Hello my Kirkland Peeps..... and dare I say it.....HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I am just tickled pink (or should I said red and green??) that Janis and I are joining forces to bring you the best of the best when it comes to celebrating the season in beautiful waterfront Kirkland. I have lived here since 2007 and fall in love with this sweet little city more and more every day. Now that I'm here I'm pretty sure I'll never leave.
Before I launch into all the hot holiday happenings, let's talk goodies. I just got off the horn with the very kind and generous Bob Gassen from Humanature Photography and he wants to offer you, our loyal Kirklanders, A GIFT! The first person to comment on this post will get a complimentary Santa session that includes some one on one time with THE MAN himself and a 5x7 print! Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so we can arrange for you to get your prize.
Now, on with the show! First up in this fantabulous holiday series is your guide to EVENTS for the season! We have everything from snapshots with santa to merry music to Christmas cruises. Are you ready?! Hold on to your reindeer because away we GO!
P.S. If we've left anything out of mention, feel free to leave it in the comments below!
XX,
Lacie
Meet Lacie Powell of POSH by Lacie Powell—your expert on all things style. Lifestyle that is! Lacie’s passion is providing one-of-a-kind inspiration tailored to life’s most intimate and creative moments. POSH offers fashion, event and home styling services to the discerning clientele whose crazed "rock star" lifestyle is matched only by the desire for quality and resistance to sacrificing beauty and class just because life gets busy! Simply put, she makes things beautiful. Join her as she explores everything from fashion to foyers to fanciful fêtes. www.poshbylaciepowell.com

Sleep Country Toy Drive
Thru 12.11
12558 Totem Lake Blvd.
Put on your Santa hat and lend a helping hand to make sure Washington and Oregon’s 20,000 foster children enjoy a bright holiday season with a gift from Santa under the tree.www.sleepcountry.com

Howard/Mandville Gallery Holiday Showcase
11.11-12.31
120 Park Ln., Ste. D
Howard/Mandville Gallery kicks off the season with a showcase of new works by gallery artists. This show will feature two guest artists, Sueellen Ross and Teresa Saia, at an opening reception on Friday, November 11th from 6-9pm. This show is part of 2nd Fridays in Kirkland and the Kirkland Art Walk. www.howardmandville.com/Pages/shows.html

Kirkland Interfaith Network Alternative Gift Fair
11.12
10 am-4 pm
Holy Family Catholic Church, 7045 120th Ave. NE
The KIN Alternative Gift Fair is a holiday fair where each gift you buy provides a better life for someone who needs it, here or abroad. It's a fair where you can do some holiday shopping and feel good about doing it! kirklandinterfaith.net

Holiday Craft & Gift Spectacular
11.19
10 am-4 pm
Madison House Retirement Community, 12215 NE 128th St.
Madison House Retirement and Assisted Living Community presents our 1st annual Holiday Craft & Gift Spectacularto. Walker and wheelchair accessible. Arts, Crafts, Baked Goods, Jewelry, Décor, Make-up, Purses, Clothing, and more. www.mhretirement.com/default.aspx

Joy Fischer Santa Photos
11.20, 11.26, 12.4
15 Central Wy.
Don't wait in line at the mall, come to Joy Fischer Photography for your photos! The $59 package includes 1-8x10, 2-5x7,16 wallets, and a digital image for holiday cards. Call for your reservation, 425-822-1731. www.joyfischerphotography.com

11.20
10 am
Marina Park
Turkey Trot proceeds help Hopelink provide emergency services for low-income families in our community during a time when they face added seasonal pressures - such as higher home heating costs and additional food needs. www.hope-link.org/events/turkey_trot/

Dooley’s Pet Photos with Santa
11.25-11.26, 12.3-12.4
10am – 5pm
1421 Market St.
Bring your pets, family & yourself for a photo with Santa. Your $20 sitting fee includes the 5x7 of your choice. Traditional Father Christmas will be available on 11/25-26 and Hawaiian Santa on 12/3-4. All proceeds go to Pasado Safe Haven. Sign up sheets are available in the store or you can book your time by calling (425) 889-2200. www.kirklandviews.com

Holiday Craft Show
11.26, 11.27
12-6 pm, 12-4 pm
Peter Kirk Community Center, 325 Kirkland Ave.
Featuring the work of local artists and master craftsmen. The Holiday Craft Show promises a shopping treasure trove of one-of-a-kind gifts, fine jewelry, gourmet treats, holiday décor and more. www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/parks/SpecialEvents/2011_Holiday_Craft_Show.htm

Kiwanis Holiday Tree Sale
Beginning 11.25
Across from Juanita Beach Park-NEW LOCATION!!!
Join Kiwanis for our largest annual event in our effort to raise money for needy children in our community. Remember,100% of the proceeds will go to organizations like Adopt-A-Highway, Camp Casey, Eastside Baby Corner, Kirkland Teen Union, KITH (Homeless Housing), March of Dimes, Support Our Troops, Student Scholarships and Special Olympics. Come and select from our always fresh and beautiful Christmas Trees and fresh fragrant Wreaths! http://kirkland.kiwanis.org/Default.aspx

Holiday Tree Lighting
11.26
4-8 pm (tree lighting at 6 pm)
Marina Park
Includes Gingerbread contest at Merrill Gardens, bonfires, choirs, music, non-profit booths, kids activities and more. www.kirklanddowntown.org/calendar.html

Argosy Christmas Ship™ Festival
11.26-11.27, 12.1-12.23
Kirkland City Dock
The Argosy Christmas Ship™ festival is a holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition for 62 years. Its main purpose is to bring communities together to celebrate the holiday season. From our flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the holiday season. Preview cruises available 11.26 and 11.27. Check the schedule for various shoreline celebrations where you can watch the ships go by. Opening night is 12.1 at Marina Park featuring Con Brio Women’s Choir. www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/xmasSchedule.cfm

Karolyn Grimes Reading
11.27
The Woodmark, 1200 Carillon Point
Karolyn Grimes is probably best known for her famous line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Once upon a time in a magical place called Bedford Falls, ZuZu Baily and her petals won the hearts of millions in the classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life. Kick off the holiday season at the Woodmark where Karolyn will be doing two readings of every child’s favorite holiday tale, The Night Before Christmas, followed by Q and A, and autograph signing. Enjoy complimentary holiday beverages, appetizers, festive treats, and a cash bar. It’s the perfect family event that both children and adults will remember for years to come. Purchase tickets at http://itsawonderfulwoodmarkzuzu.eventbrite.com/

Great Santa Portraits at Humanature Photography
11.30, 12.3, 12.7, 12.8, 12.10, 12.14, 12.20
730 Market St.
Capturing the spirit of Christmas without the hassle and stress of the Mall. Come share our family tradition of an annual portrait with Santa Claus this holiday season. Portrait packages start at $49. Call for your reservation, 425-822-3868. http://www.humanaturephoto.com/santa.html

MEOW Holiday Open House Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale
12.3 and 12.4
Hougton Village, 10600 NE 68th
A wide variety of handcrafted items, delicious baked goods for sale, MEOW merchandise, a raffle, refreshments, visit with Santa (kids and pets), and a pet food drive to benefit Hopelink-Kirkland (dry and canned food). All proceeds go toward MEOW, a Kirkland no-kill shelter. www.meowcatrescue.org

Bronn Journey's 30th Annual Christmas Concert
12.4
2 pm and 7 pm
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave.
Bronn & Katherine Journey return to KPC with their annual Christmas concert for the whole family. Tickets are $24. www.kpcenter.org/performances/bronn-journeys-30th-annual-christmas-concert

Kirkland Artwalk
12.9
6-9 pm
Various Galleries
The Kirkland Artwalk is a free, self-guided, public art phenomenon known as KAW which brings together art lovers and community friends to the ever evolving downtown Kirkland waterfront neighborhood. With exciting and unique offerings around every corner, downtown celebrates each and every month on the 2nd Friday. www.kirklandartwalk.org

Celebrations Holiday Home Tour
12.9
10 am-7 pm
Various Kirkland Homes and Sur La Table
A tour of six Fabulously Unique Homes in Kirkland and a not-to-be-missed holiday raffle. Sips and Bites After Party at Sur La Table 6-9 pm. Raffle Drawing at 8 pm. $30 per person. For tickets: call 425-556-5106. www.eastside.assistanceleague.org/ps.fundraising.cfm?ID=659

Geoffrey Castle's Celtic Christmas
12.9
8 pm
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave.
World renowned electric violinist Geoffrey Castle brings his hugely popular Celtic Christmas spectacular back to the Kirkland Performance Center for the fourth year in a row. Adult: $25 | Senior: $20 | Youth: $15 www.kpcenter.org/performances/geoffrey-castles-celtic-christmas

Santa Tea
12.10
11 am-1 pm
The Woodmark, 1200 Carillon Point
Join us for the Woodmark’s 3rd annual holiday tea, one of Kirkland’s favorite traditions. Savor tasty treats and scrumptious holiday sweets, while sipping an assortment of teas and hot cocoa, while enjoying live holiday music provided by Cheryl Serio and Hans Brimmer (courtesy of the Kirkland Performance Center). Little ones will love our holiday cookie decorating station, and of course, visiting with Santa.Adults $45, Children $20.http://santatea.eventbrite.com/

The Many Worlds of Christmas
12.11
3-5 pm
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave.
Circle the globe with Master Chorus Eastside as they sample the myriad sounds and customs of Christmas around the world. Familiar carols from Europe and the United States round out the program. Adults $20, Seniors and Youth $15. www.masterchoruseastside.org

KPC’s Old-Time Holiday Show
12.16-12.18
2 pm and 7pm
Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave.
KPC's annual sell-out variety show is a true holiday classic, featuring comedians, live music, choirs, specialty acts and surprise guest artists. A perfect dose of entertainment for visiting friends and family of all ages. Youth: $15 | Choice: $24 | Prime: $27 www.kpcenter.org/performances/kpcs-old-time-holiday-show-0

Holiday Art Studio
12.19-12.21
10 am-2 pm
Kirkland Art Center, Ceramics Studio, 620 Market St.
Taught by Aaron Murray. Ages 6-10. Member: $135 and Nonmember: $155. www.kirklandartscenter.org/education/YouthTeenArtClassesKirklandArtsCenter.php

Unofficial Polar Plunge
1.1
1 pm
Marina Park
Brrr! Join in the freezing fun and jump in Lake Washington!
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