December has arrived and the countdown has begun. Aside from the carefree days of summer, this is my favorite time of year. Sparkling holiday lights are beginning to ignite across town. Everything from elves and poinsettias to penguins and polar bears are popping up in store displays. Holiday music fills the airwaves and a sense of kindness and joy permeates each interaction.
December is a month of cross-cultural celebration. With Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, Mawlid Un Nabi and New Year’s Eve, it seems like the entire world is alight with celebratory joy. The month is full of other reasons to celebrate as well, with National Fritter Day (Friday Dec. 2), National Cookie Day (Sunday Dec. 4), National Cotton Candy Day (Dec. 7), Bathtub Day and Day of the Ninja (Dec. 5) and Human Rights Day (Dec. 10).
December can be a month of unending to-do’s but I hope you’ll take some time to savor all the joy this wonderful month has to offer here in Whatcom County. I’ve listed a few ideas to get you started below. For the full holiday happenings, be sure to check out our Whatcom County Events Calendar.
- Spend some time with jolly old Saint Nick at one of his many appearances around Whatcom County this weekend.
- Take a festival stroll through the Holiday Festival of the Arts. This five week long indoor arts festival features 100 artisans from our region. Aside from vendors selling their wares, this festival boasts live music and art workshops for children on the weekends.
- Be sure to spend some time at the Holiday Port Festival at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. This free, family-friendly event will be open all weekend. Here you can enjoy musical performances, a gorgeous gingerbread house display, free cookies and hot apple cider, photos with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, Alaska ferry tours and much more. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items for the Bellingham Food Bank.
- Stop by Whatcom Museum’s Deck the Old City Hall festivities. The building will be decorated in garlands, wreaths, and sparkling lights, and will feature more than 20 themed, decorated trees. In addition to the festive decorations, the program will feature visits with Santa, a pop-up shop, and a signature cocktail party to kick-off the holidays.
- Experience the fun and whimsy of Harry Connick Jr’s “The Happy Elf” at the Thomas Theatre. This production tells the tale of Eubie the Elf as he goes on a musical mission to bring Christmas cheer to a town on Santa’s naughty list. Or be delighted by the classic antics of the mischievous Pippi Longstocking at the BAAY Theatre.
- Run the Whatcom County Christmas Lighting circuit with the 12th Annual Festival of Lights, the Ferndale Chamber Community Tree Lighting, the Holiday Tree Lighting at Centennial Riverwalk Park and Blaine’s Annual Christmas Tree Lightning & Holiday Harbor Lights (don’t forget to sign up for the family fun run/walk).
- Kick back and relax with the sweet sound of High Mountain String Band at Stones Throw Brewery.
- Keep the kids up late for a Polar Express pajama party at Barnes & Nobel. This annual holiday story time has become a tradition at Barnes & Noble stores over the years. The book and movie versions of the The Polar Express have become staples of the season for kids and adults alike. Youngsters will be asked to come “All Aboard!” for a fun celebration.
- Find the perfect holiday gifts and support local artisans at the same time with Make.Shift Art Space’s Make.Sale, the only DIY craft bazaar in the subdued city.
- Learn to make a Christmas stocking and help a child in need at Ragfinery’s “The Stocking Project.” Bring material and sewing supplies (or shop before class for deals at Ragfinery) to sew a stocking to be donated to a child or family in need.
- Add a little elegance and cultural sophistication to your weekend with Cosi Fan Tutte at the Pickford Film Center. Così fan tutte was Mozart’s third and final collaboration with the librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, following Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni. This elevated experience is sure to delight.
WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.
