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Harbor Happenings | Hanukkah celebrated at Skansie Park

Posted on December 24th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Gig Harbor hosts a Hanukkah celebration, including a menorah lighting at Skansie Brothers Park, on Sunday, Dec. 29.

Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

Hanukkah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. On the civil calendar, it generally coincides with the month of December. Chanukah 2024 runs from Dec. 25 through Jan. 2.

The Hebrew word Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah or other variations) means “dedication.” It celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The Gig Harbor Hanukkah ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, led by Chabad of Pierce County, with live music and Chanukah treats like latkes and donuts. Many downtown shops will also host Chanukah activities and giveaways from 3 to 4:45 p.m. Click here for information.

Beach monitoring

Harbor WildWatch’s final beach monitoring of 2024 takes place at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Sunrise Beach State Park. Then the first beach monitoring of 2025 takes place at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Tacoma Narrows Beach Park.

Harbor WildWatch biologists lead these low-tide events, which help record how local beaches change over time. Dress for the weather and bring a head lamp, a thermos of warm beverage and an adventurous spirit. Meet at the parking area at each beach.

Check out HWW’s Facebook Events or Website Events for more detailed directions about each monitoring location.

Holiday bingo

Locust Cider will host a holiday bingo night from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. Everyone who wears an ugly Christmas sweater gets an extra bingo card for free. Locust Cider is located at 3207 57th St. Court.

Holiday Village and downtown Gnome Hunt end soon

The Holiday Village at Donkey Creek Park continues from dawn to dusk through Dec. 31 with six holiday-themed displays. Several other holiday displays are also set up along Harborview Drive.

There’s still time to find the 15 gnomes hidden along the downtown waterfront and be entered to win a $100 gift card at your favorite downtown business. The gnome hunt closes on Dec. 31. The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance sponsors both events.

Live music

Two Macs & Friends play the Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, with Scott MacGougan on acoustic guitar, Marc Stocker on bass, Al Maier on drums and Brady McCown on alto sax. Deb MacCougan provides the vocals. Buy tickets here.

Polar bear plunges

Bring in the New Year with a splash at Olalla’s annual Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Don your costume, your bathing suit or your everyday clothes and join the jump off the Olalla bridge. The cannon is fired at noon, but jumpers often start as early as 8 a.m. Olalla Bay Market and Landing will have official jumper certificates, changing stations and a place to warm up. The market is at 13965 Crescent Valley Road.

A scene from the 2024 Olalla Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

Camp Seymour’s annual Polar Bear Plunge on the Key Peninsula includes brunch, changing rooms and hot showers. It’s free for YMCA members and campers who are registered for summer 2025 camps; cost is $5 per person for all others. Every jumper must wear a life jacket. For more information email [email protected].