Coastal charm puts Anacortes on the holiday ‘nice list’

The most wonderful time of year is rapidly approaching. We are, of course, referring to the holiday season. Anacortes is the ideal spot for weekend getaways, and the holiday season is no exception — the city has a slate of festive events planned and it’s the perfect spot to do your holiday shopping while supporting small local businesses.

The holiday fun kicks off on November 23 (the Saturday before Thanksgiving) with Elves Night Out, an event that began last year and became an instant hit among locals and visitors alike. Over 20 shops and restaurants open their doors with specials and discounts for the event that’s free for anyone who wants to participate.

“We all have our shops decorated for Christmas by that time,” says Lori Maul, owner of Fidalgo Artisan Yarn & Clothing. Merchants provide refreshments and many offer specials for shoppers. “It’s just so much fun. People dress up like elves,” Maul says. “Last year I made elf hats for both my shops and other [store owners] did, too. A lot of people start their Christmas shopping the week of Thanksgiving, so it’s a really fun kick-off for the holidays.”

Shopping on Small Business Saturday and beyond

Just one week later on November 30 is Small Business Saturday, which means that holiday shopping season is “officially” in full swing. Designated as a Washington Creative District, Anacortes is home to amazing artisan shops that provide the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for your friends and family. Maul’s newest shop, The Wishing Rock, is ready to take on its second holiday season. The home decor gift shop has a gardening theme, but it has plenty of great gift options for those of us who lack a green thumb. This holiday season, The Wishing Rock will offer specialty gifts, cards, wrapping paper, ribbons, ornaments, decorations and plenty of good holiday cheer. Maul says she’s excited to decorate the shop with garland, trees and lots of sparkle in order to embrace the holiday spirit.

Other artisan shops that offer unique gifting options include Ink + Wool, which sells everything from housewares and paper goods to clothing and accessories. For the 2024 holiday season, Ink + Wool has a brand new lineup of screen-printed apparel and will remain fully stocked with cozy hand knit accessories — all of which are made in-house from the shop’s own designs. 

Another local shop where you can find unique gifts for everyone on your “nice” list is Fidalgo Fudge; it’s perfect for your loved one who has a sweet tooth, and an excellent spot to grab a little treat for yourself while you shop. Other shops that follow suit include Trinity Skate, a shop selling skateboard supplies, clothing and accessories that also shares space with a smoothie and juice bar and Creative Hub & Coffeehouse. Pop by for coffee or tea, shop creations from different artists each month, take an arts and craft workshop or simply take a breather in between shopping.

If you love to give gifts with a personal touch, clayhouse has several Saturday morning workshops that provide the opportunity to DIY a gift with assistance from an expert. On December 7, there will be an ornament-making workshop and on December 21, you can make candlesticks and candle holders. MoonWater Arts is another option, offering fused glass workshops through Joanie Schwartz Glass along with handcrafted gifts from local and national women artists.

Holiday events in Anacortes

While shopping for gifts is one of the most enjoyable activities of the holiday season, amazing shops aren’t the only thing Anacortes has to offer. Friday, December 6, is the annual Coastal Christmas Tree Lighting. In addition to watching the lighting ceremony itself, you can sip on hot chocolate as you enjoy performances by elementary and high school students and special guest appearances. Rumor has it that one of those special guests will be Santa, who’ll be on hand for photos after the tree lighting.

If you’ve been dreaming of walking in a winter wonderland, look no further than Wonderland Walk in Washington Park. This unique festival of light, featuring music, campfires and hot chocolate, is held on the second weekend of December at the park’s campground. The campground will be fully decorated thanks to the help of local groups and organizations. As the entire event takes place outdoors, be sure to wear comfy walking shoes and cozy clothes.

On December 16, the Rockin’ Yule Bizarre will be held at the Art Center at Buxton’s from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Put on by the Anacortes Music Project, you can enjoy short sets of holiday music favorites performed by local bands. The event also features a bake sale, beer and wine and a gift tree.

Caroling on Commercial is up next on December 21, which also marks the winter solstice. This annual event is the brainchild of Maul and her husband and has been an Anacortes holiday staple for nearly 10 years. Maul describes it as a “community sing-along.” Participants meet up at the Anacortes Visitors’ Center and are given songbooks to guide them. “We go up and down Commercial Avenue singing from the songbooks,” Maul says. “Sometimes we go into restaurants if they’re open and sing to them. Everyone is welcome … sometimes we have little kids in strollers or visitors to town who saw it in the calendar. If someone says they can’t sing, I encourage them to come and hum along.”

Situated on a drive-to island, Anacortes is a vibrant coastal community offering the ultimate Northwest getaway — from seaside recreation to small-town charm