North Kitsap’s Upcoming Winter Events

When it comes to North Kitsap’s upcoming winter events, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season. From December through February there are fun festivals and activities for families, friends, and visitors. We’ve compiled a helpful list to get you started. Just be sure to check each event’s website for more details.

December Events

Holidays at the Village in Pleasant Beach Village on Bainbridge Island
Late November through December
A lively line-up of annual activities, come to Pleasant Beach Village to take photos with Santa, skate on the rink (that’s proudly sponsored by Windermere Bainbridge Island), participate in a gingerbread house party, and enjoy live music.
Cost: Varies by activity

Winter Studio Tour at Art Studios on Bainbridge Island
December 2 – 4, 2022, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate the beauty and craftsmanship of local, handmade art during a  free, self-guided art show. Each participating artist offers a special item for sale in the Spotlight Gallery, a fun way to find great gifts for the holidays.
Cost: Free to attend

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Port Gamble Theater
December 2 – 18, 2022, times vary
Enjoy the timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale with the famous creativity and originality of Rodgers and Hammerstein. This is your chance to see Cinderella’s dream come true and it’s a fun family experience for the holidays. Port Gamble is also a charming town to stroll through with cute shops and delicious restaurants. And, it’s always lit up for the holidays.
Cost: $18 for Adults, $16 for Seniors (65+), Military and Youth (10-17), and $12 for Children

Julefest in Poulsbo
December 3, 2022, 10:00 AM to Dusk
Start the day at the Nordic Marketplace at the Sons of Norway to kick off your holiday shopping, and grab some tasty Scandinavian food. In the evening, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings will escort the Lucia Bride from a Viking ship on Liberty Bay to a winter proclamation and bonfire to celebrate the winter solstice.
Cost: Free to attend, activities vary

Kingston Cove Christmas at the Port of Kingston
Early December to early January
A classic small-town winter event, Kingston Cove Christmas includes a tree lighting on December 4, 2022, with live music, food vendors, and Santa. Enjoy incredible light sculptures all season, from a sailboat to a dragon. The Port of Kingston reportedly uses over 500,000 lights each year.
Cost: Free to attend, activities vary

Manor House Concert Series: Brett Benton on Bainbridge Island
December 3, 2022, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
As part of the Manor House Concert Series, Brett Benton will be playing country blues. Known for his fierce rhythmic fingerpicking, melodic slide guitar, and booming voice, Brett will keep you moving and grooving.
Cost: $35 per person

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Bainbridge Performing Arts
December 8 – 11, 2022, times vary
See this American holiday classic as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds one fateful Christmas Eve.
Cost: $30 for Adults, $25 for Seniors, Children, and Military, or a Pay What You Can Option

Port Gamble Country Christmas
December 10 – 11, 2022, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Tree Lighting & Fireworks Dec. 10 after 5:00PM
The whole town of Port Gamble will be decorated with 100,000 twinkling lights, and there will be vendors, food trucks, hay rides, and Santa. Just after 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 10, there will be a special tree-lighting ceremony near the iconic Port Gamble General Store. After that, you’ll get to enjoy a spectacular firework display – the only December holiday fireworks show found on the Kitsap Peninsula.
Cost: Free to attend, activities vary

Stories and Cupcakes: Winter Edition at the Poulsbo Historical Society’s Heritage Museum
December 10, 2022, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
For a sweet afternoon experience for kids, check out this opportunity. Kids get to enjoy a special reading of The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert. Afterward, you can all tour the museum, enjoy cupcakes, and participate in arts and crafts.
Cost: Free

Lighted Ships Parade at Poulsbo’s Waterfront Park
December 10, 2022, 5:00 PM – 9:15 PM
A Poulsbo Yacht Club tradition for over 50 years, this annual parade of boats decked out in lights and holiday cheer is one of those winter events that’s great for the whole family. Contact the Yacht Club in advance to have Santa do a special shout-out to a special child as he cruises by.
Cost: Free

Bainbridge Winter Wonderland
December 14, 2022, 5:10 PM at Bainbridge Island’s Waterfront Park
Hosted by Kids in Concert for the fourth year, this event offers fun for the whole family. The Winter Wonderland features holiday lights, face painting, holiday present crafts, Santa Claus, ice sculptures, holiday music, and more.
Cost: Free

Manor House Concert Series: Gideon Freudmann on Bainbridge Island
December 17, 2022, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Best known for adapting the amplified cello to craft the distinct ‘CelloBop’ sound, Gideon blends classical, jazz, folk, rock, blues, and funk to compose creative and compelling music.
Cost: $35 per person

Scandinavian Ornament Swap at The Martinson Cabin in Poulsbo
December 18, 2022, 11:00 AM
Celebrate the holidays and local history at this annual event. Bring an ornament (any style) and choose a Scandinavian ornament in exchange. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the late 1800s to early 1900s homestead life.
Cost: Free, and bring one ornament to exchange

Bainbridge Festival of Lights & Menorah Lighting at Winslow Green, downtown Bainbridge Island
December 18, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
In partnership with local Jewish communities and the Chabad of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap, the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association will be celebrating the Festival of Lights with the community menorah lighting. All are welcome to attend.
Cost: Free

January Events

Noon Year’s Eve at KiDiMu on Bainbridge Island
December 31, 2022, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Every year, the Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) hosts this unique event. It’s the perfect way for little ones to celebrate New Year’s Eve – by celebrating at noon. Children get to countdown to noon and participate in activities like making firework art and wristwatch crafts.
Cost: $15/member family, $30/non-member family (up to 6 people)

Polar Bear Plunge at Lytle Beach Public Park on Bainbridge Island
January 1, 2023 at Noon
Celebrate 2023 with a chilly ocean dip by participating in this annual tradition. There’s nothing like taking a quick jump in and out of Puget Sound to mark the start of a new year. After, you can warm up with a cozy blanket and a hot beverage. If swimming in January doesn’t excite you, stop by and cheer those brave enough (or slightly crazy enough?) to take the plunge.
Cost: Free

Manor House Concert Series: The Hipocrats on Bainbridge Island
January 7, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
This Pleasant Beach Village concert series at The Manor House continues into 2023 with The Hipocrats. They bring lyrical imagery to their version of classic Americana songs.
Cost: $35 per person

Mochi Tsuki Celebration at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island
January 7, 2023, 11:00 AM
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC) is planning its 2023 Mochi Tsuki celebration. For over a millennium, making and eating the sweet rice treat mochi has been a celebrated New Year’s tradition in Japan. For over 30 years, the BIJAC has celebrated this tradition with more than 2,000 participants. Check their website for more details as the event nears.
Cost: Free

Manor House Concert Series: Peter Daniel Trio on Bainbridge Island
January 23, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
An acclaimed composer and jazz performer, Peter Daniel will showcase his world-class talent. This show is sure to be entertaining and fun.
Cost: $35 per person

February Events

Manor House Concert Series: Sera Cahoone and PSQ on Bainbridge Island
February 4, 2023, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Americana singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone will take the stage with the acclaimed neo-classical ensemble, the Passenger String Quartet, which is led by award-winning composer and violinist Andrew Joslyn.
Cost: $40 per person

Valisblot at Poulsbo’s Waterfront Park
February 10, 2022
Celebrate love with a Norse Valentine’s Day, which includes a bonfire at Muriel Iverson Waterfront Park in downtown Poulsbo. This annual event is always on the weekend closest to Valentine’s Day and it’s hosted by Poulsbo Sons of Norway.
Cost: Free to Attend

Chilly Hilly Bike Ride starting at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal
Late February
Every year, approximately 2,000 people ride their bikes on a 33-mile route around Bainbridge Island. The Chilly Hilly gets its name for icy February weather and because of the 2,173ft elevation change that riders will experience. This ride is so memorable that Bicycling Magazine named it “one of four classic rides” in the U.S. Check the Cascade Bicycle Club website for updated details on event timing. The race entry fee supports wonderful local nonprofits.
Cost: $40-$60 per rider

We hope you are as excited as we are about North Kitsap’s upcoming winter events! If you’re already making plans for the months ahead, check out our Kitsap Events Guide. You’ll find there are many great annual and recurring events happening each month, throughout the year.

From all of us at Windermere Bainbridge, we wish you a cozy winter season and very happy holidays!