Snohomish County, Wash., November 30, 2022—Keep the holiday spirit alive with the Lynnwood Times’ list of upcoming events throughout Snohomish County.
Arlington
The City of Arlington, in partnership with rink operator Blue Line Sports and Entertainment, opened an outdoor community ice rink at Legion Park in downtown Arlington on November 18.
The real ice pop-up rink is located at the parking lot north of Legion Park on Olympic Avenue and is set to run daily through Jan. 9, 2023. Tickets are available to purchase online, prices are $12 for kids and $15 for adults.
In addition to the ice rink, Legion Park will be full of holiday lights and the carousel will return December 2 through December 11. The Holiday carousel will run Monday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.., and operate sensory friendly (with no music) on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to noon.
The City of Arlington will also be holding its Hometown Holiday Parade on December 3, beginning at noon on Olympic Avenue. Following the parade there will be photo opportunities with Santa at Legion Park until 3 p.m., wagon rides until 3 p.m. sponsored by the Downtown Arlington Business Association (DABA) and Andrew’s Hay, holiday movies shown at Olympic Theater beginning at 2 p.m., and a Holiday Farmer’s Market from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Legion Park.
If you miss your opportunity for a wagon ride after the parade, the next opportunity will be on December 10 and December 17, from noon to 4 p.m.
Also, on December 10, Arlington Adventist will be performing Songs and Cider in the Park from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Voices of the Village from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Legion Park.
Byrnes Performing Arts will be performing an AHS Christmas show, also on December 10, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the Arlington Runners Club will be holding their Hot Cocoa Run that morning beginning at 9 a.m.
The Arlington Festival of the Nativities will be returning this year on December 9 through December 11, featuring hundreds of nativity displays from around the globe, music, live nativity, and activities for kids. The festival will run from 4-9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Everett
Children of all ages are invited to participate in the Everett Mall Ornament and Craft Decorating event on December 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for just $10 a person. Also at the Everett Mall this holiday season is the Paws with Claus pet photos with Santa opportunity on December 1, Sensory Santa Photos on December 4, and the Everett Mall Holiday Knitting Night will take place on December 6.
The Everett Mall will also be holding their Holiday Music Series featuring Sean Morse on December 8 and 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sean Morse has been performing in the Seattle area since relocating from Denver in 2011. He is a regular contributor to the Bushwick Book Club Seattle and loves taking inspiration from literature in his songwriting. With a focus on the exploration of the internal lives of his characters, Sean delivers dynamism through stunning vocals and driving guitar, blending folk, blues, and jazz textures to serve the moment. Sean is no stranger to stages from house concerts and dance halls. And if the time is right, he may just make up a song or two on the spot.
On Sunday, December 4, join SBAWS for their annual Christmas Party at the Imagine Children’s Museum for light refreshments and photos with Santa.
The Port of Everett will also be hosting a Holiday Party the day before, Saturday, December 3, for its 15th annual Holiday on the Bay event. Rain or shine, guests will gather in and around the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza, near Hotel Indigo for the day’s outdoor festivities including a holiday pop-up market, free kids’ activities from cookie decorating, crafts and face painting to touch-a-truck and character meet-and-greets, a tree-lighting ceremony and visit from Santa, lighted boats on parade, holiday drive-in movies (reservation required), and festive music and lighting displays.
Lake Stevens
Bring your family to North Cove Park for Lake Stevens’ 5th annual Winterfest on Saturday, December 3. Mobile food vendors will be available from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a visit from Santa provided by Lake Stevens Kiwanis, live music, free holiday activities, and limited-edition City ornaments available from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Also, beginning at 5:15 p.m., join Mayor Brett Gailey for the annual tree lighting ceremony.
That same morning, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Lake Stevens Holiday Market Fair (formerly known as the Dickens Fair) will be held at Cavelero Mid High School at 8220 24th Street Southeast. The fair will hold more than 100 craft vendors selling a wide variety of handmade goods. You’ll also be able to enjoy refreshments and live music and dance performances. Entry to the fair is a non-perishable food or monetary donation to the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank.
Lynnwood
On Saturday, December 3, Puget Brass will be holding a holiday concert, Music for Neighbors in Need, featuring festive-themed music for a good cause: to support Snohomish County’s cold weather shelters and homeless.
At Trinity Lutheran Church, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. the Seattle-based British-style brass band will be premiering a new work from composer Emerson Eads in an effort to raise money and awareness for Neighbors in Need; a homeless support network and cold weather shelter operating in south Snohomish County. In addition to the festive music the event will be accepting donations for a charity run out of the church. In previous years the event drew a full house, both in 2018 and 2019, raising over $1,000 for the cause in just one evening.
Donations in the form of cash, travel sized toiletries, and non-perishable food items will be accepted the day of the event. Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 6215 196th Street SW in Lynnwood. For more information, email info@pugetbrass.org.
Also that Saturday, the Jingle Bell Breakfast and Craft Fair will be held at the Lynnwood Convention Center with breakfast being served from 9 a.m. to noon and the craft fair continuing until 2 p.m. In addition to goods from local artists and a festive, holiday, breakfast, there will be kids’ activities, live music, treats, Santa, movies and more. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children but tickets are not required after noon.
The public is invited to attend the “Christmas in the neighborhood” Bazaar on Saturday, December 3 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Silver Creek Family Church located at 5326 176th St SW in Lynnwood. Come and buy unique and exclusive gifts from local businesses. Enjoy delicious food from La Malquerida catering services and FREE Photos on Santa’s Sleigh by Domingo Flores Pisces Photography.
Additionally, The Lynnwood Police Department is partnering with the Edmonds School District for a Books and Snacks Drive on Monday, December 12, collecting books and food from several drop off sites around town for Nourishing Network and the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County.
You can pledge your donation by December 5 and, based on the donors’ locations, the PD will create a Neighborhood Pick-Up Map and notify everyone via email/social media of their route.
At Alderwood Mall, children will have the opportunity to tell St. Nick what they want for Christmas and take photos with him every day until Christmas Eve. Pet Night and those requiring a sensory-friendly environment with Santa is also available. Reservations are encouraged but walk-up visits are available as space permits. For more information, click here.
A giant Menorah will be lit up on Sunday, December 18, at Lynnwood City Hall to symbolize a universal message of religious freedom and tolerance. The Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah tradition and Lynnwood’s is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries. Come join the celebration beginning at 4 p.m., featuring delicious Holiday treats, face painting, personal Menorah kits, and a Hanukkkah musical performance by the Klez Katz Klezmer band.
Marysville
The Merrysville for the Holidays event kicks off Saturday, December 3, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Comeford Park. Before the evening’s impressive Electric Lights Parade begins at 6 p.m., attendees can enjoy Winter Wonderland Activities, shop vendors, and eat at the delicious food trucks. Stick around until after the parade for the tree lighting ceremony, complete with photos with Santa, and music by the Jimmy Vegas Band.
Families will be able to explore local vendors, kid’s activities, see snow and visit two baby reindeer, Dancer and Dasher. The Marysville City Band will also play live music in the park.
Come hungry and ready to enjoy the tasty food and warm holiday drinks from any of the nine amazing food trucks that will be available throughout the event. The food trucks include the following: Big Red Truck, Black Sea Food Truck, Cascara Coffee Company, Dreamy Drinks, Kettle and Pop, Little Jamie’s Mini Donuts, Meatheads Beer Works, QT Food Truck and The Food Atlas.
Enjoy these local handmade and holiday themed items provided by local businesses from the community. Some of the vendors include: Betty Cameron, Board and Brush – Snohomish, Coniferous Creations, Fiddle Stick Trinkets, Hammond Bread Company, Hometown Candle Co., Paeonia Pines, Sunnyside Nursery, and Tiny Tikes Learning.
Additionally, free community activities will be provided by Rotary AM, Camp Fire Snohomish County, Marysville School District, Marysville Cooperative Education Program, and Renewal by Anderson.
Community Members are invited to participate in the Electric Lights Parade. This special event is a time for individuals, service clubs, sports organization and businesses to participate in one of Marysville’s most attended events. Get in the holiday spirit by joining Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation for the Merrysville for the Holidays and Electric Lights Parade.
The Electric Lights Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Parade lineup begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Marysville Court House parking lot with judging at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25/entry (individual or group). Both walking and motorized entries are welcome. Volunteers to help with the parade or other aspects of the event are always needed.
The Marysville Historical Society will also be holding a holiday craft fair Saturday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their building on 6805 Armar Road for an additional opportunity to shop for unique gifts and the next day, December 11, Vendors of Sno Co will be holding their own holiday craft fair at Kellogg Marsh Grange from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair will feature more than 30 local businesses selling homemade, handcrafted arts and crafts along with mouth-watering food.
Vendors of Sno Co will also be holding an event in Everett this Sunday, December 4 at 10 a.m., Christmas Market & Fair on December 11 at 7 p.m., and a Christmas Craft Fair in Lynnwood next month, December 17 at 11 a.m.
Mill Creek
Santa Claus is coming to Mill Creek on Saturday, December 3, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The city will be holding free train rides, a Santa Parade on Main Street beginning at 3:30 p.m., and a tree lighting ceremony at City Hall beginning at 4 p.m. Light refreshments, entertainment, and a visit from Santa and his elves can also be enjoyed during the ceremony.
Don’t miss taking a holiday stroll along Main Street in Mill Creek Town Center until Jan. 2, to see something new – windows decorated with snowy tree scenes. To make it even more fun, City staff devised a contest reminiscent of a scavenger hunt, where folks can hunt for four different woodland creatures hidden in the snowy scenes and then enter a contest to win prizes.
Once the critters are found, participants can use the QR code on the coloring page to enter to win by recording where they found each of the four woodland creatures, Olive the Owl, Betula the Bunny, Sal the Squirrel, and Rata the Reindeer.
“We thought it was fitting to name these cute creatures after types of trees,” said Communications & Marketing Coordinator Jody Hawkins. “For example, Betula is in the Betulaceae family and is commonly known as a birch tree.”
To learn more about these woodland creatures, contest rules, and upcoming holiday events, visit millcreekwa.gov/festivaloftrees.
Mukilteo
The City of Mukilteo and the Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Merry Mukilteo and tree lighting ceremony on December 3 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Rosehill Community Center. This new outdoor holiday celebration will feature photos with Santa, caroling, pop up holiday shopping, cocoa, candy canes, and more.
On Sunday, December 19, at 4:30 p.m., don’t miss Santa Claus as he cruises through your neighborhood waving from a fire engine and collecting food items for the Mukilteo Food Bank. Santa will start in the Harbour Pointe and Possession Sound areas, then move through Midtown, Goat Trail, and end the evening in Old Town. The city asks viewers to stay, safely, off the street and on sidewalks as he “cruises” by.
Also from December 12 through 19, participating homes and businesses will be adorning the city with lights as part of Let’s Glow Mukilteo. Viewers can then cast their votes for their favorite light display on the Chamber’s Facebook page. To view a complete listing of participating homes and businesses, or to register your address to participate, visit the Chamber’s website.
Snohomish
Come grab breakfast with Santa on December 17 at the Feather Ballroom, as part of Snohomish Winterfest. Other festivities in Winterfest include a Gingerbread party on Friday, December 9, with a Winter Party at Thomas Family Farm that evening, an ice sculpting contest on Saturday, December 10 with a Sippin n’ Shoppin wine walk that evening, a Historical Holiday Walking Tour on Sunday, December 11, and holiday lights, window displays contests, and more every weekend of December.
For a complete list of activities, locations, times, and more information in general visit www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org/winterfest
Editor’s Note: Article updated at 5:46 p.m. on November 30, 2022, added Silver Creek Family Church event.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
