Music

Dec. 17: BATH, Bill Byrne, saxophone, and Kenny Gaspar, keyboard, will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Solo Bistro, 128 Front St. 443-3373

Dec. 17: BATH, Don Campbell will give a “Country Christmas” concert at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St. $17/$13 442-8455

Dec. 17: BELBRADE LAKE, Northfield will perform a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at Union Church. Donations

Dec. 17, 18: BROWNFIELD, the Stone Mountain Boys, with special guests and good friends, will perform a Christmas show at Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road. 866-227-6523

Dec. 17: BRYANT POND, a Christmas cantata will be held at 6:45 p.m. at the Woodstock Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 43 Perkins Valley Road.

Dec. 17: DIXFIELD, a performance will be held at 7 p.m. at the Coffee House at the Dixfield Congregational Church, High Street. $5

Dec. 17: LEWISTON, Kit Demos will perform jazz at 9 p.m. at She Doesn’t Like Guthries, 115 Middle St. 376-3344

Dec. 17: LEWISTON, Lewiston High School will present a concert of instrumental music at 7 p.m. at the Lewiston Middle School Auditorium, Central Avenue. Free

Dec. 17: NORWAY, an open-mic night will be held at 7 p.m. at the First Universalist Church, 479 Main St. $3 743-2828

Dec. 17: PARIS, musician Russ Copelin will perform at 7 p.m. at Smilin’ Moose, 10 Market Square. 739-6006

Dec. 17: PORTLAND, the Nate Wilson Group will perform at 9 p.m. at Venue Music Bar and Grille, 865 Forest Ave. 899-4350

Dec. 17-19: PORTLAND, the Portland Symphony Orchestra will present “Magic of Christmas”concerts at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. 842-0800

Dec. 17-19: PORTLAND, a Celtic Christmas, with AIRE and Castlebay will be presented at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Blvd. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $22-$12 799-5327

Dec. 18: AUBURN, Dave Rowe, Phil House and Denny Breau will perform a holiday show at 7 p.m. at the First Universalist Church, 169 Pleasant St. $15 866-655-7171

Dec. 18: AUBURN, the Lewiston High School Choir will perform a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 78 Pleasant St. 782-1346

Dec. 18: AUBURN, Mitch Thomas and Friends will present a Christmas concert at 2:30 p.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave. Free 782-3972

Dec. 18: FARMINGTON, Northfield will perform at 7:30 p.m. at UMF Merrill Hall. Donations 778-8154

Dec. 18: LEWISTON, the Mike Willette Christmas Show will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St. $16/$14 689-2000

Dec. 18: LEWISTON, Matt and the Barnburners will perform at 8 p.m. at The Cage, 97 Ash St. 783-0668

Dec. 18, 19: NEWCASTLE, the Tapestry Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Second Congregational Church. $10/$12 644-1174

Dec. 18: NORWAY, Sam Chapman, solo acoustic artist, will perform at 8 p.m. at Tuckers Pub, 290 Main St. 890-9766

Dec. 18: OXFORD, a “Winter Wonderland” concert will be held at 6 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church, Poplar Street. Free/Donations 674-2733

Dec. 18: PARIS, musician Jordan Kallback will perform at 7 p.m. at Smilin’ Moose, 10 Market Square. 739-6006

Dec. 18: PORTLAND, Badfish will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre, 609 Congress St. $18/$20 956-6001

Dec. 18: ROCKPORT, the Odeon winter concert will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House, 18 Central St. 236-2823

Dec. 18: UNITY, Improvox will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Unity College Centre for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot St. $15 948-7469

Dec. 19: AUBURN, the Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra will present a “Messiah” singalong at 3 p.m. at High Street Congregational Church. $5 592-2629

Dec. 19: AUBURN, the choral group Cantus will perform at 6 p.m. at Court Street Baptist Church, 129 Court St. 784-6661

Dec. 19: AUBURN, the Auburn Community Chamber Choir will perform at noon at the Auburn United Methodist Church, Park Avenue. $10 233-8301

Dec. 19: FRYEBURG, Shawn Nadeau and Heather Pierson will perform at 7 pm. at Top of the Ninth, 2 Jockey Cap Lane. 935-3100

Dec. 19, 26, Jan. 1: GRAY, an open mic/blues jam will be held every Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Tailgate Bar and Grill, 61 Portland Road. 657-7973

Dec. 19, 26, Jan. 1: LEWISTON, karaoke night will be held at 8 p.m. every Sunday at Schemengees Bar and Grille, 551 Lincoln St. 777-1155

Dec. 19: LOCKE MILLS, a Christmas cantata will be held at 4 p.m. at the Locke Mills Union Church. 674-2259

Dec. 19: NEW SHARON, a cantata will be presented at 7 p.m. at the New Sharon United Methodist Church.

Dec. 19: PARIS, the Maine Music Society will present the Androscoggin Chorale and Edward Little High School Choir in a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. at South Paris First Congregational Church, 17 E. Main St. $18-$9 782-7228

Dec. 19: PORTLAND, Thomas Smallwood and Arman Mohammad will perform jazz at 10:30 a.m. at the Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square. 775-6148

Dec. 19: PORTLAND, an Elvis tribute Christmas show will be held at 7 p.m. at Venue Music Bar and Grille, 865 Forest Ave. $5 899-4350

Dec. 19: RANGELEY, Northfield will perform at 3 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd, Main Street. $10

Dec. 19: ROCKPORT, the holiday pops concert will be held at 3 p.m. at Camden Hills High School Strom Auditorium, 25 Keelson Drive. 236-2299

Dec. 19: WEST PARIS, a Christmas cantata will be presented at 1:30 p.m. at the West Paris Baptist Church.

Dec. 20: BROWNFIELD, Aaron Neville will perform holiday music at 8 p.m. at Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road. 866-227-6523. SOLD OUT

Dec. 20: PORTLAND, “Christmas With Cornils” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. $29-$17 842-0800

Dec. 23: AUBURN, the Distributors will perform at 8 p.m. at Gritty McDuff’s, 68 Main St. 376-2739

Dec. 23, 30: LEWISTON, a blues jam will be held every Thursday at the Cage, 97 Ash St. 783-0668

Dance

Dec. 17: PARIS, Dance Games Dancers will present the Art Moves holiday show at 7 p.m. in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School auditorium. $5. 743-5569

Dec. 17: PORTLAND, a swing dance with music by the Maine Swingin’ DJs will be held at 9 p.m. at North Deering Grange Hall, 1408 Washington Ave. $8 653-5012

Dec. 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23: PORTLAND, “Nutcracker Burlesque 2010,” an adult only twist on the classical tale, will be performed at 8 p.m. at St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center, 76 Congress St. $12 775-5568

Dec. 18: BOWDOINHAM, a holiday funky formal contradance, with music by Scrod Pudding, will be presented at 8 p.m. at the Bowdoinham Town Hall, 3 School St. $8 666-3090

Dec. 18: PARIS, the Jones Dance Band will play at a dance at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall. $10 743-5723

Dec. 19: LEWISTON, the Knights of Columbus singles and couples dance for ages 21 and over, with music by Patio Cowboy, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 150 East Ave. $8 784-0389

Dec. 20, 27: DRESDEN, country western line and partner dancing will be held at 7 p.m. at the Dresden Masonic Hall, Route 127. $3/$4 785-4866

Dec. 22, 29: LEWISTON, country line dancing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Central Hall, Lisbon Street. 786-0003

Dec. 23: PORTLAND, “The Victorian Nutcracker” will be presented at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium. 842-0800

Kids

Dec. 17: OXFORD, a visit with Santa will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Hannaford.

Oct. 17: OXFORD, a visit with Santa will be held at 7 p.m. at Oxford Nightlife.

Dec. 18: SACO, a visit with Santa Claus will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the Saco Museum, 371 Main St. 283-3861

Dec. 19: CHESTERVILLE, a children’s Christmas party will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chesterville Town Office.

Dec. 19: LIVERMORE FALLS, the Christmas puppet show will be held at 6 p.m. at Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church, at Church and Knapp streets. Free/donations

Dec. 19: MECHANIC FALLS, “Breakfast With Santa” will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall.$5

Dec. 20: LEWISTON, a holiday singalong and storytime will be held at 6:16 p.m. at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. Free 513-3133

Dec. 22: RUMFORD, Mrs. Claus will read stories and listen to children’s gift requests at 2 p.m. at Rumford Public Library.

Special

Dec. 17: AUBURN, Edward Little High School’s drama club will present a holiday variety show at 7 p.m. at the Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre auditorium on Academy Street. $5

Dec. 17: DIXFIELD, comedy, singing and a play called “Christmas Gift” will be presented at 7 p.m. at the coffeehouse at Dixfield Congregational Church. $5 597-2955

Dec. 17-19: FREEPORT, the “1880s Coastal Christmas,” tours of a Victorian Christmas celebration, will be held at the Harrington House, 45 Main St. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. $10 865-3170

Dec. 17-19: NEWRY, a “Winterfest Weekend” will be held at Sunday River Ski Resort, 824-5243

Dec. 17-31: SACO, “Festival of Trees” will be held at the Saco Museum, 371 Main St. 283-3861

Dec. 17: WILTON, caroling, lighted trees and other holiday activities will be featured in the downtown.

Dec. 18: ALNA, a “Victorian Christmas” will be presented from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sheepscot Station, 97 Cross Road. 882-4193

Dec. 18:  CARRABASSETT VALLEY, a reception to celebrate new art work and the holiday season will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Patricia Buck Emporium. 266-8458

Dec. 18: NORWAY, a winter market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norway Grange Hall, 15 Whitman St. 388-2919

Dec. 18: PARIS, a benefit ticket auction will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. 739-2204

Dec. 18: STONINGTON, live readings of holiday classics will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Stonington Opera House. $8/$5 367-2788

Dec. 18: WATERFORD, a holiday community gathering for families will be held at 7 p.m. at the Waterford Library. 583-2050

Dec. 18: WINTHROP, the Pondtown Poets will present readings at 1:30 p.m. at the Charles M. Bailey Public Library. 377-8673

Dec. 19: AUBURN, a live Nativity will be presented at 6 p.m. at High Street Congregational Church, 106 Pleasant St.

Dec. 19: BRIDGTON, “Cooper Campbell Day,” a fun, fast-paced on-mountain event for kids and their families, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shawnee Peak. 871-5700

Dec. 19: FARMINGTON, a live Nativity will be presented at 6 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Farmington Falls Road.

Dec. 19: PORTLAND, the “Solstice Dawning,” an evening of poetry and the cosmos, will be presented at 7 p.m. at USM Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St. 780-4249

Dec. 20, 21: BRUNSWICK, “Wales and Tales,” a potpourri of stories and even a song or two, will be presented at 7 p.m. at The Theater Project, 14 School St. 729-8584

Dec. 22: FARMINGTON, the Mt. Blue Curtain Raisers Improv Group will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Blue Auditorium. $3 778-3561

Dec. 22: PORTLAND, “Secret Lives of Comedians,” featuring stand-up and sketch comedy, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Blvd. $10 899-3993

Theater

Dec. 17, 18: BETHEL, “A Christmas Carol” will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Telstar Regional School Helen C. Berry Auditorium. Free 825-2136

Dec. 17-19: BIDDEFORD, Biddeford City Theater will perform “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” at the theater, 205 Main St. 282-0849

Dec. 17, 18, 19: BRUNSWICK, the Theater Project Young People’s Theater will perform “Ms. Scrooge” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 14 School St. $6 729-8584

Dec. 17-19: BUCKFIELD, “Bah Hoonchback” will be performed at Oddfellow Theater, Route 117. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 17, 18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19. $14-$8 336-3306

Dec. 17: BRIDGTON, “A Christmas Carol” will be performed by Will Rhys at a fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. at Bridgton Academy Chapel. $10/$5 647-4037

Dec. 17-24: PORTLAND, Portland Stage will perform “A Christmas Carol” at the theater, 25A Forest Ave. 774-0465

Dec. 17-19: PORTLAND, Portland Stage will perform “The Santaland Diaries” at Studio Theatre, 25A Forest Ave. 774-0465

Dec. 17-23: PORTLAND, “The Polar Express” will be performed at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. 842-0800

Dec. 17, 18: SALEM, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” will be performed at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Abram High School. $5/$3 678-2701

Dec. 17-19: SEBAGO, “Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed at the Schoolhouse Arts Center at Sebago Lake, Route 114. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. $12/$14 642-3743

Dec. 17-19: WESTBROOK, “The World of Sholom Aleichem” will be performed at Acorn Studio Theater, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge St. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday. $10/$8 854-0065

Dec. 18, 19, 20: FARMINGTON, “Christmas on the Air” will be performed at 7 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 268 Perham St. Free 778-9696

Dec. 20-23: PORTLAND, Mad Horse Theatre will present “Christmas Radio Show” at 7 p.m. at the Hutchins School, 24 Mosher St. $25 730-2389

Books

Dec. 18: FREEPORT, Caroline Samson, author of “Every Horse Has a Story,” will sign copies of her book from 1 to 3 p.m. at Sherman’s Books.

Dec. 18: NORWAY, Tom Merriams, author of “Barnstorming,” will sign copies of his book from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Books N Things, 430 Main St.

Dec. 19: BOWDOINHAM, Robin Hansen, author of “Ice Harbor Mittens,” will sign copies of her book from 1  o 3 p.m. at Merrymeeting Arts Center, 9 Main St. 710-0349

Dec. 19: VASSALBORO, Caroline Samson, author of “Every Horse Has a Story,” will sign copies of her book at Hemphills Tack Shop, 577 Oak Grove Road.

Films

Dec. 23: AUBURN, “Stardust,” a teen movie series, will be shown at 2:45 p.m. at the Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St. 333-6640