It’s beginning to look like a winter wonderland in Brunswick, ME and surrounding areas, with a variety of season-appropriate events scheduled throughout December and into 2018 for the whole family to enjoy.

With holiday decorations up and festive activities well underway, we thought we’d share some local events and shopping destinations you won’t want to miss. After all, isn’t that what the season is all about? Plus, the majority of these events are free, which makes them even more magical, right? Check out what’s going on in and around Brunswick, Maine this season:

Family Fun

For those looking for a fun-filled day or night where there’s something for everyone, check out these family-friendly holiday events:

FREE Showing of Polar Express at Nordica Theatre
(Suggested food/money donation to benefit the BackPack Program at the Freeport Community Center)
Saturday, December 16 and Saturday, December 23, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Grab the kiddos for a free showing of the classic holiday movie, The Polar Express.

A Victorian Christmas
Saturday, December 16, and Saturday, December 23, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Offering train rides and horse-drawn wagon/sleigh-rides, visits with Santa and more, Victorian Christmas at the WW&F Railway Museum provides fun for the whole family.

Live Radio Play: It’s a Wonderful Life
Go back in time to before television, with this live radio play of a holiday classic at the Portland State Theatre. Dates and times vary through December 24th. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Visit with Santa at Island Treasure Toys
Saturday, December 17, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Santa’s in town this weekend! Don’t miss your chance to meet Santa and his Elf at Island Treasure Toys, at 20 Bow Street in Freeport, Maine. Get some last-minute shopping done while you’re there! For additional details about this free event, visit their website or Facebook page.

Portland Symphony: Magic of Christmas
The Merrill Auditorium in Portland is hosting the Portland Symphony for a production of the Magic of Christmas on December 15, 16, and 17. 2017 is the 38th year of the performance and Robert Moody’s final season as Music Director. You may purchase tickets here.

Holiday Shopping Destinations

Village Candle, Wells, ME
This rustic style country store is a great holiday gift destination for anyone on your list. Products can be purchased online or in a variety of gift stores and grocery stores throughout the country and around the world. However, we recommend visiting the retail store in Wells, ME; not only does the store smell wonderful inside, but it looks great, too. Ouellet is proud to have worked on the construction of this retail store in conjunction with Orcutt Associates, out of Yarmouth, ME.  

Day’s Jewelers, Topsham, ME
Formerly located in Brunswick, ME, this Day’s Jewelers location is both elegant and enchanting. If you still have someone special on your list, you’ll definitely want to stop in the next time you’re at the Topsham Fair Mall. In addition to an expansive selection of fine jewelry, they also provide a variety of services, including custom jewelry design, jewelry cleaning and inspection, repairs, engraving, and more. Ouellet worked with CWS Architects and Store Design & Fixturing to construct and design this inviting retail space.  

L.L. Bean Northern Lights Celebration

If anyone knows how to brighten up the holidays, it’s L.L. Bean. Though the celebration began in mid-November at L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport, ME, there are still many festivities happening through December 31st. If you haven’t made your way over to the Northern Lights Celebration, it’s worth a visit.

Whether you still having holiday shopping to take care of, or you’re looking for family-friendly entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do:

Discovery Forest (FREE)
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week through Dec 31
Who doesn’t want to take a walk through an enchanted, lighted forest? After a magical stroll, guests are invited into a new warming yurt, where letters to Santa can be written and mailed straight to the North Pole.

Visit with Santa and Reindeer (FREE)
Fridays – Sundays through Dec 23 (Fridays: 4 – 8 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Children can share their wish lists with Santa himself, and of course, meet his reindeer, while parents can snap a photo or two to capture the memory.

Model Train Village
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week through Dec 31
Come take a look at a cute, mini New England village, complete with a miniature L.L. Bean store, kids playing in the snow, and of course, a village train. (Located in the Kid’s department.)

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides (FREE)
Saturdays & Sundays through Dec. 23 (3 – 7 p.m.)
Take in the holiday lights from the inside of a horse-drawn wagon. Give your feet a rest, while the kids enjoy a fun way to explore the village.

Story Time & Crafts (FREE)
Saturdays through Dec 23 10:30 a.m – 2 p.m.
Kids can participate in a book reading, and then take part in a fun holiday project.

Live, Festive Music (FREE)
Saturdays through Dec 23 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
What holiday season would be complete without live and festive music performances? Take a shopping break and enjoy the music.

New Year’s Eve

Looking for a fun way to ring in the new year?

L.L. Bean New Year’s Eve Celebration: Kid Night
Sunday, December 31 (Starts at 11 a.m., fireworks at 6 p.m.)
This event promises to provide fun for the whole family, including crafts, entertainment, music and fireworks to ring in the new year.

Wine and Oysters
Sunday, December 31 (21+)
Interested in doing something sophisticated this New Year’s Eve? How about a wine and oysters walk in Portland, ME? Visit four different restaurants and experience Maine oysters and savory wine at each. Plus, you’ll learn more than you ever knew there was to know about wine. Tickets can be purchased here.

With so many things to do and see in Brunswick and close by, all you have to do this holiday season is to step outside your door. The Ouellet Construction team wishes you and your family and friends the happiest of holidays.
Do you need help with your next construction project? Contact Ouellet Construction today to get started.