"What happens when you bring together ice carving, a polar plunge, fashionable pets, spectacular kids' activities, fun music, and delicious local food on a winter’s day?" said Camden Public Library, in a news release. "That's right - Camden Winterfest."

The 23rd annual Camden Winterfest will take place Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all of the beloved traditions including ice carving, polar plunge, doggie fashion show, music, hot food, and kids activities.

Maine State Park admission and hikes are free to First Day Hikers.

On January 1, four Maine State Parks will host guided First Day Hikes: Camden Hills State Park, Holbrook Island Sanctuary, Sebago Lake State Park, and Two Lights State Park. For those who prefer solitude or flexibility in scheduling, self-guided options are available statewide.

PAWS Animal Adoption Center in Camden has launched a Golden Ticket Raffle to support the shelter and PAWS Cares Clinic.

Only 250 tickets will be sold and winners will be drawn on January 5, 2026.

On Monday, January 19, 2026, AIO Food and Energy Assistance will host its sixth Fill The Strand with food and funds drive to benefit AIO’s Food Assistance, Energy Assistance, Weekend Meal, and Diaper Assistance Programs. This event challenges the community to fill every seat in the historic theater with bags of food and funds for AIO’s programs. AIO has raised over $165,000 in the first five Fill the Strand events, according to AIO, in a news release. The goal for the sixth event is to raise $40,000. The snow date is Monday, January 26. 

Join the Lincolnville Historical Society for its annual Christmas program, December 19, at 7 p.m., at the Beach Schoolhouse. Rosey Gerry will host the program, which features musical acts, storytelling and cookies.

The LHS is located at 33 Beach Road in Lincolnville. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the museum will be open upstairs if you would like to look around prior to the show, according to LHS, in a news release.

The show is free, but donations are always accepted. 

CAMDEN — In three short hours, shoppers streaming in and out of Reny's in Camden on Saturday morning opened their hearts and spontaneously gave to a pop-up fundraiser organized by North East Mobile Health Services and the Camden Fire Department. It was "Fill the Ambulance" with toys and other gifts for children under Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services care.

A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service entitled "What Child IS This" will be held Wednesday, December 24, at 7 p.m., at People's United Methodist Church, 13 Chapel Street, South Thomaston.

Everyone is invited.

Steve Norman, the director of the Belfast Free Library for the last 24+ years, is retiring. Join staff in celebrating his dedication to the library and the City of Belfast at a reception, Monday, Dec. 29, from 3 - 5 p.m., in the Abbott Room of the Library, 106 High Street. 

Come prepared with your favorite library stories. If you'd like to say a few words, remarks will start at 4 p.m. 

PORT CLYDE — Herring Gut Coastal Science Center presents A Winter Solstice Walk. The walk will take place Sunday, Dec. 21, from 9 - 10:30 a.m. Meet at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center, 59 Factory Road, Port Clyde.  

Join the group to celebrate the solstice with a light hike at Marshall Point Lighthouse led by Josh Waguli, Maine Master Naturalist.

"Enjoy activities for all ages and a wild tea ceremony to mark the shortest day of the year," said Herring Gut, in a news release.

Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County is offering two supportive, compassionate opportunities this winter for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one, according to a news release. Both programs are free and open to the community.

An effort in St. George to place wreaths on veterans' graves throughout town continues to grow, and organizers are asking for help this Dec. 13 to accomplish the goal.

"We love opening the doors to our community to Celebrate the Season," said Lincoln Home, in a news release.

Join the Lincoln Home family Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, from 3 - 5 p.m., for snacks and sweets and live music on every floor, including Orville Lee on guitar, Tyler and Amanda Arnold, and Loretta Morse Leighton.

"Come share the joy and warmth we celebrate every day at The Lincoln Home," said Lincoln Home.

Jock Robie will lead an indoor Worm Bin Harvest workshop, Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m., at Merryspring Nature Center. This session is for any interested alumni and new students, according to Merryspring, in a news release.

Melanie Feinberg will lead an online presentation called Winter Sowing, hosted by Merryspring Nature Center, Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 12 p.m.  

It was cold, but not enough to drive off a merry crowd that lined the sidewalks of Elm and Main Street in downtown Camden Friday evening, Dec. 6, for the annual Christmas by the Sea Parade. A traditional holiday season kick-off, the parade is an eclectic and happy gathering of friends and neighbors with those in the parade and those watching from the sides of the street all vigorously waving and shouting greetings to each other.

BELFAST — Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust for a festive luminary walk at the Head of Tide Preserve, Thursday, Dec, 18, from 4 - 6 p.m. The lighted trail will take participants on a short loop walk (less than a mile), through a field and along a wide path in the woods. 

On Dec. 6, a Christmas Craft Fair will be held at the Old Brick School, 44 School Street, in Warren, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome. Twenty-two vendors, and free entry.

The 39th annual Christmas By The Sea weekend, to be held December 5-7, 2025, begins Friday evening with a holiday parade, starting at 6 p.m., through downtown Camden followed by the annual tree-lighting at Harbor Park.

The First Universalist Church in Rockland will hold "The Longest Night: Blue Christmas Service", Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m., for those who find the holidays difficult because of a loss or other struggles.

This special evening service will be a meditative time that will provide space for grief, for reflection and remembering, and for taking the time to simply be and seek out stillness. An offering of hope and healing, it is open to all.

The First Universalist Church is located at 345 Broadway in Rockland.

Megan Harrigan hurried around the Union Street Brick Church in Bangor in September, gathering clients and bringing them to the back corner of the church where there was a makeshift clinic of folding tables and metal chairs. Each client was homeless, and most had an opioid addiction. Harrigan knew them all by name.