A Port Washington Christmas is one right out of a Christmas movie. The historic brick storefronts glow under strings of holiday lights, harbor waters reflect festive displays, and downtown fills with the sounds of live music, laughter, and community cheer.
Whether you’re hunting for a unique, locally-crafted gift, planning an evening out with friends, or making holiday memories with the whole family, here is your guide to navigating Holidays at the Harbor this season.
1. Shop Local: Small Business Saturday Shop Hop
Kick off your holiday shopping along the harbor! Get full event details here.
Skip the big-box crowds and find one-of-a-kind treasures right downtown. The Small Business Saturday Shop Hop celebrates the heart of our community: our independent shop owners.
Start early to snag this year's custom tote bag full of the day's deals and goodies! Stroll from boutique clothing shops and specialty home goods stores to local gift markets, and BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR RED ENVELOPES filled with gift cards hidden at participating shops. One lucky shopper might even find a $250 Downtown Gift Check!
Find tailored stocking stuffers, handmade gifts for that hard-to-shop for family member, and perfect holiday glam for the season's parties.
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Tip: Wear walking shoes and head to your favorite shop early to snag the limited custom tote bag—downtown Port Washington is wonderfully walkable, making it easy to hop from one boutique to the next.
- Pro Tip: Participating donwtown bars and restaurants have extra discounts when you show a retail receipt from a participating shop!
2. Festive Sips: Cocktail Express Bar Hop
All aboard! Hop into the holiday spirit with this costumed cocktail bar crawl
Gather your friends for an evening of holiday cheer with the **brand new** COSTUMED Cocktail Express Bar Hop! Downtown pubs, breweries, and cocktail lounges craft signature holiday libations for the Christmas Cocktail Express each year. Help us kick off this festive cocktail menu season with a Bar Hop dressed as your favorite Christmas character.
Hop between 14 downtown stops - with discounts on Cocktail Express cocktails for those in costume!
Join in the COSTUME CONTEST at 5 pm at Verbosity Bookhouse to win awesome prizes in three categories:
1. Christmas Movie Character
2. Naughty or Nice
3. The Clauses
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Tip: Plan ahead by securing a designated driver or utilizing local rideshares so you can celebrate safely and stress-free.
3. Straight Out of a Hallmark Movie: Christmas on the Corner
The premier family tradition in downtown Port Washington. Get all the event details here.
A cherished community staple, Christmas on the Corner transforms downtown into an old-fashioned winter wonderland. The streets come alive with family-friendly entertainment, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, Christmas carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live reindeer.
The festivities build toward the evening lighted parade and tree lighting ceremony, culminating in a fireworks finale over the harbor. It is the signature event of the season for kids and kids-at-heart alike.
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Tip: Arrive early to make sure you get a ride around downtown on the horse-drawn carriage. They cut off rides at 4:45 to close down the street for the parade.
- Pro Tip: Book a cozy dining Igloo at Beanie's Mexican in advance for after the fireworks to keep the Christmas magic going.
4. Evening Magic: Christmas Night Market
A night of shopping, sipping and holiday cheer right on the harbor. Get full details here.
For an atmospheric shopping and sipping experience, head to Edison Hall at Inventors Brewpub for the Christmas Night Market. Twinkling lights and live music make this evening gathering shine, as 30+ regional artisans, makers, and specialty vendors come together for a unique holiday experience.
Browse handcrafted jewelry, pottery, candles, gourmet holiday treats, and artisanal foods while enjoying the holiday lights dancing off the harbor water.
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Tip: Order a holiday cocktail and warm appetizer from Inventors Brewpub to fuel your evening of shopping!
5. Folklore & Spectacle: Krampusnacht Festival of Light
A one-of-a-kind blend of European folklore and lakeshore celebration. Get full event details here.
Looking for something truly distinctive? The Krampusnacht Festival of Light brings Central European winter folklore to life with an American lakeshore twist.
Expect striking, elaborate costumes, downtown procession, traditional folklore figures, and stunning fire dancers. This lakeside festival blends costume pageantry, candlight shopping, and live music, offering an unforgettable departure from typical holiday routines.
Stay for live music at Inventors Brewpub by Pretty When She's Angry after the outdoor festivities!
- Tip: Get to Franklin Street before the procession begins to see the Krampuses, Saint Nick, and the fire dancers make their way through town.
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Pro Tip: While visually spectacular with incredible handcrafted masks and horns, younger children might find some costumes dramatic—keep little ones close!
6. Family Memories: Weekly Santa Visits at the Visitor Center
Wish lists, smiles, and photo keepsakes
Throughout the holiday season, Santa sets up shop at the Port Washington Visitor Center (localy known as the Pebble House) for his weekly visits. Skip the long mall lines and enjoy an inviting, cozy community atmosphere where little ones can share their wish lists, hand-deliver letters to the North Pole, and pose for photos. No registration or reservation needed!
- Nov 28 - 12-2 pm
- Dec 4 - 5-7 pm
- Dec 12 - 12-3 pm
- Dec 19 - 10 am-1 pm
7. Handmade Holidays: DIY Gift Making All Season Long
This year's holiday theme is Handmade Holidays, and our local shops have events planned all season to get you crafting your own handmade gifts.
Watch the event calendar and Facebook events for updates throughout the season on everything from cardmaking to painting to ceramics and custom candles and scents.