Homecoming Duo takes center stage at the Maine Irish Heritage Center! Experience the precociously refined voice of Tanja Nachtigall, underpinned by the masterful chords of Maine guitarist Blake Hawley, as they captivate audiences with the allure of a bygone era. Join MIHC for a night that is sure to be fresh and familiar, a celebration of jazz’s treasured musical lineage. Tickets.
Happy Holidays, Portland!
As Christmas Eve approaches and Monday promises the joys of Christmas, we’ve wrapped up a festive collection of events to make your weekend merry and bright. From holiday shows to spirited holiday-themed parties, let’s make this pre-Christmas weekend a memorable celebration of the season.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, December 22nd – Sunday, December 24th, 2023
Friday the 22nd
Homecoming – An Evening of Jazz with Blake and Tanja | Maine Irish Heritage Center | 6:00 PM doors
Broken Men – Home for the Holidays | Portland House of Music & Events | 7:00 PM
Broken Men, Maine’s original jam band since 1982, is making their long-awaited return to Portland! For over 40 years, Portland’s original ‘Dead band’ have played their own brand of original and jam-band music to packed houses from Portland to New York City, including shows at CBGB’s, Fat Tuesday’s, Wetlands and countless other iconic clubs. The “B-Men” began their odyssey in 1982 and released several albums of original material featuring a unique blend of prog rock and jam, including 1991’s “In a Song” and the 1995 album “Live Bait”. The group still includes four of the original five members in their lineup, and now includes family member Dylan Jeffrey holding down the bottom-end (bass) for the boys. This is a rare opportunity to see one of Portland’s best and longest-running bands! Tickets.
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party | Cross Insurance Arena | All Weekend (Different Times)
Join Mickey Mouse and his friends at Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, an adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts! Look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell through immersive, fantastic worlds. Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen. Make memories during Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out celebration! Tickets.
Christmas at Victoria Mansion | Victoria Mansion | All Weekend: Friday + Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM (last entry at 3 PM) / Christmas Eve until noon
Step into a holiday wonderland at Victoria Mansion! Embrace the magic of the season as top florists, designers, and artists transform this historic mansion into a Victorian-era spectacle. This beloved tradition, now in its fourth decade, invites you to explore the enchanting ‘Colors of the Season’ theme. Wander through rooms adorned with vibrant hues inspired by both the holiday spirit and the Mansion’s own opulent palette. Join for a self-paced tour from November 24, 2023, to January 7, 2024, and discover the timeless beauty of a Victorian Christmas. Tickets.
Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm – Winter Solstice Concert | One Longfellow Square | 7 PM doors
Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, are excited to return to One Longfellow Square, for their annual Winter Solstice Celebration. Inanna has been playing together since 1989, and chose their name after the ancient Sumerian Goddess who was worshiped more than 4,000 years ago when it is believed that the drummers were predominantly women. Her story of descent and reemergence is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, and in some versions of the myth Inanna is called back to the upper world through the sound of the drum. In this season, when the nights are longest, Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, through their rich harmonies and powerful percussion, welcome back the return of the light. The band has traveled throughout the world to study with master drummers, in particular, Famoudou Konaté, Yaya Diallo, Layne Redmond, Glen Velez, and Babatunde Olatunji. Tickets.
Capital City Improv: An Improvised Holiday Special | The Hill Arts | 7:00 PM
Get ready for a laughter-filled sleigh ride! Inspired by the heartwarming and sometimes hilariously predictable Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, this event is like unwrapping a surprise gift of laughter and joy. Picture this: talented comedians take your suggestions, blend them with classic holiday tales, and whip up an entirely improvised holiday story that’ll have you ho-ho-ho-ing all night long. Whether it’s a small-town bakery, a magical snow globe, or a charming but overly ambitious event planner, nothing is off-limits in this comedic adventure. Let Capital City Improv sprinkle some holiday magic into your evening! Tickets.
Saturday the 23rd
Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew Present Fly Hard: A Flight Crew Christmas | PHOME | 8 PM doors
Get ready to take off on a high-flying musical adventure with Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew! This holiday show is here to prove that Christmas music can be as action-packed as a Bruce Willis blockbuster. Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew are no ordinary musical ensemble. With members hailing from acclaimed bands like Rustic Overtones, Jaw Gems, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, and Model Airplane, they’ve come together to create a musical force to be reckoned with. Fronted by Gina Alibrio, whose vocals have been likened to blues sensation Susan Tedeschi, and armed with songwriting skills reminiscent of a young Christine McVie, this nine-piece powerhouse is set to deliver an unforgettable Christmas performance. Tickets.
The Chad Banks Christmas Special | Citrus | 8 PM doors
A night of electrifying beats and pulsating rhythms! Chad Banks, born and raised on the NH seacoast, is bringing his musical talents to the decks for a holiday celebration. Chad Banks is no stranger to the world of music. From playing various instruments in his childhood to transitioning into DJ’ing, he’s honed his skills to perfection. His journey led him to graduate from Full Sail University with an associate’s degree in audio engineering and recording arts. Now, as the resident DJ at The Press Room in Portsmouth, he’s ready to rock the dance floor with his unique style. When Chad Banks takes control of the turntables, you can expect a night of long-format mixes that seamlessly blend genres like Nu Disco, Deep House, Dance, Electronic, Drum n Bass, Jackin House, Vocal House, and more. If you’re looking for a Christmas celebration with a twist and a dancefloor that won’t quit, join at Citrus for The Chad Banks Christmas Special.
Saturday Sessions: Home for the Holidays w/ DJ Jay-C | Henry’s Public House | 9:30 PM
Bring it on home in style this holiday season with DJ Jay-C at Henry’s Public House. The real party kicks off at 9:30 PM when the upstair dance floor comes alive with a festive and holiday-infused playlist of dance music that’s guaranteed to make you move. Perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with great food, drinks, and dancing.
Yule Funk | Flask Lounge | 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
A winter solstice + year’s end get down for all, brought to you by Kid Ray and Dereloid! Groove, move, and get down to the “Yule Funk” at Flask Lounge. Kid Ray and Dereloid are your musical maestros, and they’re bringing the funk to keep you dancing all night long. The dance floor will be sizzling with beats that’ll warm you up, and the party vibes will be as hot as a crackling Yule log. Dance your way into the holidays and bid adieu to the 2023 year.
Sunday the 24th – Christmas Eve
Sorry, it’s sparse, it is Christmas Eve after all! Check out our Christmas Food Guide: Pre-Order and Dine-in Options which includes restaurants and bars open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.