Here it is again, folks, a handy guide to holiday happenings all around Whidbey Island, including greenings and gallery and market gift shows and fun stuff with Santa Claus!
HOLIDAY SHOWS:
- Nov. 30 – Dec. 15: “Scrooge! The Musical” at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley.
- Nov. 30 – Dec. 22 : “Fruitcakes” at Whidbey Playhouse, Oak Harbor.
- Dec. 7 – Dec. 16: “The Nutcracker,” presented by Whidbey Island Dance Theatre in its 20th Anniversary Season at South Whidbey High School Auditorium.
- Dec. 7 – 22: “Willy Wonka” at Whidbey Island Children’s Theater in Langley.
- Dec. 16: “Laud to the Nativity” with the Whidbey Chamber Singers featuring the works of Respighi, Betinis, Gjeilo and Haydn in the sanctuary at Langley United Methodist Church.
- Dec 16: “Slaphappy! Holiday Concert”at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley.
GIFT SHOWS FOR LOCAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING
- Bayview Holiday Market: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, at Bayview Community Hall at Bayview Corner. This year features two floors of great locally grown and produced gifts.
- Country Christmas at the Fair in Langley: Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Coffman Building at the County Fairgrounds in Langley. Here’s a down home country-style arts and crafts fair hosted by the Fair Association and featuring a gift boutique with more than 40 local vendors and artists, fresh trees and wreaths, tasty treats. Kids can enjoy photos with Santa, face painting, and hayrides. Complimentary coffee, tea, or hot cider and a hot lunch will be available for purchase.
- Holiday Market at Greenbank Farm: Holiday Markets will be held the first four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2; Dec. 8 and 9; Dec. 15 and 16. Enjoy holiday music and warm beverages, while perusing quality handmade products produced locally. Santa will be on hand Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m.
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Candy Cane Lane is ready for the holiday shopping month of December in downtown Langley. (Jan Shannon photo)
- Annual Holiday Art and Craft Sale at Freeland Hall: Support local artists with this fair that happens Dec 7, 8 and 9. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.) Find glassware, ceramics, jewelry, locally authored books, cards, metalworks, textiles, original photos and tasty snacks. Email Carol Dean at info@deantile.com for more information.
- Holiday Market on Pioneer: Unique holiday gifts are for sale by local arts and crafts vendors on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor. The market runs weekends, Dec. 1-2, Dec. 7-9 and Dec. 15-16. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the following exceptions: Dec. 1 is “Holiday Magic on Pioneer” which is the annual tree lighting, arrival of Santa and a caroling and music competition. Those hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Dec. 7, the market is open until 7 p.m. to coincide with “First Friday Art Walk and Late Night Shopping.”
- Made on Whidbey: An annual gathering of an eclectic group of Whidbey Island artists showcase their recent fine art and gift creations at Coupeville Recreation Hall in downtown Coupeville Dec. 15 and 16. Items include watercolor; mixed media; jewelry in silver and lampwork glass; metal signs, yard art and sculpture; photography; encaustics; fiber; quilting; turned wood; and linocut prints.
- Pacific Northwest Art School Holiday Gift Show: Pop into the lobby of the school at 15 NW Birch St in Coupeville and see an array of gifts offered by local artists, as well as a chance to win a gift basket through Dec. 22. Email lisa@pacificnorthwestartschool.org to find out hours or visit www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org.
GALLERIES, GALLERIES, GALLERIES!
Wander into any Whidbey Island gallery and see the work of local artists who have created works appropriate for gift-giving.
- “The Art of Giving” at MUSEO, on First Street in downtown Langley will run through December and features favorably priced, smaller works by gallery artists. Artists featured are Connie Anthon, Danielle Bodine, Denise Brunberg, Jodi Cable, Keke Cribbs, Gordy Edberg, Larry Halvorsen, Katrina Hude, Kim Kelzer, Patti King, Meredith MacLeod, DH McNabb, Callahan McVay, Brian O’Neill, Inge Roberts, Anne Smidt and Teri Jo Summer.
- Artworks Galleryat Greenbank farm features a special selection of artist’s cards for the holidays through December. These cards have handmade, one-of-a-kind-designs or feature images by one of the Artworks’ artists.
- Raven Rocks Gallery at Greenbank Farm presents “Finding Balance,” new work by photographer , printer and experimenter Joe Menth is on display through Dec. 4. This gallery also features work by a stable of artists who make small pieces that are perfect for holiday shopping, including special holiday bells! Go in and take a look.
- Rob Schouten Gallery at Greenbank Farm is showing “Home for the Holidays,” with glass, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, encaustics, ceramics, fiber arts, giclée prints and cards in an affordable price range by 24 gallery artists. Runs through Jan. 1.
- Brackenwood Gallery on First Street in Langley presents its annual “Small Pleasures” show through December. Almost all their artists are bringing in special offerings for this show with the caveat that the price be under $500. We encourage you to think about giving the gift of art this year. Consider looking for accessories for that holiday outfit in the gallery as well. Art is unique, fun, crafted by creative hands and a treasure to receive.
- Christina’s Real Estate and Fine Art Gallery just off Main Street in Freeland across from the Payless shopping center features lots of sweet gifts by local artists. Stop by the office and gallery to check out the array of treasures.
- Whidbey Art Gallery on Second Street inLangley is an artist-run gallery and presents “Art under $100” through December, promising great treasures at reasonable prices.
- Galeria Chiropractica in Bayview presents The ChromoAlchemy Holiday 2012 Exhibit featuring Kim Tinuviel’s Abstract Impressionistic Photography. An artist’s opening celebration is from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 with refreshments served. Take a look at the artist’s work here and also at Brackenwood Gallery in Langley.
Galeria Chiropractica is located in the Bayview Sears House at 2812 Meinhold Road in Langley and the show will be on display Dec. 1 through Jan. 31. Viewing times outside of opening celebration is on an appointment-preferred drop-in basis. Please call 331-5565 to schedule.
STUFF TO DO AND THINGS TO SEE WHERE SANTA CLAUS MIGHT BE!
Saturday, Dec. 1
The Greening of Coupeville from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in downtown Coupeville. Christmas Parade at Main and Front streets. Enjoy the arrival of Santa, and holiday floats; the lighting of the Christmas tree at Cook’s Corner Park at Main and 9th with a sing-along of Christmas Carols with Vern and Karl Olsen.
- Annual Christmas Art & Antiques Walk, Historic Coupeville at 5 p.m.
- Oak Harbor Boat Parade of Lights, Coupeville Wharf (weather permitting) at 6 p.m.
- Langley Holiday Parade at 11 a.m., complete with a float contest, begins at 6th Street and Cascade Avenue and winds its way down Second Street along Anthes Avenue and then back up First Street.
- Holiday Arts Walk from 5 to 7 p.m. with art galleries decorated for the holidays and showcasing regional artists. Featured artists will be there to meet with gallery visitors.
- “Scrooge, The Musical” at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts through Dec. 15.
- “Fruitcakes,” at Whidbey Playhouse in Oak Harbor through Dec. 22.
- All weekend enjoy Langley’s downtown winter wonderland as lights twinkle, garlands trim the quaint shops and Candy Cane Lane connects the waterfront, downtown and Langley Village on Second Street.
- Langley Main Street Association hosts “Deck Your Doors” where more than 50 Langley merchants will have their doors and store fronts decorated to ring in the season. Deck Your Doors is a fundraiser for Good Cheer Food Bank. Visitors can vote with pennies at participating stores for their favorite door, to create the “Plum Puddin’ Pennies” that will be donated in the name of the winning store after the contest ends on Sunday, Dec. 23. Winners will be announced at noon on Sunday, Dec. 23 at Boy & Dog Park on First Street. The donation to Good Cheer will be made in the name of the winning business.
- Holiday Run in Coupeville! Jingle Trail 5K Fun Run &Walk through the scenic trails of Camp Casey Conference Center just outside the Town of Coupeville. Registration opens at 8.30 a.m. and the Fun Run and Walk starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Contact the Chamber at 678-5434 or email director@centralwhidbeychamber.com for entry form or they are available at the Coupeville Library, Whidbey Island Bank and the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce.
Sunday, Dec. 2
- Holiday Run in Langley! Fourth Annual Elf Chase/5K fundraiser Walk or Run in Langley at 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Crow’s Nest at Community Park, upstairs above the concession stand. All ages welcome; the event is free. Music, fire engine rides, refreshments, free digital pictures with Santa all to benefit the Langley Middle School PTSA.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND DRAWINGS
Langley Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Holiday Cheer Giveaway where one lucky shopper will win $1,000 for supporting Langley’s businesses. Spend just $20 and you’re entered into the giveaway and every $20 spent with participating businesses gets you another white giveaway ticket. The giveaway runs through Saturday, Dec. 22, when at 3 p.m. the winning ticket will be drawing at Boy & Dog Park on First Street. Winners must be 18 years of age and present at the drawing to win. Tickets can be donated to local non-profit organizations, but a representative from the organization must be present at the drawing.
Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association hosts its annual Red Ticket Drawing for local shoppers. Shop, dine and stay in Coupeville with more than 30 merchants participating and be eligible to win $1,000 cash prize or three $100 cash prizes at the Sunday, Dec. 23 drawing at 1 p.m. in front of the Island County Historical Museum. Winners must be present to accept prizes. All prizes that go unclaimed will be donated to a local nonprofit by the merchants. Find out all about Coupeville’s shop local extravaganza here. Also, check out this comprehensive schedule of holiday happenings in around Coupeville and Greenbank.
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