The Port of Bellingham celebrates another year of Holiday Port on Dec. 1-3 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal with performances by over 35 local bands, orchestras, choirs and performance groups and includes more than 700 performers. The festival includes visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, art activities for kids, horse and wagon rides and free photos with winter princesses. Thanks to generous donations by Haggen, Maxum Petroleum and BP all activities are free. There is an opportunity to purchase photos with Santa. Streat Food café will be open with food for purchase and Sugar and Spice food truck will have sweet treats for purchase.
Please bring your food donations for the Bellingham Food bank and drop them in the vintage Louis’ Auto Glass Truck for a chance to win a prize in the raffle drawing.
One of the most beloved aspects of the event is the annual gingerbread contest, with all entries on display at the festival. It’s not too late to enter – the deadline to turn in an entry form is Nov. 27th. Entries don’t have to be made out of gingerbread – just visibly edible. That means graham cracker walls, fences made of pretzel sticks, and other creative uses of food are acceptable – and encouraged! A complete list of contest dates and deadlines are listed below. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three in each category. The top winner in the people’s choice category will be awarded a prize from San Juan Cruises.
The contest is free, and open to bakers of all ages and abilities. Many entrants choose to enter their edible structures in a silent auction that will benefit Toys for Tots The contest has an optional themed category, “Northwest Adventure” for a total of 10 divisions. More information and a link to the online entry form can be found at: www.portofbellingham.com/holidayport
22nd Annual Gingerbread Contest Dates and Deadlines: Deadline to Turn in Entry Form: Monday, Nov. 27th
Date to Deliver Your Edible Structure: Wednesday, Nov. 29 All Entries are on Display at Holiday Port Friday-Sunday Dec. 1-3
27th Annual Holiday Port Festival Dates and Times: Friday Dec. 1: Noon – 8 p.m. Saturday Dec. 2: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 3: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m
Holiday Port Festival Schedule:
Friday, Dec. 1
12:00 - 8:00pm Music & Dance Performances, Gingerbread House Display, Gingerbread Silent Auction for Toys for Tots, free cider and cookies donated by Haggen
4:00 - 8:00pm Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, with the option of purchasing photos from Turner Photographics
4:00 – 7:00pm Visits with Winter Princesses 6:00pm Alaska Ferry Send Off
Performance Schedule TBD – Check www.portofbellingham.com/holidayport for updates
Saturday, Dec. 2
11:00am – 5:00pm Music & Dance Performances, Gingerbread House Display, Food Drive, free cider and cookies donated by Haggen 11:00am - 2:00pm Tractor Wagon Rides with Cramer Classics Wagon Rides 12:00pm - 5:00pm Kids Art Activities with Allied Arts of Whatcom County
1:00pm – 4:00pm Visits with Winter Princesses 1:00pm - 5:00pm Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, with the option of purchasing photos from Turner Photographics 4:30 - 6:20pm* Lighted boat parade put on by the Bellingham Yacht Club. The boat parade route goes from Squalicum Harbor to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. *Times listed here are estimates only. Boats will leave Squalicum Harbor at 4pm. Bad weather will cancel the boat parade.
Performance Schedule TBD – Check www.portofbellingham.com/holidayport for updates
Sunday, Dec. 3
11:00am - 5:00pm Music & Dance Performances, Gingerbread House Display, Food Drive for Bellingham Food Bank, free cider and cookies donated by Haggen 11:00am - 4:30pm Gingerbread Silent Auction for Toys for Tots
1:00pm - 4:00pm Horse-drawn Wagon Rides with Cramer Classics Wagon Rides 12:00pm - 5:00pm Kids Art Activities with Allied Arts of Whatcom County
1:00pm – 3:00pm Visits with Winter Princesses by Simply Magical Parties 1:00pm - 5:00pm Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, with the option to purchase photos from Turner Photographics 4:00pm Gingerbread House Silent Auction Closes. Winners will be called using the phone number provided on the auction sheet. Gingerbread winners may pick up houses from 4:00 - 5:00pm Sunday, Dec. 6, and Monday, Dec. 7 through Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9 am - 4:00pm. Port staff will be on site to coordinate payment and pick up. If your gingerbread creation is NOT in the silent auction, you may pick it up any time after 4:00pm on Sunday. All houses not picked up by 4:00pm on Wednesday, Dec. 9 will be discarded or donated.
Performance Schedule TBD – check www.portofbellingham.com/holidayport for updates