Fairhaven’s annual holiday activity, Winterfest, will be a little different this year, but it’s still a creative and fun outing for the whole family! From Thanksgiving through December, Fairhaven village will be filled with twinkling lights and the crisp sea air of Bellingham Bay. You can come for specific events or stop by anytime during normal business hours to explore a variety of boutique businesses.
Things kick off Friday, Nov. 27 with a Holiday Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Participating businesses will have masks and hand sanitizer on hand and will limit capacity in each venue to ensure safe social distancing. You can find the perfect piece for the art lover on your holiday gift list.
Stop by during the Holiday Art Walk or on Saturday, Nov. 28, and pick up your Holiday Cocktail Kits designed by several Fairhaven restaurants and bars. You can either mix them at home or give them as gifts.
If you’re picking up your cocktail kits on Nov. 28, be sure to stroll through the Holiday Market that will be held in tents on 10th Street between Harris and Mill. Vendors will be spread out so you can shop safely and masks are required.
Many Fairhaven hops will also participate in a window decorating contest from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19 with voting happening through QR codes this year. Just use your phone’s camera on the code and a link will pop up that will take you to the voting page. Your vote enters you into a drawing to win a basket full of goodies from Fairhaven businesses. While you’re there, watch for the winning stories from the Tales of the Season Writing Contest. The stories will be posted in shop windows throughout the village.
If you celebrate Christmas, you and the kids can see Father Christmas through the window of Current & Furbish on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. (November 28, December 5, December 12 and December 19). You can bring your letter to Santa then or drop it anytime in Santa’s mailbox on the Village Green behind Village Books. Although there will be no sitting on Santa’s lap this year, the goal is to keep the holiday magic alive while social distancing and staying safe.
If you’re looking for at-home festivities, this year will include a Winterfest Online Auction beginning Sunday, Nov. 29 and on through Sunday, Dec. 13. Fairhaven businesses and artists have donated many items and experiences to be auctioned off. You could win a massage at the Chrysalis, a meal at the Black Cat, an original painting by Ben Mann, and much more. The auction winners will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 13 during a Virtual Brunch. Brunch boxes that contain pastries and mimosa or Bloody Mary components can be picked up or delivered locally.
Don’t miss the Lighted Bike Parade on Dec. 5. Watch the parade from the sidewalk in Fairhaven beginning around 5 p.m. Or be part of the parade by decorating your bike and riding from the Hlilcrest Chapel parking lot at 4:30 at 14th and Larabee.
If all that wasn’t enough, from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 through Dec. 31, you can grab a hot cocoa or spiced cider and take the Fairhaven Firelight Stroll. The wooded path that begins at 8th and Harris is a half-mile stroll lined with luminaria to put you and yours in that warm holiday mood.
