Our Favorite Local Winter Traditions & Events

Beyond the bustle of official holidays, winter is a time to embrace the stillness and the inherent beauty of the cold. We chatted with our brokers about what they look forward to most during this time of year.  From getting cozy to polar plunging, here are some of our favorite winter traditions, plus some upcoming events you will want to add to your calendar. 

Getting Cozy on Bainbridge Island

Sometimes, favorite winter traditions are about taking time to savor the season. Sarah Sydor, Managing Broker, shared her family’s fun literary tradition. They like to visit Eagle Harbor Books and each person gets to choose a few books, “to read while we are home together during the cozy winter season. We also get a winter-themed puzzle every year at Eagle Harbor Books or Dana’s.” 

Sometimes, you can find great joy just outside your door. Managing Broker Susan Grosten shared, “I love to go to Blackbird Bakery for hot chocolate and their amazing morning glory muffins! It can be crowded, but if the sun is out you can sit at the tables in the closed-off road next door and enjoy people walking by with their dogs. Sometimes there are people playing music out front; it’s charming. The problem is that it is right across the street from my Windermere office, and it is very tempting.” We agree, there are SO many amazing eateries and shops right outside our Windermere Bainbridge office, which is right downtown. And, we love supporting local businesses.

Unique Ways to Celebrate the New Year

Resolutions and champagne toasts are typical new year traditions, but we love to learn about traditions that are as unique as our agents. 

Broker Andrea Mann’s family celebrates a Greek tradition, gathering on New Year’s Day to cut St. Basil’s bread. “It is a sweet round bread that has a foil-covered coin baked into it. We cut the bread into triangular slices. Whomever receives the coin is said to have good luck for the  upcoming new year!” she explained. Baking the bread is another tradition for her family. Here is a recipe we found for the bread, also known as Vasilopita. It is an egg-bread that is flavored with orange zest and sesame seeds. 

Broker Pauline Simon is a third-generation Bainbridge Islander and has a favorite local tradition for starting the new year. “One of my favorite winter traditions is the annual Crystal Springs neighborhood polar bear plunge on New Year’s Day. We all join at the water’s edge, and as soon as we hear the blow of the horn, we run into the water together. Afterwards, we gather around the fire with huge grins on our faces and feel more alive than ever!”

If you are looking to join a plunge this year, you can find more information here. If cold plunging followed by a sauna session sounds appealing, there’s a new business near Lynwood Center called Fire + Floe, which offers contrast therapy: a dip in Puget Sound followed by a cedar sauna session.

Winter Adventures off the Island

If you are looking for inspiration or a reminder to visit a place you haven’t been to in a while, we have a couple of great options from local experts. Vesna Somers, Managing Broker, definitely takes advantage of how easy it is to enjoy Seattle by hopping aboard the ferry. “I love to visit Pike Place Market… strolling the market during the day and hanging out at The Pink Door there for cocktails and dinner at night, ” she shared. The Pink Door has been a staple of Post Alley since the 1980s and is known for their eclectic entertainment and Italian-inspired dishes with local ingredients. Fun fact: the majority of the produce used at the Pink Door is sourced from Butler Farms right here on Bainbridge Island. 

Want to get outdoors to enjoy the snow? Owner and Designated Broker Carter Dotson loves to check snow conditions on PowderPoobah before hitting the slopes. If you have a skier or snowboarder in your house, you’ll want to subscribe to their newsletter to stay in the know about where to find the best conditions all season. If you need a warmer jacket or wool socks, we suggest visiting Wildernest on Winslow Way. You’ll find an amazing selection of outdoor apparel. 

Upcoming Events

Bainbridge Island is also home to events that will appeal to a wide range of interests. Mochi Tsuki is a Bainbridge Island New Year’s tradition for 36 years and counting. We love this festival, and it will be on January 10th this year. It features performances by Seattle Kokon Taiko, food vendors, and the signature mochi-making.

In February, mark your calendar for Happily Ever After. This is a special event hosted by the BARN Writers’ Studio on February 7th. It combines storytelling with wine and chocolate to celebrate the romance genre. It’s a unique way to celebrate love and literature. If you haven’t visited BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) before, we highly recommend it. 

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra’s “All Aboard” will be the weekend of February 13th – 15th. It features Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major and is described as “the perfect musical escape to shake off the winter blues and explore the world through sound.” There’s nothing like hearing a live orchestra, and we’re so glad this event is right here on Bainbridge Island.

Lastly, you can’t forget about the dynamic landscape that we call home. Commercial Managing Broker Kelly Muldrow is a big fan of the annual Chilly Hilly cycling event. This aptly named tradition also occurs in February on Bainbridge Island. “It is a great way to connect with a lot of locals, and a lot of people from the cycling community,” he said. Actually, he credits this race as the catalyst for falling in love with Bainbridge. The annual ride is considered the start of the cycling season. 

Recurring Winter Events

If you’re looking for an ongoing event or something not too big, there are lots of options for fun on the island this winter. The Marketplace at Pleasant Beach Village has weekly knitting circles and live music most Saturdays. At the Treehouse Cafe, you’ll find trivia nights as well as live music nights. View their events calendar for details. Additionally, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) offers a variety of winter events, including film screenings, artist meet-and-greets, and an MLK celebration. Check out their calendar to learn more.

We hope you are inspired by some of these traditions, events, and activities. May your winter season be cozy, creative, and full of memorable experiences.