The crane that towers over Oak Harbor is no longer the city’s lone landmark twinkling with holiday spirit.

Santa arrived downtown Saturday in a pirate ship to commence the city’s annual tree lighting.

Coupled with the annual Lighted Boat Parade, organized by the Oak Harbor Yacht Club, the city officially welcomed the Christmas season in its unique way.

Traditional events, such as the Festival of Trees auction and gala and the Teddy Bear Breakfast, both fundraisers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County, took place over the weekend to kick off a month of holiday-themed events.

Among the upcoming highlights is “The Nutcracker,” put on annually by The Ballet Slipper Conservatory.

Three performances are this weekend at Oak Harbor High School — 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is bringing a week of outdoor fun to Oak Harbor with Island Ice Dec. 26-31 at Windjammer Park.

The chamber is also sponsoring New Year’s Eve fireworks at the park.