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Enjoy The Happiest Time of the Year in Port Townsend
The happiest time of the year is here and Port Townsend is all a-twinkle and a-jingle, ready for you to make joyful memories and delight in this season’s festivities. Thanks to generous individuals and businesses, the town will be all dressed up and sparkling with more lights than ever before, shining a welcome to 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.
Photo by Steve Mullensky
We’ve listed many of the upcoming fun-filled seasonal events to help you plan your holiday escape to Port Townsend!
SLEIGHBELL SATURDAYS
December 6, 13 and 20, 2014
1-3 pm Victorian Open Parlors
Tour beautifully decorated 19th century buildings and homes with historically costumed docents, seasonal music and holiday treats. Tickets are $15/person. Reservations recommended, however tickets may be purchased at the first stop of each tour. www.vicfest.org
Featured locations: Old Consulate Inn, Commander’s Beach House, Ravenscroft Inn, Huber’s Inn, Quimper Inn, Blue Gull Inn, McCurdy House and the Bishop Victorian Hotel. Coordinated by Olympic Peninsula Steam.
December 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2014
7:30 pm Key City Public Theatre presents “Cinderella”
Adapted from Charles Perrault’s classic folktale of hope, kindness and magic, this production combines splendor, slapstick and song in a unique all-ages holiday celebration of the girl whose goodness elevated her from rags to riches. Tickets and info at www.keycitypublictheatre.org
Saturday, December 6, 2014
4:30 pm Treelighting and Santa Visit at Haller Fountain
Photo by Steve Mullensky
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 treelighting and visit from Santa, who will be arriving via the Kiwanis Choo Train to light the tree. After the treelighting, Santa will visit with children to hear their Christmas wishes. Coordinated by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. www.ptmainstreet.org
5:30-7:30 pm First Saturday Gallery Walk
Tour the towns many galleries, showcasing work from local artists.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
1-4 pm Victorian Yuletide Salon
Step out of the weather and into a welcoming Victorian parlor to savor an Olde Time Christmas in the splendid foyer of the Jefferson Museum of Art and History at 540 Water Street. Father Christmas will greet you amidst the sounds and scents of the season. There will be photos with Father Christmas, live music, treats and startling history. Coordinated by Olympic Peninsula Steam.
1-4 pm Kiwanis Choo-Choo Rides for Children
Meet across the street from the Jefferson Museum of Art and History. $5 suggested donation with proceeds benefitting tschool arts education and music programs.
1-4pm Dockside Holiday Open Ship
Come aboard the historic schooner Adventuress at Point Hudson Marina in Port Townsend. Free tours, hot cider, cookies, and caroling.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
1-3 pm Caroling in the Streets, coordinated by Key City Public Theatre
1-4 pm Kiwanis Choo-Choo Rides for Children
Meet across the street from the Jefferson Museum of Art and History. $5 suggested donation with proceeds benefitting the school arts education and music programs.
Monday, December 22, 2014
6-10 pm Main Street Quarterly Pub Crawl—wear your Santa hat!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
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 Ring in the New Year at the First Night Celebration
First Night, organized by the Jefferson County Historical Society, is a family-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration focused on art and culture which takes place in Port Townsend’s historic city hall and other downtown venues. Activities include hands-on art and history projects, music, dance, theater, storytelling, and puppetry. For more information contact JCHS at 360-385-1003 or www.jchsmuseum.org.
Happy Holidays and Enjoy Victorian Port Townsend!
Cindrella: December 3-28, 2014
Head to Key City Public Theatre for a holiday show of hope, kindness and magic.
Key City Public Theatre is proud to present this year’s holiday show, “Cinderella.” Adapted from Charles Perrault’s classic folktale of hope, kindness and magic, this production combines splendor, slapstick and song in a unique all-ages holiday celebration of the girl whose goodness elevated her from rags to riches.
“Cinderella” runs December 3-28, 2014 at Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington Street, Port Townsend. December 3rd is a benefit preview night for Habitat for Humanity.
A New Angle on a Classic
Director Duncan Frost says that he was initially drawn to the story because of its simple message “to hope, to care, and to believe in magical possibility when all seems lost.” Although this sentiment lies at the root of his adaptation, Frost is also eager to reveal the more complex and enduring qualities of the Cinderella character. He says, “while she may lack the heroics of bolder modern heroines, it is a mistake to write her off as a sweet and simple Disney Princess.”
In the same light, Frost stresses the importance of making this a show that children as well as adults can enjoy. He says that “although the play is captivating enough for a young child, the script features quite a bit of humor directed at the adult audience. It really is a play that offers something for all tastes. It features immense beauty, broad physical comedy, tongue-in-cheek wit, a wonderful mélange of holiday music and a timeless tale of kindheartedness.”
Tickets ($10-$24) are available at the playhouse box office, by phone at (360) 385-5278, and online at keycitypublictheatre.org.
This performance is generously sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County, The Bazaar Girls, and author Nadine Feldman. Season sponsors are SOS Printing and Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar.
Note: The December 7th and 11th performances are pay-what-you-wish thanks to the PT Arts Commission. On December 14th KCPT partners with The Recyclery to offer anyone who rides a bike to the theater five dollars off admission or concessions.
Cruise Shows
This season, KCPT has partnered with Puget Sound Express to offer a new and exciting way to get to the playhouse — by boat! On December 13, 21, 26, and 27 theater patrons are invited to board a Puget Sound Express boat at Port Ludlow Marina and cruise to Key City Playhouse to attend a performance of “Cinderella.”
Three Family Shows
“Cinderella” is an all-ages show, and while children are invited to any of the performances, adults are encouraged to bring children to one of the three family shows, which feature special pricing, treats for the kids, and a chance to get pictures taken with characters on the stage! Family shows are at 2:30 pm on Sunday, December 14, 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 18, and 11:00 am on Saturday, December 20. Family show ticket prices are $3 for small child lap seating, $7 for ages 12 and under, $10 for ages 13-18, and $10 for any adult with a child. Note: These Family Show ticket prices are only available by phone 385-KCPT (5278) or in person at the playhouse box office.
The Holidays Have Arrived in Port Townsend
Enjoy Victorian Port Townsend for the Holidays…
November launches the holiday season in Port Townsend with an exciting array of activities and events. We’re not your standard, chain-store community – we’ve got loads of owner-run businesses, waterfront shopping, caroling in the streets, Cider Monday (the heck with Cyber Monday!) and so much more.
Ring in the holidays with a Victorian experience you won’t forget. Visit our 2014 Holiday Activities page to learn about the fun and good cheer that await you.
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