Gig Harbor is well-known for its annual Maritime Gig Festival in June, but the city also celebrates the holiday season in a big way with their Holidays in the Harbor celebration. Filled with a calendar of holiday events, the entire city works to light up the harbor. With gorgeous lights everywhere, there will also be various scenes placed throughout the city offering opportunities for selfie stations and locations for people to take memorable photos.
The holiday event calendar kicks off at 8am on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, with the 5k Turkey Trot. Participants will run along the Harborview Drive waterfront and then run home to eat their holiday dinner.
A highlight of Holidays in the Harbor is a tree-lighting ceremony at Skansie Brothers Park on Harborview on December 2 at 5pm. In Uptown Gig Harbor, the holiday celebration will also feature a menorah lighting on December 7 to kick off the eight days of Hanukkah. Visitors can hang out with the jolly one himself, Santa Claus, on December 9 and 10 and 16 and 17 from 12 to 3pm at Donkey Creek Park near the Harbor History Museum.
On December 9, families can enjoy the Lighted Boat Parade that begins at 5pm. According to Matt Meszaros, Tourism Marketing Director for Visit Gig Harbor, “When the boats come back in the harbor is when you really see it pop.”
Then, on Saturday, December 16, the city will host its annual Lighted Car Parade starting at 4pm in Uptown Gig Harbor. Featuring cars from the Gig Harbor Cruisers that include fun builds and vintage vehicles as well as many classics, the show is sure to please young and old alike. “A lot of people will be leaning into the Christmas theme and there should be some really wonderful displays,” said Meszaros.
Gig Harbor is an ideal destination for those looking for fun during the holiday season and throughout the year. For more information on these events and others, visit ghdwa.org/holidays-in-the-harbor