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Gallery: Holiday cheer in Whatcom and Skagit counties

December 2, 2024 10:00 pm

The Fairhaven Christmas tree aglow on Dec. 1. Fairhaven's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony occurred the previous night and marked the beginning of Winterfest, a month-long holiday event. — The Fairhaven Christmas tree aglow on Dec. 1. Fairhaven's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony occurred the previous night and marked the beginning of Winterfest, a month-long holiday event. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Lynn and Doug Starcher dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a photo opportunity Dec. 1 at Boundary Bay. — Lynn and Doug Starcher dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a photo opportunity Dec. 1 at Boundary Bay. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Visitors to Skagit Regional Health Foundation's Family Festival Days admire elaborately-decorated Christmas trees. The annual event is part of the 2024 Festival of Trees, this year benefiting Skagit Regional Health’s Family Birth Center at Skagit Valley Hospital. — Visitors to Skagit Regional Health Foundation's Family Festival Days admire elaborately-decorated Christmas trees. The annual event is part of the 2024 Festival of Trees, this year benefiting Skagit Regional Health’s Family Birth Center at Skagit Valley Hospital. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Avery Neeld holds up her son, Alder, dressed as a reindeer Dec. 1 at the Festival of Trees Family Festival Day. — Avery Neeld holds up her son, Alder, dressed as a reindeer Dec. 1 at the Festival of Trees Family Festival Day. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Gingerbread houses at Skagit Valley's Family Fun Day. — Gingerbread houses at Skagit Valley's Family Fun Day. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Sharon Hayes serves punch on Dec. 1 at Skagit Regional Health Foundation's Family Festival Days. — Sharon Hayes serves punch on Dec. 1 at Skagit Regional Health Foundation's Family Festival Days. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Kate Boucher, right, sells quilts for her business, Five Minutes Peace Shop, on Dec. 1 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal as part of the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. — Kate Boucher, right, sells quilts for her business, Five Minutes Peace Shop, on Dec. 1 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal as part of the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Ornaments filled with dried flowers from Headwaters Farm at the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. — Ornaments filled with dried flowers from Headwaters Farm at the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

A Lego-themed tree at the Festival of Trees Family Festival day. — A Lego-themed tree at the Festival of Trees Family Festival day. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Rachel York browses ornaments at the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. — Rachel York browses ornaments at the Shop Small Holiday Makers Market. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Youth perform piano solos during the Festival of Trees Family Festival Day. — Youth perform piano solos during the Festival of Trees Family Festival Day. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Elena Chavez shows off her tree on Dec. 1 at the Festival of Trees Family Festival Days. — Elena Chavez shows off her tree on Dec. 1 at the Festival of Trees Family Festival Days. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

A dog peers out from Galloway's Cocktail Bar on Dec. 1 in Fairhaven. — A dog peers out from Galloway's Cocktail Bar on Dec. 1 in Fairhaven. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

Fairhaven glows with Christmas lights. — Fairhaven glows with Christmas lights. (Cocoa Laney/Cascadia Daily News)

The weekend after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Christmas season for communities in the North Sound. Festivities continued in Whatcom and Skagit counties on Sunday, Dec. 1, with events ranging from Christmas tree festivals to lights, Santa Claus photo opportunities and makers markets.