Get out your winter coats, throw back a mocha and bustle out the door for a wild weekend of holiday events.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Holiday Bazaar: At the American Legion, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Post Home located at 793 Crescent Beach Drive. The auxiliary will have its bake sale, which includes the local horseradish they grind. A soup bistro with a choice of split pea with ham or vegetable beef barley soup served with a roll will be available. Several beautiful raffle baskets will be on display and tickets will be available; the drawing for the winners of these six baskets will be on the bazaar day at 3 p.m. The Christmas room will be full of decorations and Christmas treasures. Thirteen local craft vendors will be on hand, offering a wide variety of special and unique items for purchase. The proceeds from this bazaar help the auxiliary to fund their veterans projects and scholarships.

Holiday tea: An island tradition for more than 60 years. Enjoy live music, good food and see Santa at 2 p.m.! The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Orcas Island Public Library.

Tree Lighting: The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off the season at the annual Holiday on the Green Tree Lighting Ceremony from 4-7 p.m. on the Eastsound Village Green. This beloved island tradition will feature festive performances by the Orcas Island Kids Chorus and Orcas Christian School Choir, the Orcas Community Band, Orcas Dance Collective and Pedro Lopez De Victoria, along with a few special guests to help spread holiday cheer. Families can enjoy hot cocoa, hot cider, treats for the kids, photos with Santa, a bonfire, plus a variety of food and market vendors. Adults can warm up at the beer and wine tent, and shops all around Eastsound will stay open late for holiday shopping! And this year, we will be unveiling an incredible new tree topper created by local artist Maria Bullock! Don’t miss this momentous occasion.

Speaking of shopping, islanders will be excited to hear the Chamber’s Holiday Shop the Rock Passport returns, running from now through Dec. 24. Visit participating local businesses, collect your stamps and each completed card gets a raffle entry to win fantastic prizes generously donated by Chamber member businesses. Each passport also features a center square where you can earn double entry with a donation to GiveOrcas at giveorcas.org. Winners will be announced in the Chamber’s “On Island” newsletter on Dec. 29.

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7

Flocking Swans: The barn at Turtlehead Farm opens its doors once again for Flocking Swans — a winter mercantile experience celebrating artisans of the San Juan Islands. A weekend dedicated to the preservation of the handmade. Flocking Swans is now in its fifth year and has become a cornerstone holiday tradition for islanders and visitors. Over 45 artisans from Orcas, Lopez, Lummi, and San Juan Islands lovingly converge for one winter weekend, transforming Turtlehead Farm into a living celebration of craft and community.

Inspired by delight and created by the hands of our region’s finest makers, this year’s market invites guests to explore a thoughtfully curated collection of ceramics, textiles, art, fine jewelry, botanicals, clothing, woodwork, furniture, gifts, and more.

Adjacent to the historic barn, a 2,400-square-foot culinary tent debuts. Warm and welcoming, it provides a space where patrons and families can gather and relax within the festive atmosphere of the event — a convivial setting where the islands’ most celebrated chefs and culinary artists come together under one roof. Guests can explore a vibrant mix of seasonal dishes and local flavors: Setsunai Noodles (Lopez Island), Tenth House (San Juan Island), Jima Sushi (San Juan Island), and Cheeseland (Orcas Island), in collaboration with Westside Kitchen (Orcas Island). The comforting winter fare continues with sweet and savory pastries from SweetCraft Bakeshop (Orcas Island), grazing boards from Goat & Co (Orcas Island), wines by the glass from Girl Meets Dirt (Orcas Island), samples from Orcas Island Distillery, and warm beverages from Our Place Coffee (Orcas Island).

Live music resonates within the barn’s wooden halls. From solo saxophonist Keegan Gibson, guitarist John Bellows from San Juan Island, to Reeb Willms and Caleb Klauder, whose timeless harmonies evoke warmth across the Pacific Northwest. Orcas Island’s Salmonberry School hosts a children’s craft table, inviting young artists to create and take home a handmade piece of the day. Guests will also enjoy expanded on-site parking this year for easier access and a smoother arrival experience.

Free admission for all, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 114 Sawmill Road, Orcas Island.

Winter Artisans Market: Share the season with local creatives at Odd Fellows Hall. Presented by the San Juan Islands Makers Guild and benefiting Odd Fellows Hall, this festive market showcases the exceptional work of island artisans and offers a curated selection of handmade goods perfect for holiday gifting. Discover unique jewelry, handcrafted textiles, fine art, wellness gifts and more. With over 30 vendors from three islands, an abundance of creativity is on display at every table. Soft spun yarns, soothing herbal tea blends, vibrant greenery wreaths and gleaming silver jewelry. The market is Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the weekend, Main Squeeze Mobile Bar will pour seasonal non-alcoholic selections made with local ingredients. The Kitchen Café will be serving its signature Asian-inspired menu on Saturday.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Children’s Holiday Craft Fair: Island children (6 to 18 years old) will sell original, handmade items from 25 cents to $10, at the Orcas Island Library from noon to 2 p.m.