Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | City Christmas tree lighting is this week

Posted on December 3rd, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Holiday activities shift into high gear this week, with the lighting of the city’s holiday tree in Skansie Park and the opening of the Holiday Village in Donkey Creek Park.

The tree lighting starts at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and includes live music, complimentary cookies and cocoa and a visit from the jolly old elf himself.

The Holiday Village at Donkey Creek Park is under construction. It opens on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Photo by Vince Dice

The Holiday Village at Donkey Creek features six holiday-themed displays that provide perfect photo opportunities. The displays are open every evening starting Dec. 7. Santa will be on hand for free photos from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec. 21 and 22.

Gig Harbor Public Works employees string lights on the city Christmas Tree at Skansie Brothers Park on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Photo by Vince Dice

Click here for more upcoming holiday events.

TideFest

More 100 arts and craft vendors will sell their wares at Gig Harbor High School from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, during the annual TideFest crafts fair. There’s a huge selection of glass art, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, clothing and more.

Several GHHS music ensembles will provide entertainment throughout the weekend, and food vendors will offer a variety of tempting treats for sale. Free babysitting is also available. TideFest supports the school’s clubs, sports teams and music programs. Gig Harbor High School is located at 5101 Rosedale St.

Saint Lucia Festival

Harbor History Museum’s ninth annual Saint Lucia Festival on Saturday, Dec. 7 is a celebration of Gig Harbor’s Scandinavian heritage, with games, crafts and traditional Nordic snacks. Admission to the event, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, is free for museum members or $5 for non-members ages 3 and older. The museum is at 4121 Harborview Dr.

Wine tasting

The Gig Harbor Kiwanis Club hosts a wine tasting at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, 8909 Stinson Ave. Sample a variety of locally made wines from Two Loons winery and nibbles from a charcuterie board, join the dessert dash and bid on auction items. Admission is $65 per person. Proceeds support the Kiwanis Cares for Kids program. Buy tickets here.

Gnome hunt

The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance has hidden 15 gnomes along the waterfront. Find them and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to a waterfront business of your choice. The gnome hunt runs through Dec. 31. Free and family friendly.

Christmas concerts

Chapel Hill Church will present two free concerts of holiday music at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The 4 p.m. performance, called GLOW Kids Jingle Jam, is geared to kids and families; the 7 p.m. concert, “Christmas Through the Ages” – with videos and light effects – is geared to middle and high school students, young adults, empty nesters and others. Make reservations here.

Wreath making

Olalla Winery hosts wreath making classes on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8. The winery will provide a 12-inch wire wreath form, freshly cut local evergreen branches and instruction. Make reservations here.

Live music

The Profits will be “playing the unexpected” at Kimball Coffeehouse Friday, Dec. 6. Doors open at 6 p.m; music starts at 7. Free and family friendly. Kimball is located at 6659 Kimball Drive, Suite A102.

Hard Shell Cases plays “an evening of music from the Emerald Isle … and other gems” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The band is best described as John Denver meets Old Ireland meets Andy Williams with some Rolling Stones and bluegrass tossed in for good measure. Tickets are $15. Buy tickets here.

At the movies

Harbor History Museum will present a free showing of “The Polar Express” at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The museum is located at 4121 Harborview Dr.

Opera lovers get a double dose of holiday entertainment with two big screen performances this week at the Galaxy Theatres. On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the Met Opera presents “Tosca” with soprano Lise Davidsen as the volatile diva Floria Tosca, tenor Freddie De Tommaso as Tosca’s revolutionary lover, Cavaradossi and baritone Quinn Kelsey as the sadistic chief of police Scarpia. Maestro Xian Zhang conducts the score that features some of Puccini’s most memorable melodies. Showtime is 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Met presents the abridged English-language version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” at the Galaxy. Tenor Matthew Polenzani, baritone Nathan Gunn and bass René Pape play the leading characters. Showtime is 1 p.m.

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy on Wednesday, Dec. 4, is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” showing at noon and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie on Sunday, 8, is “Love Actually,” a romantic comedy set in London during the Christmas season. Showtime are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

On Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8, it’s the Galaxy’s annual “Polar Express Extravaganza,” with special $5 showings at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. It’s a fundraiser for Toys for Tots.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council meets for study sessions at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and Thursday, Dec. 5 to review proposed changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. The meetings will be held at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, and can also be accessed via Zoom.