Holiday Port Festival

The Holiday Port Festival is a free, family-friendly event held the weekend of December 2, 3, and 4, 2016 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The festival is open to the public Friday from noon – 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is the Port’s signature event for the community and includes:

• Performances by local choirs, bands, and dancers Friday through Sunday, see performance times below.
• Gingerbread house display, Friday through Sunday, see event hours above for times.
• Free cookies and hot apple cider Friday through Sunday, see event hours above for times.
• Non-perishable food items will be accepted to benefit the Bellingham Food Bank.
• Alaska Ferry Tours. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to take the Ferry up to Alaska, this is your chance to step aboard and get an inside look at one of the AMHS ferries that departs Bellingham each week. Tour the observation lounges and theater; get a look inside a couple of different cabin types; walk up to the heated solarium where the heartier camp out for the journey north; and be sure to sign up at the Purser’s desk to take a tour of the bridge. While you meander through the ship, enjoy cookies prepared by the onboard chefs. If you would like a bit more to eat, purchase lunch in the café; choose from a variety of options including expertly prepared Alaska seafood dishes. Take home some ferry memorabilia.
• Alaska Ferry Tours- Friday
• Visit and take photos with Santa- Friday
• Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
• Kids Art Activities
• Winter Princesses

Schedule for Sunday, December 4

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Music & Dance Performances, Gingerbread House Display, Food Drive for Bellingham Food Bank, free cider and cookies donated by Haggen

11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Gingerbread Silent Auction for Home Port Learning Center

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Horse-drawn Wagon Rides with Cramer Classics Wagon Rides

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kids Art Activities with Allied Arts of Whatcom County
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visits with Winter Princesses by Simply Magical Parties

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, with the option to purchase photos from Turner Photographics 4:00 p.m. Gingerbread House Silent Auction Closes. Winners will be called using the phone number provided on the auction sheet. Gingerbread winners may pick up houses from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, and Monday, Dec. 7 through Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Port staff will be on site to coordinate payment and pick up. If your gingerbread creation is NOT in the silent auction, you may pick it up any time after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. All houses not picked up by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9 will be discarded or donated.

Performance Schedule:

11:00-11:50 a.m. Bellingham youth Jazz Band
11:00-11:50 a.m. Bellingham Alumni Band
12:00-12:50 p.m. Dancing for Joy
1:00-1:20 p.m. Ferndale Dance
1:30-1:50 p.m. Christmas Songsters
2:00-2:20 p.m. Eagleridge elementary School Choir
2:00-2:50 p.m. Con Spirito Brass Quintet
2:30-2:50 p.m. Fairhaven Middle School Choir
3:00-4:50 p.m. Marimba Christmas
3:00-3:50 p.m. Evergreen Music Studios
4:00-4:20 p.m. Whatcom Horns