 

Santa Sunday at Sunday River
7:30-10:30 a.m. at Sunday River Resort in Newry
Name a better way to celebrate the arrival of winter and the upcoming holiday season with more than 250 Santas cruising down the mountain at Sunday River? Grab your Santa-attire and head to Newry to shred in style during Santa Sunday. A $20 donation is required to register. All proceeds raised will benefit the River Fund. In the spirit of giving, anyone decked out in a red coat (don’t forget the beard) during the 11 a.m. photoshoot will receive an additional lift ticket valid through mid-December. For event details, visit the resort’s website. 

Chanukah On Ice
2-4 p.m. at the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth
Right over the border of Maine, enjoy ice skating, Menorah lighting, traditional Jewish music and more during a community Hanukkah celebration. Ice skate rentals will be available, as well as refreshments during this free event. Registration is required for skating. Visit the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center’s website to sign up. 

Penobscot Theatre Company’s “Who’s Holiday” 
5:30 p.m. at 51 Main St, Bangor
This wild parody of the classic holiday film ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ is a must-see for mischievous adult theatregoers this holiday season. For more information, call 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.

Augusta Elks Festival of Trees
3-8 p.m. at the Augusta Elks Lodge #964
Kick off the holiday season with the first annual Augusta Elks Festival of Trees. This community event features more than 25 holiday displays, pictures with Santa, music and holiday refreshments. For directions, click here. 

DIY Book Holiday Decorations
4-6 p.m. at the Old Town Public Library
Create your own holiday decorations from recycled books during a DIY workshop at the Old Town Public Library. All materials will be provided, along with instruction. Masks are required for participants regardless of vaccination status. For directions or to RSVP on Facebook, click here.

Holiday Boxwood Tree
6-8 p.m. at the Marshwood High School in South Berwick
Fashion an elegant holiday decoration from fresh boxwood, velvet ribbon, gold balls, berries, and more during this workshop hosted by Marshwood Adult & Community Education. Register online or call (207) 384-5703 to secure your spot.

Historic Inns of Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude Tea
2-4 p.m. at The Kennebunks in Kennebunkport
Enjoy a cup of tea while learning about Maine’s history in the 1802 House, the Inn at English Meadows and the Waldo Emerson Inn. You will be served a proper English tea, as well as one course at each inn. Purchase your tickets in advance on Eventbrite.

Balsam Fir Kissing Ball Workshop
6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Center of Technology in Biddeford
Learn how to make your own ‘kissing ball’ during this workshop hosted by Biddeford Adult Education. Space is limited, register online or call 207-282-3883 to secure your spot. 

Visit Santa at Santa’s Cottage
4-7 p.m. at Bell’s Farm in York
Visit Santa in his Maine cottage and explore the lit gardens at Bell Farm. Described as a “hallmark movie scene,” this event is sure to get everyone into the holiday spirit. For tickets and event information, click here.

Holiday Event Series: Sparkling Wine Class
6-8 p.m. at Coastal Wine in Ogunquit
Celebrate the holidays with a bottle of bubbles during a sparkling wine class hosted by Coastal Wine. For event details and to register, call (207) 360-2741

Holiday Sewing Event - Quilted Table Runners
1 p.m. at the Whitman Memorial Library in Woodstock
Bring your sewing machine, notions, scissors and good cheer as you learn to make a quilted table runner for your holiday dinner. Fabric and other materials needed will be provided. Reservations are required for this event, please call the library at (207) 665-2505 to save your place. For directions, click here. 

Festival of Trees
Now through Dec. 31 at the Greater Lovell Land Trust
Adopt a tree along the Homestead Trail at Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve to enjoy during the holidays. Natural decorations are preferred and must be taken down by Jan. 4. Register to adopt your tree today on the land trust’s website. Don’t forget to take a selfie and share it with event organizers at leigh.hayes@gllt.org. 

Pet Nights with Santa
Now through Dec. 20 at The Maine Mall 
Who says pets can’t take a photo with Santa? Let your furry friends join in on the holiday fun and strike a pose with the big guy to capture a paw-sitivly perfect holiday moment. Reservations are required. Now through Dec. 20 at The Maine Mall. 

Santa is also available at The Maine Mall every day through Dec. 21 to take pictures with your little elves. Spots are limited, reserve your photoshoot online. 

Light up your Holidays
Now through Dec. 10
Get in the holiday spirit with a month-long holiday celebration in Portland’s Old Port and Arts District. Enjoy festive light displays, free horse and wagon rides, free gift wrapping and tree and wreath sales. Check Portland’s website for details.

Gardens Aglow
Now through Jan. 1
The gardens at the Maine Botanical Garden will light up the Boothbay peninsula during the seventh annual Gardens Aglow event. Fill up your car and enjoy a driving tour of nearly 650,000 lights. Tickets should be purchased in advance online or by phone at 207-633-8000.

Viewing the gardens during the holidays has been a family tradition of the Raynor clan for years. No matter how many times we go, the magic never dulls. I highly recommend taking the trip to Boothbay to see the lights for yourself — it’s truly a breathtaking experience. 

L.L.Bean Northern Lights
Now through Dec. 31
Head to Freeport for an unforgettable holiday experience at L.L. Bean’s flagship campus. See how Discovery Park is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can play, shop and be merry with the whole family. Take an interactive walk through the “holidays around the world” display, or warm up with free hot cocoa.

Have a little elf that wants to meet Rudolph? Santa’s reindeer will be visiting L.L.Bean on Thursdays in December from 4-7 p.m (excluding Dec. 30). For a full list of events and holiday offerings at the Freeport campus, visit the store’s website.

Holiday Light Display at Augusta Orthodontics
Now through Dec. 31
While not an official event, you don’t want to miss this light display at Augusta Orthodontics in Maine’s capital city. Tune your radio to 97.1 FM and watch 10,000 lights shimmer and dance in tune to holiday classics you know and love. See the display for yourself at 132 State St. in Augusta from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. 

The Nutcracker
Now through Dec. 23 
A holiday classic, see the Nutcracker come to life at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Experience the magic during the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” as the Maine State Ballet company puts on a truly enchanting performance accompanied by a live score. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Ticketmaster. 

Visit Freeport’s 28th Annual Sparkle Celebration
Dec. 3-12
The Parade of Lights is back to kick off the festivities in Freeport on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and is followed by Santa leading a countdown to bring the talking Christmas tree to life — yes, it actually talks. Be on the lookout for Freeport’s Stealth Elves as they hand out gift cards to local businesses. For more information or to see a full schedule of events, click here.

Online Holiday Benefit for Community Fund
Now through Dec. 12
Shop for the perfect holiday gift for a good cause during The Children’s Museum & Theatre’s holiday auction. Items went live on Black Friday and will continue for 17 days. All proceeds support the museum’s community fund, which helps Maine during this time of year. For event details, click here.

A Very Ida Christmas
Dec. 16 - 26
Enjoy a video-on-demand performance of Lewiston’s Public Theater’s ‘A Very Ida Christmas.’ Watch as Maine’s “Woman Who Runs with the Moose” shares insights and advice for the holidays that is sure to give you a big ol’ belly laugh. To buy your ticket for the recorded performance, click here. 

Please note, an in-person performance is also being offered Dec. 10-12. For tickets and showtimes visit the theater’s website.