What do you look forward to most about the holidays? Is it sipping hot cocoa or looking at all the lights? Listening to carols or seeing a classic holiday film? No matter what kind of events you enjoy, the Harbor has several unique and family-friendly happenings and festivals in store for you.
Maybe you already have a favorite local holiday event, or perhaps you’re looking for something new to try this year. Why not take the kids to Santa by the Sea in Westport, and watch him arrive on a U.S. Coast Guard boat? Or take in the excitement of the Montesano Festival of Lights. There are plenty of options to choose from.
I took a sneak peak at the upcoming holiday events around the Harbor this year. Kick off the holiday season with one of these festive celebrations.
Holiday Happenings on the Harbor
Aberdeen
- Grays Harbor Civic Choir: There’s nothing that brings out the joy of the Christmas season quite like music. The Grays Harbor Civic Choir will be performing “Seven Joys of Christmas” as well as traditional carols and an audience sing-along at the Bishop Center for Performing Arts at Grays Harbor Community College. The concert takes place on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here.
- Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel: Did you know there’s a Grammy-award-winning musical duo right here in the Harbor? Come see Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel’s Holiday Concert, also at the Bishop Center, on Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. They will be playing holiday favorites with guitar and oboe. You can purchase tickets here. This event is sponsored by Harbor resident Gary Morean.
- School Concerts: Cheer on the Miller Junior High School Bobkittens and Aberdeen High School Bobcats at their winter concerts. The combined junior-senior high school Orchestra Winter Concert happens on Tuesday, December 2. The high school Winter Band Concert is on Thursday, December 11. And the combined Winter Choir Concert takes place on Tuesday, December 16. All concerts are held at Aberdeen High School at 7:00 p.m., and are free of charge.
Elma
- Tree Lighting Festival: Come to Elma’s Downtown Tree Lighting Festival on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. You’ll enjoy free hot beverages and cookies, a Yule log, caroling and a visit from Santa at this old-fashioned celebration. Contact the Elma Chamber of Commerce for more information.
Hoquiam
- Christmas Films: Enjoy a family movie night or date night at the historic 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam. The classic film White Christmas (1954) shows on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. This romantic comedy, starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, would be suitable for older teens or a date night. You can also catch a screening of A Christmas Story (1983) on Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the Ho-Ho-Hoquiam event. This timeless story is a delight for both kids and adults. Tickets are $5.00 for each film and can be bought online at Brown Paper Tickets (here and here), at Harbor Drug and City Center Drug, and at the door a half hour before show time. And if you haven’t tried it, the theater’s popcorn is legendary.
- Ho-Ho-Hoquiam: It wouldn’t be Christmas without Ho-Ho-Hoquiam. On Saturday, December 6, you can participate in the “Ho-Ho-Hoquiam” free day of fun sponsored by the Hoquiam Business Association. The day starts with the Fun Run, open to all ages, which kicks off at the 7th Street Theatre at 9:00 a.m. You can also enjoy the annual Cocoa Stroll and Festival of Trees. Pick up a complimentary cup of cocoa and a ballot at the 7th Street Theatre, then vote for your favorite storefront Christmas tree display at participating businesses from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Hoquiam School Concerts: Come enjoy the annual Hoquiam High School Band and Choir Concert, also held at the 7th Street Theatre. This year’s concert happens on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. Support the Grizzlies and enjoy seeing the theater decorated for Christmas.
- Holiday Art Extravaganza: For an artful experience, take in paintings and other art made by talented locals at Six Rivers Gallery. The Harbor Art Guild is holding a free Holiday Extravaganza Art Show, going on now through January 4, 2015. Both kids and adults will enjoy this cozy and welcoming space. Check out their unique gift shop, which is specially stocked with holiday items. A reception event will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stop by for appetizers and chatting with the artists. (Check out this article about Six Rivers Gallery).
Lake Quinault
- Christmas at Lake Quinault Lodge: Want to get away from all the holiday cooking and “to-do” lists, and spend the day relaxing with your family? For an elegant experience, come to the Christmas Day Dinner at Lake Quinault Lodge on Thursday, December 25. Unwind by the rustic fireplace in the lobby while you listen to local musicians Ben and Lorrie Parris play Celtic harp and guitar. A special buffet menu will be served, and kids 12 and under are free (visit the lodge website for details and a menu). Built in 1926, the lodge is a truly beautiful and peaceful holiday locale, and you just might find snow.
Montesano
- Montesano Festival of Lights: Don’t miss the 28th annual Montesano Festival of Lights from December 12-14. This is a weekend extravaganza of holiday fun throughout the city, ending in a parade. On Friday, December 12, enjoy Christmas carols and free appetizers at Montesano High School. On Saturday, partake in the Jingle Bell Jog, then indulge at the Santa Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction (at the Montesano Community Center), and a craft fair (at Montesano Junior High School). And the famous holiday parade, featuring logging trucks dressed in lights, happens on Saturday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Montesano. On Sunday, enjoy the Christmas Cantata concert at the Montesano United Methodist Church. There is also a home tour of lights around town and a lights contest. The festival is sponsored by the Montesano Chamber of Commerce. (You can also join the Montesano Festival of Lights Facebook page for more details.)
- Montesano School Concerts: Come hear the Montesano High School Choir Concert on the evening of Tuesday, December 16. You can also catch the high school’s Band Concert the following night, on Wednesday, December 17. And come see the Montesano Junior High School Band students play on Thursday, December 18. All three shows are free and start at 7:30 p.m.
Ocean Shores
- Winter Fanta-Sea Arts and Crafts Show: Come browse vendors of handmade gift items and meet Santa at the Winter Fanta-Sea Arts and Crafts Show in Ocean Shores. The event takes place the weekend of Friday, November 28 through Sunday, November 30 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Admission is free, so bring the family and spend the day doing your holiday shopping and browsing this scenic beach town. Call (360) 289-9586 for more information about the event.
Westport
- Santa by the Sea: On Saturday, December 6, Santa arrives by U.S. Coast Guard boat at the Westport Marina at 10:30 a.m. for “Santa by the Sea.” Sponsored by the South Beach Buccaneers, this is a free day of seaside fun. After Santa comes ashore, head on over to the Maritime Museum to continue the celebration with free Santa photos, a gift for each child, carols, and refreshments. A special “kids only” holiday store will be open until 1:00 p.m. While you’re in Westport, you can bundle up and explore the wintery beach, climb the lookout tower, and walk the boardwalk for additional fun.
I hope this list gives you some interesting ideas to the keep kids or grandkids (and our inner kids-at-heart) busy and joyful as the weather chills and the Christmas spirit warms up. For little to no money, you can have a fun time out on the town, help keep local traditions alive, and create lasting memories.
To learn about even more events going on around Grays Harbor, check out the GraysHarborTalk event calendar.
