Holiday Happenings
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Happenings in Stanwood and Camano Island. While this year is far from typical there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday season in our wonderful area. We all need some holiday cheer – and you all know – the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear! So sing away while you enjoy these local events and happenings.
Christmas Lights
Grab a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the kids at one of our wonderful coffee stores and go on a drive (playing holiday music of course) to see the beautiful Christmas Trees in both Stanwood and Camano Island. Get out and take a selfie or family photo under the trees and then grab take-out from one of the many restaurants.
Camano Christmas Tree – the Camano Island Christmas tree is located at Camano Commons under the crab and will be set up with beautiful lights by Dec. 1st.
Stanwood Christmas Tree – The City of Stanwood will be hosting a virtual tree lighting of the Christmas Trees in Stanwood on December 5th on Facebook Live follow this event for more details.
The Lights of Christmas presents a Drive Thru Christmas – A wonderful way to experience the magic of Christmas this year! Located in Stanwood, WA, The Lights of Christmas presents a Drive-Thru Christmas, providing a holiday outing for all families to enjoy during this challenging year. See spectacular lights, dazzling displays, wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus, while listening to Christmas music from the comfort of your own car. Fun for people of all ages and affordable for everyone. Grab your keys, pack up the kids, and get out of the house for an event with Christmas spirit in Snohomish county.
2020 DATES: Nov 27-29, Dec 2-6, 9-13, 16-23, 26-30
See a Map of the Drive Thru Route below:
Santa
Join the Camano Center for an Afternoon with Santa-Drive Thru – Tuesday, December 8, 3:00-6:00. Please sign up for time slots by clicking here.The Camano Center’s holiday tradition, Afternoon with Santa, is 
scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th from 3:00-6:00 and has been changed to a drive through event. Santa will be here as usual but will be up in his sleigh so families can take a picture with him in the background! The Camano Arts Association will have a take home craft project for families to take with them and the Camano Center will provide take home cookie decorating supplies. Children can bring a letter to Santa that they can place in the Santa mailbox. Families will be asked to stay in their cars unless it is their turn to take a photo in front of Santa. This is a free community event thanks to our generous sponsors. Check their website for more details or call 360-387-0222
Holiday Markets
Upstairs at the Camano Commons Marketplace you will find a holiday market every day starting on Nov. 27th thru Dec. 24th where you can find unique and local treasures – perfect for gifts.
Cohost has been transformed into a winter wonderland boutique this holiday season! Featuring over 20 local artists and creators in their pop-up shop. These handmade goods include jewelry, soaps, stained glass art, apparel, scarves, candles and so much more. Unlike a traditional market, the artists will not be onsite – they will be off designing and creating! You’ll have the opportunity to shop their goods in a traditional retail environment (not a booth-ed market). Sales will begin on Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 28th) and run thru Dec. 19th. New pieces by different artists will be on display each weekend through Christmas for a list of vendors and dates and times follow this event.
Shopping
There are SO MANY places to shop locally for all of your holiday gifts and we encourage you to shop local this holiday season. If you need more information or some inspiration – check out Hometown Holidays in Stanwood or the Whidbey-Camano Island Gift Guide.
Hometown Holidays
Hometown Holidays is a fun and festive way to support your hometown businesses! This experience was created to spread holiday cheer throughout Stanwood, and encourage everyone to shop locally this season. *FREE to participate*
Here’s how it works: Head out on the town! Shop your favorite local businesses between 4-7pm on Thursday, Dec. 10th, Friday, December 11th and Saturday, Dec 12th and get your game card* stamped at check out. Your completed game card can then be submitted to be entered to win a gift basket filled with local goods!
*You’ll be able to pick up a game card at participating businesses beginning on Shop Small Saturday (November 28th, 2020)
Some local businesses will be offering special deals during Hometown Holidays, so check this event to see what they are and to see which businesses are participating.
Whidbey-Camano Island Gift Guide
Island County Chambers of Commerce are working closely with Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism on a “shop local” campaign funded by CARES money. Our goal is to encourage everyone to stay safe and close to home this holiday season to slow the spread of COVID-19. “We encourage you to support local businesses by shopping and dining right here in Island County.“
Look for a holiday gift and “staycation” guide to arrive in your mailbox over the next few days. The guide gives just a glimpse of a few local producers, shops, dining opportunities and places to explore. Also visit WhidbeyCamanoIslands.com throughout November and December to discover more things to do in your own backyard, places to eat or shop, unique gift ideas and a very special giveaway.
Give Back to Our Community
If you are looking for ways to give back and support our community this holiday season consider donating to The Christmas House at the Stanwood Camano Food Bank.
In 2020 The Christmas House was able to serve over 1,000 community children & provide them with an exciting and magical Christmas morning. Donations of purchased gifts, gift cards, and clothing are essential to this program. The Christmas House is supported both with financial contributions and gift drives by organizations and individuals in our community. All gifts given out are new. Great gift ideas include anything meaningful you would give to your own child. They always fall short in gifts for teenagers as they can be so hard to shop for. They do accept gift cards. In December there will be several giving tree locations around our community. Please make sure they are for the Stanwood Camano Food Bank Christmas House. Donations may also be brought directly to the Christmas House located at 9928 272nd Place, Stanwood, WA 98292 (The Caring Place location), or to the Stanwood Camano Food Bank.
