#FoundInTown • Shop • Dine • Stay in Port Townsend
Winter fun in Port Townsend! Yuletide events, roving carolers and Port Townsend’s own holiday musical add to the festive spirit. Many stores will be open later and offer in-store treats on Saturday, November 24th and Saturday, December 1st. Port Townsend has holiday shopping covered–there are thousands of great gifts available in the historic districts—Uptown and Downtown. Individually-owned businesses offer the personal touch and are a welcome contrast to anonymous malls or online buying. Gifts purchased from destination stores, restaurant gift certificates, movie passes, theatre tickets, nonprofit event tickets and local artwork are examples of thoughtful gifts loved ones will remember long after the holidays.
Merry Events
Nov. 22, Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy Thanksgiving at Fort Worde.
Nov. 23, Black Friday – Let the local shopping begin!
Nov. 23-24, Port Townsend Arts Guild Holiday Craft Fair in Uptown.
Nov. 23-Dec. 28, Key City Public Theatre – Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)
Nov. 24, Main Street Small Business Saturday & Merchant Holiday Open House!
Celebrate local businesses at this nation-wide event. Caroling in the streets with the Wild Rose Chorale Uptown and Downtown from 2-4 pm, in-store treats, many shops open later til 7 pm. Have fun shopping and dining in town!
Dec. 1 – Jan. 6, ‘Tis the season of holiday magic and hustle and bustle, but don’t forget to take the opportunity to slow down – even for just a few minutes, and soak in the beauty of downtown Port Townsend this holiday season! The 2018 Winter Window on Washington Street can help you do just that, and get an outside stroll in as well. Keep watch as the storefront at 823 Washington Street begins its transformation into a miniature winter wonderland that might even make Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves a bit jealous. Who knows, maybe even Santa himself will stop by to see what all the fuss is about. Check the window every couple days to see what happens throughout the season!
Dec. 1, Toys for Tots hosted by Kiwanis “Fill the Bus with Toys” – Every year Kiwanis, Toys for Tots and Christmas for Kids along with Jefferson County Transit parks a bus at the Port Townsend Visitors Center Parking Lot on Sims way from 9 am – 3 pm. Drop by and drop off a unwrapped toy or a donation; have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Mo Chilli will be onsite serving up delicious BBQ, all profits from the food will be donated to Toys for Tots!
Dec. 1, Main Street Treelighting Celebration and Santa Visit! There’s caroling in the streets with the Wild Rose Chorale from 1 to 3 pm, in-store refreshm
ents and many shops will be open later. Come to Haller Fountain for the annual Community treelighting and Santa visit at 4:30 pm. Santa arrives by the Kiwanis Choo Choo Train to light the community tree. After the Treelighting, Santa visits with children at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street. Java Gypsies will be on-site at the Cotton Building offering a specials kids’ hot cocoa for $1.00 – thank you Heidi!
Dec. 1, First Saturday Art Walk hosted in galleries and stores. Great holiday gift ideas made by local artists. Enjoy refreshments and shop for artistic gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
Dec. 3, Merchant Holiday Window Contest winners announced. Windows must be decorated by Saturday, Dec. 1 to be considered for the judging.
Dec. 5-30, “Spirit of the Yule,” a holiday musical, is Port Townsend’s own Christmas Carol by Linda Dowdell and Denise Winter. KeyCityPublicTheatre.org
Dec. 8,Main Street/Kiwanis Choo Choo Rides for Families 1-4 pm; suggested donation of $5 per person benefits the arts in the schools program. Meet between Pope Marine Park and Northwest Maritime Center. Unfortunately, the Choo Choo broke down and had to stop rides for today, Dec. 8th. Most likely, it will not be fixed before next Saturday. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Dec. 8, Visit the Port Townsend Saturday Farmers Market for your holiday gifts. When you give locally your give twice. You get an amazing and creative gift for your loved one and you support our local economy.
Dec. 14, The KPTZ Tossed Salad Holiday Extravaganza from 12:00 to 5:00 pm at the Jefferson Museum of Art and History in historic City Hall.
Dec. 15 – Jan. 4, Aldrich’s Gingerbread Contest, drop off your creations at Aldrich’s Market, 940 Lawrence St. from Dec. 15- Jan 5. Judging at 1 pm on Jan. 6.
Dec. 15, Main Street/Kiwanis Choo Choo Rides for Families 1-4 pm; suggested donation of $5 per person benefits the arts in the schools program. Meet between Pope Marine Park and the Northwest Maritime Center. Unfortunately, the Choo Choo has a part that broke and will not be fixed for this date. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Dec. 15, Open Parlor Tours – Visit historic inns and homes of Port Townsend with their halls bedecked for the holidays. Self-guided tours run 12-4 pm. Enjoy seasonal music and tasty treats. www.op-s.net
Dec. 15, Big Brass Yule Ball – Father Christmas will be on hand, along with plenty of mistletoe to steam up the holidays. Whether you rock gears and goggles, bustle or bowler, this is your holiday opportunity to come out and kick it old school. Coordinated by Olympic Peninsula Steam. www.op-s.net
Dec. 15, Holiday Farmers Market and Season Closing on Tyler Street and inside the Port Townsend Community Center from 10 am- 2 pm. Shop inside for local arts and crafts, fresh food for your winter celebrations and more!
Dec. 15, Hand Work Studio Holiday Sale at the Cotton Building from 11 am – 6 pm. Wonderful local crafts and products, just in time for your holiday gift giving.
Dec. 15-16 & 23-23, Procrastinators Fair in the Flagship Landing Building, corner of Water & Tyler Street.
Dec. 31, First Night Celebration coordinated by the Jefferson County Historical Society. Admission $8 for adults if you purchase tickets online, kids are FREE or $10 for adults day of event. All ages, alcohol-free event from 6-9 pm, featuring live raptors, square dancing, kid’s crafts, karaoke, food, live theater and a whole lot more in a celebration of our community’s art and heritage + a big fireworks adios to 2018. www.jchsmuseum.org
Subject to change
MAIN STREET ORNAMENT ~Purchase a collectible Main Street Christmas ornament featuring the Historic Rothschild House Museum, located on the bluff overlooking Port Townsend Bay at the corner of Franklin and Taylor Streets. The Rothschild House is open daily from 11-4 May through September. Occupied only by the Rothschild family, the last surviving member, Eugene, donated the house to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. It opened to the public as a historic site in 1962 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house has been left intact, as the family remembered it from its early years. As such, it is a surprisingly accurate reflection of our culture 100 years ago. The Rothschild House is managed by Jefferson County Historical Society.
ON SALE NOW AT:
- About Time Clothing, 830 Water St.
- Abracadabra, 936 Water St.
- The Bishop Victorian Hotel, 714 Washington St.
- Elevated Ice Cream Co. & Candy Shop, 627 Water St.
- The Green Eyeshade, 720 Water St.
- Jefferson Museum of Art & History, 540 Water St.
- NWMC Wooden Boat Chandlery, 431 Water St.
- PT Shirt Company, 940 Water St.
- Quimper Mercantile Co., 1121 Water St.
- Safeway, 442 W Sims Way
- Seasons Hair Salon, 914 Washington Street #6
- Shirvan Rug Gallery, 913 Water St.
- The Swan Hotel, 222 Monroe St.
The Holidays in Port Townsend are coordinated by the Port Townsend Main Street Program and sponsored by Enjoy PT, KPTZ 91.9FM Radio Port Townsend, The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader, and generous Port Townsend merchants.