Christmas in Kirkland – Local and Affordable Festivities, Traditions and Fun
Start the holiday season right with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Marina Park. Then throughout the season enjoy holiday happenings that are affordable or free and full of good cheer.
UPDATE: Photos from the Tree Lighting Event have been posted online compliments of Rick Takagi Photography. Visit the KirklandViews.com gallery. You may download any photos you like – for free!
Photo by Rick Takagi
The 2008 Holiday Season has arrived and consumers are feeling the economic pinch. In an effort to ensure that the holidays are focused on the joy of the season versus the drag of a tightening personal and economic budget, the City of Kirkland offers a variety of holiday happenings that are affordable or free. From the shoreline bonfires lighting up the ports-of-call for the Argosy Parade of Christmas Ships to participating in Kirkland’s 12K’s of Christmas Holiday Run, there are many ways to keep locals and tourists happy and in the holiday mood.
“During the holidays there is something for everyone,” says Sheila Cloney, City of Kirkland’s Special Events Coordinator. “Tough economic times shouldn’t put a black cloud on the season. Events like our traditional lighting of the big downtown tree at Marina Park and the bonfires that take place when the Argosy Christmas Ship Parade makes port at one of Kirkland’s waterfront parks are not only free but create a sense of community which is important right now.”
Photo by Rick Takagi
The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting event on November 29th officially starts the season off as Kirkland lights up the waterfront. A day filled with holiday activities for kids from one to ninety-two, it is the perfect opportunity for family and friends to enjoy the simple joys of tasty treats, apple cider, the acapella men’s choir Northwest Sound, and even live reindeer, all starting at 5:00 P.M. Get your picture taken with Santa at Kahili Coffee, and then follow Santa to the tree lighting at 7:00 P.M.
Last year, long-time Kirkland resident Jackie Smith wrote a flattering article in the Seattle Times about Christmas in Kirkland. Jackie wrote, “Having lived here for two decades, I can tell you Kirkland loves to celebrate — year-round, it seems — with festivals for art, wine, cars, music in the park, and the Fourth of July. There’s even an Osprey Fest. But none compare to December when the town is transformed into a wonderland that would warm the heart of even the crustiest of Scrooges.”
On December 1st from 6-7:30pm at the Marina Park Dock, the first Christmas Ships parade of the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival kicks-off. Visitors can choose to purchase tickets to experience the event onboard or simply show up at no charge to enjoy the warmth of a roaring bonfire and the voices of the Seattle Girls’ Choir broadcast from the boat to the shore. The Christmas Ships will be stopping at one of Kirkland’s parks over ten times during the holidays, so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this community event for all ages. Schedules can be found at www.argosycruises.com
For those looking to purchase unique gifts at affordable prices, the Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) Holiday Arts Sale is the perfect place to do some holiday shopping. From December 6th through the 21st, KAC will feature for sale a bounty of fine arts, crafts and gifts created by KAC faculty and members. Kirkland’s Downtown Nights of Shopping has plenty of choices and bargains as many downtown shops will make holiday shopping easier by staying open till 8pm on Thursday and Friday nights from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.
Kirkland restaurants and specialty food and wine stores will also offer seasonal cuisine for dining in and wonderful items to take home and enjoy with family and friends. Gift certificates are being touted as another affordable gift that is consistent with stimulating the local economy. For those looking to put together their own gift baskets this year versus purchasing expensive ones online, The Grape Choice, one of Kirkland’s best-known wine stores, will offer special discounts on local and regional wines, while the Kirkland PCC (Puget Sound Consumer Cooperative) will continue to offer a variety of healthy delicacies at reasonable prices.
Holiday performances are a common part of family traditions during the season. The Kirkland Performing Center (www.kpcenter.org) has several choices at prices that are well below the high ticket prices of some larger venues. From the heart-warming story of Pinocchio to the beautiful sounds of holiday music concerts, the schedule is full and seats are sure to sell out quickly as families tighten their belts. Tickets to Studio East’s 8th Annual Family Musical, ‘Twas The Night (www.studio-east.org) are a bargain at $13.00 and Laughs Comedy Spot, Kirkland’s premier comedy club, also has a full schedule of affordably priced shows throughout the holiday season (www.laughscomedy.com).
A yearly tradition in Kirkland is the 12 K’s of Christmas Holiday Run which takes place on December 14th. Runners are asked to dress up in their favorite holiday costume for a chance to win a variety of prizes that will make perfect holiday gifts for family and friends. Children can also run in the Kids Dash which is completely FREE. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. and registration can be done online (www.12ksofchristmas.com).
For those looking for a more cost effective and novel way to ring in the New Year, Kirkland invites locals and visitors to laugh out loud at either Laughs Comedy Spot, with their New Year’s Eve show starring comedian Bengt Washburn (www.laughscomedy.com) or at the Kirkland Performance Center’s The Best of The Comedy Underground: New Year’s Eve Special and after-show party starting at 8p.m.. Celebrate locally at any of Kirkland’s variety of local restaurants, music venues and hotels who will all be gearing up with New Year’s Eve party packages.
This holiday season the City of Kirkland offers festive and affordable events and opportunities to celebrate the season.
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Posted by Rob Butcher on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Filed under Events · Tagged with Downtown, Events, Retail / Shopping, Snapshots, Tourism
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I so look forward to the holiday season in Kirkland. It is so pretty with all the lights. It still feels like a small town. Thank you editor for reminding me with these pictures. Our town needs some cheery news like this these days.
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Thank you to all who worked so hard to make the 6th Annual Tree Lighting Event at Marina Park so much fun! There must have been hundreds of people gathering around the tree, reindeer pen and hot chocolate booths! It was great to see so many friendly faces filled with joy. Thank you to the KDA and to emcee, Larry Springer. Thank you to George and his family for all you have given to Kirkland. God bless you all.
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The tree is so pretty. This is what makes our downtown such a small town and so many children!
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