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Local Holiday Events You Can Safely Enjoy This Year
While the holidays will look different this year due to the pandemic, there are still many ways to safely enjoy them. We’ve compiled a list of local holiday events. Please note that at the time of publication, all of these events were scheduled to occur. But due to the situation with COVID-19, it’s important to check event websites and state guidelines in order to get the most up-to-date information.
Outdoor Celebrations
Bloedel Reserve’s Winter in the Woods
With over 150 acres to enjoy, the Reserve is always a treat. Through most of December and into the beginning of 2021, you can stroll across their beautiful grounds and spot cleverly crafted snow people. They also have a Wishing Tree with individually wrapped wooden ornaments and pencils that you can use to add your wishes for the new year.
When: Dec. 5, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021, open Tuesdays-Sundays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Years Day
Where: Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island
Cost: Included with Admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance online via timed tickets. Canned food donations are requested, which support YWCA Kitsap County.
Lighted Ships Parade
Every year, Rudolph leads Santa across the Puget Sound, greeting people along the parade route. Although there won’t be the typical festivities due to social distancing requirements, this is still a fun way to mark the holidays. This will be the 51st year of this tradition, put on by the Poulsbo Yacht Club. Bring some hot chocolate and enjoy the beautiful parade of festively lit boats. Or, register your lighted ship to “be the light”.
When: December 12, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Starts at Poulsbo Yacht Club Marina with a schedule/route
Cost: Free
Holiday at Fay – Drive-Through Event
Enjoy an illuminated, festive holiday show from the comfort of your car. Play your favorite holiday songs with your family and drive through their dazzling display. For info and updates, follow their Facebook event here.
When: 2nd and 3rd weekends in December, Friday-Sunday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Fay Bainbridge Park, Bainbridge Island
Cost: $20 per vehicle. Register here using Activity #541006
Gingerbread House Parties
Delicious fun for everyone, build a gingerbread house in the covered Wintergarden with a table of up to 5 guests. Take-and-Make-at-Home Kits are also available.
When: Nov. 28 – Dec. 20, Thurs. – Sun. with time slots to register for in advance
Where: The Manor House at Pleasant Beach Village, Bainbridge Island
Cost: $48 + tax for one 1 house up to 5 people; Take-and-Make-at-Home Kit $38 + tax. Space is limited so reserve your spot early.
Creative Indoor Holiday Fun
A Chanukah Celebration (Music of John Zorn’s Masada)
Watch this live, 2-part Chanukah celebration while cozied up at home. Seattle musicians James Falzone, Wayne Horvitz, Darren Loucas, Keith Lowe, and Evan Woodle will be playing John Zorn’s music live on the Royal Room Stage. Ben Sisario of The New York Times says, “Masada, which [John Zorn] began in the early 1990s, was an attempt to explore his own roots and expand the idea of Jewish music through a ‘songbook’ that linked the language of klezmer and jazz.”
When: Dec. 11 and 17 at 7:30 PM
Where: Online at LiveConcertStream.com. More info here.
Cost: Free but donations to the artists encouraged.
Emerald Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet, Online
If you missed last year’s production of this holiday classic, you can now watch it at home. Emerald Ballet Theatre will be streaming their 2019 recording so you can enjoy this incredible production, which performed to sold-out audiences.
When: Digital premiere on Dec. 11 at 7:00 PM and it will remain online for viewing through the weekend.
Where: Online
Cost: Free but donations encouraged.
If you know of other safe, local holiday events happening on Bainbridge Island or around the Kitsap Peninsula that aren’t included here, please let us know on our new Facebook page, Windermere Sound Living. It’s where we’re celebrating the communities we serve with uplifting stories, helpful resources, and interesting local events.
We wish you and your family a safe, healthy holiday season!
The Allure of Bainbridge Island Living
The charm of Bainbridge Island, Washington offers an escape during tourist season to those from near and far. But locals know that Bainbridge Island living offers adventure, beauty, and serenity all year long. Vogue Magazine once coined it the Nantucket of the Pacific Northwest. Learn how its allure can easily convince any visitor to imagine Bainbridge Island as ‘home’.
Small Town Life and Adventure
Bainbridge Island’s footprint is similar in size to Manhattan but hosts a population currently under 25,000. Slower-paced and sophisticated, it’s also home to 65 miles of hiking trails, dozens of public parks and beaches, and the famous Bloedel Reserve. The 150-acre attraction is regularly named one of the Top-10 Botanical Gardens in the US (its distinguished Japanese Garden is considered one of the best in North America.)
The adventurous landscape of Bainbridge Island is served regularly by ferry from Seattle, the route that many island locals make their daily work commute. A 35-minute ride allows time for breakfast, phone calls, and even a jump-start on emails, all with serene views. It’s quite the opposite experience of sitting in Seattle traffic.
An Excellent Place to Raise a Family
The quaint, engaged community of Bainbridge Island is an ideal place to raise a family. Safewise ranks Bainbridge Washington’s 6th safest city in 2020. The community also actively supports its highly-regarded public school system. Bainbridge Island School District includes Bainbridge High School, which often ranks high locally and nationally by US News and World Report. It also includes Captain Johnston Blakely and Ordway elementary schools; GreatSchools.org lists both in Washington’s top-10. Islandwood, a non-profit environmental learning center, also serves thousands of students each year from its 250-acre Bainbridge Island campus. Its alternative programs have gained national recognition.
Bainbridge Culture is Rooted and Refined
Full-time island life doesn’t mean leaving behind fine dining or the arts. From regionally-sourced and James-Beard-awarded Hitchcock, to long-time Kitsap County favorite, Agate Restaurant – the island’s local cuisine is often renowned beyond the region.
Bainbridge Brewing and Bainbridge Organic Distillers keep spirits cheering year-round. Locals and tourists alike can find their coffee fix all around the island. The iconic Pegasus Coffee and the adorable carly’s Rolling Bay Cafe are just a couple of favorites.
The artist community of Bainbridge Island is abundant. The BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) keeps local artists and makers connected and inspired. Bainbridge Museum of Art and Bainbridge Performing Arts continuously feature local and indigenous works for all to enjoy, while galleries and studios dot the island throughout.
A Strong Real Estate Market
Bainbridge is a Pacific Northwest gem with so much to offer. And, now is a great time to make island living a reality. The local real estate market has fared well through the uncertainties of 2020 thus far. Plus, our Windermere Bainbridge agents are all active community members and highly-skilled experts. Our team has an average of over 16 years in the real estate industry (the range spans from 4 – 37 years). We are passionate locals, and we’re honored to work with nearly half of the market on the island.
Looking to get away from the crowds, but still be close to adventure and city excitement? Bainbridge Island’s 53 miles of shoreline with thousands of waterfront properties awaits. Let Windermere Bainbridge help you find your island home.
Best Summer Activities on Bainbridge Island
There’s something magical about Bainbridge Island in the summer. It’s no wonder it’s such a popular tourist destination. While it’s nice to know what tourists enjoyed about the area, it’s even better to get the inside scoop from locals. And, many of our real estate agents are 2nd and 3rd generation islanders. So we are happy to share our agents’ favorite Bainbridge Island summer activities.
If you are planning on visiting or partaking in these activities, please make sure to brush up on the most recent Bainbridge Island Covid-19 rules to make sure you are prepared. Also, look at businesses’ websites or Facebook pages before visiting in person so that you have all the latest information regarding their current operating hours and the protocol they’re following.
Enjoy the Island by Water
What better way to experience island life than by water? After all, we are surrounded by it. Many of our agents are avid kayakers and sailors.
Our very own Patti Shannon loves kayaking. Catch her if you can!
Kayaking
If you are itching for some classic summer fun, Kayaking in the Puget Sound is a wonderful activity. Our local SCUBA and kayaking center, Exotic Aquatics has kayak rentals and guided tours at their kayak dock at Waterfront park. Exotic Aquatic will also deliver kayaks to your location, and they also have kayaks for purchase at their store on Madison.
Our Managing Broker, Patti Shannon is an avid kayaker. Keep your eye on the water for a chance to say hi!
Sailing
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- Looking for a chartered sailing adventure? Check out Sail Bainbridge or Dreamboat Adventure Sailing. If you have children who want to learn how to sail,
Bainbridge has a great sailing camp. Courses are taught by certified instructors. For more information, check out the sailing section on Bainbridge Island Parks’ website.
- Looking for a chartered sailing adventure? Check out Sail Bainbridge or Dreamboat Adventure Sailing. If you have children who want to learn how to sail,
.
Low Tide Beachcombing
If you aren’t familiar with our area, we have incredible swing tides. The beaches double and triple in size, showing off all the wonders hidden by the Puget Sound. Seaglass, shells, and hidden secrets hide beneath our high tides. Don’t forget to skip a rock or two.
Fishing and Crabbing
There’s nothing like a feast of crab and freshly caught fish to show you’re savoring summer on Bainbridge Island. Whether you want to fish or crab with or without a boat is up to you, but always make sure you have a license. Check out more about the optimal times and places to go.
Explore on Your Own Two Feet
Bloedel Reserve
The Bloedel Reserve’s mission is “To enrich people’s lives through a premier public garden of natural and designed Pacific Northwest landscapes.” With 150 acres and beautiful trails that weave through forests, meadows, sculpted gardens, this will not disappoint. “Walking in Bloedel is special! It’s gorgeous and full of nature’s best and local history!” Says Broker, Diane Sugden.
Fort Ward Park
Looking to go on a nice stroll with a wide, open path free of cars? Fort Ward Park is an excellent spot. “I love the closed road at Fort Ward Park,” says Managing Broker, Susan Grosten. “No cars are allowed in and it is a level road. A lot of young kids practice their new bike riding skills there without fear of traffic. It is like ‘training wheels lane’!” Diane Sugden also recommends a visit to the park. “Walking or biking at Fort Ward is great. It’s fun because there are old wartime bunkers there and the kids love to explore. The beach there is rocky so it’s fun to turn the rocks over and find crabs.”
The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial/Pritchard Park
“Our family, grandkids, and dogs especially like visiting Pritchard Park during the summer,” says Managing Brokers Maureen and Ed Buckley. “You can swim, sit on a sandy beach or a log, and have a beach fire or barbecue.”
“The Japanese Exclusion memorial at Pritchard Park is a beautiful tribute to the first Japanese American families removed from their homes and put into camps in World War II. In this time of inclusion awareness, this is a good reminder for everyone. It needs to be age-appropriate for the kids, as it is a difficult time in our history, but it is important,” says Susan Grosten.
Have Fun with the Kids
Kids Discovery Museum
There’s no better place for young children than Bainbridge Island’s museum for kids. The Kids Discovery Museum aims to spark children’s curiosity through experiential learning. Right now, they’re offering summer camps and a virtual art room to feature kids’ creations online. They also have at-home activities that promote STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math). 
Pick Fresh Berries
If you’re not from the PNW then you may be surprised to find that there are blackberries all over our island. Enjoy some free fun with the family by seeing who can pick the most and then use them to make delicious pies or jam.
There are also opportunities to pick other types of berries on the island like the strawberry patches at Suyematsu Farms. For the blueberry lovers in your family, visit Bainbridge Island Blueberry Company.
Inspire the Artist in You
BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network)
BARN’s mission is to “build and support an open, intergenerational community of artisans and makers who are dedicated to learning, teaching, sharing, and inspiring one another with creativity, craftsmanship and community service”. They are now offering a series of online classes and will be reopening when Kitsap County has entered into Phase 3 of Covid-19. Susan Grosten enjoys BARN and what it offers. “It is such a cool and creative place for artists and woodworkers. It was built with community funds. They have great classes including jewelry making, woodworking, writing, creating fabric arts, and using 3D printers.”
Eagledale Pottery Studio
Bainbridge Island is home to one of the best-kept secrets: the Eagledale Pottery Studio. A simple, WWII-era cinderblock building, this pottery studio houses a vibrant community of ceramic hobbyists of all ages and skill levels. They have classes for kids and adults, individuals, and school groups.
There are so many great summer activities here on Bainbridge Island. Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to wear your mask, follow the Bainbridge Island COVID-19 rules, and take pictures of all the fun you’re sure to have. We hope you have a healthy, happy summer!
