Upcoming Island Events Feature People, Food + History We Love
The variety of events and festivals on Washington’s Whidbey and Camano Islands this spring, focus on the people, food and history that make this destination so appealing. Join an open-air treasure hunt for hand-blown art, welcome the arrival of spring with Oak Harbor’s Holland Happening Parade, or taste some of the islands’ treasured Penn Cove Mussels during Whidbey’s annual MusselFest! Read on for details!
Great Northwest Glass Quest, February 17-26. In its 12th year, the greatest treasure hunt in the Pacific Northwest is taking place in Stanwood and Camano Island! For 10 fun-filled days, search for unique hand-blown glass treasures made by world-renowned glass artists, Mark and Marcus Ellinger. thegreatnwglassquest.com
Langley Mystery Weekend, February 25. For fun and some good old fashioned detective work, Langley’s annual Mystery Weekend should fit the bill perfectly. Scour the seaside village for clues, question some characters, and try to solve the murder over this 2-day event.
Whidbey Gardening Workshop, March 3. Gardening with purpose for beauty, bounty, and benefit, the Whidbey Island gardening workshop is the perfect one-stop shop for gardeners looking for great advice on how to improve their gardens. Registration opens January 15.
MusselFest, March 3-5. Join the annual celebration of delicious and award-winning mussels grown in Coupeville by Penn Cove Shellfish. Hop a boat tour to the Penn Cove seafood rafts, which is the only time they open to the public all year! Enjoy a chowder tasting tour with recipes, live music, and more.
Wine, Bites & Brew, March 25. Enjoy tastes from local wineries, breweries, and restaurants featuring local fare from historic downtown Oak Harbor.
Holland Happening Parade and Festival, April 29-30. Oak Harbor’s largest springtime festival brings people in droves to experience the annual festivities. The weekend is packed full with a street fair, parade, old-fashioned carnival games, food, and the lively Klompen (wooden shoe) canal races that have since become one of the most popular attractions.
Camano Island Studio Tour, May 6-8, May 14-15. One of the longest-running studio tours in the Pacific Northwest, these two weekends showcase a blend of established and new artists representing a diverse array of mediums and visual arts for the public to view. Free to attend.
About Whidbey and Camano Islands. Drive off the mainland to find two of the most accessible and scenic island destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Camano and Whidbey sit just north of Seattle, a short trip via bridge or ferry. Offering a different experience with each season, the islands provide locally inspired shops and restaurants, dynamic events for a variety of interests, recreation and beach combing. Rich history and a healthy dose of local color in all mediums is provided by the region’s many artists. Lodging options range from nationally renowned hotels with farm to table dining to secret spots ideal for a quiet retreat. For more information on amenities, lodging, and a calendar of events visit whidbeycamanoislands.com. Connect on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook via @GoWhidbeyCamano.
Caption L-R: The Great Northwest Glass Quest takes place throughout Stanwood and Camano Island and awards scavengers with hand-blown glass balls by world-renowned local artists; Oak Harbor’s largest springtime event is back with the Holland Happening Parade and Festival; MusselFest celebrates Penn Cove Mussels, famous for its high quality and flavor.