Orcas Today: December 19th-21st
Kids Storytime at the Orcas Island Library
December 19th from 11:00am-11:30pm
Join Jenny for storytime in our kids section!
Art with Carla at the Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 1:00-3:00pm
Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative process with a strong belief in your artistic potential, regardless of skill level. The class is $10 (or $8 for OSC members). Contact Carla at 360.317.5652 or onlyonorcas@gmail.com to secure your spot. Uncover your artistic potential and join creative Fridays at Orcas Senior Center!
Needlework Circle at The Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 2:00-6:00pm
Join this weekly gathering for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all needleworkers at Orcas Senior Center, every Friday at 2pm. Come hang out—no project required! Whether you haven’t knitted in years, want to learn to crochet, or just want to relax and chat, you’ll find a wonderful selection of donated yarn, needles, books, and plenty of friendly advice. For more information, contact Edy Hansen at edy@orcasseniors.org or 206.413.6167
On Stage at The Grange: Home for the Holidays
December 19th & 20th at 7:00pm
The Crow Valley String Band with The Litch Brothers Duo invite you to join them and special guests for their annual Home for the Holidays concert at the Orcas Grange. Enjoy an evening of folk music and readings, to bring warmth to the dark evenings, with Christmas just around the corner. Tickets are available at Darvills (cash and check only), the Crozier Farm farm stand on Nordstrom Lane, and at the door on the night of the show. Adult Tickets are $20, Children are $10. Advance purchase of tickets is highly recommended!
On Screen at Seaview Theater: Zootopia 2
December 19th & 20th at 6:00pm
Rated PG.
Adult Ballet: Level 1 Barre & Stretch
Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am at the Orcas Center
Adults Ballet classes are a great way to learn basic ballet steps at the barre to help stretch and strengthen your body. Some ballet classes will learn short choreography in the middle of the floor and work on turns, leaps and jumps. Dancers of all levels are welcome to come give these classes a try. Ages 16+. Register here
Orcas High School Basketball vs. Summit Classical Christian
December 20th
1:00pm Boys Varsity
2:30pm Girls Varsity & Boys JV
Secret Santa Book Exchange
December 20th at 3:00pm at the Orcas Library
Join us for a festive twist on the classic book exchange! Bring a wrapped copy of a book you love—new or gently used. During the event, each participant will choose a wrapped mystery book, unwrap it, and read the first lines aloud without revealing the cover. Can the room guess the title from its opening words? After everyone has revealed their selections, we’ll open the floor for swaps and trades. Stay for warm conversation, holiday music, cookies, and hot drinks as we celebrate stories, surprises, and community together.
Orcas Island Yacht Club Boat Parade
December 20th at 4:00pm at the Westsound Community Hall
A great place to watch the parade is the public dock at the Ferry Landing, starting at 4:00pm, or the OIYC and West Sound County docks, approximately 5:30pm, as they finish. The West Sound Community Hall will also be open, festive, and warm during the parade. The boats will meet at Orcas Landing at 4pm. From there, they will head down Cayou Channel with Nootka Rose /Betsy Wareham in the lead (monitor VHF 67), then back past the Shaw Landing before proceeding down West Sound, finishing at OIYC. Please RSVP to Betsy if you plan to participate in the parade sailorcas@hotmail.com or 360.317.6362
Salmonberry Spiral Walk
December 20th at 6:00pm at the Emmanuel Parish Hall
Salmonberry Community School invites the community to the Emmanuel Parish Hall for our island’s longstanding tradition of walking to the sacred spiral of light. The floor of the Hall will have a path made of cedar boughs that spiral into a tree stump upon which a candle burns. Each child will be given an apple with a candle in it to light from the center candle and place along the spiral. All are invited to share in this activity of quiet wonder, which encourages our spirit to go forward with hope during the dark part of the year.
Community Band Concert
December 20th at 7:00pm at Orcas Center
The Orcas Island Community Band favors the number 35. Averaging thirty-five musicians-strong each season, the Orcas Island Community Band is concluding its 35th year as a non-profit, (though the Band can actually trace its roots to 1978!) The Band’s annual holiday concert is Saturday, December 20th at 7pm at Orcas Center. Admission by donation. The December concert is a special gift from the musicians to all island neighbors and friends as the musicians have prepared songs of the season and other standards.
35+ Basketball
Sundays from 4:00-6:00pm at the Orcas Island High School Gym
Join other adult basketball players in pick-up basketball games on the full court in the gym. New and experienced players are invited to join a team. The gym opens at 4pm each Sunday, and play continues through 6pm. Indoor shoes are required. Balls and a first aid kit are provided. Pay $5 for a one-time drop-in, or pay $30 for a 6 month all-access pass that allows you to drop-in to any adult sport, including soccer, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Buy your Drop-in Pass Here.
Winter Solstice Luminary Parade
December 21st at 5:00pm in Eastsound
Orcas Island’s Winter Solstice Luminary Parade is a beautiful and moving celebration marking the longest night of the year and the return of light. Participants carry handcrafted lanterns, often adorned with personal touches, illuminating the streets of Eastsound as they walk together. The parade culminates at the Village Green, where participants dance and sing songs in honor of the light’s slow return. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and street closures. Please email info@oicf.us if you are interested!
16+ Volleyball
Wednesday/Sunday from 7:30-9:30pm at the Old Gym
Join adult volleyball players in the gym to learn volleyball and put your skills to the test in rounds of short games. New and experienced players are invited to join and play along. Several players are needed to help set-up and remove the net each time. Indoor shoes are required. Pay $5 for a one-time drop-in, or pay $30 for a 6 month all-access pass that allows you to drop-in to any adult sport, including soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Purchase your Drop-in Pass Here.
