Santa checks his list, Christmas trees light up and holiday spirit spreads at community celebrations in Snohomish and Island counties this weekend.
Arlington: Hometown Holidays in Arlington welcomes Santa with a grand parade filled with his elves at noon Saturday. A tree lighting follows, and Santa is available for pictures with little ones from 2 to 5 p.m.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., a covered wagon takes kids on rides throughout downtown. Wagon rides continue from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18.
Arlington’s Fire Department conducts its annual Santa run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Dec. 12. Santa travels on a fire truck through the streets of Arlington greeting those along the way. Local firefighters collect nonperishable food items that are distributed during the holidays.
Bothell: Two major celebrations take place this weekend in Bothell.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Division hosts its annual Winterfest today. The holiday event kicks off the season with children’s hayrides at 6:30 p.m. at the Park at Bothell Landing. People can participate in a holiday sing-along, watch the lighting of the holiday tree followed by the grand arrival of Santa Claus.
Santa will be available for pictures if you bring your own cameras; no professional photographer will be available.
On Saturday, Santa heads over to Country Village for the tree lighting. Santa visits with children while walking through the decorated village. Thousands of twinkling lights surround moving light displays. Throughout the day, local groups perform holiday music on the stage. Hot-roasted chestnuts will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the tree lighting at 7 p.m. Kids can have their pictures taken with Santa at Chapters Photography, and shops remain open until 8 p.m.
Join Santa for a brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Country Village. The fourth annual breakfast buffet features place mats for the kids to color and stationary for writing letters to Santa. All letters will be answered. A Santa trivia contest and pictures with Santa add to the fun. Reservations for the brunch are required.
Brier: The city hosts its annual holiday tree lighting event with a visit from Santa at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Brier Park. Hot chocolate, coffee, juice and cookies will be provided and the Brier Elementary Bel Cantos singers will lead the crowd in carols. A food drive for nonperishable food items will be held during the event.
Everett: The 19th annual Festival of Trees, hosted by Providence General Foundation, continues this weekend with a Teddy bear breakfast that includes a play produced for the event by the Village Theatre, a visit by Teddy Bear, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and ice skating at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The celebration, to benefit children with disabilities, is at the Everett Events Center.
Preschoolers can listen to holiday stories and music and participate in crafts at Everett’s libraries on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Kids can make decorative holiday tree ornaments at the library during a two-hour session Wednesday. All supplies are provided free.
Gold Bar: The city hosts its annual Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. Saturday. There will be music, refreshments and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Langley: The Island County Fairgrounds in Langley hosts “Country Christmas at the Fair,” featuring vendors selling wares and food, appearances by Santa, and animals in the Fiddle Faddle Farm. The fair is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19.
Marysville: The Equine Rescue Association bring Santa’s pony, Sean, a white, Arab-Paint gelding, to ERA grounds in Marysville for photos from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 12. Sales from holiday card photos, $5 to $7, benefit the organization.
Mountlake Terrace: The Mountlake Terrace High School Music Boosters hosts its breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the high school Hub. The all-you-can-eat pancake feed features musical entertainment provided by school bands. Proceeds benefit the Jazz Ensemble 1 and Wind Ensemble music groups.
On Sunday, American Legion Auxiliary No. 234 presents its annual Santa Claus breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its hall in Mountlake Terrace. A breakfast of ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and beverages will be served, followed by photo opportunities with Santa.
Stanwood: More than one million lights decorate outdoor displays at Warm Beach Camp during the holiday season. Train rides, holiday music, plays and refreshments add to the Christmas celebration in Stanwood.
Reporter Tanya Sampson: 425-339-3479 or tsampson@heraldnet.com.
Lighted displays and Christmas decorations are abundant at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood.
Holiday Happenings
Arlington: Hometown Holidays, noon Saturday, downtown; 360-403-1832.
Arlington: Fire Department Santa run, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 12. Nonperishable food donations accepted.
Bothell: Parks &Recreation’s Winterfest, 6:30 p.m. today, Park at Bothell Landing, 9919 NE 180th St.
Bothell: Santa arrives and tree lighting, 5 p.m. Saturday. Santa brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday; reservations, 425-402-9362. Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Highway; www.countryvillagebothell.com.
Brier: Tree lighting with Santa, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Brier Park, 2903 228th St. SW; 206-498-7426.
Everett: Providence General Foundation’s Festival of Trees features Teddy bear breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, $20 at Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-258-7500.
Everett: Holiday storytime and crafts for kids, ages 2 to 3, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at main library, 2702 Hoyt Ave. For ages 2 to 6, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Evergreen branch, 9512 Evergreen Way. For ages 3 to 6, 10:30 a.m. Thursday at main library.
Make holiday tree ornaments, supplies provided, all ages, 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen branch and 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at main library. 425-257-8030.
Gold Bar: Tree lighting, 6 p.m. Saturday at Highway 2 Park.
Langley: “Country Christmas at the Fair,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 19. Island County Fairgrounds, 819 Camano Ave.; 360-221-4677.
Marysville: Pictures with Santa’s pony at Equine Rescue Association, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 12, $5 to $7. ERA, 2506B 128th St. NE; 360-658-5494.
Mountlake Terrace: Breakfast with Santa, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, $5, $3 students and seniors. High school Hub, 21801 44th Ave. W.; 425-471-3205.
Mountlake Terrace: Santa breakfast, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, $5, $2.75 ages 12 and younger. American Legion Hall, 22909 56th Ave.; 425-778-3593.
Stanwood: “The Lights of Christmas” lighting display, 5 to 10 p.m. through Sunday, Thursday through Dec. 12, Dec. 16 through 23, Dec. 26 through 30. Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; 360-652-7575, 800-228-6724, www.warmbeach.com/loc.
Holiday happenings
Arlington: Hometown Holidays, noon Saturday, downtown; 360-403-1832.
Arlington: Fire Department Santa run, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 12. Nonperishable food donations accepted.
Bothell: Parks &Recreation’s Winterfest, 6:30 p.m. today, Park at Bothell Landing, 9919 NE 180th St.
Bothell: Santa arrives and tree lighting, 5 p.m. Saturday. Santa brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday; reservations, 425-402-9362. Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Highway; www.countryvillagebothell.com.
Brier: Tree lighting with Santa, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Brier Park, 2903 228th St. SW; 206-498-7426.
Everett: Providence General Foundation’s Festival of Trees features Teddy bear breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, $20 at Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-258-7500.
Everett: Holiday storytime and crafts for kids, ages 2 to 3, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at main library, 2702 Hoyt Ave. For ages 2 to 6, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Evergreen branch, 9512 Evergreen Way. For ages 3 to 6, 10:30 a.m. Thursday at main library.
Make holiday tree ornaments, supplies provided, all ages, 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Evergreen branch and 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at main library. 425-257-8030.
Gold Bar: Tree lighting, 6 p.m. Saturday at Highway 2 Park.
Langley: “Country Christmas at the Fair,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 19. Island County Fairgrounds, 819 Camano Ave.; 360-221-4677.
Marysville: Pictures with Santa’s pony at Equine Rescue Association, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 12, $5 to $7. ERA, 2506B 128th St. NE; 360-658-5494.
Mountlake Terrace: Breakfast with Santa, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, $5, $3 students and seniors. High school Hub, 21801 44th Ave. W.; 425-471-3205.
Mountlake Terrace: Santa breakfast, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, $5, $2.75 ages 12 and younger. American Legion Hall, 22909 56th Ave.; 425-778-3593.
Stanwood: “The Lights of Christmas” lighting display, 5 to 10 p.m. through Sunday, Thursday through Dec. 12, Dec. 16 through 23, Dec. 26 through 30. Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; 360-652-7575, 800-228-6724, www.warmbeach.com/loc.
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