Holiday Markets
findthelostkitchen.com; meca.edu; umaine.edu
From Freedom to Portland to Orono, Maine’s makers are ready to help you find something special this season. At The Lost Kitchen’s Holiday Market at the Mill in Freedom (Fridays & Saturdays, November 29-December 28), shop beautifully curated gifts, festive wines, and cozy fireside treats. In Portland, Maine College of Art & Design’s Holiday Sale (December 5–6) transforms the historic Porteous Building into a bustling market of 60+ artists. And don’t miss the University of Maine’s Wabanaki Winter Market in Orono (December 13), New England’s largest gathering of Wabanaki artists, celebrating basketry, beadwork, storytelling, and song.
New Year’s Eve
nyekbk.weebly.com; tidesinstitute.org; usm.maine.edu
December 31, 9pm and 12am
Ring in 2026 the Maine way! In Kennebunk, the beloved Wild Blueberry Drop offers two countdowns—an early one for families at 9pm and another at midnight—best viewed from the
Kennebunk Library lawn. Downeast, Eastport’s Great Sardine & Maple Leaf Drop marks both U.S. and Canadian midnights with community festivities and online programming from the Tides Institute & Museum of Art. Or spend the evening under the stars at Portland’s Southworth Planetarium, where favorite shows run all night and the Times Square Ball Drop lights up the dome at midnight.
Farnsworth Art Museum’s Concert Series: Cassotto Duo
farnsworthmuseum.org
January 21, 12–1pm
Experience an afternoon of virtuosity and charm with Annemieke and Jeremiah McLane, the couple known as Cassotto Duo. Performing as part of the Farnsworth Concert Series in Rockland, the pair bring piano and accordion to life through folk-inflected classical works spanning Bartók to Piazzolla. Their coast-to-coast performances have captivated audiences in the United States and Europe. Tickets are $25 ($20 members, $10 students 17+, free for children 16 and under).
Wreath Making at Pineland Farms
pinelandfarms.org
December 6th, 1–3pm and December 17th, 4–6pm
Celebrate the season with a hands-on Wreath Making Workshop at Pineland Farms’ Education Barn. Guided instruction and lush evergreens will inspire you to craft a beautiful 10-inch holiday wreath—perfect for your home or as a heartfelt gift. Ages 14+ (under 18 with a paid chaperone). $35 per person; pre-registration required.
Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
mainegardens.org
November 15th until January 3rd
Experience Nature in Motion at Gardens Aglow, where New England’s premier light show transforms the landscape into a glowing celebration of Maine’s forests, shorelines, and meadows. Wander the illuminated paths, then warm up in the cafe with hearty seasonal fare or a sweet treat. Don’t miss a cozy stop at the Snack Shack for cocoa, coffee, or a local beer—the perfect way to toast a magical winter night. All tickets must be purchased in advance (no walk-ups).▪
