If you found yourself at the mall, dragging from store to store with your Christmas wish list unfulfilled, why not change it up a little? Scoot on over to Edmonds, where the mood shifts, holiday cheer jingles its way out of wreath clad storefront doors, the holiday trolley ring-rings its way up from the waterfront to give you a lift, and Emily the Holiday Elf regales you with stories from this Salish Sea town.
Discover all the holiday opportunities at edmondsholidays.com!
Tree Lighting
The annual tree lighting ceremony is a great way to kick off the season. Join us at Centennial Plaza, 5th Avenue N & Bell Street) the Saturday after Thanksgiving, for live music and community spirit. Treats are ready at 3pm, followed by the lighting. The Masonic Lodge will host an “after party” with more treats and photos with Santa!
Catch the Trolley
The Free Holiday Trolley, with your tour guide Emily the Holiday Elf, is one of the best parts of the holiday season in Edmonds. The trolley runs the first three Saturdays of December from the waterfront to downtown Edmonds.
See Santa
The big guy in the suit will be in a few places around town, and you can keep in contact with him via snail mail by sliding letters into the red mailbox outside of the Log Cabin Visitors Center at 5th & Bell. Santa is a pro delegator, so expect a letter from one of his elves if you get your requests written and sent by December 16.
Holiday Shows
Edmonds Center for the Arts, the historic Edmonds Theater, and our own local theater troupes all offer a bevy of holiday entertainment. There will be free holiday movies at the historic theater; holiday plays, the Nutcracker Suite from the Olympic Ballet Theatre, and the wonderful Cetic Christmas performance by Edmonds' own Gothard Sisters and more. Check out our calendar of events.
Festive Drink Bingo
Now celebrating its third year of fun, Festive Drink Bingo allows you to check 20+ participating bars and restaurants downtown Edmonds for everything from a ‘nog-infused latte to a bourbon cocktail—and everything in between. The rules are simple: Get a card from one of the participating bars or restaurants, purchase a drink (takeout counts), get a stamp, and win prizes! For the complete list of who’s in this year (along with their special creations), check back soon!
Ornament Stroll
As if getting all of your holiday shopping kicks in downtown wasn’t fun enough, our retailers are upping the ante with ornaments. Spend $40+ at participating stores during the week-and-a-half-long shopping window, and you’ll get a unique tree decoration to do with what you please, beginning with lovingly gazing at it.
Wreath Walk
While you’re out strolling for ornaments, you can also walk around to see all the wreaths downtown businesses have used their creative visions to put together. An event created by Art Walk Edmonds, the Wreath Walk features the work of local artists. Wreaths are hung in downtown storefronts, adding even more holiday cheer to the streets for the holiday shopping season.
Gift Wrapping
Get your gifts wrapped at Rogue during the first three weekends of December. Spot the table on their 5th and Main sidewalk, and get your gifts beautifully wrapped, with donations benefitting the Class of ‘23 EWHS Safe and Sober Grad Night!
Special thanks to EdmondsHolidays.com and Edmonds Downtown Ed!
Photos by Matt Hulbert
