Thanksgiving Weekend is upon us on the Kitsap Peninsula

There are so many wonderful events happening on the Kitsap Peninsula during the Holiday Season. It’s the perfect time to enjoy some quality, one-on-one time with family and friends and spend those use-it-or-lose-it vacation days before the year-end. Click here to find lodging options around the region. 

The Kitsap Peninsula is glowing with brightly colored lights, festive window displays, and lots of holiday cheer. A whole array of ways to celebrate the holidays! Concerts, magical tree lightings, magnificent lighted boat parades, and lots of festive celebrations at local breweries and wineries from Kingston to Port Orchard.

Traditional Turkey Trots

Thanksgiving morning, wake up ready to take a fun run or walk on the Natural Side of Puget Sound. Many outdoor enthusiasts know the best way to start the day is a 5K. The Kitsap Peninsula has several traditional Turkey Trots Thanksgiving morning.

Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot – Battle Point Park, 10149 Citation Ct, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110   map it

Gig Harbor Turkey Trot – Gig Harbor Post Office, 3118 Judson St., Gig Harbor, WA 98335   map it

Silverdale Rotary Club Turkey Trot – This annual 5K fun run and kid dashes begins at the Kitsap Mall, Silverdale  map it

This weekend is a chance to gather friends, family or 4-legged companions and head to parks and trails on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. Check out our Kitsap Peninsula Trails map page for web links as well as pdfs that you can view on your phone or print and carry along with you as you enjoy “The Natural Side of Puget Sound.” Also useful is our Kitsap Peninsula Hikers Blog which includes favorite Kitsap Peninsula region hikes from Craig Romano’s resource guide: Urban Trails: Kitsap.

Small Business Saturday Holiday Shopping on the Kitsap Peninsula

The Kitsap Peninsula boasts some of the most amazing small businesses around with tons of unique gift ideas and crafts as well as the most amazing bakeries. It’s not the holiday season without some fresh-made goodies lying around calling your name!

Poulsbo or “Little Norway” has a wonderful holiday dressed pedestrian-friendly street full of tons of small businesses to do that holiday shopping. Plus diners and breweries to eat and drink at. Don’t forget to stop into Boehm’s Chocolates for stocking stuffers!

Bremerton is just a ferry ride away so you can park and walk around the expanding downtown area. It features many small stores including art and puppet museum plus a few amazing bakeries including McGavin’s and Saboteur in Manette that was just featured in the Seattle Stranger.

Port Orchard downtown district has many fun shops to explore and lots of places to eat and relax during your shopping experience on the beautiful waterfront.

Kitsap Peninsula U-Pick Tree Farms

The most wonderful way to pass on a tradition from one generation to the next is exploring and choosing the perfect tree for the family. You’ll find a number of locations right here on the Kitsap Peninsula where the smell of fresh-cut trees can not be bottled. Many locations offer refreshments, warm fires, and other activities. For a list of the dozen or so tree farms on the Natural Side of the Puget Sound click here

More Things to do Thanksgiving Weekend

November 29 – Afternoon on the Trails  – located on Bainbridge Island – just a short ferry ride away, this activity is open to the public from Noon until 4:00pm to explore Islandwood’s forest. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon, walking the trails with family and friends.  4450 Blakely Ave NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110   map it

November 24 thru December 24 – Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides & Father Christmas – located in Poulsbo’s “Little Norway” Every Saturday, enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits by Father Christmas and stroll the charming shops and eateries in historic downtown Poulsbo. Details at: historicdowntownpoulsbo.com/

November 30 thru December 1 – Jingle Fest – Kitsap County Fairgrounds – A spectacular two-day show featuring exhibitors, artisans, and crafters offering a wide array of holiday gifts. This event also supports Meals on Wheels.  More info

Holiday Tree Lightings Thanksgiving Weekend 

Silverdale Tree Lighting – November 30 Ι 2 – 5 pm
Free Hayrides, Scavenger hunt, cocoa, cider, Santa’s workshop, kids crafts, carolers and music. Santa arrives at 4:45pm. More info.

Bremerton Tree Lighting – December 1 | 6 – 7:30 pm
Live Reindeer, Food Trucks, Pics with Santa, Boutique shopping, Indoor “Sledding”, Caroling, and Tree Lighting. More info

Kingston Tree Lighting – December 7 Ι 10 – 8pm
Presented by the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce and the Port of Kingston, activities begin at 10:00a.m. and last until 8:00p.m.  There will be food, music, Santa, a holiday craft fair, AMAZING lights, tree lighting. More info

For more holiday festivities through November and December visit our holiday events page.

Places To Stay on the Kitsap Peninsula