EVERETT, NOV. 12: The Port of Everett is inviting residents to the Waterfront Place this holiday season, offering winter fun from a festival, 5K and new activities including live reindeer visits and sip and sleigh bingo.
Holiday Toy Drive
To kick off the holiday season, the Port is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive until Dec. 8. The Port’s annual Holiday on the Bay toy drive for Marine Toys for Tots is accepting new unwrapped toys for children in need. You can bring donations now through Dec. 6 to the donation box located inside the Port’s Waterfront Center lobby near the Scuttlebutt entrance or to the Holiday on the Bay festival on Dec.7. There will also be an opportunity to donate on Dec. 8 at the Holiday on the Bay 5K.
Santa’s Reindeer
Beginning Saturday, Nov. 30, Santa’s reindeer will make a special appearance at the Port of Everett’s Pacific Rim Plaza (near Hotel Indigo). This will go on during select days during December. This is a time for the family to experience the magic of the holidays, snap photos and enjoy a unique opportunity to see real reindeer up close. Dates and times can be seen here.
Sleigh Drink Bingo
Since the Port’s Fall drink bingo was such a hit, the Port decided to extend the fun into December with Sip & Sleigh Drink Bingo. There are certain Waterfront Place restaurants offering winter-themed drink specials from coffee to mocktails and cocktails.
To participate, head to any participating waterfront restaurant for a bingo card. From there, go to restaurants to receive stamps to reach a bingo. Turn in the completed bingo card at the blue “Letters to the North Pole” box located at the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza (near Hotel Indigo) by January 10, 2025, to be entered into a drawing.
Holiday on the Bay
The biggest event at the Port is the Holiday on the Bay noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Festivalgoers will gather in and around the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza, near Hotel Indigo, 1028 13th Street, for outdoor festivities including a pop-up holiday market, free kids’ activities, s’mores, character meet-and-greets and more. Below is a snapshot of the day planned. A printable flyer can be found here.
Noon – 6 p.m.: Holiday pop-up market featuring local vendors and select food trucks
Noon – 6 p.m.: FREE family fun, including:
- Winter-themed crafts with our partners at Imagine Children’s Museum
- Touch-a-truck with local partners including the Everett Police Department, Snohomish County PUD, and more
- S’mores roasting at fire pits around Pacific Rim Plaza
- Airbrush face painting and balloon twister creations by Giggles Entertainment
- Live holiday steel drums music by Panessence
- Family photo opportunities
12:00 – 4 p.m.: A chance to meet and snap a photo with “Frozen”-inspired Ice Queen and Ice Princess from Enchanting Events
5 p.m.: Annual waterfront tree-lighting ceremony at the Port’s “frozen fountain” tree (SNOW is in the forecast!) and an appearance from Santa by boat
5:30 p.m.: Lighted boat parade organized by Mukilteo Yacht Club kicks off, departing from Guest Dock 5 at Pacific Rim Plaza to parade around the Marina
Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/holidayonthebay
5k run at Waterfront Place
The Port of Everett and Snohomish Running Company are partnering to bring the second annual Holiday on the Bay 5K to the Waterfront Place. Join them at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 for a chip-timed 5K sponsored by Everett Bone and Joint. The route is flat and has views of Port of Everett Marina, Port Gardner Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Registration includes a race shirt. Register by Nov.17 to guarantee a shirt size. Adults and kids are welcome.
Registration required. Learn more @ www.portofeverett.com/holidayonthebay5K.
