Ring in 2019 with fun, wildlife, art, history, and strange brews in January!

As the holiday season winds down, celebrate the end of 2018 and the promise of 2019 at festivities around Port Townsend on New Year’s Eve.

Launch your year with fun, frivolity and art! Hear and see the incredible array of creativity, not only with music, and art in the galleries in town, but also in our eateries, shops and accommodations. Port Townsend is known as an arts community and you’ll find the creative spirit is alive and well here.

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center is offering a New Year’s Eve Wildlife Cruise, in partnership with Puget Sound Express, on December 31 from 1-4 pm. The trip offers a unique opportunity for an idyllic natural science adventure, enabling people to gain a better understanding of our marine ecosystems and interrelationships which abound in these waters. In good weather, the cruise will go through the Protection Island Aquatic Reserve and circumnavigate Protection Island, a national Wildlife Refuge located at the mouth of Discovery Bay. Or, if the weather is rough, it may head south toward Port Ludlow to remain in calmer waters. The trip departs from Port Townsend’s Point Hudson Marina. Tickets are $80 per person. Book your reservation online at www.pugetsoundexpress.com/tours/birdwatching-tours/bird-migration-cruise/

Graphic by Mike Biskup

The Jefferson County Historical Society presents the 12th Annual First Night Community Celebration of Art and Heritage on New Year’s Eve, Port Townsend’s alcohol-free, family-friendly evening of fun. All activities take place in and around Port Townsend’s historic City Hall between 6 and 9 pm on December 31.

The Museum of Art & History will host the Port Townsend High School Interact Club with a variety of hands-on activities for kids, including a history hunt, face painting and crafts. The Port Townsend Film Fest will show film shorts and Louie’s World will host karaoke for all ages in the City Council Chambers. A photo booth with props in the art gallery lets participants take home a souvenir image from the night. Also, for kids, the Jefferson Community School hosts a Native American button blanket craft.

New this year, Key City Public Theatre will offer a one-woman performance of Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking. The 7 pm showing is exclusively for First Night pass holders. And across Water Street from the museum, Pope Marine Plaza will be a place to explore numerous activities, including square dancing, seeing live hawks, falcons and owls with Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue, and live music plus sweet treats at Elevated Ice Cream.

At 9 pm (midnight in New York), Port Townsend will get a head start on the rest of the west coast and usher in 2019 by raising of an illuminated anchor created by sculptor Thaddeus Jurczynski amid an explosion of brilliant fireworks launched from Memorial Field.

Admission is $8 in advance, $10 day-of-event for adults; all kids and teens are free. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at 360.385.1003 and in person at the museum. Proceeds benefit Historical Society programs. For a schedule of events, go to http://www.jchsmuseum.org/NewsAndEvents/FirstNight.html

Tuesday, January 1 is a State Parks Free Day, so no Discover Pass is necessary to park at trail heads. Hit the trails at Fort Worden to start the new year with a hike or cycling.

Artwork by Julie Read

Art Walk is January 5 from 5-8 pm where you can indulge your senses with creations from our local artists in more than a dozen galleries downtown and uptown, plus many artists have their work on display in local eateries. The Port Townsend School of the Arts will exhibit faculty art at their gallery on Taylor Street, also offering faculty prints, books, cards and PTSA artful products. Many of the artist-teachers will be on-hand to talk about their work and the classes they offer. For more info, go to www.ptarts.org.

PT Shorts is January 5, a free monthly program, featuring dramatic readings of contemporary literature, read by critically acclaimed authors. Readings are produced by Key City Public Theatre, presented in partnership with Northwind Arts Center’s Reading Series. They are held the first Saturday of every month at 7 pm, to coincide with the downtown Art Walk. For more details, go to www.northwindarts.org/programs/reading-series/

There’s no time for winter blues—bring on the strange brews! Plan to attend the 15^th Annual Strange Brewfest, Jan. 25-26, boasting wildly inventive, palate-challenging craft brews featuring over 30 breweries and cideries, along with over 60 brews on tap.

Strange Brewfest 15, is the Mount Olympus of beer festivals, as the 15^th version of Port Townsend’s ode to Northwest brewers and their imaginations lets you party like Greek Gods and Goddesses! This iconic festival is an indoor-outdoor event based in downtown Port Townsend at the American Legion Hall in our National Historic Landmark District.

This year’s theme is The Future of Justice Begins with Beer! and honors the women in the brewing industry, as well as the men. The theme celebrates all brewers for who they are—strong, badass superheroes! Please come dressed as your favorite superhero, and capes are encouraged.

Taste is not the only sense that Strange Brewfest 15 will tempt. Be dazzled by the sights and sounds of the weekend with a continuous lineup of rockin’ music. Indulge in the carnival-like atmosphere that this festival is known for and enjoy its tasty food, too.

Admission to Strange Brewfest 15 is $35/person (21+) which gives you a souvenir tasting glass, four tasting tokens and a wristband for both days. Additional tasting tokens are $1.50 each. Make reservations for accommodations soon as Port Townsend gets sold out quickly for this event! For event details visit www.strangebrewfestpt.com.

Save the date for upcoming events in February and March:

February 19-10 and February 16-18
Red Wine, Cider & Chocolates
11 am to 5 pm, www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org

February 23
28th Annual Shipwrights’ Regatta
www.nwmaritime.org/shiipwrights/

March 7-10
Key City Public Theatre’s 23^rd Annual PT PlayFest
www.keycitypublictheatre.org

We look forward to welcoming you to Port Townsend in 2019! Wishing you a bright and beautiful Happy New Year!

Port Townsend is all a-twinkle and a-jingle, ready for you to make joyful memories and delight in this season’s festivities. We look forward to welcoming you as you make holiday wishes and dreams come true.

Hear children laughing when Santa rides into town. Breathe in the enticing scent of fresh baked cookies and pastries. Feel the warmth as you’re greeted in our shops, and smile as families and friends gather to wish one another joy and peace. Unwind at the end of the day with a libation and enjoy our inspired eateries. Tuck in for a comfortable stay in one of our charming accommodations…everything you want for some well-deserved R&R.

We’ve listed many of the upcoming fun-filled seasonal events to help you plan your holiday escape to Port Townsend!

Photo by Steve Mullensky

Saturday, December 1
4:30 pm Tree Lighting and Santa Visit at Haller Fountain

There’s caroling in the streets with the Wild Rose Chorale from 1-3 pm, in-store treats, and many shops will be open later. Come to Haller Fountain for the annual community tree lighting and visit from Santa, who will be arriving via the Kiwanis Choo-Choo to light the tree. After the tree lighting, Santa will visit with children to hear their Christmas wishes at the Pope Marine Building, 607 Water Street. Coordinated by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. www.ptmainstreet.org

5:30-8 pm First Saturday Art Walk
Tour the town’s many galleries and stores, showcasing work from local artists. Enjoy refreshments and shop for artistic gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

December 6-30, Thursday through Sunday
7:30 pm Key City Public Theatre presents “Spirit of the Yule”

Join Key City Public Theatre as their homegrown holiday tradition, the award-winning holiday musical, Spirit of the Yule, opens for its third season, directed by KCPT’s Artistic Director, Denise Winter, with music and lyrics by acclaimed local composer, Linda Dowdell. Spirit of the Yule, a new take on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is set in Port Townsend when the lumber boomtown was eagerly awaiting the railroad connection that would make it the pre-eminent port city in the Pacific Northwest. This musical is steeped in the history and cultural legacy that defined Port Townsend as “the city of dreams.” But more than rooted in this town, Spirit of the Yule takes inspiration from Dickens to recast an old tale in the familiar trappings of the American West. Expansion and speculation, boom and bust loom large in this frontier tale. Tickets and info about matinees at www.keycitypublictheatre.org

December 1-28, Thursday through Sunday
7:30 pm Key City Public Theatre presents “Every Christmas Story Ever Told”

On some evenings in December 2018, instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, or Spirit of the Yule, for that matter, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story event told—plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. It’s a madcap romp through the holiday season! Tickets and info about matinees at www.keycitypublictheatre.org

Saturdays, December 8 and 15
1-4 pm Kiwanis Choo-Choo Rides for Families

Meet across the street from the Jefferson Museum of Art and History at Pope Marine Park. $5 suggested donation with proceeds benefitting school arts education and music programs.

Friday, December 14
Noon – 5 pm 2^nd Annual KPTZ “Tossed Salad” Holiday Extravaganza

The Jefferson Museum of Art and History in historic City Hall will broadcast live on KPTZ from the museum gallery, including music, interviews and lizards! For more info, go to www.kptz.org/phil-andrus/

 , December 15
10 am – 2 pm Port Winter Holiday Farmers Market

The Port Townsend Farmers Market is celebrating its Winter Holiday and Season Closing Farmers Market on Tyler Street, Uptown, with fresh produce, perfect from winter storage. Arts, craft and food vendors will be inside the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler Street. Also, enjoy arts and crafts for kids and live music with Gretchen Sleicher and Aimée Ringle. Give local this holiday season. See you at the market! For more info, go to www.jcfmarkets.org.

Saturday, December 15
1-4 pm Victorian Open Parlor Tours of Historic Inns and Homes

Visit historic inns and homes with historically costumed docents in Port Townsend with their halls bedecked for the holidays in these self-guided tours. Put in a good word with Father Christmas. Savor tasty treats and enjoy seasonal music. Tickets are $15. Reservations are recommended. Details at: www.op-s.net/yule2018.php

7-11 pm Big Brass Yule Ball at the American Legion Hall

Steam up the holidays with music in the dark of the year. Whether you rock gears and goggles, bustle or bowler, this is the holiday opportunity to come out and kick it old school. The Olympic Express Big Band brings sassy, brassy horns and rhythm for an absinth-infused evening of dancing.

The Brass Screw Confederacy and Olympic Peninsula Steam invite you to join the fun where the halls are decked, the hosts are jolly and the fruit cake will keep you toasty all night long. Come as you are—Victorian, Steampunk, fancy dress, blue jeans. It’s the spirit, the season and the swing that matter! $15 with ID (21+) at the door. For more info, www.op-s.net/yule2018.php  Coordinated by Olympic Peninsula Steam.

Wednesday, December 26
8 am – 2 pm Holiday Brunch at Reveille at the Commons at Fort Worden

For more info and to make reservations, go to www.fortworden.org or call 360.344.4400, ext. 304.

Monday, December 31

1-4 pm New Year’s Eve Wildlife Viewing Cruise with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. The trip leaves from Port Townsend’s Point Hudson Marina. Tickets are $55 per person. Book your reservation online at www.ptmsc.org or call 360.385.5582, ext. 104.

6-9 pm First Night Celebration

The Jefferson Museum of Art and History coordinates this all-ages, alcohol-free event featuring live music and children’s activities. www.jchsmuseum.org

8 pm – midnight New Year’s Eve at Taps at the Guardhouse at Fort Worden

Open late with live music and $2 bubbly.

Happy Holidays from all of us in Port Townsend to all of you!

Don’t miss the kick-off to the 2018 Holiday Season! There’s caroling in the streets with the Wild Rose Chorale from 1 to 3 pm, in-store refreshments and many shops will be open later. Come to Haller Fountain for the annual Community treelighting and Santa visit at 4:30 pm. Santa arrives by the Kiwanis Choo Choo Train to light the community tree. After the Treelighting, Santa visits with children at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street.