Many Maine parishes are holding Christmas fairs during the months of November and December as opportunities to join with other members of the community in advance of Advent and Christmas. The events are fundraisers that help support many church ministries. All are welcome at any fair.
St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick kicks off local festivities on Nov. 5 with a Christmas fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be 19 booths with a variety of holiday gifts in the church hall at 132 McKeen St. There will also be raffles with cash prizes and a food court offering breakfast sandwiches, haddock chowder, beef stew, sandwiches and homemade pies.
The Bells of St. Mary’s Christmas Craft Fair and café is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at St. Mary Church on 144 Lincoln St., Bath. The fair features many crafters as well as “Grandma’s Attic” with Christmas decorations, household items and the famous cookie walk. Call 443-3423 for more information.
The Midcoast Tree Festival at St. John’s Community Center, 43 Pleasant St. in Brunswick, spotlights community organizations, businesses, and individuals that decorate trees, which are displayed at the festival and then raffled off. Proceeds benefit All Saints Parish in Brunswick, the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Spectrum Generations Meals on Wheels. The festival runs from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 19-20 and 25-26, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27.
There are several other fairs and festivals around the state already scheduled for the holiday season:
Nov. 2
• Dexter – Our Lady of the Snows and St. Agnes parishes craft fair, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 5
• Kittery – St. Raphael Church’s Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Portland – Our Lady of Hope Parish’s Thanks4Giving Auction and Festival of Trees at St. Pius X Church, 7-9 p.m.
• Westbrook – St. Anthony of Padua Parish Christmas Fair at St. Hyacinth Church, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nov. 12
• Gorham – The St. Anne Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Hallowell – The Sacred Heart Ladies Guild Christmas Fair at Sacred Heart Hall, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Portland – St. Louis Parish’s Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 19
• Auburn – The Christmas by the Lake Fair at St. Philip Church, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Brewer – The St. Paul the Apostle Parish Christmas Fair at St. Joseph Church, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Jay – The St. Rose of Lima Christmas Fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Newcastle – The Shamrocks of St. Patrick Church Christmas Fair at Cheverus Hall, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rumford – The Parish of the Holy Savior Christmas Fair, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sabattus – The Our Lady of the Rosary Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• York – St. Christopher’s Holiday Fair, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 27
• Berwick – The Our Lady of the Angels Penny Sale at Noble Middle School, doors open at 10:30 a.m., drawings at 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 3
• Bradley – St. Ann Church Christmas Fair 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Camden – The Women’s Club of Our Lady of Good Hope Church Christmas Cookie Fair, before and after 4 p.m. Mass Dec. 3 and 11 a.m. Mass Dec. 4.
• Farmington – The St. Joseph Winter Festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Yarmouth – The Parish of the Holy Eucharist Advent Fair at Sacred Heart Church, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dec. 10
• Augusta – The St. Michael School Christmas Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit portlanddiocese.org/content/christmas-fairs-2022 for a full list of holiday events.
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