Rockland Main Street is ready for the annual Festival of Lights to get underway Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.

On November 14, the Rockland Main Street board, along with several community members and organizations, kicked off preparations for the upcoming holiday season with “Build Day.” That included setting up Santa’s workshop, supplied by Shed City for over two decades, festooning in traditional red, green, and gold, with a focus on classic holiday favorites, including candy canes, Christmas trees, and gingerbread.

Some people who get up at 6:30 in the morning to run post-Thanksgiving-themed marathons.

Then there's the rest of us, staring into our refrigerators on Friday, November 28, thinking, "What am I going to do with all of these leftovers?"

The most common ways to reuse Thanksgiving leftovers are making sandwiches, casseroles, and soups, but today we're going to elevate that concept with individual mini turkey pot pies, made super posh by substituting pie crust for puff pastry.

The 99th annual Pageant of the Nativity will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at 5 p.m., at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 425 Congress Street, in Portland.

The People’s United Methodist Church in Union will be hosting the annual Winterberry Fair, Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

The Fair will be offering a variety of items for sale.

In a time when acts of goodness and kindness are overshadowed by less altruistic reactions, a story of two small coastal towns communicating and reaching a neighborly decision is worth noting.

December 1 is the 37th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4:30 -5 p.m., in front of the Post Office in Belfast, to remember those we have lost and honor those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

"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.

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.

Thomaston is getting ready to welcome the holiday season with a full weekend of festive events during the annual Thomaston Christmas Festival. From December 5 through December 7, residents and visitors will find celebrations happening all across town.

This year’s festival is built through close collaboration among local businesses, organizations, and community partners who have come together to create a warm and lively holiday weekend, according to a news release from the Town of Thomaston.

More than a hundred VEX V5 Robotics Competition students and mentors from across the state will unite at Searsport District Middle/High School on Saturday, November 22, for the first annual Midcoast Maineiacs’ Turkey Bowl VEX V5 Robotics Competition, “Push Back”.

Knox Service Unit Girl Scouts Troops honored local veterans through heartfelt participation in several community Veterans Day events this month. 

During a ceremony at Appleton Village School on November 7, members of Troop 1875 and 1820 took part in the opening program by reading and performing In Flanders Fields by John McCrae. The event was beautifully organized by staff member Ms. Billings. 

Thomaston is getting ready to welcome the holiday season with a full weekend of festive events during the annual Thomaston Christmas Festival. From December 5 through December 7, residents and visitors will find celebrations happening all across town. This year’s festival is built through close collaboration among local businesses, organizations, and community partners who have come together to create a warm and lively holiday weekend, according to the Town of Thomaston, in a news release.

Rockport Garden Club’s annual Holly Berry Market has moved to the newly renovated Smiling Cow location, 41 Main St., Camden. As part of Christmas by the Sea weekend, the market will open Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 - 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and features holiday gifts, freshly arranged greenery, decorations, art, textiles and jewelry.

Head to Post Office Square, in Belfast, Saturday, Nov. 29, for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting sponsored by First National Bank.

Belfastians will begin gathering at 4:30 p.m. around the tree donated by Dave and Sue Aldrich, according to Our Town Belfast, in a news release. Attendees will enjoy carols and cookies baked by the Culinary Arts Program at the Waldo County Technical Center.

The public is invited to join together for a Ceremony of Remembrance on Sunday, November 23, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library. This gathering will offer a gentle space to honor those we miss and to find comfort in shared remembrance.

A brief and intimate non-sectarian ceremony will take place. If you wish, bring a photo or memento to place on the Remembrance Table.

The Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County present this event, which is free and open to all.

Coastal Recovery Community Center (CRCC) in Rockland is gearing up for the holiday-giving season. Supporting the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food and Energy Assistance program, visitors to CRCC’s 11 White Street center can drop off much-needed foodstuff for the holiday season.

There’s a special suggestion list on the donation box, according to CRCC, in a news release, but it is recommended that any items needing refrigeration or freezing to please take them directly to AIO at 1A Gordon Dr., Rockland, right off Thomaston Street. For more information, call AIO at 207.596.1043.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer Small Ruminant Meningeal and Lung Worm workshops at three locations this fall/winter, all from 10 a.m. - noon:

-Spring Creek Farm, 65 Drown Lane, Lyman on November 23, 2025;

-Hancock County UMaine Extension office, 63 Boggy Brook Rd., Ellsworth on December 7, 2025;

-UMaine Augusta, 284 Jewett Hall on January 17, 2026.