In this edition of Local Lift, I’m thrilled to show off a few of my favorite small businesses in Oak Harbor. Learn more about Mai Thai Restaurant (a Whidbey Island favorite!), Cafe De Lisio (they offer so many unique and delicious beverages), and Polished Studio (where you’ll find an extensive selection of hair, skin, and nail treatments!)

We’ve got a full calendar of events on Whidbey Island this November 2024! World-class performances, several holiday markets where you can shop local, and of course our annual Veteran’s Day Parade all offer fun and festive opportunities to enjoy all that our communities have to offer.

This month brings us a full schedule of fun events and happenings here on Whidbey Island! Annual festivals, world-class musical and theatre performances, farmers markets, and more are all on the calendar.

August of 2024 is packed with fun and festive happenings on Whidbey Island, and you’ll find everything from music and theater performances to golf tournaments and farmers markets. At the end of the month, be sure to check out the Oak Harbor Music Festival—I’m the Title Sponsor again!

July 2024 on Whidbey Island brings us several fun and festive events and happenings. Of course, there are some epic 4th of July celebrations happening, and that’s only the beginning.

June 2024 brings us the official start of summer! Whidbey Island especially shines during these warm months, and there are several upcoming events and happenings that offer fun and festive ways to get outside and meet your neighbors. Several farmers markets, musical performances, the Oak Harbor carnival, tours, and more are all on the horizon.

Thanks for stopping by! I’m excited to shine the spotlight on a few Whidbey Island businesses with this latest edition of my Local Lift series. Get to know Sand + Stone (a brand new boutique in Oak Harbor), Mailliard’s Landing Nursery (a longtime Whidbey Island mainstay), and The BBQ Joint (a popular restaurant with the most delicious menu!). 

April showers bring May flowers… and this month brings Whidbey Island plenty of opportunities to get outside, smell the roses, and appreciate the beautiful outdoors! Catch a musical performance, meet your neighbors at community events (like the Penn Cove Water Festival), and enjoy the start of farmers market season!

April 2024 brings Whidbey Island a full calendar of events and happenings. Musical performances, educational experiences, and the return of farmers markets are just a few of the fun things to do this month.

Happy March! The first day of spring this year is March 19, and there are already a few glimmers of spring here and there. This month brings Whidbey Island a full calendar of events and happenings; everything from holiday celebrations and performances to festive gatherings where you can get out and meet your neighbors.

Happy February! This month brings us some great ways to get out and explore our community and meet your neighbors! Musical performances, outdoor activities, learning opportunities, and more are all on the calendar.

Happy 2024! I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start and that you’re staying warm as the weather gets colder and colder! This month, Whidbey Island’s event calendar is more laidback, but there are still some awesome events and happenings to check out. Meet your neighbors, learn something new, enjoy world-class entertainment, and have fun exploring all that our island has to offer!

Happy holidays! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season. I love celebrating all of Whidbey Island’s amazing small businesses all year long, but I especially like to give our island’s many independent businesses some extra love this time of year.

The holiday season is officially here, and winter is on its way! This month brings us so many fun and festive ways to celebrate, connect with our neighbors, and make memories to last a lifetime.

The holiday season is officially in full swing, and we can’t wait until Santa arrives! This month brings us many fun and festive events to enjoy here on Whidbey Island, and whether you need to do some holiday shopping or relax while watching some Christmas classics, you’ll find opportunities for it all and more. Happy holidays to all!

Leaves are turning colors, there’s a new crisp chill in the air, the sun is setting earlier in the day… November is here on Whidbey Island! This month brings cherished holidays, outdoor happenings, and more to do here on Whidbey Island. And when you have a moment, check out my latest Local Lift giveaway!

The spread of COVID-19 has brought uncertainty to so many, and with a situation that seems to change by the hour, it can be hard to know what to do to help the community. However, one thing we CAN continue to do is to support our local businesses here on Whidbey Island as we all make our way through this challenging time. We have started a new weekly series called “Local Lift.” Each week we are doing a small business “boost” and purchasing items (services, gift cards, etc.) to giveaway to the Whidbey Island community.

Happy New Year! 2020 is off to a fabulous start here on Whidbey Island—January begins with the Sea Float Scramble (a popular local tradition!), and the rest of the month brings us some wonderful musical performances, a film festival, and Fine Dining for Our Future: A Windermere Foundation Fundraiser. (Get your tickets while you still can!)

If your kiddos are on winter break and start to get bored (or catch serious case of cabin fever…!), this guide is here to the rescue! Here you’ll find TONS of ideas (many of them even free) for things to do with kids during winter break on Whidbey Island. These ideas are not only sure to cure cabin fever, but they’ll give you and your family a chance to bond and make some awesome memories over the holidays, too! 

If you need a break from hosting this year’s birthday party, Whidbey Island is home to several venues that offer stress-free party packages. Not only do most of these venues make it easy to just show up and start having fun (whew!), but they’re sure to help your little ones make some awesome memories that’ll last them a lifetime. Here are 5 birthday party venues on Whidbey and what makes each of them special!

Happy December! This month brings us a calendar brimming with fun and festive Whidbey Island events for all ages and interests. Searching for a yuletide musical performance to get you in the Christmas spirit, a photo op with good old Saint Nick, or a craft bazaar to get some Christmas shopping done at? You’ll find all of this and more!

If you get off of work early and you’re in the mood for an early dinner (and some drinks to unwind with), Whidbey Island has some must-try happy hours that offer delicious eats + drinks all for fantastic prices. Keep scrolling for details as to where our island’s best happy hours are, when they’re happening, and exactly what types of deals you can expect! 

Supporting small businesses on Whidbey Island is easy—there are so many talented artisans and creators in our community! Visiting a holiday market not only makes it easy to check out several vendors all at once, but it makes it easy to check those holiday to-dos off your list, too.

Fall on Whidbey Island is absolutely gorgeous, and we hope you can take some time to relax and enjoy it! Keep reading for some fun ways to help you make the most of this festive season.