Greetings!
Read on to hear about the exciting events we have taking place in our venues and public spaces this coming month.
Andy Downs, Director, Public Assembly Facilities
A Gift from Parks, Recreation & Facilities Sing! will be shown for FREE on the big screen at Merrill! Friday, December 28th, 4:00pm @ Merrill Auditorium Tickets for this FREE event are available at our administrative offices, located at 212 Canco Rd, starting on Monday, December 3rd (hours are 8:00am-4:30pm). About The Movie Sing! is set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Buster Moon, a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition. We look forward to having you as a guest at our theater!
The Victorian Nutcracker Friday, December 7th @7:30pm
Merrill Auditorium This annual production by Portland Ballet has become a Maine holiday tradition and family favorite, telling a classic tale set in Victorian-era Portland. Over 80 children from the greater Portland community will join the company of dancers onstage!
The Official Box Office of Merrill Auditorium
Looking to purchase tickets to one of the many exciting shows at Merrill? Don't forget to buy them directly through PortTIX, the only company authorized to sell tickets to our events. You can purchase your tickets online at porttix.com, or in person/over the phone at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St, #207.842.0800 (office hours: Mon-Sat 12-6pm). By purchasing from PortTIX, you can be sure that the tickets you receive are valid and are being sold to you at face value.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tuesday, December 4th @ 7:30pm
Merrill Auditorium Directed & Co-Produced by Grammy award-winner Chip Davis, this show will feature the favorite Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with state-of-the-art mulitmedia effects in an intimate setting.
Holiday at Hadlock Saturday, December 1st, 10:00am-12:30pm @ Hadlock Field The Portland Sea Dogs are hosting the eighth annual Holiday at Hadlock, where they turn the place of summer memories into a winter wonderland. Don't miss this FREE community event highlighted by Santa's arrival by helicopter. Festivities include a make your own s'mores station; free hot chocolate & cookies; face painting, a petting zoo and more!
Magic of Christmas
Friday, Dec. 14th through Sunday, Dec. 23rd
Merrill Auditorium
Conductor Bruce Hangen returns to the stage for Maine’s favorite holiday tradition – The Magic of Christmas! This is the 39th year that Portland Symphony Orchestra is bringing this family-friendly concert to Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. The Portland Press Herald praised last year's show with “soaring instrumental and vocal music, colorful lights and positive spirit …more than enough to make this year’s show another holiday treat.” Get your tickets today for this fun show!
Maine Red Claws at the Portland Expo Upcoming Home Games: Thursday, Nov. 29th @7pm vs Windy City Bulls
Saturday, Dec. 1st @7pm vs Capital City Go-Go
Thursday, Dec. 6th @7pm vs Oklahoma City Blue
Friday, Dec. 14th @7pm vs Wisconsin Herd
Monday, Dec. 31st @ 1pm vs Erie Bayhawks
Thursday, Jan. 3rd @7pm vs Capital City Go-Go
Friday, Nov. 23rd through Sunday, Dec. 9th Merrill Auditorium
Maine State Ballet’s annual holiday production of The Nutcracker features classic choreography, glorious sets and dazzling costumes with live music by the Maine State Ballet Orchestra conducted by Karla M. Kelley Brenner. Thirty professional ballet company members along with over two hundred local, Southern Maine dancers comprise the large cast!
Spotlight On:
Tuesday, December 18th @ 7:30pm
Merrill Auditorium
Join James Kennerley, Portland’s Eleventh Municipal Organist, for the very first Christmas with Kennerley. You’ll hear seasonal classics and new works that will be performed for the first time. James is joined by the Choral Art Singers, renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano and Maine native, Ashley Emerson, The Parish Ringers hand bell choir, and the Kotzschmar Festival Brass & Percussion brass ensemble for this special concert.
Sunday, December 9th, 11:00 am @ Eastern Promenade
Join Portland Trails & Ri Ra Irish Pub for a Portland holiday tradition, featuring local craft brews. Run the trails in your festive gear, and enjoy a hearty beer-brunch with some winter cheer — running through snow, shine, wind or sleet! If you love the trails in Portland, come on out and celebrate & support them!
