Many parishes and schools around Maine are holding Christmas fairs in the coming weeks. The fairs serve as wonderful opportunities to join with other members of the community and as valuable fundraisers that help support many church ministries. Below you will find a list of fairs around the Diocese of Portland, listed chronologically. All are welcome at any fair.

November 5

Sanford
St. Thomas School in Sanford will hold a 5K Mingle Jingle Run, along with a vendor fair. The race begins at 9 a.m. at the Sanford Memorial Gym on 678 Main Street with the craft fair running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day's events will include a "Best Holiday Costume" award, a St. Thomas alumni award, a photo booth, the Mingle Jingle 4K Swag, plus lots of holiday cheer.

Portland
Our Lady of Hope Parish in Portland will hold its Thanks4Giving Auction and Festival of Trees in the hall of St. Pius X Church on 492 Ocean Avenue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Along with the auction, the evening will include hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and jazz music. To purchase tickets, visit https://ourladyofhopeportland.weshareonline.org or call Paul Leblond at 207-253-9856. Those not attending the evening event can view the trees from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parish hall and purchase raffle tickets to try to win them.

Dexter
Our Lady of the Snows and St. Agnes parishes will hold a craft fair at the parish center, located at St. Anne Church on 64 Free Street. The fair, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature homemade crafts, Christmas items, jewelry, books, puzzles, Gramma’s Attic, and themed baskets on which attendees can bid.

Westbrook
St. Anthony of Padua Parish will hold a Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., bringing together the gifts and talents of parishioners from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Windham and St. Hyacinth Church in Westbrook. The fair, which will be held in the hall of St. Hyacinth Church on 268 Brown Street, will feature crafts and knits, baked goods, gift baskets, a children’s area, great food, and more.  

Brunswick
The Christmas fair at St. Charles Borromeo Church, part of All Saints Parish, will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church hall at 132 McKeen Street. Choose from 19 booths featuring a wonderful selection of gifts. There will also be raffles with cash prizes and a food court offering breakfast sandwiches, haddock chowder, beef stew, sandwiches, and homemade pies.

Kittery
St. Raphael Church’s Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, located at 6 Whipple Road. The fair will feature handmade crafts and knitted items, delicious baked goods, jams and jellies, gifts baskets, and raffles. There will be raffles for a handmade quilt and for an original watercolor painting by Judy Killeen, and the cafe will be open throughout the fair.

Auburn
Saint Dominic Academy will host its 16th annual Holiday Festival from 9 am to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium and dining hall of the school located at 121 Gracelawn Road. The festival will feature over 80 local artisans and vendors, a bake sale, raffle table, a Festival of Trees, and a festival kitchen that will be open for lunch.

November 12

Bath
The Bells of St. Mary’s Christmas Craft Fair and café will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church on 144 Lincoln Street. The fair features many crafters, as well as "Grandma's Attic" with Christmas decorations and household items, and the famous cookie walk.

Hallowell
The Sacred Heart Ladies Guild Christmas Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Sacred Heart Hall on Summer Street. The fair will feature baked goods, candy, crafts, jewelry, RADA knives, white elephant items, and the Sacred Heart Café, featuring great food at reasonable prices.

Gorham
The St. Anne Christmas Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church on 299 Main Street. The fair will feature crafts, jewelry, themed baskets,  Gramma’s Attic, and lunch and supper put on by the Knights of Columbus.

Portland
St. Louis Parish’s Christmas fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the St. Louis Church Hall on 279 Danforth Street.    

November 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

Brunswick
The Midcoast Tree Festival will be held at the St. John’s Community Center on 43 Pleasant Street in Brunswick as community organizations, businesses, and individuals decorate beautiful 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 will take place November 18, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; November 19-20 and November 25-26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and November 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 19

Sabattus
The Our Lady of the Rosary Christmas Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the downstairs church hall, located on 131 High Street. The fair will feature 30 tables of local crafters and vendors, including Scentsy, Christmas ornaments, knitted items, hand-painted gifts, and more. Take a chance on the 50/50 raffle or one of the specially prepared themed gift baskets.  

Rumford
The Parish of the Holy Savior Christmas Fair will be held in the church hall at 126 Maine Avenue from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair will feature holiday crafts, knitted goods, plants, baked goods, giving trees for local nursing homes and the food pantry, and raffles for items such as an iPad and themed Christmas trees.

Newcastle
The Shamrocks of St. Patrick Church Christmas Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cheverus Hall, next to St. Patrick Church on 380 Academy Hill Road. The fair will feature many guest vendors, as well as handmade crafts, a Christmas Café, a bake sale table, a plant table, religious items, a holiday regifting table, a history table, wreaths, and raffles.

York
St. Christopher’s Holiday Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Christopher Church on 4 Barrell Lane. The fair will feature themed baskets, greens, jewelry, a “Just for Kids” room, baked goods, made in Maine items, the Gift Shoppe, All Things Christmas, and a café, which will have lobster rolls, as well as other items. There will also be raffles, and prior to the fair, from November 13-19, there will be an online silent auction at www.pal-me.org.

Brewer
The St. Paul the Apostle Parish Christmas Fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church on 531 North Main Street. The fair features beautifully decorated Christmas wreaths, gift basket raffles, Christmas decorations, homemade goods, backed goods, homemade fudge, a cookie booth, a turkey raffle, white elephant items. and more.

Auburn
The Christmas by the Lake Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Philip Church on 2365 Turner Road. The event will feature handcrafted wreaths, baked goods, knitted goods, crafts, raffles, and more.

Jay
The St. Rose of Lima Christmas Fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parish hall on 1 Church Street. The fair will feature raffle corner, a cookie walk, a homemade fudge and candy booth, craft items, and more. There will also be chicken pot pies and fish chowder, which you can enjoy for lunch or throughout the day. Proceeds from the fair benefit parish social ministry.

December 3

Camden
The Women's Club of Our Lady of Good Hope Church will hold a Christmas Cookie Fair on December 3 and 4 before and after the Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. Masses at Our Lady of Good Hope Church on 7 Union Street.

Yarmouth
The Parish of the Holy Eucharist will host an Advent Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church on 326 Main Street. Festive tables will feature baked goods, accessories, knitted and sewn items, attic treasures, children’s items, wreaths, and much more. There will also be raffles and a luncheon.

Bradley
St. Ann Church in Bradley will hold a Christmas fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church hall at 84 Main Street. There will be food tables featuring pies, cakes, cookies, squares fudge, candy, baked beans, rolls, and breads. There will also be handmade items such as mittens, hats, and sweaters, along with wood crafts, Christmas ornaments, gift baskets, and nearly new items including puzzles, CDs, and video. A queen size “Bargello Rebooted” quilt in blues and grays will be raffled out. The luncheon menu includes cream of broccoli soup, chicken salad sandwiches, and hot dogs.

Farmington
The St. Joseph Winter Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Joseph Center on 133 Middle Street. The festival, which will feature wreaths, gifts, and a lunch counter, coincides with Farmington’s Chester Greenwood Day. Proceeds support parish social ministry initiatives.

December 4

Camden
The Women's Club of Our Lady of Good Hope Church will hold a Christmas Cookie Fair on December 3 and 4 before and after the Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. Masses at Our Lady of Good Hope Church on 7 Union Street.

December 10

Augusta
The St. Michael School Christmas Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school on 56 Sewall Street.