The holidays are just around the corner! Whether you’re new to Kitsap County or you need a quick refresher on holiday events and festivals, we got you covered.
Here’s a dozen events we have our eye on:
North Kitsap
Bainbridge Island: Winter in the Woods at Bloedel Reserve
Winter in the Woods returns to Bloedel Reserve December 4-January 9, 2022! Take a walk in the woods and follow the scavenger hunt of fanciful wooden snowpeople and critters! Make a wish for the new year at their Community Wishing Tree, and consider donating items to their winter clothing drive, in partnership with the Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center. Saturday, December 11 is Gratitude Day and admission is free of charge. Timed tickets are still required for entry.
Bainbridge Island: Holiday at Fay
Share in the joy of this festive holiday season from the warmth of your own vehicle at the drive-thru holiday event at Fay Bainbridge Park! For two long weekends Dec. 9-12, 16-19, drive down the hill listening to your favorite holiday music, and you will be met with an illuminated show of festive cheer! Bring your family, friends, and a thermos of cocoa or hot cider! Register online at biparks.org using Activity #541012, $20/vehicle.
Kingston: Kingston Cove Christmas
On Saturday, December 4, don’t miss a fantastic kick-off to the holiday season at the Kingston Cove Christmas! Enjoy a festive display of lights and tree lighting, Santa, holiday music with Danny Vernon as Elvis, food, wine and spirits and more! The holiday light display will run nightly through Jan 9th, 2022.
Poulsbo: Julefest
Head over to the Poulsbo Sons of Norway on Saturday, December 4 for Julefest! From 10am to dusk enjoy a nordic market, with local business owners and artisans selling jewerly, candles and soaps, wooden crafts and other holiday gifts. Dine a taste of Norway with classic dishes and cookies, along with a boat arrival, winter solstice proclamation and a viking bonfire to close out the night!
Port Gamble: Port Gamble Country Christmas
Head up to Port Gamble over the weekend of December 11-12 for a Country Christmas! Visitors will enjoy a variety of festive holiday activities including horse-drawn hayrides through a town sparkling with over 100,000 holiday lights, pony rides, holiday shopping, craft-making for the kids at Santa’s workshop, followed by Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display.
Central Kitsap
Bremerton: Lighted Boat Parade
Each year the Bremerton Yacht Club sponsors a Lighted Boat Parade on a Friday and Saturday night during the Christmas Season. This year it will be December 10 and 11! The routes will include Phinney Bay, Port WA Narrows, Sinclair Inlet – Friday. Phinney Bay, Oyster Bay & Dyes Inlet – Saturday. For more details, click here.
Bremerton: The Nutcracker at Peninsula Dance Theatre
The Peninsula Dance Theatre presents this timeless ballet that brings both young and old together, December 4-5 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now at www.peninsuladancetheatre.org.
Silverdale: 67th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
After Thanksgiving head over to Silverdale on Saturday, Nov. 27 for their 67th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Enjoy a holiday vendor fair, photos with Santa and more.
South Kitsap/Pierce County
Gig Harbor: 2nd Annual Lighted Car Parade
On Saturday, December 18, head over to Gig Harbor for their 2nd Annual Lighted Car Parade from 4:30pm-6pm! Decorate your car and join the parade or watch from anywhere along the routes (more details coming). Motorcycles are welcome to join. No registration is required, just meet at Uptown Gig Harbor at 4pm for staging. The route details will be announced soon, be sure to follow their Facebook page for details.
Port Orchard: Port Orchard Festival of Chimes, Lights & Tree Lighting
In lieu of the traditional events this year to keep everyone safe, the Festival of Chimes and Lights will feature a slow-rolling drive-thru in downtown Port Orchard from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday, December 4th. Come join the fun by loading up your car with family and friends (include some snacks), and join us as we drive through downtown Port Orchard!
Port Orchard: WWCA Holiday Variety Show
Celebrate the holidays this season at WWCA in downtown Port Orchard for their Holiday Variety Show! From December 3-19, join in on a night of singing, dancing, & festive performances that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. Their talented group of carolers and youth ensemble will perform numerous songs, including arrangements written by our former Music Director, Bruce Ewen. Performances Friday, Saturday and Sundays thru December 19. For tickets and info click here.
Tacoma: Zoolights at Point Defiance Park Zoo
The Puget Sound’s annual holiday light extravaganza returns Nov. 26 – Jan. 2 with all-new dazzling displays, the holiday carousel, goat feeding and more! Step back into the Zoolights tradition you know and love: your Zoo transformed into a colorful winter wonderland with over 700,000 LED lights. See magical 3D animal light displays and feel the holiday joy. A very limited number of timed online tickets are now available at pdza.org/zoolights. Last year, Zoolights sold out, so reserve your tickets early!
What holiday events are you looking forward to? Did we miss any? Comment below!