Festivals, ceremonies brighten Skagit Christmas holidays

 

1 Festival of Trees final public day. Last chance to view the three dozen decorated Christmas trees auctioned off at the 14th annual Festival of Trees Gala. Each tree is decorated according to a theme. Trees are on display at St. Joseph Center in Mount Vernon. The Festival is the major fund raiser for the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation. Call (360) 428-2140 for more information.

1 Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Eastsound village green, 5 p.m. Santa Claus will attend, with entertainment from Community Band and refreshments. For more information, call (360) 376-2273 or e-mail gerryb@sanjuanweb.com.

1 Holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony. Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Community present these civic kick-offs to the festive season. For more information, call (360) 336-9277.

1 Anacortes Museum holiday social. Begins at 6:30 p.m. at the museum. Call (360) 293-1915 for more information.

1-21 ACT Theatre presents Scroooooge. For tickets or more information, call (360) 293-6829.

4 Swing dance lessons. Brush up your technique before Swinging into the Holidays. Lynn Christoferson and Don Wick will teach beginning steps at the Downtown Business Resource Center, 5:30 p.m.

5 Kiwanis Club of Skagit-Mount Vernon. Weekly meeting, 6:45 a.m., Denny’s in Mount Vernon.

6 Swing Into the Holidays. Dinner, dance and auction sponsored by the Economic Development Association of Skagit County. Event held at Skagit Valley Gardens’ Magical Winter Wonderland. Social Hour begins at 6 p.m., dinner and auction starts at 7 p.m. Music provided by Dillinger’s Clambake, a swing band. For tickets or more information, call (360) 336-6114.

6 Christmas tree lighting Burlington Chamber of Commerce holds this annual festive event. For more information, call (360) 757-0994

6 Christmas Tree lighting. Anacortes Chamber of Commerce sponsors annual tree lighting gathering.

6-7 Winter Artwalk. Downtown Anacortes galleries’ open house, with special exhibitions. Friday: 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. Call (360) 293-6938 for more information.

7 I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Family holiday salute to the 1940s. Skagit County Historical Museum. Try your hand at authentic wartime Christmas toys. Bring clean, used clothing which will be sent to children in the Peruvian Amazon.

7 Lions Christmas Parade. The community service club sponsors a holiday parade through downtown Anacortes.

7 23rd Annual Christmas Flotilla. Lighted boat parade through the water around Anacortes.

7 North Cascades Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tree lighting. Annual festivities include a visit from Santa Claus, who meets and talks to the children. For more information, call (360) 873-2106 or e-mail: chamber@marblemount.com.

12 Kiwanis Club of Skagit-Mount Vernon. Weekly meeting, 6:45 a.m., Denny’s in Mount Vernon.

14 Lighted Boat Parade and Santa Ship, San Juan Island, 5 p.m.

15 Petite Pieces closing night. Insights Gallery showcases small works by gallery artists, including Currier. McEnroe, Rogers, Shyne and Trapkowski.

16 Board meeting. North Cascades Chamber of Commerce. Held at the chamber office. For more information, call (360) 873-2106 or e-mail: chamber@marblemount.com.

19 Kiwanis Club of Skagit-Mount Vernon. Weekly meeting, 6:45 a.m., Denny’s in Mount Vernon.

26-28 Fun With Poetry: Lewis Carroll. Holiday program based on the poetry and puns of Lewis Carroll. For more information, e-mail: hnichols@orcaslibrary.org.