Events herald Christmas in Whatcom County

This weekend, holiday festivals in Bellingham and Whatcom County celebrate the season. Here are the main events:

▪ The Port of Bellingham’s annual Holiday Port Festival begins at noon Friday, Dec. 4, at Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., and continues through 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, with free art activities for kids and families; performances by more than 35 local bands, orchestras, choirs and dancers; visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus; carriage and wagon rides through Fairhaven; and what some call the highlight of the weekend, the annual gingerbread contest display, with dozens of edible creations made by individuals, families, businesses and organizations. Some of the entries will be up for silent auction to benefit Home Port Learning Center.

The Lighted Boat Parade hosted by Bellingham Yacht Club runs 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with decorated boats traveling from Squalicum Harbor to the Cruise Terminal and back again. Inclement weather cancels the event. Details: byc.org.

Festival details: 360-676-2500; portofbellingham.com and search “holiday.”

▪ Bellingham’s Depot Market Square, at Railroad Avenue and Maple Street, is the site of a tree-lighting ceremony as part of the monthly Downtown Art Walk, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with visits from Santa, live music, refreshments and a pop-up gift market from Bellingham Farmers Market from 4 to 7 p.m. Also, gather at the Flatiron Building at 7:30 p.m. at Holly, Bay and Prospect streets to watch a holiday light show by Bellingham Wins.

Details: 360-778-8100, downtownbellingham.com.

▪ Blaine’s Holiday Harbor Lights Festival offers an art market, book sale, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Events begin 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and continue through Saturday, Dec. 5.

A 1.5-mile Holiday Lights Dash starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at H Street Plaza. Register at letsmoveblaine.org.

A holiday tree-lighting follows at 4:30 p.m., with Christmas caroling hosted by Blaine High School’s band and choir.

A lighted boat parade sails through Drayton Harbor from 6 to 7 that evening. A good place to watch the parade is from Blaine Harbor’s public pier. Before the parade, see the boats at the harbor’s visitor dock.

Details: 360-332-4544, blaineholidayharborlights.com, blainechamber.com.

▪ Ferndale’s Olde-Fashioned Christmas starts at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 6, at Pioneer Park, on Cherry Street. Members of Ferndale Heritage Society dress in pioneer garb to lead tours of the cabins at the park and to offer crafts for kids. There’s also music, refreshments and old-fashioned games. Tickets: $4 adults, $3 kids.

Details: 360- 384-6461, ferndaleheritagesociety.com.

▪ Lynden’s Christmas activities start with a holiday dessert-baking contest at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at KATZ Coffee and Used Books, 513 Front St. The $10 entry fee includes a ticket to the reception that evening at Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St.

Other highlights include breakfast with Sinterklaas from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Lynden Community/Senior Center; an “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt through downtown; a “Skate with Santa” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lynden Skateway; and a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. at Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St.

The Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fairway Shopping Center and goes along Front Street to downtown.

Details: 360-354-5995, lynden.org.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Events herald Christmas in Whatcom County."