SEARSPORT — The Town of Searsport will light its Christmas tree on the Crescent, inaugurating the holiday season with a weekend of celebrations on Friday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m.  

Also on Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Penobscot Marine Museum Sea Captain’s house will be open to the public, with each room decorated for a Victorian Christmas.  

The Museum Store will host six Maine authors, including Hampden novelist Ardeana Hamlin and children’s book author and illustrator Douglas Coffin. Also in the Museum Store the red velvet dress designed by Edith Head for Rosemary Clooney in the 1954 movie White Christmas, and Victorian and nautical-themed Christmas Gingerbread scenes will be on display. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Museum’s Sea Captain’s House, part of the Searsport Historic Society House Tour, will host live music performances from 10 a.m. to noon by Ralph Stanley and his fiddle group, and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., by an ensemble from the Pen Bay Singers. At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Katie Hassler, Librarian at Carver Library will read 19 Christmas favorites. The First Congregational Church will be open for tours of this historic building with spectacular stained glass windows and refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

The Searsport Historical Society House Tour is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4  p.m. The tour includes eight 19th century Searsport homes, beautifully decorated for Christmas. Refreshments will be served at Searsport Historical Society’s Coleman House. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now at Searsport Antique Mall and on the day of the tour at Searsport Historical Society’s Coleman House.

For a complete schedule or more information go to penobscotmarinemuseum.org or call the Visitors Center 207-548-0334 or Administrative Offices at 207-548-2529.