Friday Harbor House

It seems like each person you speak to has a different opinion on when the holiday season truly begins.

Is it Halloween? Thanksgiving? December 1?

We think that it can be whenever you want it to be.

But regardless of when you think the official holiday season should start, there’s nothing that makes it feel official like a good old-fashioned holiday lighting ceremony.

The moment the lights get plugged in, and the tree or storefront or town square lights up in a flurry of colorful cheer.

You know it’s the holiday season then.

In Friday Harbor, we light up the trees in the center of town in a fantastic celebration of island holiday spirit.

And the best part? It’s free and it’s right down the road from Friday Harbor House.

Take a stroll down the hill to the open house at the Whale Museum, then down to the Memorial Park for meeting Santa, lighting the tree, and singing Christmas carols.

After that, head back up to Brickworks for the Christmas Market and pictures with Santa.

Learn more about the Island Lights Festival here.

Happy Holidays!

Imagine a warm, cozy evening in your room overlooking the harbor. Sipping wine while the fireplace crackles, soaking in your oversized jetted tub.

There’s nothing quite like romance during the holiday season, and there’s nothing quite like a holiday season spent amongst the pastoral beauty of the San Juan Islands.

With that in mind, we’ve designed a package that’s perfect for couples looking to get away from it all for a night.

Take a break from the cooking and the gift shopping and let us take care of you.

Because after all, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones, especially your special someone.

Upon arrival, enjoy your sparkling wine and toast to your romantic escape before indulging in a dinner for two at the restaurant topped off with house-made chocolate truffles in your room.

Relax in your oversized jetted tub with the romantic Lavender Mini-Essentials Collection from Pelindaba and slip between the sheets for a restful night’s sleep.

Package includes:

One-night stay
Bottle of sparkling wine and house-made chocolate truffles in room upon arrival
$50 dining credit
Lavender Mini-Essentials Collection (body wash, hand & body lotion, massage oil, body butter and a tea light candle)

Click here to book our Isle Enchantment package.

Now that’s a holiday evening well-spent.

See you on the islands!

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” – George Eliot

Fall is upon us once again, and that means all manner of major local events to celebrate the season.

If you’re staying with us this fall, be sure to mark your calendars for these dates, and experience the beauty and culture of the islands at their autumn best.

Friday Harbor Film Festival
DATE: November 4-6
TIME: 10:00am-11:00pm
SPONSORED BY: Friday Harbor Film Festival
WEBSITE: http://www.fhff.org/2016-films/

Enjoy Stories of the Pacific Rim & Beyond at this year’s Friday Harbor Festival, featuring compelling stories about humanitarian efforts, environmental issues, social concerns and daring explorations.

San Juan Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace
DATE: Friday Nov. 25 & Saturday, Nov. 26
TIME: 10:00am-5:00pm (Fri.) & 10:00am-4:00pm (Sat.)
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

55 artists will sell their unique, hand-made arts and crafts this year, offering a wide variety of items from soaps and lotions to jewelry, clothing, cards, paintings, island-made foods, scenic photography and much more.

Island Lights Festival
DATE: December 2, 2016
TIME: 5:00pm-6:30pm
SPONSORED BY: San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
WEBSITE: http://www.sanjuanisland.org/
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

Ring in the holiday season as we turn on the lights in downtown Friday Harbor! Tree lighting, Christmas carols, pictures with Santa, and fun for all ages.

Lighted Boat Parade & Santa’s Arrival
DATE: December 17, 2016
TIME: 6:30pm
SPONSORED BY: Port of Friday Harbor
WEBSITE: http://www.portfridayharbor.org
ADMISSION INFORMATION: Free

For more than 40 years, Santa has brought gifts to children in the islands. Help guide him into the harbor with a lighted boat parade the week before Christmas.

It’s been a banner year for us up at Friday Harbor House.

New ownership, new executive chef, and a completely renovated and upgraded restaurant now serving locally sourced and locally inspired Northwest cuisine.

That last part is a phrase that’s very near and dear to our hearts.

“Locally sourced and locally inspired.”

The “locally sourced” part is easy enough; mussels from Westcott Bay, beef from Vashon Island, lamb from San Juan Island itself.

But what about locally inspired?

Upon first thought, it may seem difficult, but the answer is quite clear:

Offer food in a restaurant that reflects the values of the Northwest.

Respect for the bounty that the land and the sea provide us.

Adherence to sustainability, and ensuring that the ingredients we use have not been gathered in a way that disrupts the environment.

And being a gathering place for both guests and locals, and ensuring that the microcosm of our inn and our restaurant reflects and enriches the community around it.

Oh, and serving wonderfully delicious cuisine never hurts either…