Counting down 31 fun things to do in Port Townsend in December…

December 3: First Tuesday Salon

The first Tuesday of each month, the Port Townsend Film Festival screens a movie at the Rose Theatre and brings in a special guest to talk about the issues raised in the film. On December 3, come see DALLAS BUYERS CLUB in The Starlight Room, with guest, Tom Duke LMHC, CDP.

“Both a fascinating character study and a scathing indictment of the role of the medical-pharmaceutical industry in exacerbating the AIDS crisis, the fact-based “Dallas Buyers Club” is one of the best films of the year.

Working from a screenplay by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack, director Jean-Marc Vallée (“The Young Victoria”) delivers a stylistically gritty film that might have been made during the era it depicts — if not for the fact that Hollywood was notoriously slow to acknowledge the reality of AIDS. Spurred to action by the likes of Rock Hudson, who revealed he had AIDS in 1985.

McConaughey is terrific as a man who refuses to let other people tell him how to live — or die. But arguably, Jared Leto is even more impressive, deftly sidestepping caricature to get to his character Rayon’s essence.

“This is the rare film that not only entertains, but enlightens.” Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post Dispatch

For the First Tuesday Salon conversation following the film, Port Townsend Film Festival is pleased to welcome back Tom Duke counselor and activist, with his own unique perspective on the AIDS epidemic that swept thru the world and continues today.

As we begin our countdown of 31 things you can do to enjoy the holidays in Port Townsend, we turn to two of everyone’s favorite things: coffee and beaches!

December 1: Cafes and Bistros

Explore our delicious cafes and bistros in town and enjoy some of the best coffee drinks and teas in the region. Port Townsend has local coffee roasters and very likely more coffee and tea shops than taverns! Don’t miss an opportunity to hang out in unique cafes and learn the ins and outs of coffee and tea from our knowledgeable community members.

December 2: Beaches

It may not be summer, but locals know that fall and winter are some of the most dramatic times to enjoy our town’s beaches. Port Townsend is on a peninsula, so we’re surrounded on three sides by water and beaches, making the area a perfect destination for beach walking. Did you know you can walk from Point Hudson to Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park at low tide?

Popular beach access points include North Beach and Chetzemoka Park.

Come to Port Townsend for the Holidays! The street lamps and store windows will be decorated in the spirit of the season, festive events fill the calendar and Santa starts his world tour in Port Townsend December 7, 2013 at 4:30 pm.

November 1-December 24 “Santa Shops Here”

For every $500 spent at any of 50 participating merchants, customers get to pick a $50 Gift Certificate from our wall of gift certificates! *Proof of purchase required and only dollars spent at participating merchants qualify towards the $500. First come, first served while quantities last. Some restrictions apply.

Saturday, Dec. 7th at 4:30 pm–Port Townsend Community Tree lighting/Santa Visit 

Caroling in the streets! Santa arrives by Engine No. 3, Port Townsend’s vintage white fire truck. The truck brings Santa to Haller Fountain at Washington & Taylor Streets for the Treelighting at 4:30 pm.  Caroling in the streets, shops open later, and it’s First Saturday Gallery Walk. Shop, dine and stay in town.

December 14th Yule Festival–1-5 pm

Special holiday activities, caroling, refreshments and a visit with Father Christmas. Come to World’s End at 1020 Water Street to join in these festivities from times gone by. Coordinated by Olympic Peninsula Steam.

Stores Open Later December 20 & 21st–Holiday Shopping Wrap Up! Hundreds of last minute gift ideas for everyone on your list! Main Street offers a “Holiday Wrap Up” –free do-it-yourself gift wrapping station.

2013 Port Townsend Ornament highlights The Centennial of the Schooner Adventuress 1913-2013. On sale for $12 at select shops.

First Night Celebration December 31–First Night is a Jefferson Museum of Art and History-sponsored family-friendly alcohol-free New Year’s Eve community celebration focusing on art, culture and heritage. All activities take place in and around Port Townsend’s historic City Hall between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on December 31.