Holiday Hometown Happenings for December
Posted by Amber Jensen on November 30, 2024
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GIG HARBOR LOCAL EVENTS: DECEMBER 2024
Gig Harbor and Surrounding areas are full of Holiday Cheer this time of year. Be sure to check out these fun and family friendly options you can incorporate into your holiday traditions!
HOLIDAY FESTIVALS & LOCAL SHOPPING
Winterfest at Peninsula High School
Date & Times: November 30th, 9am–5pm & December 1, 11am–4pm
Location: Peninsula High School
Admission: $5
Details: Winterfest is the Annual ASB Fundraiser for the clubs and activities at Peninsula HS. This event has been going since 1992. Features over 160 vendors from all around Washington.
Website: https://www.phswinterfest.com
Gig Harbor High Tidefest
Dates & Times: December 7th , 10am–5pm & December 8th, 11am–4pm
Location: Gig Harbor High School
Admission: $5
Details: Gig Harbor High School's annual TideFest brings in artists and high-quality artisans from all over the Northwest. The festival raises money for the school's activities and athletics programs, including the Speech and Debate team and the school newspaper.
Website: http://www.tidefest.org
History Museum Holiday Market
Dates & Times: December 14th, 10am-5pm & December 15th 2024, 11am-3pm
Location: Gig Harbor History Museum
Admission: $5 for non members or free for museum members
Details: Museum's first annual Holiday Market! Each vendor booth is thoughtfully curated, featuring a wide range of unique, artisanal products. There will be several photo opportunities throughout the museum for fun family holiday pictures.
Website: https://harborhistorymuseum.org/events
Santa’s Christmas Market
Dates & Times: December 15th, 12pm-4pm
Location: Harbor Life Chiropractic 11515 Burnham Dr NW, Gig Harbor
Admission: Free
Details: Santa will be here offering FREE photos with him, and FREE entry to our fabulous market. Vendors will be announced.
Website: https://harborlifechiro.com
Christmas Tree Lighting
Dates & Times: December 7th, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Skansie Brothers Park in Downtown Gig Harbor Waterfront
Admission: Free
Details: This annual Gig Harbor Christmas tree lighting features an appearance by Santa, live music and free cookies and cocoa.
Website: https://www.gigharborchamber.net/events/details/gig-harbor-tree-lighting-cermony-20330
Lighted Boat Parade
Dates & Times: December 14th, begins @ 5pm
Location: Along the Downtown Gig Harbor Waterfront
Admission: Free to watch
Details: The Gig Harbor Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade starts at Arabella’s Marina. Good viewing locations include Skansie Brothers Park, Jerisich Dock, Ancich Waterfront Park, and the Bogue Viewing Platform.
Website: https://www.gigharborchamber.net/list/member/gig-harbor-yacht-club-gig-harbor-198
Lighted Car Parade
Dates & Times: December 21st, 5pm
Location: Uptown Gig Harbor
Admission: Free to watch
Details: 100 vehicles have registered for the fifth annual Gig Harbor Lighted Car Parade. The parade leaves Uptown at 5 p.m., the proceeds through town on Olympic, Soundview and Harborview drives. The procession turns around at Donkey Creek Park and returns to Uptown. The best viewing areas are at Uptown and anywhere along the downtown waterfront.
Website: https://www.gigharborchamber.net/list/member/gig-harbor-yacht-club-gig-harbor-198
Cookies & Cocoa With Santa and Mrs. Claus
Dates & Times: December 14th, 10am-2pm
Location: Swiftwater Elementary School, 10811 Harbor Hill Dr Admission: Free to watch
Details: Put on by Penmet Parks, this festive experience with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complete with holiday crafts, fun activities, and a take-home cookie decorating kit! Pre-registration is required as space is limited, so please only reserve a spot if you plan to attend. This event operates on a "Pay As You Will" basis, allowing families to contribute any amount.
FESTIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS
Santa's Boatshop
Dates & Times: December 14th, 10am-4pm 15th 10am-2pm
Location: 3805 Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Admission: $25 per kid or $20 for GHBS members
Details: Children are invited to build and paint model boats at this festive holiday event. Please plan approximately one hour to build and paint your boat. Ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Website: https://www.gigharborboatshop.org/santasboatshop-2024
Gnome Hunt
Dates & Times: December 1-31st
Location: Gig Harbor Downtown Businesses
Admission: Free to Download Scavenger Hunt Passport and Map
Details: Grab your family or some friends and enjoy a fun-filled Gnome hunt in the Gig Harbor waterfront business district! Find at least 15 Gnomes and be entered to win a $100 shopping or dining gift card to a waterfront business of your choice.
Website: https://www.ghdwa.org/gnome-hunt
SANTA PHOTO OPS
Santa Lands at the Hub
Dates & Times: December 3rd,10th & 17th 5pm-7pm
Location: The Hub, 1208 26th Ave NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Admission: Free but you should stay and order some food and drinks ;)
Details: Come by, to meet Santa, grab a pic with him, and soak up all the holiday vibes. It’s a perfect way to kick off the season with family and friends!
Website: https://www.thehubgigharbor.com
Holiday Village at Donkey Creek Park
Dates & Times: December 7th-28th
Location: Donkey Creek Park
Admission: Free, bring your own camera to take pics
Details: Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance is excited to announce the return of Holiday Village at Donkey Creek Park. Holiday Village will be open from Dec 7th - Dec 28th during park hours and is free and open to the public. Grab your camera and snap photos in one of six holiday-themed photo displays.
Website: https://www.ghdwa.org/holidays-in-the-harbor
7 Seas
Dates & Times: Gig Harbor December 1st, 11am or Tacoma November 30, 11am
Location: 7 Seas Brewery
Admission: Free
Details: Both days starting at 11am sharp, tickets will be handing out when you arrive at the tap room. There is a limited number of tickets available, first come first served. You brin the cheer, they will bring the beer!
Website: https://www.7seasbrewing.com
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Hark the Harbor
Dates & Times: December
Location: Skansie Brothers Park
Admission: Free
Details: The Alliance’s crowd-pleasing, community caroling event, Hark the Harbor, takes place in December at the pavilion in Skansie Park. Songbooks and candles will be provided.
Website: http www.gigharborwaterfront.org.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS & EVENTS AROUND THE PUGET SOUND
Zoolights
Dates & Times: November 29th- January 5th 4:30-10pm
Location: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Admission: $14-20
Details: Step back into the Zoolights tradition you know and love: your Zoo, transformed into a colorful winter wonderland with over one million lights.
Website: https://www.pdza.org/event/zoolights/
Fantasy Lights
Dates & Times: November 29th- January 5th 5:30-9pm
Location: Spanaway Park
Admission: $15-45 per vehicle
Details: Fantasy Lights in Pierce County has a rich history, spanning 30 years of enchanting holiday celebrations. Established as the Northwest's premier drive-through light display, it has evolved into a beloved tradition for families and visitors alike. Over the years, Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park has grown in scale and creativity, featuring a captivating two-mile route adorned with over 300 animated displays and countless holiday lights.
Website: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1253/Fantasy-Lights
Snowflake Lane
Dates & Times: November 29th- December 24th, nightly at 7pm
Location: Bellevue Square, The Snowflake Lane parade takes place on Bellevue Way from NE 4th Street to NE 8th Street between Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square and is visible from both sides of the street.
Admission: Parade is complimentary thanks to Kemper Freeman Family
Details: Experience the wonder of falling snow, dazzling lights, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers in this complimentary nightly parade of holiday floats.