‘Tis the season for holiday events. Your guide to Whatcom’s festive events this December

It’s the holiday season, and as neighbors put up their lights, your Christmas tree is decorated and Whatcom residents prepare for a potential white Christmas, The Bellingham Herald has put together a list of local holiday activities for you and your family this December.

The Holiday Festival of the Arts — Dec. 1-24

The 43rd annual Allied Art’s Holiday Festival of the Arts began in November but will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until Dec. 23, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. The festival features over 100 artist vendors, along with live music and workshops. The festival also offers an online storefront to purchase artists’ products. The festival is located at 1411 Railroad Ave. in downtown Bellingham.

Fairhaven Winterfest — Dec. 1 through Dec. 17

The Fairhaven Winterfest will include holiday decorations, horse-drawn trolleys, a winter art walk, a firelight stroll and a lighted bike parade. The firelight stroll takes place at 5 p.m. on Dec. 3 at 8th and Harris streets. The lighted bike parade takes place at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, with two routes starting at Hillcrest Church at 1400 Larrabee Ave. or Depot Market Square at 1100 Railroad Ave.

Holiday Bazaar at Semiahmoo Marina — Dec. 1-24

The marina store and cafe will have consignment arts and crafts from local artists for sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The marina store is located at 9540 Semiahmoo Parkway in Blaine.

Stemma Holiday Market — Dec. 1

Stemma Brewing Co. will be hosting a holiday market from 4-8 p.m. with local arts, food and other vendors, as well as live music and specials on warm drinks. Stemma Brewing Co. is located at 2039 Moore St. in Bellingham.

Downtown Bellingham Tree Lighting Festival — Dec. 2

The annual downtown tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. with caroling and free hot cocoa and cookies from Woods Coffee beginning at 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting event takes place at the Depot Market Square at 1100 Railroad Ave.

Make.Shift Holiday Market — Dec. 2-3

Make.Shift Art Space will host its annual Make.Sale holiday market featuring local vendors from 6-10 p.m. on Dec. 2 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. The market is located at 306 Flora St. in Bellingham.

Olde Fashioned Christmas in Pioneer Village — Dec. 2-3

The Ferndale Heritage Society will host its annual Christmas in its historic Pioneer Village featuring live music, refreshments, children’s crafts, letter writing to Santa and a Santa meet and greet. The event takes place from 4-9 p.m. on Dec. 2-3, and tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children. Pioneer Park is located in Ferndale at 2004 Cherry St.

Swing Connection Holiday Concert — Dec. 2

The Swing Connection Big Band holiday concert will be held from 7-9 p.m. featuring classic holiday music and the Bellingham High School Jazz Band. The concert will be held at First Baptist Church at 110 Flora St. in Bellingham, and there is a suggested admission donation of $10 per ticket.

Wreath Making Class — Dec. 2

The Cheese Shop at Appel Farms will host a wreath-making class from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $65 per person and include all wreath and bow-making materials, the wreath to take home, and charcuterie and cheese bites. The class is located at 6605 Northwest Drive in Ferndale.

Blaine’s 10th Annual Holiday Lights Dash — Dec. 3

The Holiday Lights Dash will be held by the Blaine-Birch Bay Pars and Recreation at 2 p.m. The obstacle course run can be walked or run, and festive costumes are encouraged. Strollers and wagons are also allowed. After the race, a meal will be provided. Registration is open online, for those wishing to participate and register at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. The race will begin at Lincoln Park at 1800 H St. in Blaine.

Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt — Dec. 3

Downtown Lynden will have an Elf on The Shelf scavenger hunt from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The elves will be hidden in businesses downtown, and there will be a drawing for prizes. For those wanting to participate, clue cards can be picked up at the tent on the corner of Front and 5th streets during the event. Three winners will be drawn before the downtown lighted Christmas parade at 6 p.m.

Northwest Lighted Christmas Parade — Dec. 3

The Lynden Chamber of Commerce and Edaleen Dairy will present the annual Northwest lighted Christmas parade at 6 p.m.. The parade will run along Front street from 18th Street down to 3rd Street in downtown Lynden. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and warm clothes to view the parade.

Storm Large Holiday Ordeal Show — Dec. 3

The Mount Baker Theatre will host musician, actor, playwright and author Storm Large for a “night of music, gags, and gifts,” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online in advance or at the door. Mount Baker Theatre is located at 104 N. Commercial St. in Bellingham.

Arts & Ales: Holiday Market — Dec. 3

Aslan Brewing Co.’s Depot will hold its annual holiday market with 20 local vendors, live music and a menu of mulled wine and other brews. The market runs from 3-8 p.m. and is located at 1322 N. State St. in Bellingham.

Bellingham Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade — Dec. 3

The Bellingham Yacht Club’s annual lighted boat parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to view the parade from Boulevard Park at 470 Bayview Ave. in Bellingham and the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal at 355 Harris Ave.

Santa Saturday at Boundary Bay — Dec. 3

Boundary Bay Brewing Co. is hosting Santa Claus at the brewery from 1-3 p.m. with complimentary candy canes, cookies, hot cider and photos with Santa. The event will take place at 1107 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham.

Seussian Swags, Garlands and Wreath Making — Dec. 3

The Jansen Art Center is hosting an art class to create Dr. Seuss-inspired decorations from 1-3 p.m. The class costs $35 per person, or $32.50 for members and includes all needed materials. The art center is located at 321 Front St. in Lynden.

An Improvised Christmas Carol — Dec. 3

Taproot Theater will put on an improvised version of “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10 and can be purchased online in advance or at the door. The production will be at Hillcrest Church at 1400 Larrabee Ave. in Bellingham.

Holiday Port Festival — Dec. 3-4

The Port of Bellingham will host its Holiday Port Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3-4 and will feature live entertainment, photos with Santa Claus and a gingerbread house display. The festival will take place at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal at 355 Harris Ave.

Lorikeet Bar Holiday Art Market — Dec. 4 and Dec. 11

The Lorikeet Bar in Bellingham will host its second holiday art market from 2-6 p.m. The market will feature local artists and makers, and is located at 215 W. Holly St.

Christmas Bazaar at Assumption Catholic School — Dec. 4

The Assumption Catholic School will host its annual Christmas bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where there will be a used book sale, bake sale and holiday goods and crafts for sale. The bazaar is located inside the school’s gymnasium at 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham.

Sumas Christmas in the Park — Dec. 5

The Sumas Chamber will be hosting a Christmas in the Park event from 7-9 p.m. at Sumas City Park. The event will include photos with Santa, hot chocolate from Loca Mocha, free horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas light displays and live music. But the event is also aimed to help those in the community who did not get to have a traditional Christmas last year due to flooding. “We want to make sure that the families who are returning to town who most likely did not enjoy a traditional Christmas last year due to the flooding and or being displaced will be able to have a magical Christmas experience,” Nicole Sandoval Postma, Sumas chamber president, wrote in an email to The Herald. Donations of new books and toys for the children of Sumas can be dropped off at Loca Mocha during business hours. The event is located at Sumas City Park at 120 Third St.

Lighted Christmas Stroll — Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17

The Ferndale Heritage Society will host its annual lighted Christmas stroll through Pioneer Village from 5-8 p.m. Guests can sip on free hot chocolate while strolling through the village and listening to Christmas music. Pioneer Park is located in Ferndale at 2004 Cherry St.

Fairhaven Holiday Pop-Up Market — Dec. 10

The Firehouse Arts & Event Center will host a holiday market that takes place from 2-8 p.m. featuring live music and local vendors and artists. The event center is located at 1314 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.

Ferndale Creative Winter Arts & Crafts Festival — Dec. 10

The Ferndale Arts Commission is hosting its winter arts and craft festival that will feature live music and local vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market is located at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center at 2007 Cherry St. in Ferndale.

Holiday Makers Market — Dec. 10

Kulshan Brewing Co. will host its second annual holiday makers market from 5-9 p.m. The market will feature over 30 local vendors and will benefit The United Way of Whatcom County, by donating 10% of artist sales and $1 of every pint sold. The market will be held at Kulshan’s Roosevelt location at 1538 Kentucky St. in Bellingham.

Holiday Magic with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra — Dec. 11

The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra will perform a Christmas concert at Mount Baker Theatre at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door and range between $10-$33 per ticket. The Mount Baker Theatre is located at 104 N. Commercial St. in Bellingham.

The Nutcracker Ballet — Dec. 14-17

The Opus Performing Arts School will perform “The Nutcracker” at Mount Baker Theatre at 7 p.m. for four nights. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door and range between $12-$20 per ticket. Tickets can also be purchased online for at-home live-stream performances for $20. The Mount Baker Theatre is located at 104 N. Commercial St. in Bellingham.

“Estrella’s Holiday Wish” by Day-to-Day Dance Studio — Dec. 17-18

The Day-to-Day Dance Studio in Blaine will put on “Estrella’s Holiday Wish.” Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door and cost $15 for all ages 2 and above. The show will take place at the Blaine Performing Arts Center at 975 H St.

Bellingham Vegan Winter Market — Dec. 18

The Bellingham Vegan Winter Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include local vendors, food, gingerbread house building and raffles. The market will be in V Go’s Grocery at 1215 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham.

Santa 5K at Cordata — Dec. 18

The City of Bellingham’s Santa-themed 5K will go through Cordata Park starting at 11 a.m. Participants are invited to walk or run the course and are encouraged to dress up. Santa hats will be provided. Registration closes on Dec. 14 and must be done in advance online. Participation costs $5 per person. Cordata Park is located at 4510 Cordata Parkway in Bellingham.

The Nativity Story Show — Dec. 19-20

The Dancing for Joy dance studio is putting on “Nativity,” a “spirit-filled, local rendition of Christ’s birth” at Mount Baker Theatre. Performances start at 6:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door. Tickets range from $15-$18. Mount Baker Theatre is located at 104 N. Commercial St. in Bellingham.

Did we miss your event? Email us at newsroom@bellinghamherald.com.