Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Spring Market highlights Mother’s Day weekend

Posted on May 6th, 2025 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

In just a few short years, the Local Makers Spring Market has become a Mother’s Day tradition in Gig Harbor.

This year’s market, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, features food trucks, a kid zone, aerial artists, live music from The Shy Boys and more than 100 booths filled with handmade arts and crafts. Admission is free. The first 100 families will receive a bag full of locally-made goodies (one per family).

The market takes place on the green at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. Only those with handicapped parking permits may park at the Civic Center. Free public parking is available at the park and ride lot and the Franciscan Medical Center, both on Kimball Drive. Free shuttles will take people to and from the market from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here for information.

‘Oliver’ at Peninsula, ‘Les Mis’ at Gig Harbor

The Peninsula High School theater department presents Lionel Bart’s classic musical “Oliver!” the next two weekends at the school at 14016 Purdy Drive.

“Olliver!” is based on Dickens’ 19th century novel “Oliver Twist.” The show includes dark and potentially triggering content about the sometimes grim conditions in Victorian London.

Performances are May 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 . Buy tickets here.

Gig Harbor High School’s production of “Les Misérables” continues with performances at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 8 through May 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The GHHS pit orchestra provides the music. Tickets cost $18 for adults or $15 for kids, students and seniors. Buy them here. GHHS is located at 5101 Rosedale St.

The Gig Harbor High performance of “Les Mis.”

Waterfront walking tours

The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance lead a guided exploration of Gig Harbor’s maritime history with its “Pints, Myths and Maritime Spirits” walk starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

The half-mile walk includes stops at the Skansie Netshed, the Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard, the Maritime Pier and other historic sites. Tickets cost $30 per person ($10 for kids under 12). Learn more and purchase tickets here. Future tours will take place on the second Thursday of the month.

BoatShop ‘Let’s Launch’ fundraiser

The Gig Harbor BoatShop’s annual “Let’s Launch” fundraising event on Friday, May 9 will feature fancy hors d’oeuvres, music by Jack McMahon and a variety of unique auction items pitched by auctioneer Jim Borgen. Tickets cost $100 per person and can be purchased here.

Rotary fundraiser

The Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday hosts an evening of music, food and auction items called “Supporting Dreams, Nourishing Lives” on Saturday May 10. Proceeds support those in our community who need essentials like food, hygiene supplies or clothing, or dental and medical procedures. Funds also go toward drivers education classes to help students secure employment. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Vintage Aero Museum, 1108 26^th Ave. NW. Tickets cost $100 per person. Make reservations here.

Wine tasting

Two Loons Winery will offer tastings of five of their wines from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Sample their 2023 alvarinho, 2020 Columbia Valley cabernet, 2018 Moo-zhur-in, 2018 syrah and a Loon Labs winemaker’s choice. The winery is located at 9422 22nd Ave NW.

Plant sale

Ian’s Green Thumb will host a plant sale from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at The Beer Vault, with starts of several varieties of tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce, micro greens, herbs, zucchini, Jack o’lantern pumpkins, zinnias and more. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Gig Harbor/Peninsula Special Olympics. The Beer Vault is located at 14004 Purdy Drive.

Book discussion

The Gig Harbor Literary Society’s book group meets from 6 to 7: 30 Tuesday, May 6, at Harbor History Museum to discuss “Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey. All are welcome to join the discussion, whether or not you’ve read the book.

Live music

Jack McMahon’s repertoire ranges from folk and rock, to country and R&B. He’ll bring his music to the BoatShop Saturday, May 10. Buy tickets here.

Hard Shell Cases play tunes from the Emerald Isle Friday, May 9 at the Olalla Winery. Make reservations here.

Michele D’amour and the Love Dealers take the stage at Kimball Coffeehouse Friday, May 9, with fun, funky blues and classic R&B. Free and family friendly.

Kevin Cummings hosts a singer-songwriter showcase at The Beer Vault at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, featuring Elaine Dempsey, Angelina “Ava” Adams and Lawrence Lambert. It’s a fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America. The Beer Vault is located at 14004 Purdy Drive.

Just up the street, the Float hosts 3 Trick Pony Friday, May 9 at 8 p.m. and Ignite on at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10.

At the movies

The Summer Fest Movie at the Galaxy Theaters in Uptown on May 7 and 8 is “Migration,” showing at 10:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. both days. Next up is “Minions: The Rise of Gru” playing at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, May 9; 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11; and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, May 12 and Tuesday May 13. Summer Fest movies are just $2.

This week’s Flashback Cinema movies at the Galaxy are “Scream” showing Wednesday, May 7 at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:50 p.m.; and the classic “Wizard of Oz” playing at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, May 10, and 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the Civic Center. Agenda items include a vote on an ordinance exempting certain multifamily dwellings from paying property taxes for 12 years.

Attorneys from Tacomaprobono will be on hand at the Civic Center on Tuesday, May 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. to provide free advice about family and consumer law, landlord-tenant issues, eviction, consumer law and other issues. No registration is needed; questions are answered on a first come–first served basis.

City council member Jeni Woock hosts Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm at Jeni Listens Wednesday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Cutter’s Point Coffee in the Olympic shopping center.