WinterFest
Each year we ring in the holidays Vashon style!
Join us uptown on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 from 4:30 - 6pm for a parade and holiday festivities for all ages.
Catch the glow with a parade including lighted tractors, floats, walking groups, and of course, Santa! The parade begins at Vashon Village across from Ober Park and concludes at the south end of town at the Presbyterian church for the big lighting celebration with Santa. Read more below!
Pre-parade fun for all ages will be hosted at Vashon Village across from Ober Park from 4pm – 5pm.
Drivers, note that Vashon Highway will be safely closed between 171st & 178th from 4.30pm - 6pm to allow for a fun and safe community celebration. And parking along Vashon Highway will close at 4.00pm to allow cars time to clear the streets.
Winterfest Activities
Merchant Open House: shop local! Visit participating island shops & eateries for unique gifts and grub and enter to win wonderful prizes with merchant open house coupons sponsored by the Beachcomber. Grab a paper, clip your coupons, and drop off as you walk around town. Merchants will greet you in their own special style with the season’s offerings of holiday crafts, games, warm drinks, falling snow, candy canes and so much more!
Vashon Village WinterFest: come on down to the shops at Vashon Village starting at 4pm for music, games, open fires and warm-your-heart fun across from Ober park as the parade assembles.
Parade: begins at 5pm from Vashon Village across from Ober Park and finishes at the Presbyterian church. Note that motorized vehicles must be accompanied by a minimum of two walking volunteers. The parade is led by the Vashon Fire & Rescue, followed by motorized vehicles, walking groups, and finally Santa & Mrs. Claus. The crowd is encouraged to follow the parade!
Tree Lighting: following the parade, at approximately 5:30pm at the Presbyterian church. The community tree lighting festivities features a musical welcome for Santa and the parade, and the big moment when Santa lights the tree!
Visit GRINCH’S GRATITUDE MARKET during Winterfest on Saturday, December 2nd from 3:30 - 7:30pm in the Vashon Theatre Backlot. Shop the booths, listen to the music, and warm yourself at the fire or with a cup of hot cocoa. Kids, participate in the Grinch’s Scavenger Hunt. Each participant will try to find where the Grinch has Hidden the WHO’s Christmas items. All Participants win a prize, Cindy Lou Who will hand out scavenger lists, and the Grinch himself, will be on hand for photos.
WinterFest Program: after the tree lighting, join the Vashon Chorale singing seasonal favorites and offering plenty of sing-along fun at the Backlot at the Theatre.
Santa's Cottage: Santa will be at the cottage located behind US Bank by the Village Green on Sunday afternoons in December. Children can visit with Santa, have their FREE photo taken by mom or dad, and drop off their letter to Santa. Santa's elves have a special mailbox located at Vashon Bookshop where letters may be dropped until December 20th. To receive a handwritten, personalized letter from Santa, be sure to include a return address, because Santa only knows rooftops!