Camden Public Library invites the public to a musical poetry reading by Gary Chapin of his poetry chapbook The Last Accordion He Will Ever Buy on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m., in Camden Public Library’s Picker Room. Chapin will intersperse his poetry with accordion, accompanied by Steve Gruverman on bass clarinet. Light refreshments will be served.

Camden Public Library invites the public to a presentation by wilderness backpacker Tom Jamrog on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m., in the Camden Public Library’s Picker Room. This presentation is free and open to everyone.

The Penobscot Bay Singers will present their Holiday Concert, “Gloria!” in three concerts: Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., at the Searsport Congregational Church; Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast; and at a special fundraising concert on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., at the Belfast United Methodist Church.

"The Good Tern Co-op wishes Happy Holidays to all with a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the Good Tern’s Hole In The Wall Bagel Shop, 754 Main Street, in Rockland, on Sunday, December 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.," said Good Tern, in a news release.

Children of all ages and their families are invited for breakfast and a special meet n' greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Kids will be able to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus, decorate Christmas cookies and experience the joy of the season.

Belfast Senior College will host a tour of the Waldo County Technical Center, at 1022 Waterville Road (Rt.137), on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from noon to 1:45 p.m.

The tour will begin with a light lunch prepared by the Culinary Arts students in their newly refurbished cafe. Tour participants will then be given a tour of the areas where eleven technical programs are taught.

This event is free and open to the public. To register, or for information, go to https://belfastseniorcollege.org or call 207-707-6010.

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is holding an open house during Rockland's Main Street Festival of Lights.

Visit the Center Saturday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., to celebrate the season and the artists, Carol Sloane and Rebecca Goodale, in the Art Gallery. 

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center presents its next Cabin Fever Series featuring Charles Walsh and Jon Steuber, owners of Seascale Maine. The program takes place December 4, from 6 - 7 p.m., at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center, 59 Factory Road, Port Clyde.

The Underground Lounge will host Maine native songwriter Louisa Stancioff on Friday, Dec. 5, at 17 Court Street, just under the Basil Burwell Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and music begins promptly at 7 p.m.

A special holiday encore presentation of The Metropolitan Opera’s “The Magic Flute” will be presented in an abridged, English-language version at the Strand Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. Running time for this captured-live screening is about two hours.

A treasured holiday tradition, Mozart’s heartwarming fairy tale takes the stage in an acclaimed production by Julie Taymor—the Tony Award–winning director of Broadway’s “The Lion King.”

The Metropolitan Opera’s 2025–26 Live in HD season continues at the Strand Theatre with a simulcast of Umberto Giordano “Andrea Chénier” on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. An encore screening will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. Reserved seats are offered for the live transmission, according to the Strand, in a news release.  

The Strand Theatre will screen four classic holiday movies on Sundays during December. This holiday series is presented by Turner Classic Movies, and advance tickets are available. 

The Strand provides the following descriptions:

Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra (MoJO) will perform a joyful celebration featuring classic holiday favorites and big band swing tunes,  Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Belfast.

"From sparkling brass to smooth saxophones, this concert will lift your spirits and set the perfect tone for the holiday season," said MoJO, in a news release.

Admission is open to all.

"Bring your family, invite your friends, and share in the magic of live music this holiday season," said MoJO.

Friends of the Rockport Public Library will hold a December Book Sale, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the library’s lower level. 

The Rockport Public Library Poets’ Corner will host a celebration of the second volume of the Midcoast Poetry Journal on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., in the lower level of the Rockport Public Library. The new volume is a collection of poems by nearly fifty Midcoast poets. The public is invited to enjoy readings by the contributing poets followed by an open mic.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m., the final program in the Climate Resilience speaker series at the Belfast Free Library will be a talk, “What’s Going on with Maine’s Climate” with Sean Birkel.

Maine State Climatologist Sean Birkel oversees the Maine Climate Office, and provides climate and weather information to Maine stakeholders to facilitate decision-making, policy, and planning. He will present about historical trends and future projections for resiliency planning.

The Owls Head Transportation Museum (OHTM) invites the community to celebrate the season at the Holidays at the Museum event on Sunday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This annual tradition offers free admission, festive activities, and hands-on fun for families and visitors of all ages. Guests are invited to explore the museum’s collection of historic aircraft, automobiles, and engines while enjoying a robust lineup of holiday and STEM-centered activities, including:

Fire & Frost, a seasonal, family-friendly winter concert by the Penobscot Bay Orchestra, will feature Penobscot Bay Orchestra Young Musician Scholarship recipient Miles Ortiz-Curtis as flute soloist.

Two free, one-hour concerts will be offered.

Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., at Belfast Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller Street, Belfast, Maine, 04915

Sunday, December 7, at 3 p.m., sees the return of the Penobscot Bay Handbell Ringers in concert at the First Congregational Church in Searsport. Located in Searsport, at 8 Church Street, this traditional, seasonal Holiday Handbells concert features a 5-octave handbell choir based in Camden. 

"Come hear the beautiful music of handbells, including ensemble ringing, and special selections," said a news release. "This concert is sure to get you in the holiday spirit."

Jacqueline Crucet will replace Kerry Hadley as gallery manager at Maine Art Gallery (MAG). Hadley is retiring after guiding project management and development activities of the organization for the past five years. Crucet will take over these duties as well as that of the onsite gallery administrator.

"An arts and cultural leader with extensive experience managing exhibitions, community programs, and nonprofit partnerships, Crucet has proven her skills in strategic planning and revitalizing cultural spaces," said MAG.