CAMDEN — The First Congregational Church of Camden will host several festive events during ‘Christmas by the Sea’ weekend in Camden, December 6-8, 2024.

On Friday, December 6, at 12 noon, ‘Christmas by the Sea’ weekend will kick off with a fun and festive holiday variety show, led by Director of Music, Matthew Mainster. Selections for voice, piano, flute, violin, cello, harp, handbells and more will be featured. This concert will be presented free of charge courtesy of First Congregational Church’s Friends of Music program. Donations welcomed in support of the Friends of Music program.

On Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Holiday Craft Fair will be held in the Pilgrim Room, featuring a variety of fine crafts made by local artisans. Shop for jewelry, wood crafts, needle felting, wreaths, soaps, quilting, ornaments, knit hats and mittens, pet gifts, holiday decorations, and more.

Also on Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m., the church will host the eighteenth 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. This concert is also free of charge, with donations welcomed in support of PAWS Animal Adoption Center. Seating for the handbell concert will begin at 3:30 p.m., and attendees will be treated to pre-concert music by the Rockport Flute Choir starting at 3:45 p.m.

For more information about these events, please contact The First Congregational Church at 236-4821.