Looking to take a break from the kitchen this weekend? Get into the holiday spirit by tucking into a seasonally inspired dish at one of your favorite Maine restaurants! From a sweet and flaky Danish pastry at Biddeford’s Jackrabbit Cafe to a steaming bowl of monkfish chowder at Magnus on Water, our curated list of festive limited-time snacks, sandwiches, desserts, and more will have your taste buds tingling. Here’s our roundup for this weekend in Maine:

Something to Eat:

Zeerox BBQ, a new-to-the-scene food cart whose owner hopes to be fully up and running by the spring, is teaming up with Goodfire Brewing Co. for a Christmas Eve BBQ pop-up at Goodfire’s Portland location. Stop by for a cold brew and fresh pulled pork, or grab a BBQ sandwich inspired by the Zeerox owner’s Kansas upbringing.

When: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: 219 Anderson Street #6, Portland

Somewhere to Go:

Happy fifth night of Hanukkah to those who celebrate! In honor of the Festival of Lights, the Maine Jewish Museum is showcasing Maxwell Bauman’s colorful collection of Jewish-themed Lego art, with designs that depict Hebrew letters, the 10 Commandments, tzedakah boxes, and a burning bush. An accomplished author, Bauman is the current editor-in-chief of the Door is a Jar literary magazine, and two of his books are available for purchase at the museum. 

When: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily (except Saturdays) through January 5
Where: 267 Congress Street, Portland

Something to Drink:

Whether you’re getting a headstart on Dry January or just looking to lay low this weekend, Maine’s incredible mocktail scene has you covered. Raise your spirits at Lazzari, a cozy pizza joint and bar in Portland, with non-alcoholic options like the Coconut Espresso Martini, Honey Ginger Fizz, or sweet and tart Peach Mock-jito, made with peach puree, muddled lime, and mint topped with soda water. Plus, they’re open on Christmas!

When: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Christmas Day
Where: 618 Congress Street, Portland

Something to Watch:

Give your loved ones (or yourself!) the gift of music this holiday season with tickets to the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas Digital Concert. With several pay-what-you-can options available, the pre-recorded concert—now celebrating its 43rd year—features both new and old holiday classics led by music director Eckart Preu. Who needs Netflix’s “Fireplace for Your Home” video when you can listen to skilled Maine musicians while lounging in your PJs?

When: Available on demand through January 1
Where: Your computer, phone, TV, or tablet via PortlandSymphonyTV.com

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