Whidbey ushers in holiday cheer

Like every year, Whidbey’s holiday celebrations bring warmth and light to the cold and dark December days with events that make up a list longer than Santa’s good list.

Oak Harbor

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County is hosting its 25th annual gala and live charity auction, the Festival of Trees. The event will take place 5-10 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, where guests — above the age of 21 and in formal attire — can bid on local treasures and decorated designer trees and wreaths while enjoying a fancy dinner and cocktails. Tickets cost $125.

The next day, BBBS Island County is also hosting its second annual Mingle with Kringle, a casual event featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and Santa. The event is open to guests ages 21 and older who can wear casual, cocktail or holiday attire. Tickets cost $25.

Tickets for both BBBS events can be purchased at bbbsislandcounty.org/events.

Starting Nov. 24, the Blue Fox Drive-In will host a Christmas village at its location, featuring Santa Claus, an arcade, animals, s’mores, fresh-cut Christmas trees, hay rides, light displays and food. Times and dates are on the website.

Christmas is a great opportunity to support local businesses and buy some original, homemade gifts. Oak Harbor residents who have yet to shop for their loved ones can visit the Main Street Holiday Market, which will take place on 890 SE Bayshore Drive #2. The market will be open between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 24-26 and on Dec. 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17, while hours on Dec. 2 are between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m..

At 7 p.m. on Friday Dec. 1 and at 2 p.m. Sunday Dec. 3, community members can learn how to make and decorate a Christmas wreath at 658 Southeast Bayshore Drive in Oak Harbor. Tickets cost $60 — as they also cover materials — and are available on eventbrite.com by typing “wreath-making workshop” in the search bar.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, community members can eat a festive breakfast while enjoying a Teddy Bear Breakfast at the Elks Lodge, presented by BBBS Island County. Tickets cost $15 for guests ages 13 and older, and $5 for children 12 and younger. Guests are also asked to bring a new stuffed animal that emergency services and first responders will donate to a child in a crisis situation. Guests can purchase tickets at bbbsislandcounty.org/events and choose to be seated at 9 or 10:30 in the morning.

That same day, the sound of Growlers will mix with the familiar sound of bells and “ho ho ho” at NAS Whidbey, where Santa will be visiting between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet families at the base’s North Pole Party. The event features music, games, cookies and elves who will assist visitors in building their own toys.

Residents can also stroll down Southeast Pioneer Way on Dec. 2 and enjoy live music at Harborside Village from 1-3 p.m. or grab some free cookies and cocoa at 810 Southeast Pioneer Way between 3 and 5 p.m. Santa and his crew will parade from Midway Boulevard to Ely Street at 4, and at about 5:15 the tree lighting ceremony will add some holiday colors to downtown.

Weather permitting, the Oak Harbor Yacht Club will host on Dec. 2 a Lighted Boat Parade that will sail from Oak Harbor. Boats are scheduled to leave the dock at 4:30 p.m. and reach Coupeville at 5:30 p.m. The event will culminate with an award ceremony for best decorated power and sailboat, followed by a potluck at the clubhouse. If the weather is bad, the parade will move to the next day. People who wish to participate can reach out to Byron Skubi at kbskubi@whidbey.net or text (360) 202-1401. Participants will meet at 3 p.m. at the OHYC Clubhouse.

The Center, located at 51 Southeast Jerome Street in Oak Harbor, is also hosting a Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 2. A week later, on Dec. 9, the Oak Harbor Christian School will host a Christmas bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

On Dec. 2, people can meet the Grinch and take a photo with the world’s greatest Christmas hater at Polished Studio, located at 840 Southeast Bayshore Drive in Oak Harbor. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased through thebrandongrahamfoundation.com, and all proceeds will be donated to the Brandon Graham Foundation.

Between 2 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 7, the Oak Harbor Library is hosting a gingerbread house construction party, free of cost, appropriate for children aged 3 and older and their caregivers.

Starting Friday, Dec. 8, the Whidbey Playhouse is presenting “A Christmas Carol,” written by Charles Dickens and adapted by director Stan Thomas. The public is welcome to view the show on Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m., and at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 17. Tickets cost $15 and are available at whidbeyplayhouse.com.

Oak Harbor High School will also delight the community with two shows. At 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10, The Ballet Slipper Conservatory of Oak Harbor will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Oak Harbor High School Auditorium. Tickets cost $16 for adults, $11 for children ages 18 and younger, and $11 for seniors ages 60 and older. Seats can be booked in advance at tbscoh.org, with remaining tickets sold at the door. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 14, the students will perform a holiday concert. For more information about the concert, contact sfoy@ohsd.net.

The Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus decided to set aside their hatred and partner for a photoshoot with fans at the North Pole, a garage turned into winter wonderland located at 1868 Southwest Downfield Way in Oak Harbor. The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 9. People can sign up on signupgenius.com/go/5080F4AA9AE28ABF58-45790490-pictures.

Between 1 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 10, Santa will also stop by Enchanted You, located at 749 Southeast Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.

Live Holiday Mariachi will be 5-8 p.m., Dec. 22. There will be seasonal food and drink specials at El Cazador, located at 32195 Highway 20 in Oak Harbor.

At 6:30 p.m. on the same day, the Whidbey Playhouse is hosting a Christmas Concert featuring performances by Handsome and Gretyl and John Van Deusen that can be enjoyed with cookies and hot cocoa. Tickets cost $15 and are available at whidbeyplayhouse.com.

Between 9 and 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, Oak Harbor will end the year with fireworks at Windjammer Park.

Central Whidbey

In Coupeville, the Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas Bazaar between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 2, featuring new and gently used items like fresh wreaths, handmade crafts, baked goods and more, with proceeds going to local charity organizations. The event will be located at 608 North Main Street.

The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce is presenting the annual Christmas parade, which will take place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 and bring holiday joy to the town parading through First and North Main streets and continuing down North Main to Front Street, onto Northwest Alexander and across Coveland to the library. The parade is followed by a tree lighting and caroling at Cooks Corner Park, after which visitors can go to the wharf and admire Oak Harbor’s Lighted Boat Parade at 5:30.

From 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 9, the Admiralty Head Lighthouse welcomes guests to enjoy children’s games and activities, marshmallow roasting and take some photos with Santa, who seems to be particularly busy on Whidbey this year. The lighthouse is located at 1280 Engle Road in Coupeville.

During the first three weekends of December, the Greenbank Farm is hosting a Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring holiday carolers, warm drinks, gifts and once again, Santa. On Sunday, Dec. 3, there will also be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony between 3 and 5 p.m.

Between 5 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 20, Island County Parent to Parent is hosting a Holiday Family Fun event at the Coupeville Recreation Hall located at 901 Northwest Alexander Street in Coupeville, featuring beverages, crafts, activities and photos with Santa, who will stop by at 5:30 p.m.