For Immediate Release

November 6, 2017

Make the Holidays Shine with an Island Getaway
Tree lightings, artisan fairs and an Island Christmas Carol bring good cheer to the San Juan Holiday Season

Friday Harbor, WA … In the San Juans, the holidays are a perfect time to get away from crowded parking lots and cookie-cutter chain stores. This season, celebrate with a winter forest hike or walk on a stormy beach, a great meal fireside, and holiday spirit with friends new and old.

Here, Santa arrives by ship and shopping is small, not mall. Find the perfect island-made gift at an island artisans’ fair, boutique, or independent bookstore. As a mecca for artists, local galleries on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands present an array of island-made jewelry, pottery, paintings, prints and sculpture.

Orcas Center presents a classic Christmas Carol with a few island twists. Expect surprises as Scrooge, Marley, and the three Ghosts come to life before you. The message of the play, that we all have the power to become kinder, wiser, and more generous towards our fellow human beings, is as timeless and important as ever. Come spend a holiday evening (or matinee!) with Scrooge and friends to listen to uplifting music, laugh, have fun with your neighbors, and feel inspired to make our lives better!

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, a celebratory lineup of Holiday Events and Specials offer plenty of ways to keep friends and families busy, from holiday plays and concerts to wine tastings and dinners, special restaurant and lodging packages and more. Three tree lighting ceremonies in Eastsound Village Green, Lopez Village and Friday Harbor will brighten up the chilly nights, with carolers, cookies, hot cider and good cheer. Escape the mainland’s rush and discover island time.

Friday Harbor/San Juan Island Events:
November 24-25,San Juan Island Artisans' Holiday Marketplace
December 1,Island Lights Festival

December 1-3,Brickworks Old-Fashioned Christmas Market

December 11, Procession of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 16-17, Salish Sea Ballet’s Nutcracker

Lopez Island Events:
November 24,Lopez Village Holiday Lighting & Gathering

November 25, Lopez Preschool Annual Holiday Bazaar

November 25, Annual Jingle Bell Dinner

Orcas Island Events:

November 24-25, Orcas Center --The Olga Symphony, More or Less

November 28, Orcas Senior Center – Holiday Festival of the Arts

December 2-3, Odd Fellows Hall --Holiday Artisans Faire

December 1,Eastsound Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting

December 9-10, Orcas Choral Society – Holiday Concert

December 13-17 Orcas Center – A Christmas Carol

Additional holiday events and specials, as they are added, may be found at: http://www.visitsanjuans.com/holiday . Find more suggestions for a Cozy Island Holiday on our San Juan Islands Experiences section at www.visitsanjuans.com.

Holiday photos may be found in Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fjqg44t9efw6hb8/AAAyTN2xs56DhlxASf-VixHQa?dl=0

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Media Contact:

Barbara Marrett

P.O. Box 1330

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

360-378-6822 ext. 6