Daily
Portland
Monday, December 29th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 29th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Cumberland's Celebration of Lights continues at the Fairgrounds until Jan. 3, 2026, offering a drive-through display of over one million bulbs, festive characters, and treats (hot cocoa and fried dough) for families to enjoy. FOX23
- ➤ Portland's warming shelter on Riverside St. remains closed tonight (staffing shortages forced a closure last night when temperatures fell to single digits, triggering the winter warming plan), leaving residents without a safe place to stay. A call to the shelter produced no additional information. WMTW
- ➤ A fire on Friday night destroyed a boat repair shop (total loss) on the waterfront, and the Maine Coast Fisherman's Association launched fundraising to help affected businesses including Nanqu Kayaks, Maritime Antiques, and Sea Bags. WGME
- ➤ A new 35-foot steel bridge is in place on the Eastern Trail in Scarborough to connect it with South Portland; officials say it offers a safer off-road route for walkers and bikers (the overall project will be completed in 2027). WGME
- ➤ Cumberland’s Celebration of Lights displays over one million bulbs along a one-mile route at the Cumberland Fairgrounds until Jan. 3. Families can enjoy winter treats (like hot cocoa) and scenic lights from the comfort of their cars. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new guide details 17 free or low-cost experiences for residents, from art museums offering free admission on certain days to film screenings and outdoor activities priced at $10 or less. It highlights local spots including college galleries and historic sites across the region. Portland Press Herald
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Impact Weather begins after midnight with an icy mix that may cause hazardous Monday commutes. A Winter Weather Advisory from 10PM today through 7PM warns of freezing rain on roads, cars & power lines in interior Maine while coastal areas see mostly rain. WMTW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Maine began issuing pine tree license plates to replace the longtime chickadee design; the old plates will retire this spring as City Clerk Maura Clarke finalized the new policy in May. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Maine regulators rejected CMP's five-year $1.5 billion rate hike proposal, signaling a move toward modern grid improvements that will help keep costs down. Utilities like Versant will soon draft new proposals using performance-based tools and proven solutions seen in other states (promoting more reliable power for families). Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Starting Jan. 1, Maine will add a 5.5% sales tax on streaming subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus, adding about $1 to some plans. Cigarette prices will rise by $1.50 per pack on Jan. 5 and cannabis tax will increase on Jan. 1 + aim to boost state revenue. Portland Press Herald
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Gorham's Liana Edwards was named Varsity Maine Player of the Year for leading her team to a third straight state championship after switching to a full-time setter role (her efforts helped the Rams win 12 of their final 13 games, including a 3-1 win over Thornton Academy). Portland Press Herald
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Technology Tutoring at Peaks
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Peaks Island Community Center — Free entry — Enhancing digital skills for all levels of computer users in a community setting.
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New Year's Eve Gala: The Golden Age of Hollywood
7 PM - 12:30 AM — Après — $60 single, $80 couples — Celebrate the New Year with old Hollywood glamour, dancing, and a champagne toast.
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LAST CALL Comedy Showcase
9:30 PM — Empire Comedy Club — $10 — Enjoy a fast-paced showcase featuring local and visiting stand-up comics with drink specials.
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Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) Live Performance
8-11:30 p.m. — Bayside Bowl — $15 adv, $25 door — Maine's premiere Phish tribute act returns for an all-ages show.
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Script Club – Lend Me a Tenor
1:30-2:30 p.m. — Portland Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a lively discussion of 'Lend Me a Tenor' moderated by Portland Stage’s Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus.
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Bess Jacques & The Strays Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets required — Experience a fusion of jazz, Americana, and more with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
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Winter Concert Series: Sigrid Sibley & Shannon Allen
7-8:30 p.m. — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village — Ticket details not provided — Experience beautiful acoustic music in support of local cultural arts.
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Maine Mariners vs. Trois-Rivieres Lions
6-8 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Bid on unique jerseys — Celebrate Portland's title as the Top Minor League Sports Market in the USA with a special game experience.
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Burns Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Celebrate Scotland's beloved poet with traditional food, live music, and cask beer.
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Wild Pink Live with Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields
7:30-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Cost info not provided — Experience the explosive rustic rock of Wild Pink alongside Portland's own Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields.
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