So sure, the temperature may have dropped and the tryptophan in the Thanksgiving Turkey may be making you sleepy, but is that really any reason to miss out on the amazing events happening across Portland this weekend? We think not. Especially when there are so many holiday festivities kicking off including the Monument Square Tree Lighting, Funksgiving, Christmas at Victoria Mansion, The Nutcracker and more.
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, Nov. 25th – Sunday, Nov. 27th, 2022
Friday the 25th
Christmas at Victoria Mansion | Victoria Mansion | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Multiple dates)
Welcome to Christmas at Victoria Mansion! The mansion’s wonderful designers have pulled out all the stops to get visitors in the holiday spirit. Tours at Christmas are self-guided, with docents throughout the house available to share the unique history of the Mansion. Masks are required. Tickets here.
Holiday Fundraiser with Ironcald Eats | Belleflower Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM (Repeats Saturday)
This time of year is challenging for many people out there and Ironclad Eats wanted to embrace the true spirit of the holiday season: giving. They are partnering with Preble Street and Belleflower Brewing to hold a food/donation drive. In a style true to themselves they are going to have fun with it, but far more importantly hoping you all pitch in as well. Please consider coming by and contributing to this wonderful cause if you are able by bringing a non perishable food item, warm winter suitable clothing, sleeping bags, personal hygiene items or even just a simple cash donation! Afternoon events include beer, tacos, and a Ironclaus. Donate here.
FIFA World Cup Monument Square Watch Party | Monument Square | 2:00 PM
Here’s something for soccer fans to get excited about! USL to Portland, the movement to bring professional soccer to Portland, is using the World Cup as a way to build upon and energize the already large fanbase of soccer in the area, with watch parties happening all throughout Portland through the entirety of the World Cup. The main event comes on Black Friday, November 25th, with a massive, public watch party right in Monument Square for the Round 1 USA vs England match! Come feel the energy of the crowd as you cheer on the United States on the big screen! This is sure to invigorate the spirit of the World Cup into all who come to watch, as the crowd roots for our home team together.
For more on where to watch the World Cup 2022 in Portland, Maine, check out our guide here.
Monument Square Tree Lighting | Monument Square | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Stay for the annual tree lighting at Monument Square after the World Cup match! Live music, free eggnog samples, a Holiday Spectacular show by Mad Science Maine, live ice carving demonstrations, face painting, and more! These family-fun spectacular festivities will lead up to the magical moment when a stately 50-foot tree is illuminated by thousands of LED lights and the iconic Pandora’s Winter Lights sponsored by Portland Downtown are turned on city wide.
Maine State Ballet | The Nutcracker | Merrill Auditorium | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Repeats Sunday)
Maine State Ballet presents six performances of its critically acclaimed classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker, over two weekends November 25th through December 4th. This family tradition ushers in the holiday season and is Northern New England’s largest and most spectacular Nutcracker. Thirty professional ballet company members comprise the large cast under the direction of Maine State Ballet’s Artistic Director and former New York City Ballet member, Linda MacArthur Miele. Featuring the traditional story of the Nutcracker Prince and Clara with gorgeous costumes and scenery. Returning this year accompanying this production of The Nutcracker will be the live music of the Maine State Ballet Orchestra and Chorus. Tickets here.
Model Airplane’s Funksgiving | Portland House of Music & Events | 8:00 PM (Repeats Saturday)
Expected to sellout! Model Airplane is Portland, Maine based 7-piece Funkalicious Soul Explosion that doesn’t give you a choice but to dance. Tickets here.
Saturday the 26th
Small Business Saturday | Longfellow Books | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time to shop local for the holiday season and if you know Longfellow Books, you know that they don’t really discount books all that often (primarily because they think books are worth every penny). However, one thing they care even more deeply about is shopping locally, and supporting Portland’s independently-owned small businesses. This holiday season they feel it’s especially important to keep the dollars on the peninsula and to that end, they will be offering 10% off your entire purchase all day if you have a receipt showing you patronized another independently-owned small business on the peninsula. It could be as small as a cup of coffee or as large as a surfboard. All they ask is that you spend some time exploring all the peninsula has to offer.
THROWBACK PARTY | Urban Farm Fermentory | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Dredcarpet Productions present a special Thanksgiving Weekend THROWBACK PARTY featuring beats by DJ Dale Da Dred. 80s, 90s, 2000s R&B, Hip Hop, Funk, Disco, House, Reggaeton Reggae, Latin. 21+ to enter. Tickets here.
Holiday Sip + Shops | Stroudwater Distillery | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Tis the season to shop small at Stroudwater Distillery’s Holiday Sip and Shops! For pre planners and last minute shoppers alike, they have 4 Holiday Sip and Shops this holiday season! Shop local, Maine made vendors and find the perfect gift for loved ones, friends and everyone in between. They’ll have their bar and kitchen open during the event, so grab a cocktail and browse all the awesome vendors. Plus their holiday cocktail gift baskets will be available for purchase!
The Few | The Porthole | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Live Music with The Few at The Porthole! A rock band based out of Maine, playing music fun for all ages!
HIVESGIVING: 2022 Finale & Charity Drive | Free Street | 8:00 PM
HIVE is a community of music lovers and purveyors, dancers, and artists that gather to give the beautiful city of Portland the art-fueled dance party it deserves. This month, HIVE returns to Free Street for their final party of the year. You heard that right, with Christmas during their regularly scheduled event, this will be the send of the season to leave it all on the dance floor. Dance performances, visuals, and DJ sets. This month, they will use this HIVE to give back to the community and to donate to Maine Needs. Tickets here.
Sunday the 27th
Shops & Hops | Liquid Riot | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Liquid Riot is hosting their first-ever holiday craft fair! The event will feature local artists and shopkeepers so you can #ShopSmall this holiday season while being able to enjoy yummy food and drink specials. Here are some of the vendors going to be there: Beach Bum Threads,Maggie Nelson Studio, Design With Merit,Weavings By Halley and more!
Arcadia Leftover Classic | Arcadia National Bar | 12:00 PM
The Leftover Classic returns for 2022! The Leftover Classic is a yearly tournament for the greatest prize in all of pinball: a big ol’ Thanksgiving leftover sandwich from the magicians at Dutch’s. This is a progressive 10-strike tournament. You’ll play one game per round in groups of 3 of 4, and essentially will take a strike for every person you lose to in that game. 1st on a game receives 0 strikes, 2nd gets 1, 3rd gets 2, and 4th gets 3. Once you get 10 strikes, you’re out. Last person standing wins the giant sando (and less importantly, some money). Doors at noon, tournament start at 1pm. Please be checked in by 12:45 so event can hit the ground running for an action-packed day. For $30 entry fee and sign up view instructions here.
Spencer and the Walrus present the 20th Annual Beatles Night | State Theatre | 7:00 PM (Saturday as Well)
Now in it’s 20th year, Spencer and the Walrus is a band of Portland, ME based musicians who come together through a shared love of Beatles music. Members Spencer Albee, Zach Jones, Sean Morin, Jon Roods, Natalie Mishell Martinez and Andrew Hodgkins vie to recreate The Beatles recordings as accurately as possible in a live show setting. They are joined onstage by a six piece horn section. Celebrating the music of The Beatles with as much reverence and enthusiasm as possible, while leaning into in to the power of the live performance. This show is a joy for people aged 0 to 100. Tickets here.
This year, Spencer and the Walrus and the State Theatre have partnered with Maine Family Planning so that $1 from every ticket sold goes to ensuring that all Maine people have access to high-quality, affordable reproductive health care, comprehensive sexual health education, and the right to control their reproductive lives.
For more events, head to our full Events Calendar here.