Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | Lighted Boat Parade brightens the harbor
Seasonal festivities continue indoors and out, and music fills the air this week as we head full-tilt into the holiday season.
The Gig Harbor Yacht Club’s annual Lighted Boat Parade will illuminate the harbor starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. All manner of watercraft — from stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to classic yachts and purse seiners — will circle the bay.
The parade begins and ends at Arabella’s Landing Marina and makes two loops around the harbor. Good on-shore viewing spots include Skansie Park, Jerisich Dock, Ancich Waterfront Park, the Bogue viewing platform, Maritime Pier and waterfront restaurants.
People walk down Jerisich Dock to visit the lighted boats waiting their turn to sail in the 2024 Lighted Boat Parade. Photo by Carolyn Bick © Carolyn Bick 2024
Menorah lighting
Chabad Pierce County will host an all-invited celebration to light the giant menorah in Skansie Park at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The event includes live music, free latkes and jelly donuts. Please RSVP so the hosts prepare enough food to share with everyone.
In addition to the menorah lighting, Chabad will also sponsor a Chanukah village from 3 to 4:45 p.m. with hands-on activities and giveaways at Local Whimsey, AR Workshop, Lost Star Gaming and other downtown shops. Tickets are $20 per child and reservations are required here.
Lamplighters light the Chanukah menorah at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor, Washington, on Dec. 29, 2024. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Letters to Santa
Want to send a letter to Santa? The city of Gig Harbor installed a mailbox in Skansie Park for that very purpose. Letters received by Dec. 20 will be delivered to Santa’s home in the North Pole, and every letter will receive a reply from the jolly old elf himself.
Olalla Bay Market also has a mailbox specifically for letters to Santa. Be sure to post your letters by Dec. 19 to receive a reply.
Whenever you write to Santa, be sure to include a name and return address so Santa and Mrs. Claus can respond.
Santa’s mailbox in Olalla
Santa’s everywhere
Have a Jingle Bell Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec.13, at Swift Water Elementary School, 10811 Harbor Hill Dr. and get your photo taken with the jolly old elf and Mrs. Claus. Suggested donation is $5 per person; $20 per family. Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Kiwanis holiday toy drive. Register here.
Santa and the Grinch will be on hand for photos from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Lake Kathryn Ace Hardware, 14220 92nd Ave. NW on the Key Peninsula. Pets are welcome. Free coffee, cookies and candy canes.
It won’t be difficult to find Santa this week.
The Harbor History Museum’s Holiday Market is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, with holiday wares, museum store specials and photos with Father Christmas. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance’s Holiday Village continues at the Ancich Park Waterfront with six holiday scenes set up in the net shed. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Santa will be there for photos from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 14, 21 and 22.
Wreaths Across America
Veterans will be honored at cemeteries across the nation Saturday, Dec. 13, as volunteers from Wreaths Across America place evergreen wreaths on graves. Locally, 80 wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves at Cromwell Cemetery, 2500 62nd Ave NW, and 100 wreaths at Artondale Cemetery, 5512 Hunt Street from 9 to 10 a.m.
Live theater
Ghostlight Performing Arts will present their rendition of “A Christmas Carol” Friday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Nichols Center 690 9th Ave. on Fox Island. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Buy tickets here.
Book discussion and author conversation
The Olalla Book Club will welcome author Debbie Macomber at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Olalla Bible Church, 13053 Olalla Valley Road SE. Macomber will talk about her life and writing career, and discuss her latest book, “A Ferry Merry Christmas.” It’s free.
Fun and games
Olalla Bay Market hosts a Sip and Shop from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 13965 Crescent Valley Road SE.
Saturday, Dec. 13 the Beer Vault welcomes shoppers to a Christmas Market and Christmas sweater party with local vendors and makers, food, drinks and good cheer. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. at 14004 Purdy Dr.
Create your own holiday-themed evergreen wreath from Noble fir and incense cedar greens at Olalla Winery Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. The $45 admission covers a 12-inch wreath frame, fresh cut greens, instructions, a glass of spiced cider and cookies. Workshops sell out so reserve your space here.
Unleash your creativity and decorate holiday cookies at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at the Beer Vault. Tickets are $60.22 and include four cookies, icing and decorative materials, a box for your goodies and instructions for flooding, sectioning and piping festive designs. All ages are welcome. Make reservations here.
The Float, 14511 Sherman Dr. NW, hosts trivia night at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays.
Hidden Harbor Wine Library, 8805 N. Harborview, Suite 204 hosts music bingo at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Outdoor explorations
The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance hosts a “Pints, Myths and Maritime Spirits” walking tour of the downtown waterfront at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at Heritage Distilling and ending at 7Seas Brewing. Stops include Skansie Park, Harbor WildWatch, the Maritime Pier and other places of local interest. Tickets for the half-mile walk are $30 for adults, $10 for kids here.
Harbor WildWatch biologists will lead a free, educational walk from Donkey Creek Park to txʷaalqəł Estuary Saturday, Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Dress for the weather. Free and family friendly.
Live music
The Goodman Middle School Bands play a Jingle and Mingle concert Thursday, Dec. 11, with performances by the jazz band, intermediate band, advanced band, choir and drama team. Music starts at 6:30 pm. It’s all free and includes free cocoa and cookies. Goodman is located at 3701 38th Ave NW.
The Float has Nick Cain and Friends at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and Joel Gibson Jr. at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Seating is first-come, first-served and standing room only once the seats are full. Thursday is karaoke night at the Float with prizes and drink specials starting at 8 p.m.
Stevenson Brooks provides the tunes at Hidden Harbor Wine Library, 8805 N. Harborview, Suite 204, at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
The Peninsula Civic Orchestra presents its free winter concert, “A Harbor Holiday,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Peninsula High School, 14015 Purdy Dr. The program features Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian,” Korngold’s “The Snowman” overture, Tobani’s “Hearts and Flowers” and a collection of seasonal music.
Peninsula Community Chorus’ “Christmas Time is Here” winter concert takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Peninsula High School auditorium. Father Christmas also pays a visit and free refreshments will be provided. Tickets are $10 general admission; $7 students and seniors. Purchase them here.
Mary Manning’s violin and viola students will present a free recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, 10511 Peacock Hill Ave. The program features music by Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Boem, Dancla, Seitz, Kreisler and Pachelbel’s much-loved Canon in D. Julie Mandery will provide piano accompaniment and Ms. Manning will play the Preludio from Partita No. 3 by Bach.
Derek van Duyn is among the students participating in the recital on Dec. 14.
Arthur Keast, a talented young Gig Harbor musician, sings holiday and winter classics in his only local performance at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Olalla Winery. Tickets are $20 here.
The Trailer Park Kings play ‘70s rock at Kimball Coffeeshop at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. It’s sponsored by the South Sound Blues Association. Free and family friendly. Kimball has an open mic every Thursday, with sign-ups at 5:30 p.m.
Cuvee Wine Bar hosts Austen and Lerin for an evening of songs and stories at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $22 to $35 and include a glass of wine. Reservations required.
Harbor Winds play a “Celebration” holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Gig Harbor High School, 4905 Rosedale Street featuring music from Adam Gorb, John Mckey, Megan Vinther, JaRod Hall and more. Key Peninsula residents can take a free charter bus to and from the concert. The concert is free with a suggested donation of $10. RSVP here.
At the movies
Wednesday’s Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “Elf” starring Will Ferrell. Showtime is 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Flashback movies are just $5.
For opera lovers, the Galaxy presents the Met Opera’s big screen performance of “Andrea Chénier” showing Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the movie version of Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with Jim Carrey starring as the grumpy, green, Christmas-hating creature intent on disrupting the plans of the Christmas-loving residents of Whoville. Showtimes at the Galaxy are 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14; 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 16. “Grinch” tickets are just $5.
Always check with the Galaxy to confirm showtimes, as movies and times are subject to change.
Free legal advice
Attorneys from TacomaProBono will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 15, to provide advice on issues such as eviction, landlord-tenant relationships, family and consumer law issues and civil law concerns. The legal aid popup takes place at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.
