Port Angeles kicks off the holiday season Saturday when Santa Claus arrives by horse and buggy to light the city’s Christmas tree.
The event begins at 3:30 p.m. at the downtown fountain, at the intersection of West First and Laurel streets.
Saturday’s festivities will include holiday music performed by the Port Angeles High School Brass Choir.
Entertainment begins at 2 p.m. with holiday music performed by the Lighthouse Christian Center choir and Northwinds HomeSchool Band.
A drawing for $1,000 in Downtown Dollars will also take place.
The tree lighting ceremony and free photos with Santa are events sponsored by the Port Angeles Downtown Association.
The Kiwanis Noon Club of Port Angeles is also a sponsor of the photo shoot with Santa.
Santa will visit downtown again from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 at The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave. for free photos with kids and families.
Santa’s coming to town
Santa Claus makes his grand holiday entrance in Sequim at noon Saturday at Bank of America Park.
Jolly old St. Nicholas will remain at the park at the intersection of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue until 3 p.m. listening to children’s wish lists.
Event coordinators have yet to announce the details of his arrival, but last year Kris Kringle arrived on a chrome-plated Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The Sequim City Band will play from noon until 1 p.m. Saturday.
Clallam Transit’s Trolley will provide transportation between Bell Creek Plaza and Sequim Village Center as well as making trips to the Homespun Holiday Bazaar in the Sequim High School cafeteria.
The trolley will operate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West End parade
On the West End, a Christmas lights and a parade, combined with Moonlight Madness sales kick off the holiday season.
The first Twinkle Light Holiday Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 along South Forks Avenue downtown.
“Every float must be lit up in some way,” city events coordinator Pat Soderlind said previously.
Janet Hughes, owner JT Sweet Stuffs, 120 S. Forks Ave., is organizing the parade.
She said everyone is welcome to participate in and watch the parade, which will include a visit from Santa Claus on a lighted sleigh.
“Santa will be there to meet kids of all ages,” she said.
Families should also bring a camera and take photos of their children with Santa.
For safety, the highway will be closed between C Street and Sol Duc Way during the festivities.
Outdoor vendors and performers are also expected to add to the holiday ambiance.
The annual Moonlight Madness sales follow the parade from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
“All the merchants stay open late and everyone is in the downtown area,” Soderlind said. “It is really a big social event for Forks and this parade should add to that.”
Port Townsend
In Port Townsend, the Main Street Promotion Committee is coordinating a festive array of special events, in-store promotions and exterior decorations to celebrate “Home Town Spirit” for the holidays.
During the holidays, Victorian buildings are decorated with lights and cedar garland.
The Merchants’ Holiday Open House is intended to help shoppers get a jump on holiday shopping and includes extended store hours to 6:30 p.m.
Extended hours run from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23.
Horse and carriage rides downtown will be available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The rides cost $2 for adults and $1 each for children.
A community tree lighting ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Haller Fountain after Santa arrives at Union Wharf at 4:30 p.m. aboard The Cape Flattery.
The Holiday Open Parlor is also set from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
During the event, area innkeepers share their resources to benefit Jefferson County Food Bank.
Victorian Holidays in Port Townsend are sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street program, the city of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and participating merchants.