Have a Charlie Brown Christmas in Bethel

BETHEL — Bethel Area Arts & Music will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with the Heather Pierson Trio at The Gem Theater on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24. The show begins at 2 p.m.

Based in Conway, New Hampshire, the Heather Pierson Trio features Pierson on piano and vocals, Shawn Nadeau on bass, and Craig Bryan on drums. They will share their interpretation of Vince Guaraldi’s iconic soundtrack “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” as well as other Guaraldi compositions and holiday favorites.

In over 20 years on her own record label, Pierson has released 14 albums and several singles of original music. For more go to www.heatherpierson.com.

Doors open at 1 p.m., show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are “pay what you can” with all proceeds benefiting future Bethel Area Arts & Music programming. For more information on the show, go to thegemtheater.com.

The Gem Theater is at 48 Cross St.

Ring in the ‘biggest and best’ new year in Auburn

AUBURN — For the seventh year, the city will host New Year’s Auburn on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 3-9 p.m. with live music, craft brews, local food and fireworks.

The free, all-ages event — called “Maine’s biggest and best New Year’s celebration” by organizers — will take place in the downtown, centered at Festival Plaza on Main Street.

After Dark, Hello Newman, and headliner Toby McAllister and the Sierra Sounds are set to perform. Six area breweries will participate, including Craft Brew Underground, Gritty
McDuff’s, Lost Valley Brewing Company, The Blue Feather, Nonesuch River Brewing, and Geary Brewing Company.

And seven food purveyors will be onsite, including Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe, Mr. Sea’s Lobster Pound & Fry Shack, Rollin’ In The Dough, KP’s Place, Lucky Cat Coffee Truck, Alabama’s BBQ, and Mannie’s Philly 2 ME.

Fireworks over the Great Falls will start around 8:30 p.m.

For more information, go to NewYearsAuburn.com.

Make it a ‘spectacular’ NewYear’s Eve with Mike Miclon

GARDINER — The Johnson Hall Opera House will present a New Year’s Eve Spectacular on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. hosted by comedian and Johnson Hall Artistic Director Mike Miclon.

Miclon, host of “The Early Evening Show,” Maine’s longest running variety show, will lead a cast of entertainers who will offer up comedy, music, mayhem and more in a family friendly show that will ring in a most memorable new year.

Miclon has an international reputation that has brought him to some of the finest theaters and special events across the United States and Europe, including The Kennedy Center and the White House in Washington, D.C., The Keller Theater in Germany, The Victoria Jungfrau Hotel in Switzerland and the Festa Americana in Italy.

This show is general admission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, go to johnsonhall.org. Johnson Hall Opera House is at 280 Water St.

Catch live music at two area slopes

AUBURN — Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn and Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford will offer live music this weekend as the new year approaches.

On Saturday, Dec. 27, Skosh and guests Toby McAllister and the Sierra Sounds will perform at Lost Valley from 7-10 p.m.

The resort’s Brewpub will be open all day during ski hours, offering food until 9 p.m. and the bar until 10 p.m.

The resort is at 200 Lost Valley Road. For more information, go to lostvalleyski.com.

Also in Rumford on Saturday, Dec. 27, from 2-5 p.m., Black Mountain will offer live music with local favorite Pete Koch.

Then on Sunday, Dec. 28, from 1-4 p.m. Steve Moore, founding member of Attention Shoppers, will perform at Black Mountain.

Black Mountain of Maine is at 39 Glover Road.

Take part in a Community Christmas Dinner

SOUTH PARIS — The First Congregational Church of South Paris will offer a Community Christmas Dinner free to all Thursday, Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The church is at 17 East Main St.

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/#!