Head to Lewiston’s Holiday at the Plaza

LEWISTON — Lewiston’s annual Holiday at the Plaza will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. centered at Dufresne Plaza at 72 Lisbon St.

The day of family fun and holiday spirit will include a visit by Santa, horse/wagon rides, holiday choo-choo rides, Christmas Claw, a makers market, a petting zoo, ice skating, food trucks and more, including for adults a Christmas cocktails workshop and a class to make a ceramic gnome as a keepsake (registration required for both).

A Christmas tree and menorah lighting will take place at 4:17 p.m.

To learn more, go to tinyurl.com/Lewistonholidays.

Get a double holiday dose in Auburn on Sunday

AUBURN — On Sunday, Dec. 7, Auburn will officially kick off its holiday season with its annual
Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting.

The parade steps off at 3:30 p.m. and will travel down Main Street from 121 Mill St. in New Auburn to Festival Plaza at 112 Main St. About 4:15 p.m. Mayor Jeff Harmon and Santa will light Auburn’s official Christmas tree: a 40-foot fir donated by Courtney and Ryan Colgan of Broadview Avenue.

During the festivities, the Auburn Business Association will offer free hot cocoa donated by Dunkin’ along with free mittens and gloves to families in need. Children will also have the chance to write letters to Santa and take photos with him.

‘Ears to Chester Greenwood Day in Farmington

FARMINGTON — The town’s annual Chester Greenwood celebration will be even bigger this year with a tree lighting event Friday night, Dec. 5, at the Superior Courthouse from 5-6 p.m.

The fun continues Saturday with a full day of events, with this year’s theme being Board Games on Parade. The day celebrates Farmington resident Chester Greenwood, the inventor of earmuffs, and takes place the first Saturday in December, bringing thousands to the area to watch and/or participate in the hourlong parade and get in the holiday spirit.

The day will include a craft fair, tours, the event’s signature parade, contests, a festival of trees, a farmers market, horse-drawn carriages, a polar dip, food opportunities everywhere, and more.

If that’s not enough, ArtsFarmington will present “The Nutcracker” by the Robinson Ballet Company of Bangor on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Bjorn Auditorium at Mt. Blue High School, 129 Seamon Road. Sponsors say tickets should be purchased in advance for the show at artsfarmington.org.

For a full schedule of events and more information on the day, go to www.franklincountymaine.org/chester-greenwood-day.

Catch Maine’s own Sigrid Sibley in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Poland native singer-songwriter Sigrid Sibley will perform at the Oasis of Music, based at Trinity Commons at 247 Bates St., at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The emerging artist’s music draws from common folk themes with roots in bluegrass, Americana, and traditional music. Her debut album released in May 2025, “Old Faithful Dreams,” features 12 original songs.

Admission is free; donations are accepted. For more information, go to trinitylewiston.org.

Let music inspire your holiday in Bethel

BETHEL — The Mahoosuc Community Band has been practicing Christmas music since September and is ready to ring in the holidays at its Winter Concert on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium. Snow date is Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

The Mahoosuc Community Band will be joined by Gould Academy music students under the direction of Ed Ryan. The concert will be filled with traditional favorites and newer melodies, including everything from classical classics to popular hits, and of course “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.

Donations will be accepted at the door and used to support music in the community.

Cyrus Chestnut takes on Charlie Brown in Bath

BATH — The powerhouse Cyrus Chestnut Trio will bring their “soulful brilliance” to Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.

“Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut fuses the warmth of deep, gospel roots with his classical training and sheer charisma,” sponsors said. “The Cyrus Chestnut Trio blend their signature swing with reverence for Guaraldi’s beloved score in what has become a new and cherished tradition of the holiday season in Bath.”

For more information, go to www.chocolatechurcharts.org or call the Chocolate Church Arts Center at 207-873-7000 to reserve tickets. The center is at 804 Washington St.

Go to Farmington to enjoy Christmas in Vienna

FARMINGTON — On Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3-5 p.m. the Western Maine Community Chorus invites the public to celebrate the season with Christmas in Vienna, a festive concert of classical and traditional holiday music.

The performance will take place in Nordica Auditorium, Merrill Hall, at the University of Maine at Farmington, 224 Main St.

The first half of the program will feature Joseph Haydn’s “St. Nicholas Mass,” a charming setting of the Mass text that is sung traditionally on Christmas Eve throughout Austria. The program will open with a lesser-known work by his younger brother, Michael Haydn. The first half will conclude with J.S. Bach’s famous “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”

The second half will feature several beloved German carols such as “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” and “Still, Still, Still.” The concert will end with an audience singalong of traditional carols.

Admission is at the door, with a suggested donation of $20 per person (students free) — but everyone is welcome, regardless of amount. For more information, visit the Western Maine Community Chorus Facebook page or visit artsfarmington.org and click on the “Our Programs” tab.

Light the Farm (and tractors) in New Gloucester

NEW GLOUCESTER — On Thursday, Dec. 4, from 4:15-5:15 p.m., Pineland Farms will Light the Farm in a welcome-to-the-holidays event for the whole family.

During the outdoor celebration, the farm will illuminate the tractors on the Great Lawn, which is on the corner of Morse Road and Route 231. Among the activities will be the farm’s Wishing Tree, roasting s’mores and visiting with some animal friends before and after lighting the tractors. Festive music will be provided by Poland Regional High School carolers. The tractor lighting will take place at 4:45 p.m.

Food and monetary donations benefitting the Gray Community Food Pantry will be accepted.

Admission is free and s’mores supplies are available for $2. S’more supplies are limited, so preregistration is encouraged.

For more information, contact the Education Department: 207.650.3031 or [email protected]

Tour Paris Hills’ holiday houses

PARIS — On Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, join residents of the historic Paris Hill village when they open their holiday-decorated homes for tours! Many of the houses on Paris Hill date to the 1800s or earlier, and eight homeowners will welcome tours.

The walking tours all require tickets. Adult tickets are $32. The tours both days will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain, snow or shine. Lunch will be served at the Paris Hill Academy for an additional $10 per person between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., paid at the door.

Ticketed participants will receive a brochure listing the homes on the Holiday House Tour. Tickets will be available for each day and lunch will be available for purchase both days at the Paris Hill Academy. All proceeds to benefit the Paris Hill Academy.

Tickets can be purchased at parishillcommunityassociation.ticketspice.com/paris-hill-holiday-house-tours.

Coinciding with the tours will be an exhibit of old Paris Manufacturing Company products including sleds, skis, toboggans, chairs and other items that were widely sold, particularly in the mid-20th century.

The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, at Cummings Hall, First Baptist Church of Paris, 500 Paris Hill Road in Paris. For more information on that event go towww.parishill.org.

Have an old-fashioned Christmas at Norlands

​LIVERMORE — If an old-fashioned Christmas is what you’re looking for, head to Livermore and Norlands, where the living history center will offer three days of “Olde Fashioned Christmas” this weekend.

All free of charge, the event will include a festival of trees, wagon rides, music, a Christmas pageant, a visit by Santa, storytelling, dress-up opportunities, a cookie walk and cookies for sale, free hot chocolate, food to purchase in the Farmer’s Cottage Kitchen, music, and more.

It will be held Friday, Dec​. 5, from 4​-7​ p​.m​., Saturday, Dec​. 6, from 10​ a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec​. 7, from 11​ a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, go to www.norlands.org.

Have an event you’d like to get in? Email details to [email protected] to be considered for inclusion in the weekly listing. And add your event to the Sun Journal calendar here: www.sunjournal.com/events-calendar/#!