DECEMBER

1 - Southport Lights Up! - At the Southport General Store, Rte 27, Southport Island. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Caroling with the students of Southport Central School, the lighting of the holiday characters; pizza and cider too!

1, 7, 8 - Christmas Tree Train - At Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington (WW&F) Railway, 97 Cross Road, Alna. Trains will operate in the evenings between Sheepscot Station and the end of the track at Top of the Mountain, from which passengers will disembark and travel a short distance to the SeaLyon tree farm where they may pick their tree. The Railway will haul the tree back to Sheepscot Station! Advance reservations required, details to be announced at http://wwfry.org or call 882-4193.

1, 7 , 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 - The North Pole Express - Boothbay Railway Village fires up the steam train (trains run every hour) for a holiday ride, the North Pole Express. Great family outing! Treats! 586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27, Boothbay. Departure times, details: https://railwayvillage.org

1-31 - Gardens Aglow - At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, transformed into a magical winter wonderland with 650,000 lights – through Dec. 31. Tickets, info: www.mainegardens.org

6-8 - Christmas at Nickels-Sortwell House -Noon to 3 p.m. 121 Main St., Wisccasset. See one of America’s most beautiful homes decorated for the holidays as floral designers and history enthusiasts envision Christmas in the 1920s. Take a self-guided tour of the first floor of this elegant 1807 mansion, then stop in the original kitchen for a warm drink and a treat. $5 Historic New England members and Wiscasset residents, $10 nonmembers. Tickets: www.HistoricNewEngland.org or 882-7169.

6-8 - Festival of Trees -The magical holiday forest returns! Opera House, 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. See Nov. 30 listing for details.

6, 8, 13, 15, 20 - Candlelight & Cocktails on the Rails - Refreshments, a 15-minute steam train ride (trains run every half hour). Follow a guide to our exhibits; enjoy pairings of vintage cocktails and tastings. Boothbay Railway Village, 586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27, Boothbay. Departure times/details: https://railwayvillage.org

7 - Harbor Lights Festival - Santa, Mrs. Claus and their North Pole entourage come to town. Wagon rides, lighted boat parade, visit with The Clauses, live Nativity, craft show, Festival of Trees and more. Events around downtown Boothbay Harbor. Call Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce for more info: 633-2353.

13 - The Dough Ball preview party - Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. Gingerbread Spectacular winners announced! 5:30 p.m. Tickets: 633-5159 www.boothbayoperahouse.com

14 - Victorian Christmas - Free trains, horse-drawn wagon rides (sleigh if there’s snow), visit from Santa, cookies! 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. WW& F Railway, 97 Cross Road, Alna. 882-4193. http://wwfry.org

14, 15 - Gingerbread Spectacular - Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. See Gingerbreads! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Music. Bake sale. Free admittance. www.boothbayoperahouse.com

18 - Men's Night - Local merchants offer super discounts to finish those Christmas lists – and some will even be cooking up burgers and other tasty treats on the sidewalks to keep up your strength.

18 - Holiday Potluck & Carol Sing - Music by Kevin Kiley on piano and vocalists. Doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner around 6, music around 6:45. All ages. Bring a main dish, side dishes to share. Please bring serving and eating utensils, plates. Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. FMI: www.boothbayoperahouse.com

20 - Coig Christmas concert - The last show of the Opera House’s 2019 season, a Celtic holiday show. Friday, Dec. 20. 7:30 p.m. 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. Tickets: 633-5159 and www.boothbayoperahouse.com