Christmas is just over a week away and many businesses and community organizations have scheduled events to make it a festive season in Vacationland. 

As we strive to be your community connection, our elves have been working hard to create a calendar of events to help you get into the holiday spirit.

If you want to land yourself on the nice list and have an event that you’d like mentioned, please email our team at maddison.raynor@charter.com, and we’ll include it below.

We’ve broken our holiday list into two parts — events leading up to Christmas and ongoing events happening in December. 

Special Event! Paint Lighted Holiday Bottles
6-9 p.m. at Riverside Grill in Bath
As my mom always says, the best gift is one that you make yourself. Join artist Nicole White in this painting class where you’ll walk away with a lighted holiday bottle. Choose from over 25 different shapes and colors as you create a beautiful gift or a decoration for your mantel. Event organizers guarantee good food, cocktails, laughter and fun during this holiday event. Note: The more bottles you paint, the more bang for your buck. Purchase your tickets online in advance on Facebook via Eventbrite. 

Can't make it to Riverside Grill? Don't worry, you can get holly jolly at home with White's on-demand painting workshops. Check out her Facebook page for her online holiday paint parties. 

Festival of Trees
Noon-5 p.m. at the Saco Museum
The 17th annual festival of trees is back at the Saco Museum with the theme, “A Little Holiday Music.” Celebrate the joyous sounds of the holidays as you enjoy a grand display of trees, wreaths, lights and more. Vote for your favorite tree and try your luck at winning a raffle prize. There is also a silent auction for items featured on the event’s artist tree. All proceeds benefit the Dyer Library and Saco Museum. For directions, click here. 

Celtic Holiday Music
10 a.m.-Noon on WRFR
Take a cruise and tune your radio to WRFR for a two-hour Irish music show hosted by Christine Murphy. Featuring live music in the studio and guests who will share their unique experiences of Ireland, both musically and culturally – a must-listen for all Celtic music lovers. Catch the Dublin To Dingle holiday event on 93.3 on the Midcoast or stream it here. 

Don't get WRFR on your radio? Click the Spotify player below for a compliation of Celtic Christas music. 

Holiday Offerings an Annual Exhibit of Visual Art
10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Richard Boyd Art Gallery
Enjoy the last day of this free event that features an art exhibit in a variety of mediums and styles from local artisans. Whether you’re a lover of visual art or looking for a unique gift, it’s sure to be an afternoon well spent. For information on the featured artists, as well as directions to the gallery, click here. 

Festival of Trees
Now through Dec. 31 at the Greater Lovell Land Trust
Adopt a tree along the Homestead Trail at Heald and Bradley Ponds Reserve to enjoy during the holidays. Natural decorations are preferred and must be taken down by Jan. 4. Register to adopt your tree today on the land trust’s website. Don’t forget to take a selfie and share it with event organizers at leigh.hayes@gllt.org. 

Pet Nights with Santa
Now through Dec. 20 at The Maine Mall
Who says pets can’t take a photo with Santa? Let your furry friends strike a pose with the big guy to capture a paw-sitivly perfect holiday moment. Reservations are required. 

Gardens Aglow
Now through Jan. 1
The gardens at the Maine Botanical Garden will light up the Boothbay peninsula during the seventh annual Gardens Aglow event. Fill your car and enjoy a driving tour of nearly 650,000 lights. Tickets should be purchased in advance online or by phone at (207) 633-8000. 

Viewing the gardens during the holidays has been a family tradition of the Raynor clan for years. No matter how many times we go, the magic never dulls. I highly recommend taking the trip to Boothbay to see the lights for yourself — it’s truly a breathtaking experience. 

L.L.Bean Northern Lights 
Now through Dec. 31
Head to Freeport for an unforgettable holiday experience at L.L. Bean’s flagship campus. See how Discovery Park is transformed into a winter wonderland where you can play, shop and be merry with the whole family. Take an interactive walk through the “holidays around the world” display, or warm up with free hot cocoa. 

Have a little elf that wants to meet Rudolph? Santa’s reindeer will be visiting L.L.Bean on Thursdays in December from 4-7 p.m (excluding Dec. 30). For a full list of events and holiday offerings at the Freeport campus, visit the store’s website. 

Holiday Light Display at Augusta Orthodontics 
Now through Dec. 31
While not an official event, you don’t want to miss this light display at Augusta Orthodontics in Maine’s capital city. Tune your radio to 97.1 FM and watch 10,000 lights shimmer and dance in tune to holiday classics you know and love. See the display for yourself at 132 State St. in Augusta through Dec. 31. 

The Nutcracker
Now through Dec. 23
See “The Nutcracker” come to life at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Experience the magic during the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” as the Maine State Ballet company puts on a truly enchanting performance accompanied by a live score. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Ticketmaster.

Stillwater Trail of Lights 
Now through Jan. 1 at the Stillwater Trail in Orono
Venture outdoors during the month of December for a socially distanced outdoor display of holiday lights. Best viewed after dark, 800 feet of the trail is now aglow with over 100,000 lights. For directions to this free display, click here. 

Christmas Vacation Week
Dec. 25 - Jan. 2 at Sunday River
Over the holiday break, you’ll find plenty of fun activities at Sunday River in Newry. From fireworks to extended night skiing, the resort promises a jam-packed week of celebration. For the full schedule of events or to purchase your lift ticket, click here. 

A Very Ida Christmas
Dec. 16 - 26
Enjoy a video-on-demand performance of Lewiston’s Public Theater’s “A Very Ida Christmas.”Watch as Maine’s “Woman Who Runs with the Moose” shares insights and advice for the holidays that is sure to give you a big ol’ belly laugh. To buy your ticket for the recorded performance, click here.