Portland, Maine is buzzing this week, so if listeners are wondering what to do, let’s dive right in.
This afternoon, art lovers should head to the East Bayside neighborhood for the Running With Scissors Art Studios annual Holiday Sale and Open Studios at 250 Anderson Street. According to Maine Public’s community calendar, more than 40 member artists are opening their 16,000–square–foot maker space from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, with everything from ornaments and jewelry to textiles, ceramics, photography, and large-scale art. Food and drink vendors like Vagabond Coffee and Vina Ann’s are on site, and admission is free, so it’s an easy, festive way to support local makers and pick up last-minute gifts.
If listeners want to get outside after dark, New England’s largest walk-through light show is happening just a short drive away. The Maine Public calendar notes that this event runs through early January and features a one-mile trail with over two million lights, including trees wrapped up to 90 feet high. It’s a classic holiday-in-Maine experience and a great option for families or anyone chasing that winter magic.
Downtown, sports fans can lean into the energy at the Cross Insurance Arena, where The Summit Project lists the Maine Mariners in action this evening. Concessions run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., making it perfect to grab dinner, watch some hockey, and feel like a local for the night.
For a cozy cultural fix, music and theater are center stage all week. PortTIX highlights Portland Symphony Orchestra’s beloved Magic of Christmas at Merrill Auditorium, with performances spread across this week and weekend. The Portland Symphony Orchestra describes the show as featuring the full orchestra, the Magic of Christmas Chorus, the PSO Children’s Chorus, and special guests, mixing traditional carols, seasonal favorites, and storytelling into one big holiday spectacle. It’s one of those “only in Portland in December” traditions.
Ballet fans can look ahead to Portland Ballet’s A Victorian Nutcracker, also featured by PortTIX, bringing a 19th-century Portland twist to the classic story later this week and into the weekend. Think elegant costumes, local history flavor, and plenty of Tchaikovsky.
Families should also keep an eye on the Portland Museum of Art’s events calendar. The museum is hosting programs like a Muppets puppet-making workshop with Mayo Street Arts, giving kids and kids-at-heart a hands-on creative break from the cold.
And for listeners who love to wander, the Portland Print Crawl, highlighted on Maine Public’s calendar, turns the city into a self-guided tour of print shops and studios. Participants pick up a letterpress passport at any participating shop, collect unique stamps as they go, and can even enter to win a handmade poster. It’s a fun way to explore neighborhoods, meet artists, and see how prints are made.
So whether listeners are into lights and music, live hockey, or studio-hopping with a coffee in hand, Portland, Maine is packed with ways to make this week and weekend feel festive, local, and memorable.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s happening next. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Show more...