CAMDEN — The First Congregational Church of Camden will host several festive events during ‘Christmas by the Sea’ weekend in Camden, November 30 through December 2.

On Friday, November 30 at 12 p.m. noon, the church will kick off ‘Christmas by the Sea’ weekend with a fun and festive lunchtime concert of holiday selections for piano, organ, voice, chorus, ukulele, and more, lead by Director of Music, Matthew Mainster. This concert will be presented free of charge courtesy of First Congregational Church’s Friends of Music program. Donations will be welcomed in support of the Friends of Music program.

On Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Holiday Craft Fair will be held in the Pilgrim and Mayflower Rooms, featuring a variety of fine crafts made by local artisans. Come shop for jewelry, candles, decorative painting on glass and wood, needle felting, stained glass, wreaths, soaps, quilting, ornaments, knit hats and mittens, holiday decorations, and more!

Also on Saturday, December 1, at 4 p.m., the church will host the thirteenth annual Ringing in the Season handbell concert. This year’s concert will feature Choral Bells of the First Congregational Church of Camden and Penobscot Bay Ringers, also of Camden, plus the Midcoast Community Chorus Chorale. This concert is also free of charge, with donations welcomed in support of Sussman House. Seating for the handbell concert will begin at 3 p.m., and attendees will be treated to pre-concert music by Emily Emmott, vocalist, and Matthew Mainster, pianist, starting at 3:40 p.m.

Come and enjoy the crafts, music, and holiday cheer in downtown Camden. For more information about these events, please contact The First Congregational Church at (207) 236-4821.