Discover Skagit County’s winter activities: Lighted boat parades, lantern walks and more
Just a short drive south from Whatcom County, Skagit Valley is celebrating the winter season with boated light parades, festive events, historic town shopping and special treats.
“The holiday season and winter months in Skagit Valley are truly idyllic,” Skagit Tourism Bureau CEO Kristen Keltz wrote in a news release from the Skagit Tourism Bureau. “Think Christmas tree farms blanketed in snow, the exhilaration of snowshoeing, cozying up fireside at a lakefront lodge, enjoying live holiday shows at a community theatre, and wandering through main streets adorned with festive wreaths on shop doors and signposts. The charm of the season can be found all throughout the Skagit Valley.”
Here’s your guide to Skagit Valley’s unique holiday events and experiences you won’t want to miss this season:
▪ The Winter Solstice Luminary Walk, a free community event in Anacortes, invites participants to celebrate the longest night of the year and in honor of endangered Southern Resident Orcas by walking illuminated paper lanterns along the island’s shoreline. The event starts at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Washington Park’s cabanas, near the boat launch, and will end with free s’mores and a bonfire. Washington Park is at 6300 Sunset Ave. in Anacortes.
▪ The Anacortes Lighted Boat Parade will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 along Fidalgo Island’s shore. The parade will start at Cap Sante Boat Haven and go along the Guemes channel. A parade route map is available online, and Cap Sante Boat Haven is at 1019 Q Ave. in Anacortes.
▪ Skagit Valley is the destination for many migrating birds, including snow geese known for their white, snow-like appearance. For those who enjoy birding, Skagit Valley’s farmland, estuaries and Fir Island area attract a variety of winter birds, according to Visit Skagit Valley website. Bird enthusiasts can also attend The LaConner Bird Festival in February.
▪ Charming small towns in Skagit Valley also offer unique boutiques, book stores, gift shops and locally sourced goods. Anacortes, Mount Vernon, La Conner and other historic towns have a variety of small businesses, as well as breweries, restaurants and cafes to try.
▪ It’s not too late to find your Christmas tree! Laue’s Christmas Tree Farm in Sedro Woolley will be open through Sunday, Dec. 22, for those who haven’t found the perfect tree yet, or want to explore a new tree farm in Skagit Valley. The farm has a variety of trees as well as a Christmas shop featuring gifts and products made by local artists. Laue’s Christmas Tree Farm is open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 24348 Jameson St.
▪ Visit Mount Vernon’s historic Lincoln Theatre nestled in downtown, which will be showing classic Christmas movies like “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Die Hard,” and a live candlelight concert featuring music from “The Nutcracker.” For tickets and more information, visit the theater’s website. Lincoln Theatre is at 712 South 1st St. in Mount Vernon.
