Twinkling lights, frosty mornings and wet mittens laid out to dry on the radiator. Clear night skies with winking stars, a hot cup of cocoa and red noses.
And, of course, holiday music and performances.
It’s not hard to find something to do during the chilly months leading up to the holidays. There’s plenty for the family to enjoy this holiday season, from traditional performances such as “The Nutcracker,” to holiday feasts.
We’ll start with Bangor where holiday events are plenty. The Bangor Historical Society has decked out the Thomas A. Hill House for a series of events and “a glimpse into holidays past when the Hill House is decorated in grand style.” Tea and treats will top off the holiday celebrations set to take place 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19. Holidays at Hill House admission is $10 per person and $5 for age 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Bangor Historical Society’s website.
In Ellsworth, Christmas at Woodlawn will run until Dec. 23. The historic Black House has been decorated by more than 20 area businesses in festive finery. Its calendar of events includes tours of the Black House, holiday high teas at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, and Fridays, Dec. 11 and 18, and a holiday feast 6-9 p.m. Dec. 16. The feast will feature a five-course meal of hors d’oeuvres, soup, salad, roast duck, plum pudding and Celtic inspired Christmas music to set the holiday mood.
Belfast will host a “Join-in Nutcracker” at the Belfast Dance Studio for children of all ages 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 19. Anyone can come dressed in costumes of any kind and dance to different songs from the classic performance. The event is $5 for an individual or $10 for families. Ballet dancers will be there to help with their own dance moves for inspiration.
But “The Nutcracker” — a favorite during this time of year — can be found all over the state.
There’s still plenty of time to catch Robinson Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” which has performances scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Grand in Ellsworth. The ballet also will return to the Collins Center for the Arts with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and Bangor Area Children’s Choir for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Portland Ballet’s “The Victorian Nutcracker,” which is set in Victorian era Portland, will pair up with the Portland Ballet Orchestra at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, at Westbrook Performing Arts Center and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Merrill Auditorium.
In Bath, “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” will entertain audiences at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 17-19, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20, at the Chocolate Church Arts Center.
In Caribou, the Heart of Christmas Benefit Concert will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Proceeds will benefit Homeless Services of Aroostook.
For more holiday events, visit the events page at bangordailynews.com, or the events calendar, which is on page C3 of the paper every day.
