Make the Holidays Shine in the San Juan Islands

— from Barbara Marrett, San Juan Visitors Bureau —

In the San Juans, the holidays are a perfect time to get away from crowded parking lots and cookie-cutter chain stores. This season, celebrate with a winter forest hike or walk on a stormy beach, a great meal fireside, and holiday spirit with friends new and old.

Here, Santa arrives by ship and shopping is small, not mall. Find the perfect island-made gift at an island artisans’ fair, boutique, or independent bookstore. As a mecca for artists, local galleries on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands present an array of island-made jewelry, pottery, paintings, prints, and sculpture.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, a celebratory lineup of Holiday Events and Specials offer plenty of ways to keep friends and families busy, from holiday plays and concerts to wine tastings and dinners, special restaurant and lodging packages, and more. Three tree lighting ceremonies in Eastsound Village Green, Lopez Village and Friday Harbor will brighten up the chilly nights, with carolers, cookies, hot cider, and good cheer. Escape the mainland’s rush and discover island time.

Friday Harbor/San Juan Island Events:

• November 24-25, San Juan Island Artisans’ Holiday Marketplace
• December 1, Island Lights Festival
• December 1-3, Brickworks Old-Fashioned Christmas Market
• December 11, Procession of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• December 16-17, Salish Sea Ballet’s Nutcracker
• December 16, Santa Ship and Lighted Boats

Lopez Island Events:

• November 24, Lopez Village Holiday Lighting & Gathering
• November 25, Lopez Preschool Annual Holiday Bazaar
• November 25, Annual Jingle Bell Dinner

Orcas Island Events:

• November 24-25, Orcas Center — The Olga Symphony, More or Less
• November 28, Orcas Senior Center – Holiday Festival of the Arts
• December 2-3, Odd Fellows Hall — Holiday Artisans Faire
• December 8, Eastsound Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
• December 9-10, Orcas Choral Society – Holiday Concert

Additional holiday events and specials, as they are added, may be found at: www.visitsanjuans.com/holiday. Find more suggestions for a Cozy Island Holiday on our San Juan Islands Experiences section at www.visitsanjuans.com.