Santa Claus waves Dec. 2, 2023, from the back of the Gardiner Fire Department ladder truck during the Parade of Lights in downtown Gardiner. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Christmas parades, tree lightings, festivities and visits with Santa are taking shape throughout the state.

Rudolph and The Island of Misfit Toys is set for Saturday in Augusta, Farmington has planned Chester Greenwood Day festivities for Dec. 7, Skowhegan Whoville is scheduled for Dec. 6 and 7 and Joy to the Ville is set for Dec. 14.

A partial list of events is listed alphabetically by town.

Augusta

• A Polar Express Experience will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Kennebec Valley YMCA, 31 Union St. There will be a movie screening, food, face painting, games and activities, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. New, unused toys will be collected for the Giving Tree of Maine; facebook.com.

Working in a cherry picker Nov. 20 high above Market Square, Augusta city employee Robert Emerson strings lights on the city’s holiday tree in downtown Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

• The Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration featuring Rudolph and The Island of Misfit Toys will take place Saturday, Nov. 30. Activities include the River of Trees, a fundraiser for Augusta Downtown Alliance, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Augusta Teen Center, 244 Water St.; Christmas at the Fort from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Fort Western; Santa’s Stroll through Augusta neighborhoods, 12:30-2 p.m.; a scavenger hunt and street entertainment; visit with Santa and friends and more.

• The holiday tree lighting ceremony is set for 5:05 p.m. at Market Square. There will be fireworks at 5:15 p.m. at Front and Water streets; augustame.myrec.com.

• Maine Made Crafts and newenglandcraftfairs.com plan to host its 46th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Christmas in New England from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive. The cost is $5; and is free for those 12 and younger; LTpromo@aol.com or 706-843-9188.

• Augusta Elks Lodge #964 Festival of Trees will be held from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 through Thursday, Dec. 12, noon-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 397 Civic Center Drive. Highlights include 50 creative- and beautifully-themed trees, Lottery Ticket Tree, bake sale with hot dogs, popcorn and hot cocoa available for purchase and a 50/50 raffle. Admission is $2 at the door. The silent-themed tree raffle is $5 for 10 tickets; Lorana Laliberte at Lorana.laliberte@yahoo.com.

Farmington

• The town’s annual Chester Greenwood Day is planned for Saturday, Dec. 7. There will be a cookie walk, craft fairs, a winter festival, free books, a parade, tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage rides, a polar bear dip and a number of other activities; 207-778-4215 or  franklincountymaine.org.

Gardiner

Madison

• Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on Main Street.

Norridgewock

• A Stroll and Tree Lighting is planned from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, along Norridgewock’s Main Street.

• Mountain Holly Days is set for Dec. 6-8. Holiday activities are planned for downtown; business.rangeleymaine.com.

Skowhegan

• Skowhegan Whoville is scheduled for Dec. 6 and 7 in Skowhegan. The annual parade will be held Dec. 6 and Grinch-themed family activities will be held Dec. 7; skow-whoville.org.

Over the River Ringers will perform a free bell concert at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 169 Malbons Mill Road; 207-474-2908.

Waterville

• Parade of Lights is set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Floats will assemble along College Ave, travel down to Main Street, stopping at Castonguay Square for the lighting of the giant spruce and Santa’s arrival at Kringleville.

• Joy to the Ville is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Saturday, Dec. 14, with activities at Paul J Schupf Art Center, 93 Main St., and Waterville Public Library, 73 Elm St.

Festivities at the art center include a glass blowing demonstration, clay ornament making, DIY Furoshiki gift wrapping, Kringleville Santa visits and more. The library will offer winter card making and custom button making. Most activities are free and open to the public; watervillecreates.org.

Winthrop

• Kennebec Performing Arts Company plans to presents Music for the Season at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Winthrop High School Performing Arts Center, 211 Rambler Road. Donations are welcome; Maine.kpac@gmail.com, 207-213-9179 or visit Facebook.com.

• A Holiday Parade is set to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on Main Street; 207-377-8020 or winthropchamber.org

Wiscasset

• Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8, in Wiscasset Village, and features family events Friday and Saturday evenings; WiscassetHolidayMarketfest.com.

• The second annual Christmas Cookie Challenge is planned at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in AEkeir Brew Pub, first floor, 111 Main St.; WisassetHolidayMarketfest.com.

Check out other upcoming area events!