3 min read
A scene from the Bossov Ballet Theatre production of “The Nutcracker.” (Photo by Michael Wong)

‘The Nutcracker’

7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville, $38-$43. watervillecreates.org.

Maine Central Institute’s Bossov Ballet Theatre has been performing “The Nutcracker” at the Waterville Opera House for close to 30 years. Artistic director Natalya Getman’s vision unfolds over four performances. You’ll be immersed in electrifying choreography brought to life by vibrant costumes and world-class dancers from across the globe.

Christmas by the Sea in Ogunquit includes the lighting of Footbridge Beach Bridge.
(Photo courtesy of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce)

Christmas by the Sea

Friday-Sunday. Several locations in downtown Ogunquit. ogunquit.org.

For three days, the town of Ogunquit goes all-in with holiday cheer. Christmas by the Sea includes a holiday parade, bonfire on the beach, fireworks, Santa Claus, tree lightings, concerts and artisan craft fairs. It all starts on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. with the lighting of Footbridge Beach Bridge, complete with hot cocoa. Schedule highlights include the Ogunquit Fire Company craft fair on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Story Trees by the Sea at Ogunquit Museum of American Art on Saturday and Sunday and visits with Santa all weekend long.

Dale Place as Ebenezer Scrooge in The Public Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” (Photo courtesy of The Public Theatre)

‘A Christmas Carol’

7 p.m. Friday, 2 & 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston, $35, $15 for 18 and under. thepublictheatre.org.

Six actors and one fiddler tell Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption. Several ghosts and a cranky old man who learns about kindness will infuse you with holiday spirit. The Public Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol” is an adaptation created specifically for them that is now performed globally.

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Holiday at Hadlock

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. Hadlock Field, 271 Park Ave., Portland, free admission. portlandseadogs.com.

The Portland Sea Dogs don’t start their baseball season until April, but they’ll celebrate the holiday season this weekend. Holiday at Hadlock includes an arts & crafts room, free hot chocolate and cookies, holiday music, make your own s’mores station, costumed holiday characters, face painting, balloon artists, games and more in the stadium’s concourse. Santa Claus arrives from the North Pole at 11 a.m. Slugger and Crusher will be there all day. There’s no base like home for the holidays!

8th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

4-10 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Portland locations, $23.70, $18.41 for group tickets of four or more, 21-plus. barcrawlusa.com.

Don ye now your ugly sweaters, and get ready for a festive night in Portland. The 8th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl includes two holiday shots, an Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl Koozie, discounted drinks and a holiday lanyard with map. Anyone who visits all the places gets a Bar Crawl USA holiday gift. Never mind Santa’s naughty and nice list, here’s the list of participating bars in this year’s crawl: Fore Play Sports Bar, Three Dollar Deweys, Bon Fire, Gritty’s, Rosie’s, Andy’s Old Port Pub and The Porthole.

Signer Gina Alibrio on stage with The Fogcutters during the 2024 holiday show at the State Theatre. (Photo by Will Wohler)

The Fogcutters Superfantastic Christmas Extravaganza

8 p.m. Saturday. The State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $25 in advance, $30 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.

For a whole lot of horns, a fabulous rhythm section and a pair of stupendous singers, head to the annual Fogcutters Superfantastic Christmas Extravaganza. This year, vocalists Megan Jo Wilson and Chas Lester will be joined by special guests Gina Alibrio, Zach Jones, Natalie Mishell, Sara Hallie Richardson, Rachel Doe and MC11 (better known as MC St. Nick). They’ll all be belting out holiday tunes during a big band show you won’t soon forget.

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight show comes to Portland on Sunday. (Photo by James Clark)

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

8 p.m. Sunday. Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Square, Portland, $62.50-$107.50. crossarenaportland.com.

The Rock Orchestra is a collective of classical musicians who transport rock and metal songs you know into new, enthralling territory. Surrounded by candlelight and dressed in elaborate outfits, the 14 musicians will send you to another realm with incredible interpretations of songs by Metallica, AC/DC, Rage Against the Machine, The Cranberries and The Rolling Stones, among other huge acts.

Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town...

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