Every Thursday, right here. Entertainment highlights for in town and beyond.

Season for singing

LEWISTON – Join the Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra and members of the Androscoggin Chorale for a Messiah Sing-Along. >>When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. >>Where: St. Joseph’s Church, 253 Main St. >>Tickets: $5 >>FMI: 784-1403 or mainemusicsociety.org

Martina McBride

PORTLAND – Country star Martina McBride brings The Joy of Christmas to the Cumberland County Civic Center. >>When: Tuesday, 7:30 >>Tickets: Still available at $59.50 >>FMI: martina-mcbride.com or ticketmaster.com

Mike Williams . . . er, Willette

LEWISTON – Mike Willette brings his old-fashioned, Andy Williams-style Christmas show for the entire family to the Franco-American Heritage Center. Includes reindeer, elves, Rudolph, Frosty, Fifi the Christmas Firefly and Santa Claus. >>When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. >>Tickets: $10 students and seniors, $15 adults >>FMI: 783-1585 or francoamericanheritage.org

Floating light parade

PORTLAND – Tired of the neighborhood light displays? Try the sixth annual Portland Harbor Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. >>When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. >>Where: For a view from the water, the Casco Bay Municipal Ferry leaves at 4:30 p.m. for the 4:45 parade start. >>Tickets: Ferry is $5. The parade can also be viewed from shore. FMI: 408-7525

A modified classic

LEWISTON – The Portland Ballet presents an adaptation of the Victorian Nutcracker that reflects real people and places in Maine’s largest city. >>When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. >>Where: Bates College’s Schaeffer Theater >>Tickets: $20 at Bull Moose Music >>FMI: 784-6463

Also comin’ up

Holiday concert with the Dave Rowe Trio, including Denny Breau and Phil House, Saturday at 7 p.m at Auburn’s First Universalist Church, $12. >>FMI: 866-655-7171

A Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth is a veritable Santa’s bag full of things to do in the historic Strawbery Banke area. >>FMI: 603-433-1107 and www.themusichall.org.

Check out Encore on Fridays for complete event listings.