Twinkling lights against the soft grey of the Kennebec…historic buildings in festive dress…the sparkle of winter’s first snowfall…store windows decorated for the holidays…craft fairs, music and hometown get-togethers…
It’s an excellent time of year to be a part of Bath’s vibrant community. As the temperature drops our spirits rise and true values in life shine through; friends, family, shelter, warmth, good food, and hats and mittens. Don’t let the mere 10 hours of daylight slow you down, there are plenty of activities all through the month of December to help you enjoy an Old-fashioned Christmas in Bath!
Downtown Holiday Open House
Downtown Bath invites you to a very special shopping evening on Friday, December 18th. The streets will glow with lights and holiday spirit as we celebrate Front Street’s recent recognition as one of the 10 Great Streets in America!
Stores will stay open until 8pm with unique, useful, stylish and heartwarming gift selections for everyone on your list. On Front Street, the lobbies of First Federal Savings & Loan, Bath Savings Institution, Key Bank and The Kennebec Company at the Customs House will also be open from 5-8pm to warm shoppers with music, refreshments and entertainment.
Please plan to join us and be prepared to vote for your favorite store window during downtown Bath’s Window Decorating Contest, which begins that evening through December 20th. Your vote will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Gift of Bath gift certificate. Look for the ballot boxes in downtown businesses! Contest and drawing winners will be announced December 21st at Bath’s annual community caroling party, Sing! It’s Christmas! at the Chocolate Church Arts Center.
Click HERE for your own Christmas Calendar of Events.
December 11 – 13
Scrooge, presented by Studio Theatre
7:30 p.m. – December 11 & 12
2:00 p.m. – December 13
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St. 442-8637
December 11 & 12
Christmas Fair at the Annex
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – December 11
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – December 12
New and homemade gifts, decorations, ornaments and stocking stuffers. Homemade baked goods & candy, snack bar and cookie walk. All proceeds go to the missions.
Corliss Street Baptist Church Annex, corner of Weeks & Middle, 443-4747
St. Philip’s Annual Christmas Fair
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Fresh greens, arrangements, sprays & swags, local crafters & much more. A delicious soup and sandwich lunch will be available and the Bargain Basement Thrift Store will be open. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge St., Wiscasset, 882-7184
Bath Municipal Band Christmas Concert
1:30 p.m.
Festive holiday music by Bath’s own Municipal Band directed by Kathy Downing. Open to the public, donations accepted. St. Mary’s Church, 144 Lincoln St. FMI 841-3002
December 12 &13
Candy Cane Train
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Support literacy in your community while enjoying a scenic holiday train ride that’s fun for the whole family! The Candy Cane Train leaves the Bath Train Station, travels to Wiscasset and back to Bath (total time is just under 90 minutes). Hot chocolate and cookies are served on family trains and Santa and his elves are onboard! Family train tickets are $16 for each passenger regardless of age. All proceeds benefit Tri-County Literacy, a non-profit organization working in Midcoast Maine to improve lives through improved literacy. Tickets can be reserved by credit card at www.brownpapertickets.com. For local purchase (no credit cards), please use order forms available on our event website www.candycanetrain.com, or in person at Tri-County Literacy office. FMI 443-6384
December 13
Bath Antiques Show
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
55 dealers will have wonderful antique merchandise for sale at the Bath Middle School. Great place to purchase gifts and decorations for your Christmas holiday. Sponsored by P.T. Promotions. FMI 443-8983 or ptpromo@suscomme.net
Sharing of Christmas Past
5:00 p.m.
Elim Community Church, 1184 Washington St. FMI 443-2663
Annual Christmas Service & Carol Sing
7:00 p.m.
Old West Bath Meeting House, Berry’s Mill Rd. FMI 443-4449
December 15
The 3rd Annual Pajama Story time
Children wear PJ’s and listen to a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” make a paper Christmas stocking to hang with care by the Library’s fireplace and enjoy some holiday refreshments. We’ll play piano music, sing and gather with Mrs… Claus. Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St. 443-5141 x16
December 16
Morse High School Winter Concert
7:00 p.m.
Morse High School Annual Winter Concert will feature the MHS Concert Band and MHS Choir. They will perform a mixture of traditional and contemporary concert and holiday favorites. There is no charge for the concert, but donations will be accepted.
Montgomery Theatre at MHS. FMI amarro@rsu1.org
December 17
A Celebration Countdown to the Annual Irish Holiday
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Live Irish music. Prizes & giveaways. A visit from Santa & his band of kazoo players should not be ruled out. Byrnes’ Irish Pub, 38 Centre St.
December 18
The Don Campbell Band
7:30 p.m.
Featuring selections from his new Christmas CD.
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., 442-8637
December 18 – 20
Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Christmas
at Maine Maritime Museum
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Fri., Dec. 18 (Reading at 7:00)
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Sat., Dec. 19 (Reading at 7:00)
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Sun., Dec. 20 (Reading at noon)
Visit the home of shipbuilder William T. Donnell re-dressed in traditional holiday decor reminiscent of its Victorian Era. Experience what it was like to celebrate the holidays in Bath more than a century ago. Guests welcome to tour the house, enjoy holiday wassail, gingersnaps,
holiday crafts, period music, and perhaps sing a few carols in the parlor. The house with a “Shipyard in the Backyard.” Meet Addiella Donnell and hear Charles Dickens read “A Christmas Carol.”
Members FREE/Non-members $5 (Museum admission not included)
Children 6 and under $2. Holiday shopping in Museum Store is always free and available until 5:00 p.m.
FMI mainemaritimemuseum.org
December 19
The Winter Street Winter Solstice Event
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight
An evening of good food, drink and entertainment to benefit Sagadahoc Preservation, Inc. Winter Street Center, 880 Washington St., $10 admission.
FMI tomp@choicevoicepro.com
December 20
Christmas Caroling Through the Neighborhood
5:00 p.m.
Elim Community Church, 1184 Washington St., 443-2663
December 21
The Chocolate Church Arts Center presents
Sing! It’s Christmas!
7:00 p.m.
Gift to the community by the Chocolate Church. FREE! Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St. FMI 442-8637
December 26
Kids ‘n Cookies: A Week Later!
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
A great family tradition. Make your own gigantic cookies with a yummy array of ingredients. Kids of all ages welcome! Marnee’s Cookies, 23 Elm St., 371-8017, bistro@marnees.com
December 27
Holiday “Woof” Walk
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
A doggie holiday happy hour. Meet at the bistro, pick up treats for you and your four-legged friends. Let’s “Woof” walk around town & relax. Marnee’s Cookies, 23 Elm St., 371-8017, bistro@marnees.com
