The Grit City is full of out-of-the-box options when it comes to gift giving. Sure, fill your stockings with the usual necessities–socks, underwear, toothbrushes, and scrunchies–but don’t forget to tuck something unique in there that will utterly stun the gift receiver and fill them with excitement.
The quaint area of Bellingham has activities and outdoor adventures to do year-round, and the holiday season is no exception. There are several exceptional holiday activities to enjoy in Bellingham in December. Like any small community, the magic of the holidays overwhelms Bellingham. Whether you are looking for an outdoor adventure in the snow or a cozy Christmas activity complete with Christmas music, there is an activity for everyone. Below are just a handful of Best of Bellingham in the winter!
If you have been looking forward to snow-packed mountains since the snow melted off in August, look no further. The snow is here, and that means that winter alpine sports are kicking up for the season. If you are looking to head up to the mountain to go Skiing or Snowboarding this season, head to MT. Baker. Mt. Baker offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest. In 2020, Mt. Baker Experienced the deepest snowpack in the United States and had an excellent alpine season.
With runs for all levels from beginner to expert, there is a place for the whole family to enjoy. If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, consider signing up for lessons. Mt. Baker Ski resort is near Bellingham in the Cascade Mountain Range.
One of the most incredible winter activities to do in the Pacific Northwest is to go see the Larches. Larches are a type of tree that turn golden in the Late Autumn and early winter. Their needles turn golden as they die because the tree is withdrawing nutrients from them to save for the winter. Larches are popular because beautiful snowcapped areas turn golden in September, October, and early November with these unique trees.
While there are many Apline hikes to see the Larches in Washington State, there are several that are close to Bellingham. In the North Cascades, Maple Pass Loop, a 7-mile trail, is a beautiful larch location. Blue Lake is a 4.5-mile hike that leads you to a frozen lake in the wintertime and has a beautiful display of larches. Cut Throat Pass, a more difficult hike at a 10-mile round trip, also has an excellent larch view. These hikes are often covered in snow in late October, so be prepared.
Finding a Christmas tree is arguably one of the most essential activities of the holiday season. Bellingham and the surrounding area in the foothills of the North Cascades is home to dozens of Christmas tree farms. There is plenty of trees to choose from and many local Christmas tree farmers to support.
The Stremler Family has been running the Alpine Meadows Christmas tree farm since 1982. The farm is located just outside Bellingham in Deming, Wa, and is open during November and early December every year. This family-owned business is excited to help you find the perfect tree for you and your family. This is a U-cut Christmas tree farm, so get ready to take home a fresh tree!
The Holiday Port Festival is a free, family-friendly event that is held during the first weekend of December. There is a number of community events and other activities to do, such as Performances by local choirs, bands, and dancers. There is a gingerbread house display and free cookies and hot cider during a normal year. For kids, there is always an area to visit with Santa, and there are often horse-drawn, and tractor wagon rides. The exact dates for this event change yearly, so make sure to check in with the port of Bellingham’s website to find out this year’s dates.
If you are looking for an exciting day trip from Bellingham, the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in British Columbia, Canada, is exceptional! This suspension bridge park is lit up with Christmas lights every year in December and is complete with hot cocoa stands, Christmas music, and more. While the main suspension bridge is exciting, there are also many bridges in the forest from tree to tree that are fun for the whole family to explore! Make sure to bring your passports and warm clothes for this adventure.
The Fairhaven Winter Fest is a community-driven event that creates a sense of magic for the holiday season. With lights under the winter sky, shops, holiday music, and more, this is an excellent evening activity in December. Part of this Fest is a lighted Bike parade where anyone can sign up and decorate their bike in lights and ride through Fairhaven Village. There is a window decorating competition for the businesses in Fairhaven and plenty of holiday cheer.
The Firelight stroll is a part of Fairhaven’s Winter Fest. This quaint holiday tradition has plenty of small-town Christmas spirit to go around and is something you don’t want to miss. Starting in front of First Federal at 10th and Harris, everyone in the community gathers for a Christmas stroll. The surrounding streets are decorated with lights and other Christmas decorations, and there is often the soft lull of holiday music playing as your walk. This half-mile stroll is a great family activity! Grab your hot cocoa and your winter coat for this winter wonderland activity.
The holiday Market by the Sea is an indoor Market that features homemade soaps, candles, pastries, jam, coffee, and more. This event is located in Blaine, Wa, and happens in late November and December. If you are looking for last-minute Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, the Holliday Market by the Sea is an excellent place to support local vendors for the holidays.
The Bellingham Clever Neighbor is happy to bring you the best recommendations on activities for every season. Check back in soon to find out what the best spring activities are in Bellingham.
Just like any close-knit community, Skagit county does a lot of community-centered events during the holiday season. In any given neighborhood, Christmas lights begin going up in early November, and by early December, neighborhoods are fully decorated. Every house will be lit, trees will be up, and you may even hear Christmas music.
Christmas is a fun time to be surrounded by friends and family, but it is also fun to partake in all of the community festivities around you. While so many traditions happen in December, this article is meant to help you pick out just a few Christmas-related activities to do near you this December. All over Skagit County, there are tree lighting ceremonies, Christmas plays, and more going on. Make sure to look into your cities events list to find a complete list of the events.
In December, the Swinomish Channel will be aglow with the lights from decorated boats! The La Conner Boat parade happens every year and is a community favorite. Boats from the marina decorated with Christmas lights, Santas, music, and more drive through the channel at night!
Everyone lines the La Conner Channel Walkway and settles in with hot cocoa. Christmas music plays to get ready for the parade of boats to move down the channel and under the rainbow bridge before turning around and coming back through. Many of the boats are themed for their owner’s favorite Christmas movies. Some people even get creative with costumes to match their boats.
There are quite a few spectacular neighbors with amazing Christmas lights in Skagit County. In Burlington, Nearly L.U. School, there is a very well known neighborhood, well known for its Christmas lights that is. Every year homestead Drive gets into the Christmas spirit. Every Single house puts lights up, and many houses add festive music, blow-up characters, or other fun additions to their yard. Many people add lights to the trees that line the neighborhood, and the neighborhood votes on the best lights every year.
In 2019, the neighborhood decided to take its Christmas celebration up a notch and have a winter block party complete with a sleigh and a real-life reindeer. The reindeer stayed for a few hours while children waited to take their pictures with it. There was Christmas music and hot cocoa, and because the event was posted on the news, people from all over the valley turned out to join in. On any given year during December, there is often a steady stream of cars making their way through the neighborhood to check out the lights once it’s dark out.
Most cities and towns in Skagit Valley do some type of Christmas celebration each year, but Mt. Vernon also offers a Christmas Parade. In early December, Mt. Vernon hosts a parade followed by a tree lighting event in Downtown Mt. Vernon. The parade usually starts at 5 pm and travels down the main street before the Tree lighting ceremony happens at Pine Park. This is a very fun community even, and the parade is filled with Christmas lights and people dressed as Santa.
Another key part of every Christmas celebration is a Christmas tree! There are several Christmas tree farms in Skagit County and even more in the surrounding areas. But you won’t have to go far for a perfect tree as Mclean Christmas Trees on Mclean road in Mt. Vernon sells excellent Christmas trees. The Mclean Christmas Tree Farm is a 12-acre farm with a variety of Christmas trees. They have Fraser Firs, Nordman Firs, Blue and Green Spruce, Douglas Firs, and Pine Trees. They open on the weekend after Thanksgiving on a normal year and often sell out extremely quickly. On their website, they mention that they have been completely sold out of trees for several years by December 2nd or 3rd.
If you are excited about a traditional tree cutting experience with your family this Christmas, you may be interested in the National Forest Christmas Tree Permits. Every year, there are limited permits available to cut down Christmas Trees in the national forest. Christmas Tree permits are available for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie national forest. The permitting usually begins in early November and goes until Christmas. This is a unique opportunity to partake in an old Christmas tradition that is unavailable in many areas of the state and the county.
The Towns of Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes, and several others also hold annual Christmas tree lighting events. The dates and regular occurrences of these events change from year to year and have been affected by the ongoing pandemic, but it is worthwhile to check out your town’s community page in the late fall to find out what activities are happening near you.
There is plenty of opportunities for Santa Pictures in Skagit County as well. At many of the tree lighting events and the Mt. Vernon parade, there are Santas that are ready to take pictures with young children. Every year, the Burlington Mall offers a Santa Display with a Santa that children can talk with and take pictures with.
The town of Concrete offers a holiday lane every year, and several other areas have drive-through Christmas light displays. There is a singing house in Sedro-Woolley that times its Christmas lights to a local radio station. The singing house is located at 4623 Blank Rd. off Prairie Rd. near Samish School, Sedro-Woolley (musical display 92.3 FM. There is also a singing house on HWY 20 West towards Anacortes that has a very festive light display that is also in tune with a radio station. Anacortes has a community light show in the middle of December every year.
In Skagit county, there is no shortage of light displays, decorations, and events that happen to celebrate the winter holidays! It is a festive time, and due to the limited daylight hours and colder weather, taking advantage of some of these holiday events can be a great way to stay entertained during December. Check back into the Clever Neighbor for more holiday events and activities year-round.
Looking for things to do around the Puget Sound this Holiday Season? Here is a list of events to help your search!
Winter Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, for many, are a joyous time of year. But, sadly there are many who are in need this time of year.
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and the Tacoma Rescue Mission are two local organizations who reach out to the homeless year round. If you are looking for a local way to help those in need, these are two great resources. They are always looking for compassionate people who are willing to donate their time and/or money.
click here to see how you can help this Christmas.
Federal Way based World Vision, is a great international option that has local roots in the Puget Sound. World Vision offers a number of packages that you can purchase as gifts for friends or family. They also offer opportunities to sponsor children across the globe.
Looking for a great gift for the friend or family member that’s passionate about social justice? Check out The Nations Foundation and purchase them a one year subscription. click here for info on a subscription to the Nations Journal
The Nutcracker Ballet was first performed in Russia in 1892. It’s most famous for its music and beautiful choreography. Do you know who composed the iconic music?
Local performances can be seen in a number of cities around the Puget Sound. Here are some:
McCaw Hall in Seattle – Pacific Northwest Ballet
Federal Way Performing Arts Center – Tacoma City Ballet
Edmonds Center For The Arts – Olympic Ballet
Olympia’s Washington Center – Ballet Northwest
The Nutcracker has been performed across the world for over 100 years.
For over 50 years, Life Center Tacoma has been home to their own version of The Singing Christmas Tree.
The Singing Christmas tree consists of a large local choir. The choir stretches to the ceiling on a set piece, designed to look like a Christmas Tree.
Each year, a different story is told. The production often features live animals, children, adults and a symphonic orchestra. Click here for more info and tickets.
Closer to Portland? Click here for Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree
Leavenworth is nestled deep in the Cascade Mountains. It is in close proximity to alpine skiing, wilderness trails and wineries. click here for a list of wineries
The city has steadily developed its Bavarian Roots for over fifty years. This is most evident in the German architecture. event the fast food restaurants are themed to fit in!
There are a number of festivals throughout the year including the Christmas Lighting Festival which occurs throughout December and the Bavarian Icefest which occurs in January.
Other events in the fall and winter include Oktoberfest in October and Christkindlemarkt which takes place in around Thanksgiving each year. These are both promoted by Projekt Bayern, which formed in 1996 to carry on the area’s Bavarian vision.
Leavenworth is a little over 2 ½ hours from Seattle or Tacoma. If you drive, make sure to check in with a reputable tire store like Northwest based Les Schwab Tires. It’s always a good idea to make sure your car and tires are up for the winter journey.
If you’d rather let someone else take care of the accommodation, book a tour on the Leavenworth Snow Train. Another option is to travel aboard deluxe motor coach. Check out Clipper Vacation’s Day Trip to Leavenworth.
The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth is a great destination for the Holidays.
Since 2005, Bellevue Square Mall has hosted a holiday themed parade called Snowflake Lane. It occurs every night from late November to December 24th.
Popular holiday characters are featured along with music, falling snow and holiday lights. Santa makes his presence known each evening during the parade. Families line up early along the route and disperse afterward for hot cocoa, or a bite to eat at any of the local eateries. It might be smart to grab dinner before hand, and dessert after.
If you are looking for a closer interaction with Santa, his workshop is located within the mall on the second floor. Pictures with the big guy can be had with packages starting at around $24. A number of local schools, vocal ensembles and entertainers are scheduled to share their talents every mid-day in late November and early December. Click to check the entertainment schedule.
Swanson’s Nursery in Ballard has been providing the area with landscaping tips and products for years. They bring that level of service to the Holiday months with their Reindeer Festival which lasts from early November until Christmas Eve. The festivities include live music, a model train village and real live reindeer. Click here to learn more about meeting the Reindeer.
Along with a selection of Christmas Trees, there is plenty of shopping. And if you’re looking for the obligatory picture with Santa Clause, they offer that as well.
Special Holiday Adventure Tours are available upon request. These are a great opportunity for children to learn about the reindeer, model trains and Christmas Trees.
If you are looking for a one stop shop to prep for Christmas, this may be your spot!
Poulsbo, founded by Norwegians in the late 1800’s, has maintained its Norwegian Heritage for over 100 years. In fact, two Norwegian monarchs have paid visits to the City.
There are a number of festive and historic events that take place here in the winter months. Which, may be fitting considering the movie Frozen is based on Scandinavian tales.
Here are some events you might consider in and near the City of Vikings:
A view of the shoreline in Poulsbo during the Holiday Season.
During the darkest time of the year, people love to light up the night with their own creative spin. There are many opportunities around the Puget Sound experience well crafted lighting displays. Here are a few:
Zoo Lights – Pt Defiance Zoo in Tacoma
Zoo Lights – Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle
Holiday With Lights at Wild Waves – Federal Way
Garden D’Lights – Bellevue Botanical Garden
Ivars Clam Lights – Coulon Memorial Park in Renton
Fantasy Lights – Spanaway Park
The Lights of Christmas – Warm Beach in Stanwood
Click here to check out some great neighborhood light displays
The Seattle Winterfest runs from late November until New Years Day.
It features a number of family friendly Winter activities. There’s ice skating, ice sculpting and a turn of the century train display.
Dickens Carolers, Comedians and more. Click here to learn more.
If you are looking for a down home experience with a twist. Check out Country Village in Bothel. They have a number of activities each Holiday Season including A Pirate Christmas, Snowflake Creation Station, Live reindeer and activities with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Click here to learn more about the Country Village