It will be an afternoon and evening of lights, carolers, cheer and a visit from Santa Claus this Friday, Dec. 2, as Queen Anne holds is 17th annual Holiday Magic event.
This year’s festivities kick off at 4 p.m. and run till 8 p.m. The trees along Queen Anne Avenue will be lit up and many groups of carolers will be making the rounds, including the John Hay Chorus that will sing in front of the Starbucks café at 4 p.m.
Santa Claus will arrive at HomeStreet Bank’s Queen Anne branch (1835 Queen Anne Avenue N.) at about 4 p.m. to take pictures with all the kids of any age. Refreshments will also be served at the bank.
“Holiday Magic is really a celebration of the Queen Anne community,” said Mary Chapman, director of marketing for the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce. “Business owners started this event 17 years ago to thank loyal customers and to kick off the holiday shopping season.”
Businesses up and down Queen Anne Avenue North are taking part in the festivities this year, offering discounts, activities and live music, including songs from Michel Misiurak at Lauren Formicola’s Charley + May Co. store. There will be food and drinks at Metropolitan Market’s outside tent, free chocolate treats at Chocolopolis, holiday elves with discounts at Queen Anne Dispatch, free balloons at Communiqué and special discounts at Queen Anne Books.
The Safeway Christmas tree lot will be run by the boy scouts and will benefit the Queen Anne Helpline.
The Bethany Presbyterian Church will hold its annual tree-lighting ceremony on the front lawn of the church at 6:15 p.m. The doors will be open to the fellowship hall for activities for all ages and stages.
Queen Anne Baptist Church will be decorated for Christmas and hopping with activities. Stop by their craft tables and make a Christmas ornament, sip something hot and have a cookie or two.
Here is a list of the businesses taking part this year:
A & J Meats is offering holiday cheer. Charley + May Co. will feature its first annual Christmas cracker celebration, with 10 percent off of English crackers. Peppermint beverages and holiday tunes.
Blue Highway Games will offer a chance to get 1 percent to 20 percent off purchase.
Chocolopolis will offer a view of Santa’s Chocolate Workshop 5 - 7 p.m. and dip a treat in chocolate! Enjoy cheese, crackers and samples of drinking chocolate and confections from 3-9 p.m. Communiqué Cards, Gifts & Toys will be holding a drawing on Holiday Magic Night. The winner will be able to choose a nutcracker as a prize. Free balloons for the kids as well. HomeStreet Bank will offer free photos with Santa from 4-7 p.m., plus holiday cookies. La Luna will offer traditional fruit Ponche. Laurie Swanson Massage (above PinkaBella Cupcakes) is offering free Mini Massages and 20 percent off Gift Certificates. Le Rêve will host the children from the Queen Anne Performing Arts led by Beaven Walters who will be singing an array of Christmas songs starting at 4 p.m. Marqueen Garage: Enjoy holiday music with Anna & Ken Boynton and special guest Claire Marie.
Mimisan Spa is offering 20 percent off Duchess Marden skin care line.
Nancy’s Sewing Basket will offer a surprise discount drawing from the holiday stocking, save 10 percent to 30 percent. Once Upon A Time will offer a fun evening of shopping, holiday crafts, story time and snacks. Prorobics will serve hot chocolate and treats...perhaps even a Santa and presents.
Queen Anne Bookswill welcome the holiday season with a daylong celebration of great books, great authors and good cheer. Everything in the store will be 15 percent off all day long. Queen Anne Dispatch will offer treats and discounts.
Queen Anne Frame & Avenue Arts will be offering treats, chic jewelry, scarves, artful cards, unique ornaments, and delightful gifts. Robert Samuel Salon will offer a 20 percent off selected products. Smiles by Smita Orthodontics will give complimentary treats and have art projects for kids. Sully’s will offer a cup o’ cheer and Happy Hour specials. Three Birds will have Pot Luck Paris jewelry trunk show, raffle items provided by Archpeligo, live music and refreshments. Twirl will offer free play 4-7p.m. in their play space. Walk the avenue, and then join them for dinner and wine specials. Umpqua Bank will have a fire truck in its parking lot and will have a drawing for a holiday wreath, as well as free beverages, cookies, and pastries. Video Isle will offer a contest to win a free DVD player.
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