EVERETT—The Port of Everett invites you to kick off the holidays at Waterfront Place this season, offering a full lineup of winter fun for everyone from its annual Holiday on the Bay Festival and Holiday on the Bay 5k to NEW activations including live reindeer visits during Holiday Hooves: 12 Days of Reindeer and Sip and Sleigh drink bingo.
17th Annual Holiday on the Bay – Saturday, December 7
Join us for a day of family fun at the waterfront during the Port of Everett’s 17th annual Holiday on the Bay festival taking place Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon – 6 p.m. at Waterfront Place.
Rain or shine, festivalgoers will gather in and around the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza, near Hotel Indigo (1028 13th Street, Everett, WA 98201), to enjoy the day’s outdoor festivities including a pop-up holiday market, free kids’ activities from winter-themed crafts, face painting and balloon creations to touch-a-truck, s’mores roasting at fire pits, character meet-and-greets and more. The day’s fun leads up to the annual waterfront tree-lighting ceremony, an appearance from Santa and lighted boats on parade.
The annual holiday toy drive drop off, photo worthy lighting displays, food vendors, and holiday specials at select waterfront restaurants are also on the agenda.
Below is a snapshot of what’s planned, or click here for a printer-friendly schedule of the day’s events.
- Noon – 6 p.m.: Holiday pop up market featuring local vendors and select food trucks
- Noon – 6 p.m.:FREE family fun, including:
- Winter-themed crafts with our partners at Imagine Children’s Museum
- Touch-a-truck with local partners including the Everett Police Department, Snohomish County PUD, and more
- S’mores roasting at fire pits around Pacific Rim Plaza
- Air brush face painting and balloon twister creations by Giggles Entertainment
- Live holiday steel drums music by Panessence
- Family photo opportunities
- 12:00 – 4 p.m.: A chance to meet and snap a photo with “Frozen”-inspired Ice Queen and Ice Princess from Enchanting Events
- 5 p.m.: Annual waterfront tree-lighting ceremony at the Port’s “frozen fountain” tree (SNOW is in the forecast!) and an appearance from Santa by boat
- 5:30 p.m.: Lighted boat parade organized by Mukilteo Yacht Club kicks off, departing from Guest Dock 5 at Pacific Rim Plaza to parade around the Marina
Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/holidayonthebay
Holiday on the Bay 5K – Sunday, December 8
The Port of Everett and Snohomish Running Company are partnering up once again to bring the second annual Holiday on the Bay 5K to Waterfront Place. Grab those running shoes and join us Sunday, Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. for a chip-timed 5K, sponsored by Everett Bone and Joint. Participants will enjoy a flat route with sweeping views of the Port of Everett Marina, Port Gardner Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Registration includes a race shirt (register by Nov. 17 to guarantee your shirt size) and a finisher medal. Adults and kids welcome.
Registration required. Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/holidayonthebay5K.
NEW THIS SEASON! Holiday Hooves: 12 Days of Reindeer – Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 8, 14-22
Create unforgettable memories this holiday season as Santa’s reindeer make special appearances at the Port of Everett’s Pacific Rim Plaza (near Hotel Indigo) on select dates and times from November 30 – December 22.
Stop by to enjoy this free, magical experience with an opportunity to see live reindeer up close in a festive waterfront setting. While you’re here, be sure to snap some photos with the reindeer and the waterfront lighting displays. See full schedule @ portofeverett.com/holidayhooves.
Sip & Sleigh Winter Drink Bingo – Dec. 1 – 31
Fall’s drink bingo was such a hit we decided to extend the fun into winter with our new Sip & Sleigh Drink Bingo at participating Waterfront Place restaurants. Enjoy winter-themed drink specials from coffee, to mocktails and cocktails.
To participate, simply head to any participating waterfront restaurant location in December and ask for a bingo card, get a stamp for every bingo drink you buy and rack up the bingos. Turn in your completed bingo card at the blue “Letters to the North Pole” drop box located at the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza (near Hotel Indigo) by January 10, 2025, to be entered into a drawing.
Learn more @ portofeverett.com/winterbingo.
Holiday Toy Drive – Now thru Dec. 8
Looking for ways to give back this holiday season? The Port’s annual Holiday on the Bay toy drive for Marine Toys for Tots is back again, accepting NEW, unwrapped toys for children in need. Please bring toy donations now thru Dec. 6 to the donation box located inside the Port’s Waterfront Center lobby near the Scuttlebutt entrance or bring them by the Holiday on the Bay festival on Dec. 7. You can also “run” them by on Dec. 8 if you are planning to participate in the Holiday on the Bay 5K.
The Port of Everett’s winter festivities are made possible in part by assistance from the Snohomish County Hotel-Motel Tax Fund, as well as a Visit Everett contribution.
Visit www.portofeverett.com/winter to learn more and see schedules for each event and winter activation. For additional information, contact Kate Anderson, Port of Everett’s Media & Marketing Coordinator, at 425-388-0623 or katea@portofeverett.com.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
