The Chamber created printable schedules for Anacortes/Orcas Island and Orcas/San Juan Island and Orcas/Lopez Island inter-island times.

Winter schedule: Winter2023ferry (2 pages)

If you spot errors, please let us know.

Guests must check in by 9 pm and check out by 8 am. A hot breakfast, coffee, and tea are offered in the morning. If you want to become a shelter volunteer or know someone who could use a winter reprieve when the weather gets below 32 degrees, please email Ryan Carpenter at [email protected]. Read more.

With winter rapidly approaching, it is the perfect time to review the OISD Inclement Weather Protocols and how to stay informed regarding bus route changes, school delays, and snow days. Something new to us this year will be the implementation of distance learning days on inclement weather days rather than canceling school when it is deemed unsafe to hold school on campus. The OISD procedures can be located here, OISD Inclement Weather Procedures.

Come support our public school students in their first elementary school concert. Join us in the high school gym from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 1.

On Thursday, December 1 the Doe Bay Café will resume our well-loved weekly open mic night, after nearly 3 years. Come join us for this iconic Orcas event as locals and our guests, alike, gather to keep us smiling and entertained through the darkest of winter nights. The food theme will be Asian-inspired, and the bar will be open for libations. No reservations required. The café is open from 5p to 10p, and open mic starts at 7:30 pm. Bring your instruments and your appetite and join us in resurrecting this wonderful community event. 360-376-8059

LOCAL MAKERS EVENT @ ISLAND MARKET

Enjoy a variety of local products from amazing vendors from Orcas Island

and the San Juan Islands. Vendors Include:

Girl Meets Dirt | Local Goods | Orcas Island Winery |San Juan Sea Salt | + More

Friday, December 2 at 7 pm

Gangstagrass combines bluegrass, hip-hop and so much of what’s amazing about this country — ingenuity, creativity, freedom, unity across differences, people’s individual strength and struggles — and distills it into a message of common ground in the form of original songs that have everyone up & dancing!

Friday, December 2 & Saturday, December 3 at 2 pm AND 7:30 pm

We’re bringing the film back for another weekend with a special matinee!

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

Bake Sale, Soup Bistro, Gift ideas, Local Arts and Crafts, Raffle Baskets

A Christmas Room - So Many Wonderful things

Drawing of baskets will be at 3 pm, Lots of parking

WOOLY WINTER POP UP and HOLIDAY TREE SALES AT LUM FARM

(Pop Up: Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 am - 5 pm). The 3rd Annual Wooly Winter Pop Up features the handmade ornaments of Bossy's Feltworks, sheepskins, yarn and farm-inspired gifts by the talented Lum Farm crew. Tree sales continue, with an assortment of Nobles, Frasier and Douglas Firs from 2-10+ feet. Tree sale hours are Thursdays through Sundays, 11am - 5pm at 1071 Crow Valley Rd. Icing on the cake: the goat kid petting zoo! For more info, visit www.lumfarmllc.com or email [email protected].

Maria Nutt, Oak Boesky and Cathy Vierthaler invite you to join them December 3 & 4, 11 am - 3 pm at the Warm Valley Orchard Studio. All are invited to shop their lovely handmade items, including handwoven towels, hand knit hats and whimsical pottery.

Location: .85 miles north of the Orcas Ferry Landing.124 Warm Valley Lane

It's back! Imagine a dreamy, charming, European winter market and add our island magic...

2371 Crow Valley Rd - carpooling encouraged

A feast for your senses! Support and shop over 20 very special local makers, artists, designers, farms and vintage clothiers! SmileBooth for your holiday photo fun, food from Hogstone serving wood fired pizza, local pork ramen from Farm to Ferry, Warming Soups and Broths with fresh breads from Jenn Moonbrick. Fresh cheeses from local cheese monger, Cheeseland & MORE! Acoustic music by the soulful Keely Scott. Visit @solstice_mercantile & @orcasislandwinery on Instagram and thesolsticemercantile.com. Brought to you in collaboration with SMORGASBORD and SMILEBOOTH.

FOIL is pleased to announce the return of the Holiday Tea on December 3 from 1 - 4. There will be tea, coffee, punch as well as cookies, tea sandwiches and other goodies. There will also be activities for children as well as live music. The Holiday Tea is a “Thank You” to.the Community for supporting the Library with donations and purchasing books at the annual book sales.

The annual Tree Lighting is coming up on Saturday, December 3 from 3:30 – 5 pm. This year we will have Santa & Mrs. Claus greeting the kids with toys and peppermint sticks. For entertainment we will have the Turtleback Brass Ensemble. And the chamber will have hot cider and yummy baked goods from our members.

Hands-on activities for kids (details to follow) while Orcas history is shared by our amazing docents. Enjoy discounts in the revamped Eastsound Museum Gift Shop.

Johnny Moses (Whis-stem-men-knee: ‘walking medicine robe') is returning after a lengthy hiatus. Orcas audiences first met Johnny in a storytelling event at the Oddfellows over thirty years ago. His wit and wisdom have continued to endear him to local audiences of all ages over subsequent visits. The Public Library (500 Rose Street) will host him December 5 at 1 pm, in partnership with the Orcas Island Historical Museums. All are welcome. The event is free of charge.

Enjoy a festive holiday tasting of Wines by Girl Meets Dirt at Pronto by MONTi. Monday, December 5 from 5 - 7 pm. Your ticket includes a tasting flight of four sparkling wines + a sampling of preserves + a salumi plate by MONTi. Limited availability. RSVP HERE.

Join the incredible Orcas Island School District musicians for 3 festive performances in December. See the full 2022-23 school music concert calendar at www.OIMAG.org. Read more…

MS Band & Strings Concert — Dec 8 at 7 pm, HS Gym

HS Band & Strings Concert — Dec 15 at 7 pm, ORCAS CENTER

Elementary Concert — Dec 22 at 6:30 pm, HS Gym

Saturday December 10, 10 am to 4 pm.

Join Moran State Park for a family friendly holiday crafting and swag event at our Environmental Learning Center, AKA, Camp Moran! Park guests are encouraged to join park staff in Camp Moran’s lodge to create holiday decorations such as wreathes, tree cookie decorations, and more to take home or give away as gifts. This event is free and open to the public: Saturday, December 10, 10 am - 4 pm. Read more...

The village tradition of an Artisans Market once again fills the Oddfellows Hall on Dec. 10 (10 - 3 pm) and Dec.11 (11 - 4 pm) for a weekend of wonder and beauty. This year the show brings artists and artisans together from four islands to celebrate the Best of the Best Island fine crafts and fine art with pop-up bar and food features... learn more here.

The Seagull (NT Live)

Saturday, December 10 at 12 pm

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.

Members of the Orcas Community are invited to join us at Doe Bay Resort for a night of caroling, Christmas cheer and campfire revelry on Saturday December 10 from 5 - 8 pm. There will be a Christmas present wrapping both with proceeds going to the Orcas Food Bank. Caroling will be led by OK Sweetheart and friends and there will be hot drinks and goodies. If weather threatens this event will move inside to our Yoga Studio. Call 360-376-2291 Ext. 307 for questions.

Orcas Choral Society celebrates its return to singing in a traditional Holiday Concert at the Orcas Center this December 10 and 11 at 7 pm. Enjoy a lively selection of carols and holiday favorites under the direction of our new Artistic Director, Bruce Langford. Joining Orcas Choral Society onstage is the newly established Orcas Youth Chorus featuring Orcas students in grades 6 -12 under the joint direction of Andy Rivera and Monica Steele.

Please join us for the Children’s Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 2 pm. Local children will be selling their hand-crafted creations, with prices ranging from 25 cents to $10. They’ll each have their own station to sell their wares and will be making change themselves, so please bring cash and your holiday cheer to support our budding local entrepreneurs. **Please note that the Library will be closed on Sunday for this special event.

Sunday, December 11 at 12 pm at Orcas Ferry Landing public dock.

Sponsored by Victoria San Juan Charters, Orcas Village Store, Lions District MD19, and Orcas Island Lions Club. Parking available in the upper lot and post office, donations greatly appreciated.

ORCAS CENTER HOSTS MAGIC & MERRIMENT

Celebrate the wonder of the winter season with an evening of dance, presented by some of Orcas Island’s aspiring performing artists. “Magic & Merriment” will feature a variety of dance styles and choreography by Orcas Dance Collective’s talented dance instructors. It is sure to be an enchanting evening of entertainment. Curtain opens at 6 pm on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 10:30 am, the Orcas Island Garden Club presents Cindy Morgan who will share ideas for holiday decorating. Over the years Cindy has given many presentations to the Garden Club and we are delighted to welcome her again. Following the presentation her arrangements will be distributed to ten lucky garden club members to grace their homes. Read more...

Two holiday-themed quilts by the late Betty Hall have been generously donated to Orcas Senior Center for a silent auction. Betty’s expertly crafted and festive quilts will be available for bidding at Orcas Senior Center until Thursday, December 22 at 3 pm. Bids will start at $200.

Ray's Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. from 9:30 - 6 pm

Sat. from 9:30 - 6 pm (Pharmacy dept. closed)

Sun. from 10:30 - 4 pm (Pharmacy dept. closed)

This Holiday Sale is for all of our amazing Island Neighbors. Come enjoy 20% OFF of everything in our Eastsound store this Saturday and Sunday (12/3 & 12/4). We have an abundance of NEW Gift Sets in all sizes, plus our ever growing product line. Don’t wait to find island-made gifts for everyone on your list. We will be delighted to see you. Happy Holidays! 310 Main Street, open 10 am - 5 pm daily

Lum Farm (1071 Crow Valley Rd) will be selling Noble, Frasier and Douglas Fir trees from 2ft to 10+ ft. Tree sale hours are Thursdays through Sundays, 11 am - 5 pm. The farm stand will be open with cheese and ice cream from the dairy, meat and produce for your holiday table, and homemade gifts for under your new tree! Icing on the cake: goat kid petting zoo! www.lumfarmllc.com; 360-376-4454 or email [email protected].

Our shop hours have changed. Enjoy locally crafted ice-cream and sweets on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 - 5 pm.

December 1 - 15 @ GiveOrcas.org

We invite you to give $10 or more at GiveOrcas.org from December 1st–15th. Making meaningful donations to programs that you care about improves and strengthens the Orcas Island community. Be sure to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to make a gift to this year’s Campaign. Giving together, we all do better. Read more...

TRACKING CHANGE WITH FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS

Tuesday, December 6, 12 - 1 pm - a Free virtual event via Zoom

Join us for a virtual "lunch and learn" with Friends’ Science Director, Tina Whitman. We'll explore the science and alarming policy results from a 10-year research project on shoreline modification trends in San Juan County. Read more...

Russel Barsh will present Kwiaht's 2022 annual monitoring and research report on Fishing Bay and Indian Island by Zoom on Thursday December 8 at 4:30 pm, including time for questions and discussion. If you cannot join the live presentation by Zoom, a pdf version of the slideshow will be available. Best wishes for the holidays and new year! Details here.

Madrona Point Insurance would like to invite you to come celebrate the retirement of Judi Madan. Judi served this community for several years, including volunteering at the OIFD, and many school functions raising her daughters and supporting the grands. We've had the pleasure of working with her at Madrona Point Insurance after her many years with San Juan Insurance and know that she will be missed by many of you too. Our office at 294 A St will host an open house on Tuesday, December 13 (10 am - 5 pm) with goodies, seasonal bites from one of our faves, Olga Rising and stories to tell. Please feel free to bring a card or note prior if you can't make it and we'll see to it she gets them.

The Orcas Island Senior Center is hosting a wide-variety of classes and health resources: virtual ballet, hearing health, art classes, & more! See this link for more information or check out orcasseniors.org.

Island Health is offering classes to help you live your best life. Coming soon - conversations on COPD and healthy eating during the holidays. See this link for information about dates and registration.

Job positions are listed here and will be posted for at least 1 week.

Position: Various openings, Full-Time, Year Round & Seasonal

Description: We’re currently hiring 3 full-time, year round positions with benefits! One Maintenance Technician, and two Food Service Supervisors. 

We always have many seasonal positions available ranging from Kitchen Staff, Spring Outdoor Education Instructors, to Summer Cabin Counselors. (Job Listings at YMCA)

Contact: For questions, please email KATIE O’ROURKE (she/her) Conferences and Retreats Director at [email protected]

The "FOOD AND DRINKS GUIDE" includes restaurants, coffee shops, stores, wineries, breweries, etc. Click HERE to see the latest list.

Matthew's Smokehouse - short break starting December 11

Inn at Ship Bay - winter break starts December 11

Wild Island Restaurant - winter break December 18 through January 3

The Kitchen - closed for the season

Buck Bay Bistro - closed for the season

New Leaf Cafe - closed for the season

Voyager Sandwiches & Seafood - closed for the season