From Coupeville to Clinton, and in all the communities between, South Whidbey will be alight with glittering color and warm with the spirit of this year’s holiday season.
Most activities begin the weekend after Thanksgiving and continue until Christmas.
Langley’s downtown streets will be festive with white lights and evergreen garlands throughout the holiday season, and Santa Claus will walk around town on Saturdays with candy canes for kids (of all ages). Beginning Nov. 29, many Langley shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 22, offering “mystery discounts” and drawings for prizes.
The annual Langley Holiday Art Walk will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Eleven galleries will showcase new exhibits of work by noted island and regional artists at festive artists receptions.
On Sunday, Dec. 2, South Whidbey’s Bed and Breakfast Tour will take place from noon to 5 p.m., offering rare glimpses into bed and breakfast establishments and inns decorated for the holidays. Call the Langley South Whidbey Chamber of Commerce at 221-5676 for more information on holiday events.
An “interactive holiday tree” is the focal point of Langley’s holiday festivities, which began on Nov. 24 with the tree lighting at dusk. The “tree” is actually a sculpture, commissioned by the Langley Chamber of Commerce and complete with a star, decorations, and its own battery-powered lights. The cluster of curved copper tubing rises more than 15 feet above Langley Park to commemorate the winter holidays of Christmas, Hannukah, the winter solstice and the New Year, and invites both locals and tourists to walk the labyrinth’s path between the seven tubes that form its trunk.
Bayview Corner celebrates with many events this season. Bayview Farm and Garden will offer seasonal merriment every weekend through Dec. 24. Stroll the lighted garden, enjoy hot cider, mulled wine and savory treats, and bring a symbol of peace to hang on the Peace Tree. On Dec. 1, have a photo taken with Santa, and join in the caroling. On Dec. 8, wild bird food ornaments are welcome for the bird lover’s tree, or learn to make one.
The Bayview Farmer’s Market Holiday Fair in Bayview Hall will take place on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, from 2-7 p.m. Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturday. There will be music by Talia Marcus and a Glad Tidings Puppet Show on both days, as well as a shoppers’ lunch, hot foods, baked goods, and vendors selling holiday jams, candies, soaps, jewelry, pottery and more.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, Bayview Corner with celebrate with a Holiday Open House. Bayview Gallery will host an artists’ reception from 5 to 8 p.m., highlighting the works of its holiday exhibit. Bayview Art Store will have a special sale, and the Smilin’ Dog will celebrate as well. At Bayview High School, an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. will include displays and a PowerPoint presentation. Santa Claus will be at Bayview Farm and Garden from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., posing for photos; kids of all ages and animals are welcome.
In Freeland, the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a tree lighting in front of the Visitors’ Center on Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m. Carolers will sing music of the season, followed by a candlelight procession down Main Street to the Friends of Freeland cabin at Scott and Newman roads for hot chocolate, coffee and cookies.
The Saturday events will kick off the second annual Freeland Festival of Lights, a decorating contest for local businesses. The contest encourages Freeland shops and offices to decorate their doors and windows using lights, ornaments, trees, window paint, garlands, boughs, wreaths – whatever they choose. Winners will be chosen by the public, with ballots at participating businesses and the Visitor Center.
Also on Saturday, Dec. 1, a Holiday Open House will take place at Harbor Center Plaza, on the corner of East Main and East Harbor Road. From 5 to 9 p.m., visitors can stop by for snacks, cake, beverages and fun in the newly remodeled and redecorated building, which is being renamed Harbor Center for the original name of the community.
The open house will feature Christmas gift ideas at the businesses in the center, and there will also be drawings for special items.
During the evening, people can also drop off new and slightly used stuffed animals for the Teddy Bear Drive at the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, also in Harbor Center. The stuffed toys will be used by police and fire departments, hospitals and local social service agencies during the holidays for children in need on Whidbey Island, including foster children, at-risk children, and those involved in violent situations.
The CAPF office will also have displays of its programs and information for those interested in learning more about the nonprofit charity. For information call CAPF at 331-7343.
Bells will ring in the season of joy at Whidbey Island’s Greenbank Farm. The Trinity Lutheran Bell Choir will open Winter on Whidbey, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. The evening will feature the annual barn and tree lighting ceremony, music and caroling, and Santa arriving by fire engine at about 6 p.m.
The Greenbank Farm’s Holiday Market features the barn filled with Northwest arts and crafts, gourmet food specialties, hot cider and mulled wine. It will be open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m through Dec. 23. Santa will be at the farm for photos on several days in December, and there will be live music, hayrides, trees, wreaths and garlands for sale.
Among the special Winter on Whidbey events are the Santa Lucia Festival on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. with the Young Skandia Dansers performing.
The Annual Greening of Coupeville begins on Saturday, Dec. 1, with a parade at 5 p.m. followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Join in for caroling afterward and stroll Snowman Alley and the brightly lit streets of green and white, possibly catching a glimpse of the Parade of Boats in Penn Cove from 6 to 7 p.m. (weather permitting).
Coupeville’s Holiday Art Walk is from 5 to 8 p.m., with gallery openings and receptions with artists. A half-dozen new galleries have opened in the historic town in the past year or two.
