Celebrate the holidays with merriment and joy with holiday festivities and winter activities on the Olympic Peninsula! Bring your family and friends. Head out to experience the festive lights. Go ice skating. Take to the mountains for snow fun. Wander through a maze of trees brightly lit with lights. This is the perfect place to spark your senses this holiday season.
Tour the Winter Lights – Port Townsend
November through February
Port Townsend is lighting up throughout downtown and uptown with sparkling white lights decorating the trees in the downtown historic district. Look for illuminated snowflakes in historic Uptown. LEARN MORE
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and 7 Cedars Light Display – Blyn
November through January
Nothing says the holidays are here on the north Olympic Peninsula like the breathtaking lights installed by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and 7 Cedars in Blyn (just east of Sequim). They illuminate the night sky with the largest holiday light display in Washington. Every year, beginning in October, a crew from P. Walker Inc. spends roughly 7,500 hours installing the magical light display of over three million lights. The holiday lights have become a tradition and a beautiful way for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and 7 Cedars to say thank you to the community and Happy Holidays to all. LEARN MORE
Dungeness River Nature Center Twinkling Lights and Holiday Delights – Sequim
Late November through December
You won’t want to miss the stunning lights on the historic railroad bridge crossing the Dungeness River on the Olympic Discovery Trail at Railroad Bridge Park. Thousands of lights brighten the walkway, along with cedar swags and wreaths. The display is a gift to the community from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to everyone who comes by to enjoy them. Come to the River Center this December for a magical series of festive fun! Experience the park aglow with twinkling lights. On select Fridays and Saturdays, delight in family-friendly activities, including kids’ crafts, a visit from Mrs. Claus, and cookie decorating. Plus, don’t miss a special screening of Happy Feet! Come create lasting holiday memories at Railroad Bridge Park! LEARN MORE
Winter Ice Village – Port Angeles
November 22 through January 6
Glide through a Winter Ice Village at the outdoor ice skating rink this holiday season. Strap on a pair of ice skates and zip across the outdoor covered ice skating rink in downtown Port Angeles. Take a lunch, dinner or beverage break from skating at one of the delicious downtown restaurants because your admission is good for the entire day. LEARN MORE
Light Art Experience at Webster’s Woods – Port Angeles
November 29 through January 1
Let your path through Webster’s Woods be guided by Light Art sculptures during the dark months of winter! Selected works will be exhibited alongside more than 100 existing sculptures throughout forested trails, transforming the park with light and color. This year’s theme Sparks in the Night centers on light that can bring a flicker of warmth, a spark of connection, or illuminate the imagination. The sculptures will be lit nightly from 4 – 8 pm. LEARN MORE
Winter Snow Sports on Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles area
November through March
The winter season kicked off at Hurricane Ridge in late November at Olympic National Park. This is the area’s most popular spot for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, and just playing in the snow!
The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is open for operations on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays through March from 10 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. However, the Ridge can close without notice due to inclement weather, so it’s prudent to contact Olympic National Park’s Road Report at 360.565.3131 before traveling.
The Ridge boasts some groomed areas, but for the accomplished skier or snowboarder, the steeps, bowls and glades are well worth the effort it takes to get there. Average snowfall is 400-plus inches annually. Lift tickets and passes, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, tubing and sledding info is available online as well as things to know about the winter sports school. LEARN MORE to get started planning a fun and safe winter trip to Hurricane Ridge.
Festival of the Firs – Shelton and Hoodsport
November 29 through December 29
Celebrate Christmastown Festival of the Firs with an interactive light display, a Christmas tree maze celebrating the Guinness World Record and events all December long. There will be tree lightings throughout Mason County and you won’t want to miss the Hoodsport Yule Tide Fest on Dec. 14. The Kealy Winter Wonderland in Shelton runs from Nov. 30 – Dec. 29. Listen to holiday music on KMAS 1030AM/103.3FM all month long. LEARN MORE
Holiday Theatre Events Abound – All Around
November through December
Gather your family and friends for a festive outing and magical live theater performances during the holidays. You’ll find a wide array to choose from starting in Port Townsend with Key City Public Theatre, to Olympic Theatre Arts Center in Sequim, to cozy Port Angeles Community Playhouse in Port Angeles. The magic continues with performances of The Nutcracker at Field Arts and Events Hall (Port Angeles), as well as other holiday musical offerings.
Happy Holidays from the Olympic Peninsula!
To see even more Olympic Peninsula events, check out our Events Calendar!
Cover photo courtesy of Dominic Crowley, 7 Cedars
