COVID-19 won’t stop these Whatcom holiday events in December

COVID-19 has led to changes of some Whatcom County holiday traditions and created new events in 2020. We will add events as they are announced so check back later for more holiday fun.

Fairhaven Winterfest

The Historic Fairhaven Association has made changes to the annual Winterfest, began Friday, Nov. 27, and includes:

▪ Winterfest holiday-themed cocktail kits put together by Fairhaven bars and restaurants will be available for pickup for at-home celebrations or gifts.

▪ A lighted bike parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.

▪ Firelight strolls will take place Dec. 12 and Dec. 31, where the paths will be lined with luminaria. Starting point will be 8th Street and Harris Avenue.

▪ Socially distanced visits with Santa waving at children in the store window at Current and Furbish — 1115 Harris Ave. Children can drop off a letter with him there, or anytime at Santa’s mailbox at the Fairhaven Village Green.

Downtown Bellingham Santa

Santa will appear at two downtown locations and children are invited to drop-off their pre-written letters at Santa’s special mailbox wave at him from a safe distance.

Santa will make an appearance from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the “Holly Jolly” Bay Street Village lobby, 301 W. Holly St.

Visit a ‘snow globe’

The Port of Bellingham will create a “snow globe’” holiday scene at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven Thursday, Dec. 3 to Dec. 25. Walk outside past the terminal’s dome room from the waterside to see lights and decorations. It’s best viewed after sunset.

Festival of Trees

The Bellingham Senior Activity Center will host its fourth annual Festival of Trees Christmas Tree Auction virtually at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

The event will feature unique, professionally decorated Christmas trees for participants to bid on, as well as a silent auction and raffle. The trees will be delivered, fully decorated, to winning bidders home or business.

Previews of the trees and silent auction items will be available beginning in mid-November at charityauction.bid/BellinghamFestivalofTrees. Bidding for the silent auction and voting for favorite trees begins Nov. 27.

Funds raised will go to the Bellingham Senior Activity Center.

Holiday art walk

Bellingham’s downtown holiday tree is lit at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave., throughout November and December, including for the 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Art Walk.

Ferndale Tree Lighting

The city of Ferndale will light its holiday tree during an event 4-6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Centennial Riverwalk Park, 5667 Front Ave. Free cookies and hot cocoa are provided, according to the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce website, and Santa and Mrs. Clause will also attend.

Lighted boat parade

The annual lighted boat parade, put on by the Bellingham Yacht Club, will leave Squalicum Harbor at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, and float by the Bellingham Cruise Terminal around 15 minutes later.

Drive for Joy

Lighthouse Mission Ministries of Bellingham is hosting Drive for Joy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Barkley Woods Coffee, 3008 Cinema Place. The event is a contact-less, drive-through and drop-off event to collect men’s and women’s underwear, socks, deodorant, hats, non-knit gloves, razors, hand warmers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Donated items will be assembled into Christmas gift bags for homeless men and women and handed out on Christmas Eve and as needed throughout the winter, according to a news release.

Cash donations may be made online at thelighthousemission.org/donationsjoy.

Lynden Lighted Parade

The 2020 Northwest Christmas Lighted Parade will allow people to walk or drive past the lighted entries that will be parked on one side of Front Street for 14 blocks between 3rd Street and 17th Street. The event, presented by Edaleen Dairy, will take place from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Holiday Harbor Lights

The Blaine Chamber of Commerce will host a community tree lighting event 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Holiday Festival of the Arts

The 41st Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts opened Friday, Nov. 20 in a format that meets pandemic requirements. Allied Arts is offering Wired, an online market with pick up at the Allied Arts Gallery, 1418 Cornwall Ave. Lite mini market will start Friday, Dec. 4. Both options feature locally made fine arts, craft and other gourmet food items and are open until Tuesday, Dec. 24.

These events won’t happen in 2020:

▪ Port Gingerbread Contest.

▪ Fairhaven Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Please send information about your Whatcom County holiday event to newsroom@bellinghamherald.com to have it included in this listing.

This story was originally published November 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.