Holiday Happenings
A quick list of holiday happenings that we know of
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND AND TRENTON—We’ve compiled a quick list of holiday happenings, sorted by date. If you know of other events, please let us know and we’ll update our list.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
BAR HARBOR VILLAGE HOLIDAYS CELEBRATION
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
Support local artists this holiday season! Join us for our annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Atlantic Oceanside in Bar Harbor. In addition to artists selling their creations, there will also be raffle items, and refreshments available to purchase. Proceeds from the raffles and refreshments benefit the MDI YWCA.
The fair will take place on Friday, December 6 from 10:00-6:00, and Saturday, December 7 from 9:00-4:00.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL! NORTHEAST HARBOR CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS!
MANSET—Come enjoy the display of Vintage Christmas at the Manset Meetinghouse, home of the Southwest Harbor Historical Society. Our museum will be filled with lighted Christmas trees, village sets from days of old, ornaments hand made and some from the 1940’s. Look for the vintage pottery Bar Harbor Times ornament!
The museum will be open on Saturday, December 7, from 1-4 p.m., Wednesday December 11, from 4-6 p.m., and Saturday, December 14, from 1-4 p.m.
Come enjoy hot mulled cider and homemade cookies! We also will have available for purchase Southwest Harbor, Manset & Seawall book, reprinted recently the Jesse Parker book, Recollections of Southwest Harbor, Maine 1885-1984. Special holiday prices!
192 Seawall Rd. Southwest Harbor, call for additional information 244-8063.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST!
Celebrate Lucia Fest with the Downeast Folk Dancers and the Kotwica Band!
BAR HARBOR—According to Swedish tradition, Santa Lucia brings light and treats to all during the cold, dark days of December. We'll feature the Langdans, Hambo, and other Swedish dances plus holiday songs and dances from Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, and more - December 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m., at the MDI-YWCA, 36 Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor. Dances will be taught by Carolyn Rapkievian and friends - no experience and no partner is needed. Sponsored by the Downeast Folk Dancers. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559917761571
TREMONT TREE LIGHTING!
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
The fair will take place on Friday, December 6 from 10:00-6:00, and Saturday, December 7 from 9:00-4:00 at Atlantic Oceanside in Bar Harbor.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!
Library Kick-off of Holiday Book Sale and Scallop Raffle
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Find wonderful treasures for everyone on your holiday gift list, at the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Holiday Book Sale Kick-off beginning Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hundreds of new & nearly new hardcover and paperback books, perfect for gift giving, will be for sale, including a selection of glass ornaments.
We’re also kicking off our annual one-gallon fresh-caught Scallops Raffle. Holly Masterson, our Southwest Harbor fisherman featured in Ali Farrell’s “Pretty Rugged: True Stories of Woman of the Sea”, has once again generously offered to arrange for a special order of one gallon of fresh-caught scallops for the lucky winner. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. The winning ticket will be drawn at 12 noon on Friday, December 27. If you can’t be here in person to buy tickets, call or email, and staff will assist you.
All proceeds from the book, ornaments, and raffle ticket sales support the Library’s ongoing programs and operations. Find a gift for everyone at the library!
Volta’s Snowball Dance
Join us for our winter installment of 'House of Volta' (feat. DJ Tirkish and Bread Boy)!
Music will start with the nostalgic bangers and develop into house music, techno and whatever keeps the crowd moving. Theme is Winter Wonderland. Our winter ball invites formal wear - this is your excuse to go all out - If you love dressing up, this is your chance to break out something special! 8:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. 8 Road Not Taken, Trenton.
$25 non-members • $20 for members
SIGN UP: https://voltaclimbing.com/snowball
Acadia Choral Society Winter Concert
Saturday, 4 pm
The winter program will be replete with songs of holiday celebration including carols, Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa melodies, some familiar and some in contemporary arrangements. Solstice energies will also be included. Something for all of us as we gather together in praise and with generous spirits in this season at St. Saviour’s on Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
DECEMBER 8
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!
DECEMBER 11
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS! from 4-6 p.m. (see earlier details)
DECEMBER 12
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW!
Timberland Acres in Trenton,
Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 13
CHILI COOKOFF!
December 13-15, Harbor House Holiday Celebration
Outdoor Living Nativity Scene at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church.
Mount Desert Street, 6 p.m.
December 13 Criterion Theatre Holiday in the Green
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
In this, the darkest time of year, a story about a woman resolutely finding her inner joy despite the world’s criticism carries extra resonance. The Acadia Rep production in summer 2024 earned great acclaim, and this December reprise is intended to give MDI-area audiences a chance to enjoy the show at a less busy time of year. Starring the dynamic duo of long-time ART favorite Cheryl Willis and Orono’s own super-talented Rob Laraway, SOUVENIR will bring some delight and holiday cheer to Somesville!
Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings, December 13 and 14, at 7:30 PM, with a Sunday matinee December 15 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, students, and military, and $15 for children 15 and under; a Pay What You Can option will be available for all performances as well. Please visit www.acadiarep.com!
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW!
Timberland Acres in Trenton,
Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 14
YWCA CHILDREN’S BAZAAR
Saturday, December 14, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The YWCA will hold its annual Children’s Bazaar on Saturday, December 14. Contact Abby for more information and to request tickets if your child does not attend Connors-Emerson; abby@ywcamdi.org or 207-288-5008.
The YWCA will hold its annual Children's Bazaar on December 14th from 9-12. Entry times will be determined by grade.
4th grade: 9:00
3rd grade: 9:30
2nd grade: 10:00
1st grade: 10:30
Kindergarten: 11:00
Pick-up will be 45 minutes after drop-off.
The entry fee is $1.00 (exact change recommended) and items will cost $.25 or $1.00. Forms will get sent home to students at Connors-Emerson School. If you do not attend Connors-Emerson school and need a ticket, you can email Abby at abby@ywcamdi.org. If you have any questions, you can call 207-288-5008 or email abby@ywcamdi.org.
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW!
Timberland Acres in Trenton,
Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
Witham Family Hotels Charitable Christmas.
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS! from 1-4 p.m. (see earlier details)
THE GRINCH PUPPET SHOW!
"The Grinch" puppet show by Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers - 4:00 p.m. with opening dance numbers by Two Shoes Dance!
Criterion Theatre, Bar Harbor - All Tickets $5 - www.criteriontheatre.org
HARBOR HOUSE COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
See information above.
December 15
Timberland Acres’ Christmas with Santa
Come spend time with Santa at Timberland Acres off Route 3 in Trenton.
The holiday light show will be open 5-7 for that day as well.
Wendell Gilley Community Open House & Art Show 1-4 p.m.
Community Holiday Celebration Yoga
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
See information above.
DECEMBER 16
NEW DATE FOR THE GRINCH! MONDAY DECEMBER 16!
FROST FARMS HOLIDAY PARTY
DECEMBER 17
Community Gathering to Share Holiday Recipes
DECEMBER 18 AND 20
DECEMBER 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 & JANUARY 2, 3, 4
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW!
Timberland Acres in Trenton,
Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
DECEMBER 20
DINE AND DONATE—LADIES’ NIGHT OUT
DECEMBER 21
BOOM HOLIDAY CONCERT!
BAR HARBOR—Heidi Powell, baroque violin and Max Treitler, baroque cello of Baroque Orchestra of Maine or BOOM will present a holiday concert at Bar Harbor Congregational Church on Saturday, December 21, at 4 p.m.
Featuring selections from 'Christmas Oratorio' by Johann Sebastian Bach and 'Christmas Concerto' by Arcangelo Corelli both arranged for violin and cello, the ensemble will present Violin Concerto in A Minor by Antonio Vivaldi as well as lesser known collections of pieces by Nicola Matteis and Andrea Falconieri.
BOOM performs on historical baroque instruments and in the baroque style. Tickets are available at the door, $25 for adults and students are free. For more information visit BOOM's website: baroqueorchestraofmaine.org, e-mail: fiddleheadheidi@hotmail.com or call 207-479-2845.
WINTER SOLSTICE COMMUNITY GATHERING
TOWN HILL—There is a winter solstice community gathering on Saturday, December 21, at Salisbury Organics/Mother’s Kitchen at the intersection of Route 102 and Gilbert Farm Road. The potluck and bonfire is family friendly at starts at sunset, 3:58 p.m.
DECEMBER 22
Longest Night Worship Service
A Service of Healing and Hope For Anyone Who is Hurting During the Holiday Season
Church of Our Father, Route 3, Hulls Cove, 207-288-4849
3 PM
A Longest Night Service (also called a Blue Christmas Service) is a quiet, contemplative service that happens near the winter solstice, the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Many find the holiday season hard, seeing others around us who are happy and celebrating while we are grieving, lonely, or longing for something better. This service, through silence, music, words, prayers, and lighting of candles, gives us space to acknowledge our emotions. Many have found this simple service helpful and supportive in their emotional and spiritual journey.
DECEMBER 23
Polar Express Pajama Day at the Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—On Monday, December 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, join us for family fun making holiday crafts while enjoying a hot chocolate bar and a scavenger hunt, ending the day with Polar Express! We encourage you to wear your comfiest pajamas while celebrating the holidays with us. Parents encouraged to join.
Space is limited. Please register by entering the name of your child. If you have more than one child attending, enter the name of one child and add the number of additional children.
Register our child at https://tinyurl.com/ramyanhb, email children@swhplibrary.org, or call 244-7065.
AND A QUICKER LIST:
December 6
Bar Harbor Village Holiday Celebration
IAA Holiday Craft Fair
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M. until January 4.
December 7
IAA Holiday Craft Fair
Tremont Tree Lighting
Breakfast With Santa
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Northeast Harbor Christmas Festival
Southwest Harbor Library Holiday Book Sale and Scallop Raffle
Volta’s Snowball Dance
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS!
Lucia Fest with the Downeast Folk Dancers and the Kotwica Band!
Acadia Choral Society concert
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday 5-8 P.M., until January 4.
December 8
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
December 11
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS!
December 12
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 13
Acadia Chamber’s Chili Cook-Off
Harbor House Holiday Celebration
Outdoor Nativity Scene at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church
Criterion Theatre Holiday on the Green
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 14
YWCA MDI Christmas Bazaar
Witham Family Hotels Christmas.
Harbor House Holiday Celebration
MANSET MEETING HOUSE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS!
What Sweeter Music
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
GRINCH PUPPET SHOW!
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 15
Wendell Gilley Community Open House & Art Show
Harbor House Holiday Celebration
ACADIA REP PRESENTS SOUVENIR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Timberland Acres’ Christmas with Santa on December 15. The holiday light show will be open 5-7 for that day as well.
December 16
GRINCH PUPPET SHOW!
December 17
Community Gathering to Share Holiday Recipes
December 18
Crafternoon with Mike Duffy
December 19
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
December 20
Crafternoon with Mike Duffy
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
Ladies Night for the YWCA
December 21
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
BOOM concert
Winter Solstice Community Gathering
December 22
Longest Night Worship Service
December 23
Polar Express Pajama Day at the Library
December 26-28 and January 2-4
Holiday light show at Timberland Acres, Thursday-Saturday, 5-8 P.M.
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Tickets for the best Christmas Pageant Ever Have nearly sold out for Friday, and our other shows are filling up. If you want to catch the show, we recommend using this link https://act.ludus.com/index.php to secure your seat!