Daily
Portland
Monday, December 8th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 8th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Community members gathered at a Portland memorial on Sunday to honor lives lost at Pearl Harbor, with veterans, families, and survivors sharing remembrances. The ceremony featured a three-volley salute and the laying of wreaths (84 years since the attack) in tribute to the sacrifices made. FOX23
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ This week, holiday events create festive cheer with Bossov Ballet’s Nutcracker at Waterville Opera House on Friday-Sunday, Christmas by the Sea in Ogunquit, and Holiday at Hadlock in Portland offering free hot chocolate + cookies for families. An Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, Fogcutters and Rock Orchestra feature live music. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Local historic sites are showcasing holiday displays that bring 19th-century Christmas traditions to life. Tours & events are set for Dec. 13 & 20 at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Tate House Museum & Victoria Mansion, while festive trolley & train rides in nearby towns offer a taste of vintage celebrations. Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A U.S. District Court judge denied a request by Maine and the DOJ to ease reporting and oversight in a settlement that mandates community-based mental health services for children with disabilities — a measure that advocates support. WMTW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Death cafes in Maine provide free guided sessions where residents discuss end-of-life choices including planning under Maine’s Death with Dignity law. In York, a recent meeting at the Public Library — a local gathering spot — helped one resident ease grief as she prepared with family for her husband’s passing. Portland Press Herald
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ In Bath, Bath Housing renovated historic buildings and added affordable units with a local partner—The Szanton Company. State authorities are now partnering with developers and leveraging new funding to address the housing crisis; a pilot program helping neighboring towns starts in coming weeks. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Maine Coast Heritage Trust and MidCoast Regional Housing Trust plan to renovate a farmhouse & barn at Erickson Fields Preserve in Rockport to create nine workforce housing units for the missing middle. The project is set to finish renovation of the homestead by mid-2026 while planning additional barn-dominiums. WMTW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local ski areas opened yesterday as fresh snow and cold temperatures spurred Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton and Lost Valley in Auburn to kick off an early season compared to last year; additional resorts like Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Saddleback had also begun operations before this weekend. WGAN
- ➤ Amari Williams posted a triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to help the Maine Celtics defeat the College Park Skyhawks 118—95 on Sunday at the Portland Expo, matching their franchise record with an eighth consecutive win while improving their home record to 6—0 this season. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Abbie Derosier was named Miss Maine Field Hockey Sunday at the Augusta Civic Center as the state's top senior – she beat Skowhegan’s Grace Mayo. The Brewer goalie led her team with a 92% save rate and will join Division II play at Assumption University. Portland Press Herald
-
DIY Holiday Cork Ornaments & Mod Podge Votives
6-8 p.m. — Hardshore Distilling Company — Ages 21+ — Craft your own festive cork ornaments and decorative votives for the holiday season.
-
Joe DeRosa Live
7-8:30 p.m. — Empire Comedy Club — General Admission available — Catch a night of laughs with acclaimed comedian Joe DeRosa as he performs live in Portland.
-
Maine Mariners vs Worcester Railers
6:00 – 7:30 PM — Cross Insurance Arena — Check event page for ticket pricing — Celebrate Portland Pirates night with specialty jerseys and alumni appearances.
-
Magic of Christmas Concert
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Merrill Auditorium — Ticket info not provided — Experience the festive celebration of joy and music featuring the Portland Symphony Orchestra and special guests.
-
A Victorian Nutcracker
7-8:30 p.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the magic of a classic ballet in the heart of Portland.
-
Bess Jacques & The Strays Performance
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Ticket info not provided — Experience an eclectic mix of jazz, Americana, and faux-tango-pop with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
-
2025 The Polar Express™ Train Ride
5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing applies — Experience the magic of the holiday season with a delightful ride to the North Pole inspired by the classic story.
-
Disney on Ice: Into the Magic
7-11 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Tickets available — Experience your favorite Disney characters realizing their dreams in a spectacular ice skating show.
-
Maker's Market
10 AM – 3 PM — Thompson's Point — Free entry — Explore local Maine artisans, enjoy mimosas, and embrace the community spirit.
-
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing — Experience a magical journey to the North Pole on a festive train ride filled with holiday cheer.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is better to travel well than to arrive.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
Welcome to the Daily Portland, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Portland, Maine community. If you like the Daily Portland, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Portland.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Portland and across Maine. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Portland
A free Portland community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyportlandnews.com/sitemap