As the year starts to come to a close, Whatcom County lights up with holiday happenings! Spend this 2023 holiday season supporting the incredible local businesses around Whatcom County while filling up on holiday cheer.
Check out our full Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information!
November 25 - December 16
Week 1: Kickoff celebration & Silent Auction, Visit with Santa, Carriage Rides, Entertainment at the Fairhaven Village Green, Fairhaven Art Walk, Tree Lighting
Week 2: Visit with Santa, Carriage Rides, Firelight Stroll
Week 3: Tales of the Season Live Reading, Visit with Santa, Carriage Rides, Lighted Bike Parade
Week 4: Visit with Santa, Carriage Rides
Find current info and details on Facebook at @enjoyfairhaven or by visiting this blog.
2023 Dates TBD
Enjoy the holiday spirit in the Whatcom Museum's historic Old City Hall! Explore a variety of themed, decorated holiday trees in the Rotunda Room, participate in holiday craft-making, and enjoy the dazzling décor.
December 1
Join Whatcom County Fire District 7 the evening of Friday, December 1 to kick off the holiday season with Christmas carols, hot cocoa, cookies and a surprise visit from a special guest to help us light up the Community Christmas Tree! Ho ho ho!
Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, take a stroll down the riverwalk to Pioneer Park for the Heritage Society's Olde Fashioned Christmas in the Park for more festive, holiday fun with the family!
December 9, 2023
The community is invited to adorn their bodies and bikes with lights and pedal on the South Bay Trail between Fairhaven and Downtown!
2023 Dates TBD
Visit Semiahmoo Resort for a special tree lighting event! Enjoy live music and hot beverages as you help celebrate the holiday season. Don't miss a visit from the Grinch, a Christmas scavenger hunt for the kids, and special holiday shopping deals.
December 17, 2023
Run, skip, or walk in the all-ages Santa-themed 5K at the fabulous Cordata and Julianna Parks. Participants are welcome to run as fast as humanly possible or take an hour while enjoying hot cider or cocoa and chatting with friends. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Fun for the entire family with prizes given for fastest times as well as other festive categories. Registration includes a Santa hat too!
Downtown is excited to #ShineBrightBham. Visit Downtown and savor the season’s spirit, decor, and lights with your friends and family. Enjoy events, 30+ decorated window displays, and interactive contests and scavenger hunts.
Make sure to vote on your favorites as you stroll - you could win a prize!
Hotel Bellwether comes alive with holiday magic and welcomes you to a Winter Wonderland the entire month of December! Join them for their annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival benefiting Skookum Kids, a volunteer-staffed community organization that supports children transitioning into foster care.
View over 20 trees creatively decorated by local businesses and our very own Bellwether Bella, official "Canine Concierge." Vote for your favorite tree by contributing monetary or gently used clothing donations, and be entered to win a night in the Lighthouse Suite.
Nov. 17 - Dec. 24, 2023
Start this beautiful holiday season off with Allied Arts annual Holiday Festival of the Arts! Starring over 100 local artisans and craftspeople presenting their holiday goodies; consisting of one-of-a-kind gifts, specialty food and treats, stunning jewelry, and paintings. From fragrant handcrafted soaps to homemade sweet treats, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.
Dec. 9, 2023
Head to Kulshan Brewing's K2 location in the Roosevelt neighborhood for their annual Holiday Makers Market! Browse gifts and goods from over 30 local and sustainably focused creatives.
Dec. 9, 2023
Get ready for a whimsical winter wonderland at the Children’s Holiday Market! Join us for a day of festive fun and creativity as little artisan’s and entrepreneurs showcase their delightful gifts and goodies.
Bring small bills-all sales are cash only. This event is fun for the whole family!
Want to be a vendor? Reserve your booth by Dec. 1 (or before it sells out!).
Dec. 10, 2023
Looking for a truly local Christmas gift and live music? Join your Fairhaven neighborhood craftspeople in our Holiday Pop Up Market.
Shop Tie-dye goods, Cards & Calendars, Soaps & Candles, Hand Dyed Yarns, Jewelry, Botanical Crafts, Prints & lots more cool Fairhaven made gifts!
Starts December 13 at Mount Baker Theatre
January 1
It’s back and cooler (pun intended!) than ever. Kick off the New Year on the right foot with a stroll or jog around beautiful and serene Lake Padden. Then get ready to take the plunge into the chilly and invigorating lake with all the other hearty souls. Bring your enthusiasm and resolutions!
Pack a towel, change of clothes and shoes that can get wet (a must have!).
Give a gift, get a gift! From Nov. 1, 2023 through Jan. 15, 2024, purchase an Inn at Lynden gift card for $200 and receive a $50 gift card to use at any of the four unique merchants that share the hotel's historic building: Avenue Bread, Cheeks Jeans, Overflow Taps, and Village Books.
Call, email or stop in to purchase: 360-746-8597, 100 5th Street, Lynden, Washington.
