If you’re looking for new family traditions, check out these holiday activities in Kitsap County. There’s something fun for everyone! Don’t forget to sign up for my VIP Newsletter to see more seasonal events, community news, homeowner tips, real estate advice, and other free resources.
Updated: December 2, 2022
Table of Contents:
- Special Performances
- Festivals & Celebrations
- Tree Lightings
- Fun With Santa
- Winter Activities
- Entertainment
- Markets & Crafts
Special Performances
Elf The Musical – Kitsap Children’s Musical Theatre – KCMT (Poulsbo)
Nov 3-20: Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy The Elf in his quest to find his true identity.
The Nutcracker: DEN & InMotion Performing Arts (Silverdale)
Nov 25-27: Talented dancers from Dance Ensemble Northwest and InMotion Performing Arts Studio will perform this timeless holiday classic ballet.
The Nutcracker: Peninsula Dance Theater (Bremerton)
Dec 3 & 4: A timeless classic, The Nutcracker, is an enchanting ballet that delights millions around the world every year. Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.
Hometown Band Christmas Concert (Silverdale)
Dec 6: The Hometown Band is a community band of all volunteers of many ages, levels of experience, and abilities.
Holiday Concert: Comfort & Joy (Poulsbo)
Dec 3: Join Poulsbo Community Orchestra at the Holiday Concert. Enjoy some holiday classics, as well as a sing-along.
The Nutcracker: Academy of Dance (Silverdale)
Dec 17-18: A traditional version of the ballet featuring a talented cast of child, teen, and adult dancers.
The Nutcracker Prince: A Play (Bremerton)
Dec 9-11: A girl and her nutcracker doll join a Christmas battle between toy soldiers and the minions of a mouse king. This lovely holiday play is deeply moving with a very happy ending. Performed by the Bremerton Community Theatre.
The Nutcracker: Bainbridge Ballet (Bainbridge Island)
Dec 16-20: The Nutcracker is a full-length production with professional sets, costumes, and choreography by local dance professionals. We incorporate different dance styles as well as ballet with new choreography and new themes each year.
Festivals & Celebrations
PYC Annual Lighted Ships Parade (Poulsbo)
Dec 10: Celebrating HALF A CENTURY of this wonderful community tradition! Lighted Ships will parade past the Poulsbo waterfront front at approximately 5:15 p.m. The route includes Keyport, Agate Pass, and Suquamish. Send a Santa Shout Out request for your own greeting to those you know along the parade route!
Bremerton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade (Bremerton & Silverdale)
Dec 16-17: On Friday night the parade begins in Phinney Bay and progresses through Port Washington Narrows and Sinclair Inlet. On Saturday the parade runs from Phinney Bay through all of Dyes Inlet.
Festival of Chimes and Lights (Port Orchard)
Dec 3: Head to downtown Port Orchard for kid crafts, the tree lighting, decorated boats, a marching band, choirs, pooch ‘n purr pet parade, pictures with Santa, free chili and hot cider, popcorn, hot cocoa, and more.
Julefest: Nordic Market, Taste of Norway, and Viking Bonfire
Dec 3: The annual Sons of Norway festival includes street food with pølser med sennep (hot dog with Norwegian mustard), lefse (soft potato flatbread), ertesuppe (pea soup), sursild (pickled herring), småkaker (cookies) and rømmegrøt (soured cream porridge); the Nordic Market with Scandinavian vendors; and at 5pm at Waterfront Park, see the Lucia Bride ushered to shore in a Viking boat! The evening culminates with the annual bonfire where you’ll witness Lucia lighting the bonfire and hear the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Viking King’s Winter Solstice Proclamation.
Kingston Cove Christmas
*TBD: Festivities include a fantastic display of lights and tree lighting.
Country Christmas at Port Gamble
Dec 10-11: Enjoy a variety of festive holiday activities, including horse-drawn hayrides through a town sparkling with over 100,000 holiday lights, craft-making for the kids at Santa’s workshop, and Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display.
Tree Lightings
Bainbridge Island Tree Lighting
*TBD
Poulsbo Tree Lighting (Drive-By)
TBD: Corner of Viking Ave and Lindvig Way. After you drive by the lighted Viking Statue and wave to the Mayor, keep driving down Front Street into downtown to view all the lights and holiday displays.
Silverdale Tree Lighting
Nov 26: Noon to 5:30pm Celebration
Downtown Bremerton Winterfest & Tree Lighting
*TBD
Gateway Fellowship Community Tree Lighting (Poulsbo)
*TBD
Get Lit! Community Tree Lighting Party (Bremerton)
*TBD: Peninsula Bible Fellowship
Grace Point Community Tree Lighting (Bremerton)
*TBD
Tracyton United Methodist Church Tree Lighting (Bremerton)
*TBD
Fun With Santa
Meet Father Christmas (Poulsbo)
Weekends (11/26 through 12/18 + Christmas Eve): Free photo opportunities (canned food donations accepted). Saturdays from 11am – 3pm. Sundays from Noon – 3pm. Christmas Eve from 11am – 2pm. Bring your camera and take your own photos with Poulsbo’s very own Nordic Father Christmas. You can also mail letters to Santa, visit with holiday characters, listen to live caroling and browse the festive shops.
Breakfast with Santa (Port Orchard)
TBD: Breakfast with Santa is a fun family annual event hosted by Fathoms O Fun at the Port Orchard Eagles. Take photos with Santa, enter raffles for fabulous prizes, and enjoy breakfast in a fun and festive atmosphere.
Breakfast with Santa (Poulsbo)
*TBD: Enjoy breakfast and take pictures with Santa, pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, Fruit, juice milk coffee, and tea. Hosted by Poulsbo Sons of Norway.
Breakfast with Santa (Gig Harbor)
*TBD: Santa Claus is coming to town! Come have your photo taken with the Big Guy himself, and enjoy a pancake breakfast with fruit & ham, coffee, juice, crafts, and letters to the North Pole!
Cookies with Mrs. Claus (Gig Harbor)
*TBD: Children will enjoy cookie decorating, a holiday craft, warm beverages, holiday music, and fun! Mrs. Claus will also read a story to the children. Parent participation is required.
Winter Activities
Huberts Christmas Tree Farm (Bremerton)
Nov 19 – Dec 18: Cutting, tagging, flocking, and decorating trees. Enjoy hay wagon rides and see Santa from 11am – 4pm on weekends. Or try Christmas tree flocking at Santa’s workshop. Open daily except on Thanksgiving.
State Parks – Free Entrance Days
Nov 11: Veterans Day
Nov 25: Native American Heritage Day
Celebrate these holidays with free access to all state parks (no Discover Pass required).
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (Poulsbo)
*To Be Confirmed (Cancelled in 2021): Travel around downtown Poulsbo on a horse-drawn carriage ride, and visit Father Christmas for a special photo opportunity. You can also mail letters to Santa.
$3 Holiday Carousel Rides (Poulsbo)
To Be Confirmed: Enjoy a magical ride around the carousel in historic Downtown Poulsbo, after visiting Father Christmas and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Entertainment
Buddy the Elf – Playing at the Admiral Theatre
Dec 21: $6 Movie Night! Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Markets & Crafts
Holiday Gift and Food Fair (Fairgrounds)
Nov 18-20: This show is the largest and most spectacular show of this type under one roof on the entire Olympic Peninsula.
BARN Bazaar (Bainbridge Island)
Nov 19: Shop hundreds of hand-crafted items at the annual BARN Bazaar! Jewelry, fiber arts, furniture, art prints, carved and turned wood, artisan foods, metal art, and much more.
Jingle Fest Holiday Craft & Gift Show (Fairgrounds)
Nov 26-27: A wonderful selection of exhibitors, artisans, and crafters offering a wide array of gifts and personal items. The goal is to provide a fun holiday shopping experience while raising funds and awareness for Meals on Wheels Kitsap.
Hansville Holiday Market
Nov 12-13: Check out the arts and crafts, bake sale, and toy drive at the Greater Hansville Community Center.
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