Vancouver, Washington is a wonderful place to spend the holidays. The scenic beauty of the Columbia River and the surrounding forests are a treasure for sure, but there are also plenty of family holiday events to enjoy in and around the city too. There are parades, live seasonal music and performances, shopping, Santa, and so much more. So check out this list of family-friendly events taking place in Vancouver, Washington this month then let us know how many you attend.
1. Christmas Ships Parade
Every year, the Christmas Ships Parade is a sight to behold. There are 55 to 60 shops that protrude the rivers from Columbia to Willamette. These vessels are custom decorated by their boat owners and lit up with dozens or even hundreds of holiday lights.
The parade takes place between Friday, December 3rd, to Tuesday, December 21st. There are even meet and greets where guests can see the boat up close and meet some crew members. Reserve a night at a local restaurant or hotel along the river to get the best view of the parade!
2. Columbia Dance Presents The Nutcracker
Columbia Dance is an organization that dedicates itself to offering excellent classical ballet training to kids and teens. On December 18th and 19th, they’ll be performing the Nutcracker twice each day at the Skyview Concert Hall.
The Nutcracker is a timeless classic that people of all ages can enjoy. It tells a story about a young girl named Clara who falls asleep after a Christmas Eve party. She then enters a wondrous world where the toys come to life. There she faces the evil Mouse King, and her evolved Nutcracker comes to save her. The group will showcase their wonderful talents and storytelling capabilities at this show, so you don’t want to miss it.
[Columbia Dance Presents The Nutcracker]
3. Night Market Vancouver: Holiday Market
Come support local artisans and celebrate the holidays at the Night Market Vancouver. Discover a wide selection of products made by over 70 different local brands and creators. The night market takes place on November 26th and 27th and December 17th and 18th. In addition, guests can enjoy outdoor dance lessons, live music, DJs, and special holiday food and drinks. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to find last-minute gift shopping ideas as well.
4. Photo Experience With Santa at Vancouver Mall
Preserve memories by taking photos with Santa at Vancouver Mall. It’s a wonderful experience that your kids will never forget. Furthermore, you can bring your fur friends to experience the Santa Magic! Don’t forget to bring your ugly sweaters to make the photos even better. The photo experience will be running from November 24th through December 21st.
[Photo Experience With Santa at Vancouver Mall]
5. Wreath Making at Barnard Griffin
Wreaths are a must-have decor in any home and are a welcome invitation to the holiday spirit. At the Barnard Griffin, Foraged Wreath is hosting a Wreath Making workshop for guests. Enjoy your time making a beautiful wreath while sipping on wine. This year, the instructor, Erin Riddle, will be teaching students how to make a specific grapevine wreath design. Guests will learn how to weave their grapevine wreaths using sealing materials such as berries, pine cones, herbs, and evergreen boughs.
In addition, the workshop will provide all of the supplies you’ll need, such as wires and ribbon, dried and fresh florals, a 14″ grapevine wreath base, and a glass of wine to enjoy. There’s even seasonal mulled wine available for guests to try.
[Wreath Making at Barnard Griffin]
6. It’s a Wonderful Life at Kiggins Theatre
The holidays wouldn’t be the same without seeing any wonderful seasonal plays or films. Kiggins Theatre is hosting their annual Frank Capra’s classic holiday film called “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The story is about George Bailey, a man who has unfortunately given up on his dreams. However, he does so with the righteousness to help others in his beloved hometown of Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve, he attempts suicide. However, his guardian angel, Clarence, saves him and demonstrates the value of his life and how the world would be different without his presence. This film is a truly heartwarming film that people of all ages can enjoy.
[It’s a Wonderful Life at Kiggins Theatre]
7. Caregiver Christmas 2021
8. Christmas on the Farm Bazaar
Do you need help with gift shopping? Support local artisans and vendors at the Christmas on the Bazaar. Many local brands are selling their unique food items, decor, and other products. At the event, you’ll find a lavender gift shop, lavender cocoa, and other sweet treats, and much more. You’ll even find artsy decor craft items like throw pillows, kitchen towels, stuffed animals, and blankets. Some vendors will be offering rare rocks, crystals, and minerals, which could make an excellent gift or addition to your home. Other vendors are offering ornaments, wreaths, and even chocolate goodies. The vendors are continuing to pile up, so there’s no telling what you could find.
![A Caregiver Christmas for Family and Professional Caregivers](http://<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giving_a_Christmas_gift.jpg">Juliescribbles</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons”><a href=”https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giving_a_Christmas_gift.jpg”>Juliescribbles</a>, <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0″>CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Seniors are an important part of a community, and often, they can feel left out at certain holiday events. However, if you have seniors in your household, we urge you to invite them to the Caregiver Christmas party at the Clark County Fairgrounds. This is an event to acknowledge their importance and celebrate the holidays with them. </p>
<p>Come spend time with the local seniors and help give out gift bags to seniors. Last year, the organization gave out 400 gift bags, and this year are expected to hand out 1,500! The event takes place on Tuesday, December 7th, from 1 pm to 9 pm. </p>
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