By Nancy Dorrans
As we enter the 2022 Holiday Season, we can always hope for peace on earth and goodwill towards men (and all living things).
Travel and Adventure is the name of this section, and the holidays are traditionally ripe with each. Will you travel over the holidays? What are your traditions? What happens if you abandon them or if they are not possible now…? Moving on can lead to new adventures and traditions!
If you recall last Christmas I went on a four-day cruise with my father, younger sister and her family. This year my holidays are again going to be less traditional yet fueled with New England holiday cheer thanks to these local holiday alternatives!
Local Holiday Alternatives
I plan to be more present and give/receive less presents. I’ll step away from traditional family gatherings. And even though I love my crazy family… there will be no sleigh ride or flight over the river and through the woods to Michigan and Tennessee to be with them.
I’m sticking close to home. All around New England and especially the City of Portland, magical music, inspiring lights, decorations, and good cheer are coming into view.
Merrill Auditorium
Just last month I was accepted into the coveted community of ushers at the Merrill Auditorium. I may have already seated some of you. Did you go see Peppa Pig and her friends camping adventure? Or hear the Portland Symphony play the music of Queen? So far, the shows have been spectacular. Imagine an audience of three and four year olds giggling to the sound of Papa Pig snoring in his tent. Just delightful!
I’m sure the upcoming holiday shows at the Merrill: The Maine State Ballet Nutcracker and Victorian Nutcracker, the Portland Symphony’s Magic of Christmas, Christmas with Kennerley, and The Kotzschmar Organ will be just as spectacular. I’m planning to usher for many and be filled and refueled with local holiday cheer! Look for me. I’ll be the red head, wearing black and white!
Nativity Pageant at First Parish
On Sunday December 18th, at 5pm I plan to witness the annual Nativity Pageant at First Parish Unitarian Universalist “Church for EveryBody” at 425 Congress Street in Portland. This gem of a pageant has been in production since 1926. Members of First Parish work tirelessly to ready the volunteers, cast, and costumes to make this breathtaking scene come to life.
“Non-denominational in nature, this historic Nativity Pageant makes no political or religious statement. Rather, it uses a combination of music, historic text, and tradition to honor the birth of one of history’s great prophets… The story of the Nativity is told in music and readings while the cast creates a tableau that replicates a Fra Angelico-style painting. Some of the costumes have been created from fabrics brought back from the Holy Lands by nieces of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Light bulbs in the 30 sconces are replaced by candles. It is a truly magical hour in which we stop, quiet our hearts, and remember the spirit that this holiday represents.”
https://firstparishportland.org
Victorian Mansion’s Holiday Season
Christmas at the Victorian Mansion is underway and ends on January 8th. “Tours at Christmas are self-guided, with docents throughout the house available to share the unique history of the Mansion (https://victoriamansion.org/your-visit).
Local Holiday Alternatives: Light Shows
Grab some friends and take an evening walk around Portland to see all of Pandora’s lights glow from Bramhall Square throughout the Peninsula. Or head north to the Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
“This year, the seasonal celebration returns to its roots as a walking event with a new, re-imagined design and more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens.”
And don’t forget, there are the Northern Lights at LL Bean too!
Looking ahead to 2023…
Adventure Marketplace is waking up and coming out of hibernation like a hungry bear! I organized a sold-out holiday bus tour to see the Rockettes and more of New York City all dolled up for the holidays from December 2nd through 4th. And we’re going back to Quebec City for Winter Carnival the weekend of February 3rd to 5th. Limited space is available. We always have the best time!
In the works:
- Patagonia small group active adventure late March/early April
- Bus tour to Cape Cod/ Nantucket Daffodil Festival April 28-30th
- A reschedule of a small group hiking/wine tour in Catalonia region of Spain in May/June
- Women, Walking & Wine small group to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy October 20th to Nov 1st.
Stay tuned to www.adventure-marketplace.com for more details.
Enjoy your holidays this month. I wish you all the tidings of comfort and joy!
Nancy Dorrans is a professional travel expert and founded Adventure Marketplace in 2014.
