By Emma West
This weekend Portland, Maine is full of amazing events! Check out one, two, or five of the holiday craft fairs around Portland. Or attend a dance party, dress up for Santacon, or visit the indoor farmers market. There’s no shortage of awesome activities this weekend!
Friday
Listen to Sea Change Choral at Share the Warmth outside of Reny’s from 5:30-6:30pm. Bring donations of new hats, gloves, socks, and coats or pop into Reny’s to grab some for their collection for Preble Street.
The MECA Holiday Sale will be taking place from 5:30-9pm on Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday! There is free admission, it is open to all ages, and there will be amazing handmade items perfect for gifting!
Join the Portland Museum of Art for the annual Copper Beech Tree Lighting from 6-7pm. Portland’s Poet Laureate Linda Aldrich will be sharing poems inspired by the season, there will be live music, treats, activities, and open galleries.
Art on the Hill hosted by SEA: Society for East End Arts will be held from 6-9pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday. Shop 80 local artists’ handmade gifts and art.
Check out Single AF Dance Party (you do not have to be single to attend) at the Whiskey Barrel from 8:30pm to 1am. All you have to do is choose a colored cup to identify your relationship status so other attendees know who’s available! LGBTQ+ community welcome, rainbow stickers for your cup will be provided! Tickets are $5 and include a well drink or domestic beer. This is a 21+ event.
Saturday
Check out the opening day of Portland’s Indoor Farmers’ Market and Silent Auction. This event runs from 9am-1pm and features diverse locally farmed foods and a silent auction that benefits the Low Income Food Access Program.
The Children’s Nursery School is hosting their 44th Annual Grand Bazaar and Silent Auction from 10am-2pm. There will be tons of kids activities, a pop up cafe featuring a local chef, and a raffle!
The 42nd Holiday Arts and Crafts Show hosted by the United Maine Craftsmen will be taking place between 9am-4pm on Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sunday. Tickets are $2 for adults and children 12 and under are free. There will be 95 artisans selling their Made in Maine art and products.
Head over to Holiday at Hadlock hosted by the Portland Seadogs from 10am-12:30pm. This is a free event and features a visit from Santa riding in on a helicopter! He will arrive at 11am and then will be available to meet with children. There will also be games, arts and crafts, free cookies and hot chocolate, face painting and balloons, and much more!
Stop by Allagash Brewing Company between 4 and 8pm for Stomping Grounds Artisan Showcase. Displays and tables of local art will be set up throughout the brewhouse. There will be free coffee and cookies and beer will be available for purchase! See their Facebook for a list of some of the local artists!
Join Santacon and visit Portland’s bars dressed in your best holiday outfit! Donations will be collected for Through These Doors, Cumberland county’s domestic violence support and prevention agency. Keep an eye on their facebook page for the official route. The event starts at 4pm and the party doesn’t stop until 1am so hold on to your (santa) hats and get ready to party!
Sunday
Take part in the 10th Annual Holiday Dash 5k! All funds go to Portland Trails. Plus, after the run there will be beer and brunch!
Visit the Holiday Bazaar hosted by Cellar Door Winery at The Point from 12-4pm. Admission is $10 and there will be food and wine pairings and live music.
Join Austin Street Brewery for Hopped Holiday Market Featuring Female Makers from 12-5pm! Local female makers will be selling their work throughout the brewhouse. Rebel Rebel of boston will be pouring wine flights and Portland Cake Co. and Parlor Ice Cream will be serving up delicious sugary goodness. A portion of the proceeds and 100% of the raffle will be going to The Florence House at Preble Street.
Check out the Children’s Holiday Mingle at Print: A Bookstore between 1 and 3pm. There will be light refreshments and this year they will be featuring New England authors and illustrators.