The best part of the holiday season is indulging in family traditions, new and old, whether you’re a family of one or one hundred. Edmonds is a city built for exploring and for magic, especially this time of year. 

While the string lights around our Main Street fountain are heart-warming and easy to spot, the festive wreaths hanging from light poles require you to look up. We designed everything holiday to encourage you to linger, to stop and point, and to head home filled with good cheer. 

There are endless ways you and your family can experience the magic of the holidays in Edmonds. Build your own itinerary from our library of articles and events here or use this model family’s adventures as a guide. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong, and you’re sure to add a new Edmonds tradition to your list. 

Now, onto the holiday magic. 

Start Your Day With Warm Hands and Hearts

We’ve entered the beautifully competitive Festive Drink Bingo season, which means festive beverages at more than two dozen locations downtown. Start your adventure by getting the kids in on the fun and earn a stamp for sprinkle-laden cocoas at one of the several participating coffee shops. 

Many of those hot chocolate cafes sit right behind a Holiday Trolley stop (Saturdays, 11am–6pm) or are super close to one. If you time your order just right, you’ll be able to catch the trolley to take a merry ride through town. You’ll see ornaments dangling from the ceiling, businesses flocked with fun decorations, and Emily The Elf handing out candy canes and stickers. 

Hop on and off as much as your family’s heart desires to get your fix of the holiday happenings, and make sure you do at least one strong lap around the Holiday Market while you’re out. 

Meander Through The Market

Grab your family’s hand (the one not holding the cocoa, obviously), and enjoy a slow stroll around 5th and Bell where more than one hundred vendors offer their wares at Edmonds’ annual Holiday Market. 

As you’re perusing, keep in mind that this time of year is when many small businesses make the money they need to sustain them for the whole year, so if you choose to support them, it will—quite literally—make their whole year. 

We recommend coming up with a gifting list and empowering the kiddos to help you check it twice. And we guarantee you will meet some very cool people as you ask questions and learn about their craft. 

Stop By Santa’s Mail Box

While you’re at the Market, drop off a letter from your Nice List members at the Red Mail Box right outside of the Edmonds Visitor’s Center. But, hurry! You have until December 13th to slide your letter in the box if you want to get a response before Christmas. 

Shop and Support Local

One of our favorite things to do with kids in Edmonds this time of year is to set them loose while sticking close. Ask them to assess the inventory at Teri’s Toy Box for themselves or someone on their list, show them all the antique holiday finds at Camp Vintage, and involve them in candle and card selections at The Paper Feather. 

Even the most reluctant of holiday shoppers will get in on the fun when you make it a game for the people you love. 

Find A Feast

By now, we imagine you’ve all worked up quite the appetite. Since there’s no room for hanger in the holidays, pull up a chair at one of the many restaurants offering something special this season. Niles Peacock makes crowd-pleasing meatballs to tide you all over while you wait for your pizza, Fire & The Feast has a decked-out drink and dessert bar, and Leftcraft lends itself well to two of our favorite things—PNW-inspired meals and people-watching.

Plus, since we’re firmly planted in the season of sweet indulgence, don’t scrimp on dessert. There are too many to list here so we gave them their own moment in the chilly winter sun here. Go ahead, order that crème brûlée. 

Take Us Along For The Ride

While we may not be actual members of your family, we certainly want to be! Show us where your magical holiday adventures take you. Add #edmondsholidays to your social posts. We’ll be sending you hearts every time we see your smiles pop onto our feed. 

Photos of the Popa family by Matt Hulbert