December on San Juan Island

The Holiday season on San Juan Island is so relaxing, endearingly old-fashioned and slow-paced, with magical festivities to get into the spirit, abundant shopping opportunities, yet plenty of activities to escape the hustle and buzzle altogether. Treat your family to Island Christmas or sneak away with a friend and go Chardonnay Shopping for a day.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa’s Workshop

Visit over the first December weekend and find Friday Harbor twinkling with lights as soon as your ferry enters the harbor. Join the carolers and have hot coco and cookies as Santa lights the town’s Christmas tree on Friday, December 6. Pics with Santa and crafts follow at Brickworks afterwards. Shops are open late.

Chardonnay Shopping

Of course you can go Chardonnay Shopping with your friends any time, on December 5 though the entire town is doing it. Find little pop-up markets at Haley’s Sports Bar and Brickworks, dining specials and shopping deals all over walkable Friday Harbor. Holiday shopping has never been this much fun.

Old-Fashioned Holiday Market

Visit the adorable holiday market at Brickworks during the second weekend of December. Browse over two dozen vendors for island made arts, crafts, body care products and food. Enjoy hay rides, a visit by Santa and many more family activities.

Cabaret Corner

Laugh out loud at the making Spirits Bright Cabaret performance at Studio Jamm, just steps from our Friday Harbor hotel in late December.

Community Beach Clean-up

Help us keep our precious Salish Sea Plastic Free. Every first Sunday of the month islanders and visitors come together at Friday Harbor’s Jackson Beach for a beach clean-up and do learn about the dangers of microplastic.

Arts Walk

Stroll through the beautiful coastal town of Friday Harbor on the first Friday of each month and explore the arts.

Christmas & New Year’s at COHO

Charming farm-to-table restaurant COHO is open on all holidays, what a treat. Make reservations and indulge in the finest, local, seasonal cuisine.