My kids are convinced that the number of Christmas lights on a house is directly proportional to how much that family loves Christmas. By that math, a few houses in Kitsap love Christmas more than is strictly legal. Here is where to soak up the season across the peninsula, from town festivals and lighted ship parades to the best light display neighborhoods.
What is in this guide
- What is in this guide
- The best holiday events
- Lighted ship and boat parades
- Best light-display neighborhoods
- Worth the drive: Zoolights
- FAQ
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Country Christmas | Early to mid December | Port Gamble |
| Kingston Cove Christmas | Early December | Kingston |
| Tree Lighting and Lighted Ships | Late Nov to December | Poulsbo |
| Holiday on the Bay | Early December | Port Orchard |
| Lighted Boat Parade | Mid December | Bremerton and Silverdale |
| Residential Light Tour | All December | Countywide |
The best holiday events in Kitsap County
Country Christmas at Port Gamble
When: Two days in early to mid December | Where: Historic Port Gamble
The historic town glows with over one hundred thousand lights, horse drawn hayrides, and a Santa workshop for the kids. It is the most magical night on the Kitsap calendar.
Highlight: Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display.
Kingston Cove Christmas
When: Early December | Where: Kingston waterfront and marina
A full day of festivities with light sculptures across the park and on boats, live music, sing alongs, kids activities, and Santa’s arrival.
Highlight: hundreds of light sculptures and a marina full of lighted boats.
Poulsbo Tree Lighting
When: Late November through December | Where: Poulsbo waterfront on Liberty Bay
Little Norway lights its tree right after Thanksgiving, kicking off a month of holiday shopping and treats along Front Street.
Highlight: the downtown tree and cozy Front Street shops in full holiday mode.
Port Orchard Holiday on the Bay
When: Early December | Where: Port Orchard waterfront
Music, food, a lighted boat parade, a bonfire, a kids zone, and a big tree countdown bring the South Kitsap waterfront to life for the holidays.
Highlight: the community tree countdown and fireworks finale on the bay.
Lighted ship and boat parades
A Puget Sound holiday tradition: watch decorated boats glide past the shoreline after dark. In Poulsbo, the Poulsbo Yacht Club sends a parade of lighted ships across Liberty Bay in mid December, gorgeous reflected on the water from the boardwalk. On the Bremerton and Silverdale side, the Bremerton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade runs across two nights, tracing Phinney Bay, the Port Washington Narrows, Sinclair Inlet, and all of Dyes Inlet, so much of Central Kitsap gets a front row seat. Bundle up, bring cocoa, and find a waterfront spot early.
Best light-display neighborhoods
Some of the best light watching is free and self guided. Load up the car, grab hot chocolate, and cruise these local favorites:
- Candy Cane Lane, Bremerton. View Crest Drive NE is the classic, with choreographed lights synced to music.
- Sirocco Circle NW and Ashley Circle NW, Silverdale. Whole cul de sacs that go all out.
- Windmill Loop, Poulsbo. A well loved North End display street.
- Royalwood Place, Port Orchard. A South Kitsap street that decorates together.
Kitsap Kids keeps a running, updated map of home displays each year at their Kitsap light displays page.
Worth the drive: Point Defiance Zoolights
If you are up for a short trip across the Narrows Bridge, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma transforms into Zoolights each winter, with hundreds of thousands of lights shaped into animals and scenes. It is a longtime regional favorite and an easy add on to a Tacoma day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Christmas lights and events start in Kitsap?
Tree lightings begin right after Thanksgiving and run through December, with the biggest displays like Port Gamble and Kingston Cove in the first two weeks of December.
What holiday events are free in Kitsap County?
Most tree lightings, the residential light tours, and the lighted ship parades are free. A few festival style events ask for a small admission or donation.
Where are the best Christmas light neighborhoods in Kitsap?
Candy Cane Lane on View Crest Drive NE in Bremerton, Sirocco and Ashley Circles in Silverdale, Windmill Loop in Poulsbo, and Royalwood Place in Port Orchard are local favorites.
What is the best holiday event for young kids?
Kingston Cove Christmas and Country Christmas at Port Gamble both have Santa, kids activities, and plenty of lights to keep little ones wide eyed.
Book your holiday card photos before the rush
Here is the one holiday task that sneaks up on everyone: the family photo for the cards. To have cards in mailboxes by mid December, the session needs to happen in late October or early November. As your Kitsap family photographer I book those fall and early winter slots first, so the earlier we plan, the better your options. reach out to lock in a date, and our post on family moments at Scenic Beach is a nice bit of inspiration.
Fully guided sessions, a professional editing team behind every image, and a private reveal where you choose finished artwork for your walls. That is the difference between hiring a photographer and booking an experience.
Let’s bring your vision to life! Fill out the form below to ask any questions, share your story, or start planning your session. I’m here, ready when you are.
