Here’s the My MI 2017 guide to festive holiday events and activities happening around Mercer Island:
Lions’ Christmas Tree Sale
November 25 – December 22 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays only) Thursdays & Fridays, 2 – 8 pm
Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am – 8 pm
Farmers Insurance lower parking lot, 3003 77th Ave SE
Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Foundation and the Mercer Island Lions Club are managing the local Mercer Island Christmas Tree Lot this holiday season. Customers may select a Noble, Nordmann, or Douglas Fir Christmas tree in a range of sizes from the easy to access Farmers Insurance lower parking lot. Mixed green wreaths and cedar garlands are also available for sale. All proceeds support Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and Mercer Island Lions Club charitable giving.
MIVAL Holiday Show
Open daily through December 15
Mercer Island Community & Event Center Gallery, 8236 SE 24th Street
The Mercer Island Visual Arts League’s annual holiday art show is now open and runs through Friday, December 16. The show is presented by the Mercer Island Arts Council in conjunction with the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department as well as MIVAL. This year, over 40 artists will be displaying their work, which includes jewelry, home decor, sculpture, photography, painting, and more. The show’s juror is Tom Hoffman, a local watercolorist who has been painting for over 40 years. One of Tom’s works “Eastbound, Route 26” will be in the show as well.
Learn more >>
Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series
Three Fridays – December 1, 8, & 15
Soup served at 11:30 am; Performance begins at Noon
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
The 4th season of Emmanuel’s Soup & Sound Advent Concert Series features music on the newly refurbished von Beckerath organ. The concert series moves from music for organ solo to organ duo (4 hands and feet!), and ends with a trio of organ, cello, and flute. The series features organists Susan Bloomfield, Sam Libra, Wyatt Smith, and Susanna Valleau; cellist Carson Farley; and flutist Ian McKnight. Free admission.
Learn more >>
St. Monica’s Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, December 1, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
St. Monica Catholic Church, 4301 88th Ave SE
Join in for Christmas caroling, hot cocoa, and the lighting of the Christmas trees at the St. Monica main school entrance. Walk down Snowflake Lane to the school gymnasium for dinner, Christmas cookie decorating, crafts, and pictures with Santa.
Tree Lighting at Mercerdale Park & Firehouse Munch
Friday, December 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street
Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors for an evening of holiday merriment at the community tree lighting ceremony and caroling at Mercerdale Park. Arts and crafts, Santa photos, treats, and musical entertainment will follow at the North Fire Station. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots drive to help a child in need have a better holiday season. The tree lighting and caroling at Mercerdale Park will take place from 6:30 to 7pm, and the Firehouse Munch and festive activities will take place at the North Fire Station from 7 to 8:30 pm.
Angels for Animals Holiday Gift Fair
Saturday, December 2, 10 am – 4 pm
Studio 904, 3041 78th Ave SE
Studio 904 Salon will soon be transformed into an Angels for Animals Holiday Gift Fair featuring handmade treasures from local artists and makers. The entire community is invited to enjoy the festivities and do some holiday shopping to support animals in need. All proceeds go directly to Pasado’s Safe Haven, Old Dog Haven, Precious Life Animal Sanctuary, and Ginger’s Pet Rescue.
Children’s Christmas Workshop
Saturday, December 2, 1 – 4 pm
Evergreen Covenant Church, 3200 78th Ave SE
This is a fun event for kids ages 3 to 13. Please plan for 20 minutes per craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parents can relax in the “Christmas Cafe.”
Island Choral Experience Annual Holiday Performances
Mercer Island High School, 9100 SE 42nd St
Island Girls & Prep Choir presents “Letters to Santa”
Saturday, December 2, 7 pm | Sunday, December 3, 2 pm and 7 pm
Island Sound presents “Christmas in the USA!”
Saturday, December 9, 7 pm | Sunday, December 10, 7 pm
Mercer Island girls’ choirs, Prep (2nd through 4th graders), Island Girls (4th through 6th graders), and Island Sound (7th through 12th graders) will delight audiences with these festive performances.
Festive Music of the Season Concert
Saturday, December 2, 7 pm
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave SE
Don’t miss this free, festive musical celebration for the whole family! With classical music, carols, jazz, and more, this concert will feature a variety of instruments, like pianos, organs, bells, voices, wind instruments, and strings, in gorgeous and creative combinations. Join MIPC for dessert in the courtyard after the concert too. Donations accepted to support future concerts.
Holiday Trunk Show – A Room Circus Festive FUNdraiser
Sunday, December 3, 11 am – 3 pm
3422 97th Avenue, SE. Mercer Island
Sip mimosas, connect with friends, and enjoy some holiday cheer at this holiday trunk show benefiting Room Circus Medical Clowning, a non-profit committed to alleviating the isolation and stress of hospitalized children and their families through the healing art of laughter and play. Trunk show artists and artisans include Lucente Studio (limited edition contemporary jewelry), COCO BEZA (artisanal soaps and skin care products), Geri Alhadeff (handmade holiday cards), and Mandy Chivers (handmade wine glass charms). 20% or more of all proceeds will be donated to Room Circus.
RSVP >>
The Dickens Carolers
Sunday, December 3, 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
For almost 40 years, The Dickens Carolers has been a local holiday tradition. Your holiday favorites, both traditional and contemporary, are sung in beautiful four-part harmony. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.
Island Youth Ballet presents: “Excerpts from the Nutcracker”
Saturday, December 9, 2 pm | Sunday, December 10, 1 pm & 5 pm
Friday, December 15, 7 pm | Sunday, December 17, 1 pm & 5 pm
Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Mercer Way
Island Youth’s Ballet “Excerpts from the Nutcracker” has become a cherished Mercer Island tradition and must-see for all who wish to experience the holiday magic of one of ballet’s most cherished classics. Whether this is a family tradition or you are experiencing it for the first time, this holiday offering will delight your spirit and imagination. Beautiful costumes, theatrical lighting and sets, and spirited dancing transport you to magical places where mice and soldiers battle, snowflakes dance, and a beautiful sugar plum fairy reigns.
Parents’ Night Out Holiday Party with Santa
Saturday, December 9, 5 – 10 pm
Mercer Island Community & Events Center, 8236 SE 24th Street
A perfect time for parents to finish up holiday shopping or attend a holiday party while your kids have a great time with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department staff. We’ll have refreshments, crafts, a holiday movie, and more. Santa and his elves will make an appearance for photos! Reservations required. For kids ages 5 – 12. Cost is $25/child and $15/sibling.
Northwest Boychoir Festival of Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 10, 7 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave SE
The Northwest Boychoir’s Festival of Lessons & Carols has been a Northwest holiday tradition for nearly 40 years, and this year they will be performing on Mercer Island at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. {Now sold out!}
Learn more >>
Hanukkah Pajama Jam
Saturday, December 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way
FREE with donation of pajamas
Join us for our coziest community Hanukkah celebration yet! Put on your pjs and enjoy great music from folk duo Josh & Chava; a Hanukkah story from PJ Library; food trucks (Napkin Friends and Delfino’s Pizza); Krispy Kreme doughnuts; make-your-own nightlight and other festive arts and crafts; olive oil press with Chabad; a menorah lighting and Havdalah; and more!
We’re collecting donations of new and gently used pajamas (size 2T – 12) for Amara, an organization that works to ensure every child in foster care has the love and support of a committed family as quickly as possible and for as long as the child needs. Please help us out!
Learn more >>
Argosy Holiday Ship Festival
Friday, December 22, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Luther Burbank Park (south end swimming beach), 2040 84th Ave SE
It’s back! The Argosy Holiday Ship will be heading to Luther Burbank with their onboard choir that will sing carols from the boat to beach goers. Attendees will be cozy on the shore, feeling the warmth of a beach bonfire and warm drinks. Come one, come all, and join us for some holiday fun. We’ll gather at the south end swimming beach at Luther Burbank Park.
