The holidays officially get underway today. The day after Thanksgiving is known as “Black Friday” because this is the time when retailers go from owing money … in the red … to profitable … in the black. The period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is the most important retail shopping time in the country.

But in the Mid-coast, and throughout the state of Maine, there is a lot more to the holidays than the shop-til-you-drop mentality that afflicts so many other places in the country.

Whether you prefer quiet and old-fashioned events, or high-tech electric events, the Mid-coast has something for everyone.

A mother and daughter share a sweet moment at the Cosmopolitan Club’s “Gingerbread Social” last year. This year’s Social will be held Saturday, November 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Cosmopolitan

Club is located at 894 Washington Street in Bath, across from Patten Free Library.

Santa arrives in Bath to lead the children on the annual “Jingle Bell Walk” to City Hall. This year’s Jingle Bell Walk starts at the Patten Free Library Gazebo on Saturday, November 29 at 3 p.m. Kids can meet in the Children’s Library to make decorations for the tree beginning at 11 a.m.

The Maine State Ballet begins its annual “Nutcracker” run Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Performances are at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, and tickets are available at PortTix.com.

Brunswick lights its Christmas tree on November 29, and also offers free horse and carriage rides, and visits with Santa and Frosty the Snowman complete with cookies and cocoa. The fun begins at the Town Mall at 1 p.m. Santa arrives at 3 p.m., and the tree begins to glow at 5 p.m.