Before we dive in to our typical Weekend Guide content, Portland Old Port would like to say Happy Hanukkah and/or Merry Christmas! Whether you celebrate one or the other (or both), here’s wishing you all a continued happy and healthy holiday season.
Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled program…
Santa is on his way! And as Santa prepares for takeoff, you and your loved ones can hit the town and celebrate the last of the Christmas events and parties before he climbs down the chimney !
This holiday weekend, Free Street is the talk of the town, Portland House of Music and Events is taking flight, Flask Lounge is feeling the love and Maine Oyster Company is spending some time by the sea with Santa.
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, December 23rd – Sunday, December 25th
Friday the 23rd
Editor’s note: Weather isn’t looking great for Friday, please keep in mind that events may change and/or cancel.
UPDATE: ‘SANTA BY THE SEA’ HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO PENDING STORM. Will update if any changes! Thank you!
Santa By The Sea | Eastern Promenade Beach | 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Maine Oyster Company)
Will The Grinch of Casco Bay foil Papa MOC Clause’s plans to deliver presents to the children of Portland? Maine Oyster Company presents a LIVE on the water skit with holiday music and verse by “Oystah Guy” plus a chance to win 3 REAL Pearls. Come on down to the Eastern Prom Beach in Portland by 3:00 on Friday for a holiday joyous spectacle fit for all ages. Complementary shucked oysters and coffee by Coffee ME Up will be provided for all spectators! On Saturday, the celebrations continue at Maine Oyster Company as you can come meet Santa from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The Red Eye Flight Crew Presents Silent Flight: A Festive Funky Holiday Hang | PHOME | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
A not so silent night with Portland’s beloved and energetic nine-piece collective! Usually tackling a list of Pop, Funk, Soul, and more, Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew will take on the holiday season for one night only with a festive funky holiday hang at Portland House of Music and Events. Tickets here.
LOVE | Flask Lounge | 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Love is in the air! Every 4th Friday at Flask Lounge dance the night away to house and techno beats with Resident & Host DJ Jamie O’Sullivan! An evening built on respect, compassion and most importantly, love. 21+. $5 – $10 cover at door.
Magic 8 Ball Winter Solstice Concert | St. Lawrence Arts | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
If the days are getting shorter it must be time for Magic 8 Ball to make their annual winter trek up to Munjoy Hill. The boys will reach back into the extensive archives of past shows and present some Dylan, Waits, a whole bunch of original songs, and some tasty fan favorites in this special show, all in their favorite Portland venue, St. Lawrence Arts. Outstanding musicianship, soaring three-part harmonies, and off-the-cuff comic riffs are staples of the M8B shows. Tickets here.
Winter Market | Fork Food Lab | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Repeats Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Find the perfect gift for the foodies in your life or pick up that last-minute holiday party treat this Friday + Saturday at Fork Food Lab as they will have goods from over 20 of their members available for purchase. Hot sauces, tasty stocking stuffers, gift tags – even a local Maine seafood cookbook produced by their friends at the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association!
Talk Of The Town Comedy Show | Free Street | 8:00 PM
Talk of The Town is a comedy showcase and a “Bumping Mics” style discussion of topics brought by the performs to share with the city of Portland. Featuring the best comedians in the nation among side some local favorites for a FESTIVE holiday themed talk, this show will feature: Ian MacDonald (Comedy At Stroudwater Distillery), Amma Marfo (The Interrobang, Vulture), Connor McGrath (Portland Comedy Co-Op), Mo Awale (Don’t Tell Comedy), and Lucas O’ Neil (Comedy Central). Hosted by Marcus Cardona. Tickets here.
Saturday the 24th – Christmas Eve
All is calm, all is bright quiet. Many businesses are spending time with their loved ones at home for the holidays, but we managed to round up a few events for Christmas Eve and Christmas. If you’re looking for dine-in availability then there’s more to see with our Christmas Food Guide: Dine-In Options.
Christmas at Victoria Mansion | Victoria Mansion | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
If you haven’t had the chance to visit and tour Victoria Mansion before, the holiday season is the perfect time as their wonderful designers have pulled out all the stops to get visitors in the holiday spirit. With self-guided tours, walk through the house, view holiday decor, and learn more about the unique history of the mansion. Tickets here.
A Tuna Christmas |Portland Stage Co. | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
A funny holiday show that includes fierce and funny satires of life in Texas and all around this country. Like an American Chekhov– this play features flawed, sometimes truly horrible, funny human beings doing the best that they can and not succeeding. Portland Stage Co. delights in poking fun at the powerful and uncomfortable forces in our lives. A Tuna Christmas lives in this long tradition, and PSC encourages you to join them for to laugh, think, and contemplate.Tickets here.
Sunday the 25th – Christmas
Chinese Food and Films | Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
If your tradition on December 25th includes Chinese food and a movie – or if you would like it to – come join the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine for the afternoon! They will have a delicious Chinese buffet lunch catered by Maine Jewish Museum Director Dawn LaRochelle (who was a restaurateur and caterer in Western Massachusetts for over a decade), snacks, games, activities, Hanukkah-themed gifts for everyone, and movies. Come for a meal or to hang out and enjoy the afternoon together. The registration deadline is December 21st for the buffet, but you can skip the food and join them for just the festivities for free. Register here.
Over Christmas and looking to jump into New Year’s Eve celebrations? We have a guide for that! Breaking down all the special dining options, parties, concerts and more, here’s our Where to Dine-In, Takeout, and Hang Out for New Year’s Eve.
As always, check out our Events Calendar for more events in Portland.