Holiday Wish List
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER can be dreary months, weather-wise, especially after the gorgeous weather and relatively active social calendars of summer and early fall. But the good news is that late fall/early winter is full of opportunities to spend time with the people you love, eat delicious food (and drink tasty beverages), and generally send off the year with joy, celebration, and love.
This year, we’ve got a bunch of ideas for how you can make the most of the holiday season, from perfect sledding spots and great places to grab a cozy winter drink to inspiring Christmas and Hanukkah events and creative ways to share the holiday spirit with your community. So get out that wish list, and get ready to add some ideas!
WRITTEN BY ANNE GODENHAM AND KRISTEN BOEHM
NOT INTO MAKING the treats yourself? Lucky for you, we’ve got a ton of great chocolate shops and bakeries in the North Sound—take them out of the packaging and put them on a plate, and nobody needs to know you didn’t make them!
Make the Holidays Even Sweeter!
THE HOLIDAYS ARE all about indulgence and spending time with the people you love—what better way to do both of those things than to make indulgent treats with the people you love?
Whether you have a family Christmas cookie recipe you like to bake every year, want to try something new and easy, or fancy learning something special that you can make for years to come, we’ve got you covered!
If tradition and family recipes are the name of your holiday game, why not introduce something new by treating yourself to some fresh baking sheets, a cute spatula, or even a fancy stand mixer (hey, those holiday sales can produce some real bargains)?
In Bellingham, Greenhouse has a huge selection of beautiful housewares, from unique aprons to heirloom-worthy baking dishes, and HomeGoods and At Home are great spots to pick up fun new dishes and seasonal accessories. Skagitonians can get literally anything for cooking at Dick’s Restaurant Supply in Mount Vernon; the Skagit Valley Food Co-op not only has specialty ingredients, but they also have a whole second floor with lovely linens and dishes, and Modern Country Living is another great stop for gift-worthy kitchenware.
For new recipes, of course you can Google whatever you feel like making, but perusing the
Cakes and Cookies
For beautiful, party-ready cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats, Bellinghamsters should check out Pure Bliss Desserts, It’s The Sweet Things, Saltadena Bakery, and Slice of Heaven Bakery & Cafe—for something a little different, grab a selection of baklava from Ashuri Baklava Cafe or the mochi donuts at Mochinut. Farther south, grab a delicious pie from Pegasus Pie Co. in Mount Vernon or some scrumptious cookies from Farm to Market Bakery in Bow or Water Tank Bakery in Burlington.
cookbooks at your favorite bookstore is so much more inspiring! Village Books and Paper Dreams has a wonderful selection of cookbooks at both their Fairhaven and Lynden locations, and Book Shucker in Bow has a small but exceptional cookbook section as well—including the recently-published beauty we got this month’s recipe (p. 104) from: “The Revolution Will Be Well Fed: Recipes for Creating Community.” Anacortes residents can hit up Watermark Book Company or Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse, and La Conner’s Seaport Books highlights the PNW’s rich literary community, including select cookbooks. (And don’t forget to check out our Holiday Recipe Round-Up online!)
To try something new with more hands-on instruction (and schedule a fun activity with someone you enjoy), a class is always a good idea! Whatcom Community College is offering a couple of different virtual Holiday Candy-Making classes in December, and Great Canadian Baking Show judge Bruno Feldeisen will be teaching a Scandinavian Desserts class at the Community Food Co-op in Bellingham on Dec. 3. And, of course, Burlington’s King Arthur Flour Bread Lab has you covered with tons of classes on how to bake everything, from one-day macaron or croissant classes to a three-day Holiday Baking Workshop.
Homemade Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon almond milk, or any milk
Instructions
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the molasses, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix again.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing after each addition. Mix in the almond milk.
• Form the dough into a ball, divide the ball in half, and flatten each half into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, then transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake, one sheet at a time, for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just set but the middles are still soft.
• Decorate as you see fit.
Pastries
There’s no shortage of great pastries in Whatcom, from Lynden Dutch Bakery in the north to Iron Rooster Bakery in the south—and Roman Artisan Bake, Raven Bakery, and New Whatcom Pastries in between. In Skagit, we’ve got some exceptional choices too: in Bow, Breadfarm’s French Kouign Amann pastry is maybe the most unexpectedly delicious thing we’ve ever eaten, and Calico Cupboard Cafe (in Mount Vernon, Anacortes, and La Conner) makes a mean— and enormous—Cinnamon Roll. The Skagit Valley Food Co-op serves up some seriously tasty Chocolate Croissants, and True North Bakery will cater any holiday events you might be planning that require sweet treats.
Chocolatiers
In Bellingham, Sweet Art, Chocolate Necessities, and Evolve Chocolate + Cafe have your back with fancy truffles and gift boxes; Skagit residents can get beautiful chocolates at Forté Chocolate in Mount Vernon.
Turn Your Home Into a Winter Wonderland
THIS YEAR, NO more trotting out the same old strand of multicolored lights and ornaments. Go all the way with decor to transform your space into an enchanted holiday escape from the norm! Starting from the exterior, nothing says winter holidays like lights. We’re lucky to have several professional lighting companies standing by to help you from start to finish. Northern Lights Holiday & Event Lighting is a local favorite, and not just because their company is made up of mountain guides and climbers (which is possibly the most Pacific Northwestern side hustle imaginable). Festive Holiday Lighting is a family business that’s been lighting up Whatcom County homes since 2008. Mt. Baker Window Cleaning Co. shifts into holiday high gear during the winter months, offering professional lighting services in addition to all sorts of exterior home cleaning.
But let’s not stop there! Did you know we have a small local business dedicated to pixel prop lighting? Charlees Props in Lynden is run by a local family, and the company is named after their German Shepherd dog, Charlee. Pixel light shows involve strings of connected lights that can be controlled or programmed from afar, which means they’re able to create animated displays. They can be simple repeating motions or choreographed like the light show at a concert. The props in question are structures, often made of corrugated plastic, a.k.a. coro. These pixel lights go into the props, and the props go around your home. Charlees Props sells prefab props in shapes like snowflakes, candy canes, trees, arches, and popular characters, and will also help you design and manufacture your own custom props. If you want to see these types of displays in action, you can! Charlees Props runs Charlee’s Lights on Grover, a residential musical light show free to the community. See what this year’s light show has to offer at their Facebook page!
So now you’ve got the outside covered (figuratively and literally in lights), but what about indoors? We’ve got amazing local home stores that carry fresh and relevant items all year round, like Ideal and The Garden Room in Bellingham, Haven + May in Lynden, and Re-Feather Your Nest in Mount Vernon. But if you’re willing to go a little bit farther for that special holiday decor, make a special trip to Kris Kringl in Leavenworth or Glenda’s Christmas Cottage just across the border in Abbotsford. They’re both Christmas spectaculars, and when you visit you’ll feel like you’re walking into Santa’s North Pole headquarters. They sell every type of garland, ornament, light, model, collectible, and so on you could want. Glenda’s Christmas Cottage is seasonally open, this year from Oct. 29 to Dec. 23, while Kris Kringl is open year-round and dips their toes into decor for other festive holidays.
That is, of course, assuming you want to go the hands-on route. You could always choose this year to bring in the professionals! Local business Bellingham Bay Interior Designs has over a decade of experience designing and decorating interiors, which means they have the know-how and lifting power to offer everything from organization to color consultations to furniture selection—and, yes, holiday and party designs.
Finally, we can’t talk about winter decorating without talking about trees. Support a family farm by heading to Laue’s Christmas Tree Farm in SedroWoolley when they open for the season on Nov. 29—they even have a Christmas shop where you can find gifts, decor, and more! Stoney Ridge Farm in Everson opens earlier for fall, when they function as a fantastic pumpkin patch, but it’s worth watching out for their limited Christmas tree availability! They also make and sell highly decorated wreaths to deck your halls.
Photos by Diane Padys Photography
DON’T FORGET THESE shops, which carry diverting toys, games, and hobby-goods for older kids and adults who also like to play around!
Pick Out a Toy for a Tot
ATRIP TO THE toy store is a childhood experience that lives on in memory long after adolescence has faded away. As a kid, you’re blown away by the colors, sounds, and sheer play potential the toy store has to offer. What could be even better than going and picking out your own toy? This year, take your young ones to one of our local toy shops and ask them to help you pick something out to donate to another child in need. The warm fuzzies you both feel will turn an already memorable outing into a core experience about generosity, charity, and unity.
If you’re having a big day out doing all sorts of holiday shopping in Bellingham’s Bellis Fair Mall, visit Wishes, a family-owned toy, book, and game store that also has locations in Lynwood, Seattle, Everett, and Kennewick. They carry everything from small trinkets and stickers to huge plush toys that any kid would love to cuddle. Also in Bellingham, Fairhaven Toy Garden has a more traditional “Santa’s workshop” atmosphere to put the wonder back into Christmas, while Launching Success has a focus on toys and games that combine play and learning. Locals will be well aware of the amazing toy selection at Yeager’s Sporting Goods, and they’re a Toys for Tots drop-off location, so you can shop and donate at the same place.
Mount Vernon’s Kids Stuff is what it says on the tin: a good old fashioned kids-centric toy shop! Children’s Museum of Skagit County in Burlington has a gift shop with a wonderful selection of books and toys. For kids that prefer things soft and cuddly, visit Bunnies by the Bay in Anacortes.
Cosmic Games, Aegis Games, and Reset Games in Bellingham have a focus on video and tabletop games like Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and Settlers of Catan.
Traditions with a Twist
WANT TO SHAKE up your usual holiday traditions? Why not try one of these similar-butdifferent ideas?
Skip the usual ballet this year and head for Mount Baker Theatre to catch The Hip Hop Nutcracker, which sets hip hop choreography to Tchaikovsky’s original music.
If you usually make a donation to a local food bank or other charitable organization during the holiday season, add a personal touch by lifting up your neighbors, too. Lots of churches and schools have community pantries or fridges where you can drop off extra food for those in need.
Looking for an extra-special location for your annual coffee date with an old friend who’s only in town for the holidays? Take them to White Branches in Mount Vernon for high tea! Not only will you get top-quality tea service
and delicious food, you’ll be surrounded by whimsical, beautiful decor that makes you feel like you’re sipping tea in Wonderland. Plus, you can do some last-minute gift shopping outside the tea room—they have gorgeous teacups and pots, of course, but also fun dress-up stuff for kids and some really pretty jewelry, among other things.
Share your holiday meal with your neighbors via the Nextdoor app or your local Buy Nothing group—double your recipes and pick up some foil containers to give someone else the gift of a special homemade meal!
Love caroling at Christmas but wish you could sing in a group all year long? Why not join the Skagit Valley Chorale! They welcome adult singers of all ages and skill levels, as long as they can carry a tune, match pitch, and sight-read music— no audition required!
Mount Vernon’s The Bony Pony carries more than horse tack, riding clothes, and other equestrian supplies! They carry horsethemed toys and figures like the outstandingly detailed Breyer Horses.
Boxes and Bears in Anacortes are self-proclaimed jigsaw puzzle experts!
The Toy Box in Friday Harbor brings the family fun, with something for everyone at every age!
White Branches
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Photo Courtesy of Mount Baker Theatre
Photo Courtesy of White Branches
Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups milk, dairy or non-dairy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, cinnamon, sugar, water, and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, and stir in the milk, do not boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and serve immediately. LauraFuentes.com
Induldge in a Scrumptious Drink
NOTHING TRANSFORMS WHAT could just be cold weather and dark days into the holiday season like a delicious hot drink! Thankfully, between our strong coffee and cafe culture and some true masters of sweet treats, there’s no shortage of warming, indulgent drinks to try.
All year long (and since 1982), Evolve Chocolate + Cafe in Fairhaven will make you a delicious hot chocolate with vanilla whipped cream or a sipping chocolate, which they make with 70% dark K’UL chocolate. The holidays are the perfect time to imbibe in their boozy hot chocolates, like the Rumpelstiltskin, made with sipping chocolate, peppermint schnapps, creme de menthe, and vanilla whipped cream. Plus, you can take packets of sipping chocolate home, including a blend of organic chocolate and chai spices that creates their chai sipping chocolate!
In downtown Bellingham at Chocolate Necessities , winter drink offerings include mochas, drinking chocolate, Italian Sipping Chocolate (extra rich thanks to the steamed heavy cream), the Medici (Ladro espresso with sipping chocolate and fresh orange zest), and the Winter Sunrise, a latte with a dollop of real maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon. Even better, you can choose from a variety of chocolates to customize your drinks.
Nearby at Pure Bliss Desserts , seasonal drinks expand to bring in other fan favorites like eggnog and gingerbread lattes. A pro tip from us: make sure to dip into Camber Coffee and Locus regularly to see their specials. These two small but mighty cafe eateries always go out of their way to create unique and show-stopping drinks! And if you’re really more of a tea person, the same can be said for 11th Hour Tea & Coffee Bar
In Mount Vernon, Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar is also a year round hot chocolate purveyor, with their rich Mocha, Truffle Mocha, and PNW Mocha (which is made with white chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry), not to mention their Mexican-spiced Abuelita Mocha. Close by, local gourmet chocolatier Forté Chocolate sells tins of hot chocolate that are perfect for sipping at-home or gifting.
Not a hot drink fan? Bellingham Cider Co. has the perfect way for you to enjoy the flavors of the season without the risk of scalding your tongue. Their seasonal Spiced Pumpkin, Caramel Apple, and Chai Spiced hard ciders are crisp and refreshing while retaining all the warming properties of a spiced boozy drink.
Enjoy a Winter Happy Hour
AFTER A LONG day at work, when the sky is already dark by the time you pack up your things, is there anything more comforting than meeting your partner or a friend at a warm, cheerful bar or restaurant for a drink and a bite?
While you can’t see much of the water view after dark, Hotel Bellwether’s Lighthouse Pub is just as beautiful on the inside, with dark wood paneling, comfy upholstered armchairs, and even a roaring fire. Add an Espresso Martini and a dash of great conversation and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect evening. Hungry? Happy hour runs every day from 3-6 p.m. and covers everything on their ‘Pub Favorites’ menu, including the excellent Dungeness Crab Cakes and Crispy Calamari, both of which pair perfectly with their Monty’s Manhattan.
If it’s not too cold out (or you’re just made of tough PNW stuff), B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar keeps their patio open year-round—and it’s heated, so you actually don’t need to be made of particularly tough stuff. Curl up next to the fire pit and enjoy a Classic Cosmopolitan or a glass of Cabernet while you catch up with your companion (or a good book). If you’re feeling peckish, add an order of Parmesan-Truffle Salt Fries to snack on, or go wild and get a Pub Burger and some Dumplings—it’s all on happy hour pricing from 3-6 p.m. every day, so there’s no need to limit yourself!
In Mount Vernon, one of our go-to happy hour spots is Temperate Habits Brewing Company, where you can get one of their delicious housebrewed beers (we’re big fans of the Wee Monster Scotch Ale and Reuben’s Robust Porter in the winter months) or any of a large selection of ciders, beers, and wines from around and beyond the North Sound. The downtown taproom is separated into a few different areas, so you can grab a more standard table for your larger group or settle into a pair of lounge chairs with your sweetheart. Their food is great too: the Habitual Burger makes a great early dinner, but if you’re looking for something more shareable you can’t go wrong with the Crab & Lobster Tots. Happy hour runs from 3-5 p.m. every day, so a weekend visit is always an option too.
IBecome a Patron of the Arts
AGRAND TRADITION OF the holiday season is appreciating the arts, be it by going to see the ballet, watching nostalgic television specials, spreading goodwill through a carol, or gifting handmade goods. This year, why not let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the fine performing arts?
McIntyre Hall has an absolutely stacked calendar of shows all throughout winter, including “Heralding Christmas,” a concert of Christmas favorites from Skagit Valley Chorale, “The Nutcracker” presented by Skagit Valley Academy of Dance, international music performed by musicians aged 6 to 24 in “Holiday Gems” by the Northwest Youth Symphony Association, and more. McIntyre Hall offers series tickets for the Skagit Symphony’s season, as well as other omnibus tickets and their Create Your Own Series subscription, where you can choose at least four events and save on your custom series ticket.
The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season (their 49th!) just kicked off with their first concert on Sept. 29, so you’ve got plenty to look forward to. On Nov. 24, get into the gracious spirit by attending “Americana,” a concert that celebrates the music of the Americas. On Dec. 15, attend the 9th annual “Holiday Magic” concert with the whole family— this show also features a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” with live music from the orchestra and a festive sing-a-long! If you purchase a season pass, you’ll have a ticket to concerts all the way up through June 2025 at the auspicious main stage at Mount Baker Theatre.
In late November, Lynden’s The Claire Theatre will be hosting a production of “Holiday Inn,” a jukebox musical championing the hits of Irving Berlin, including “White Christmas.” Blaine Community Theatre will present a new holiday musical this December, “The Land of Forgotten Toys.” Further south, Anacortes Community Theatre’s holiday show is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a comedy that’s been a crowd favorite ever since its professional debut at Seattle Children’s Theatre in November 1982.
Prefer your arts with a little less song and dance? Not to worry. There’s a veritable explosion of visual arts and crafts in our area throughout the fall and winter. For the past 45 years, The Holiday Festival of the Arts has been the premier art market of the holiday season in Whatcom County. It’s organized by Allied Arts of Whatcom County, and supports over 100 regional vendors and artisans while giving you the chance to shop for unique and handmade gifts. It’s five-weeks long, from Nov. 22-Dec. 24, with the indoor market open every day (barring some holiday dates) plus live music, workshops, and demonstrations. Add in the Pacific Arts Market, another annual holiday market that will be held the first three weekends of December at the Bellis Fair Mall, and you’re sure to cross everyone off your holiday shopping list!
F YOU’VE GOT kids who want to visit with Santa, why not make it a fun trip for the adults, too? Mt. Baker Ski Area does an annual Santa meet and greet every December, complete with snowy mountain scenery and even a modern ‘sleigh’ for Santa! Head up the mountain on Dec. 14 or 15 for a chance to tell the big man what you want for Christmas and take a few family photos for next year’s card—or purchase some snaps from their onsite professional photographer.
Farther south in Skagit County, Skagit Acres will also be hosting Mr. Claus for visits and photos with adults, kids, and even dogs! Their photographer will take the pics for you—four images are included in the ticket price—and you can grab some last-minute stocking stuffers in the gift shop on your way out. Come on by any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from Nov. 22-Dec. 22.
Bellingham Symphony Orchestra
Bellingham Symphony Orchestra
Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights
WHILE THE PACIFIC Northwest definitely tends to focus on Christmas, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) extends over eight nights each winter, starting on the Hebrew calendar’s 25th day of Kislev. On the Gregorian calendar, that means it can take place anytime from late November to late December—this year, Hanukkah starts on Dec. 25 and runs through Jan. 2 of next year.
While Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday from a religious standpoint, its proximity to Christmas has made it an important social and family gathering event for many Jews. Especially in countries like the U.S., where Christmas suffuses society at large from November on, Hanukkah provides the Jewish community (and especially children) with a reason to gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and celebrate their faith.
The story of Hanukkah is one of resilience and miracle, commemorating the victory of the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish revolutionaries, against the Greek army that was oppressing their religious freedom. When they reclaimed the Second Temple (also known as Herod’s Temple) from the Greeks, who had been worshiping Zeus there, the Maccabees rededicated it to their God. As part of this rededication, they relit the menorah, a gold lantern that the Israelites brought
Or combine your Christmas outings and catch up with both Clauses at Big Lake Trees & Events! Mr. and Mrs. make an appearance at least once every year, and in addition to hot apple cider, real peppermint sticks, and—most importantly— gorgeous evergreen trees, you can take home photos with the Kringles snapped in their cozy, festive glamping tent. Keep an eye on their Instagram (@biglaketrees) for visit dates! If you want to bring a professional photographer for extra special photos, why not reach out to one of these fabulous locals:
with them across the desert to place in the temple. The miracle that Hanukkah celebrates is that the oil the Maccabees found to light the menorah, which should only have been enough for one night, lasted instead for eight nights.
People who observe Hanukkah light a menorah of their own—contemporary menorahs have nine branches and are often used with taper-style candles, with the center branch holding the shammash, or ‘helper’ candle. On the first night, the shammash is lit, a blessing is spoken, and then the helper is used to light a new candle, which is then placed in the farthestleft branch of the menorah. Each subsequent night, the blessing is repeated and a new candle is lit with the shammash and placed in the next branch over, moving left to right. To bring attention to the miracle of the oil, the menorah is usually placed near a window.
If you’d like to attend a menorah-lighting ceremony and join in the celebration of Hanukkah, the Chabad Jewish Center of Skagit County is hosting a free event at Maple Hall in La Conner on Dec. 29. There will be uplifting music, delicious treats like donuts and latkes, and activities for kids—as well as, of course, the lighting of a spectacular 9-foot menorah. For more information, visit their website at jewishskagitcounty.com.
• Katheryn Moran Photography (2024 Best of the Northwest Gold!)
• Jagger Photography (2024 Best of the Northwest Silver!)
• Bella Vita Creative (2024 Best of the Northwest Bronze!)
• Dani Winters Photography
• Teo Crider Photography
• Kristina Gray Photography
• Robin Marie Photography
Chabad Jewish Center of Skagit County
Photo Courtesy of Chabad of Skagit County
Local Holiday Agenda
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Fairhaven
Fairhaven Winterfest is an annual celebration of all things winter! It lasts from late November through late December and can include visits from Father Christmas, holiday art walks and markets, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling contests, and so much more! You definitely won’t want to miss the tree lighting, held in past years just outside of Village Inn. At Village Books, participate in their Angel Trees program by picking out a book or gift for a child. Galloway’s Cocktail Bar is known to throw a fantastic Great Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve Party!
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Mount Vernon
Get into the festive spirit early with November events in Mount Vernon! Ladies Night Out Sip & Shop is a delightful way to shop downtown businesses while finding your new favorite wine. Christianson’s Nursery will host a Fall Harvest Market, the Skagit Valley Farmers Holiday Market, and Valley Made Holiday Market. Skagit Regional Health Foundation’s Festival of Trees brings the merriment with a Gala and Family Festival Days over Thanksgiving Weekend. Then, in early December, take part in the dazzling Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, organized by the Mount Vernon Downtown Association! In the new year, stay tuned for the Illuminight Winter Walk in January!
Birch Bay and Blaine
The holiday season in Blaine kicks off with the Community Assistance Program’s Thanksgiving Baskets, a food drive that provides everything needed for Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Blaine’s Holiday Harbor Lights at the end of November promises to bring holiday magic to life with a full day of activities including a book sale and holiday craft bazaar, tree lighting, a meet and greet with both Santa AND the Grinch, and much more. On New Year’s Eve, find a spot along the shores of Birch Bay to light a flare as part of the Ring of Fire & Hope.
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Bellingham
The Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony in Bellingham happens in early December and sets the mood with sweet treats, crafts, and community! Find a spot near the water to watch the Bellingham Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade, or head to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on the first weekend of December for the Holiday Port Festival. Keep an eye on the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s website for information about their Shine Bright Bham window displays and interactive contests! The York neighborhood hosts an annual Christmas Caroling Party & Horse Wagon Ride, and James Street Estates delights the city with blocks of residential holiday light displays.
Anacortes, La Conner, and Burlington
Enjoy the small-town holiday vibes of these Skagit cities! Anacortes leans into its island identity with their Anacortes Coastal Christmas events, including the Coastal Christmas Tree Lighting, Breakfast with Santa, and a Rockin’ Yule Blizzard musical showcase! In La Conner, in addition to a tree lighting with Santa in attendance, the Swinomish Yacht Club puts on a Lighted Boat Parade visible from the La Conner Boardwalk. The Children’s Museum of Skagit County creates a truly magical experience for kids with their Winter Wonderland event, a multi-day fair at the Burlington Plaza with snow, santa, and reindeer (plus many more indoor and outdoor attractions).
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Lynden
Lynden is home to some of the most extravagant residential lighted displays in the area. Emerald Way Lights, Cross Country Lights, and Charlee’s Lights on Grover all maintain Facebook pages about their home’s holiday decor, and invite you to come and enjoy it! Bellewood Farms hosts their Ciderfest in November and always has plenty of Christmastime activities in December. Get a dose of Lynden’s farming culture at the Northwest Lighted Christmas Parade in early December, which not only features illuminated floats, cars, and trucks, but also wagons, farming equipment, and more!
Ferndale
The close-knit neighbors of Ferndale will gather for the Community Tree Lighting on the first weekend of December, and the party will include Christmas carols, cookies, hot cocoa, and Santa! That same Friday and Saturday, the Ferndale Heritage Society throws their annual Olde Fashioned Christmas in Pioneer Village, where their authentic late-1800s log cabins will be decorated to the nines and Christmas music, activities, and costumed volunteers spread holiday cheer. Later in December, return to Pioneer Park to enjoy a Lighted Christmas Stroll Through Pioneer Village And don’t miss out on the Ferndale Creative Winter Arts & Crafts Festival for your local shopping needs!
REMEMBER SNOW DAYS when you were a kid? You’d grab a sled (or a baking sheet, or a piece of cardboard, or whatever you could find) and run to the biggest hill in the neighborhood for hours of fun with all the other kids around. Why does that end when you’re an adult?
You don’t have to have kids with you to enjoy the thrill of sliding downhill on fresh snow—you just need a sled and a hill! A baking sheet won’t work as well for a grown-up butt, so pick up a highquality sled at your favorite outdoor shop. We love Yeager’s Sporting Goods and DICK’s Sporting Goods in Bellingham, and Kaptein’s Ace Hardware is our go-to in Mount Vernon.
In Whatcom County, the obvious choice to find the perfect sledding hill is Mount Baker, but Fairhaven Park, Lynden City Park, and the hill behind the Bellingham Public Library branch on Central Avenue are all great spots too. In Skagit, Mount Vernon High School has a nice hill, and the Skagit River Park Sports Complex Playfields in Burlington offer plenty of room for everyone.
Worth a Drive
IF YOU’RE LOOKING for an easy-yet-festive getaway within a few hours’ drive, we’ve got some great options for you!
Leavenworth, WA
Just under three hours from Bellingham is a Bavarian Christmas bonanza: Leavenworth boasts charming, Germanstyle architecture, stellar bratwurst and soft pretzels on every corner, and festive decorations worthy of an authentic European village. With more than 500,000 lights illuminating the snowy storefronts, it’s like a holiday Disneyland (but less expensive). Stroll the cobblestone streets, visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, do a little shopping—you can even catch some thrills and a stunning view of the town from above on the Tumwater Twister Alpine Coaster. Book a room at Icicle Village Resort and take advantage of their fabulous spa or year-round heated pool when you need a break from your wanderings!
Bellevue, WA
For a super festive event that you can do in a day trip, head down to Bellevue to see the Snowflake Lane parade. Every December evening leading up to Christmas Day, a crowd of toy drummers and other holiday characters march, dance, and perform down four lit-up blocks of downtown Bellevue at 7 p.m. sharp—there’s music and Christmas cheer and even snow! If you decide to book a hotel and make a weekend of it, you can also hop over to Seattle and catch the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s incredible performance of The Nutcracker.
Langley, BC
If you consider a double-border crossing within the parameters of a day trip, you can also visit Merry & Bright at Martini Town without having to book a room. The Langley, B.C. film set has been the backdrop of many a Hallmark Christmas movie, and the New York-themed streets get gussied up to the nines in lights, wreaths, garlands, candy canes, teen-sized nutcrackers… You name it, they’ve got it, including a snow machine. The result is a truly magical experience: the feeling of having been transported into the middle of a holiday movie, complete with meals and dessert from a range of vendors, lastminute gift shopping at the holiday market, and a photo-op with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the town square gazebo.
Seattle, WA
While you could bundle them in with Snowflake Lane, WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is worth a trip all on its own (and it runs from November to January, so you can visit outside the Christmas rush). Starting at 4 p.m., after the zoo has closed to regular visitors and the sun has begun to go down, Woodland comes alive with bright, colorful, creative lantern displays. Last year’s scenes included everything from giant pandas in cherry blossom groves to enormous mosquitos clinging to the trunks of trees—there was even a mythical beasts section, with a color-changing dragon and a smoke-breathing boar facing down a griffin. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for this year!
Snowflake Lane
Kyiv Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Merry & Bright at Martini Town
Photo by
Wild Lanterns at Woodland Park Zoo
Photo by Anne Godenham