Winter Solstice, Hanukkah and Christmas, oh my!

How to celebrate and commemorate the holidays on Vashon.

December 18, 2024 10:30 am
A past luminaria walk on the Land Trust trail. (Courtesy photo)
A past luminaria walk on the Land Trust trail. (Courtesy photo)

Many services, walks and other gatherings to reflect this holiday season are available to islanders in the coming days.

Dec. 20 and 21 (Winter Solstice)

Ritual

Join local mythologist, author and musician Michael Meade for “In this Darkness Singing: A Song for Healing and the Earth,” a free online event at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 (Solstice Eve).

The ritual will weave together songs and story, rituals of remembrance for those who have died, rites of forgiveness and a collective prayer to bring back the light of healing and the capacity of life to renew itself at the darkest hours.

Find out more and register at mosaicvoices.org.

Walks

Two solstice luminaria walks will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 — separate events across the street from each other. Attend one or both — all are welcome.

• Weather permitting, one of the luminaria walks will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Vashon Maury Island Land Trust’s All-Ages Trail behind the Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird Treatment Center, located at 15333 Vashon Highway SW.

The walk builds on the 21-year legacy started by Karen Biondo, who for years organized a luminaria walk in Paradise Valley. Biondo will again help to create this solstice magic; also sponsoring it are the Land Trust, the Seattle Indian Health Board and Friends of Thunderbird.

The trail is paved, family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. The event will be cancelled if the weather is inclement.

• Another luminaria walk will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit located at 15420 Vashon Hwy SW, across the street from the Thunderbird Treatment Center. Sponsored by the Church of the Holy Spirit, this will be a contemplative solstice journey through the church’s labyrinth, an opportunity to close the year in quiet, illuminated reflection. A craft project will be available for younger participants.

This event will be held even if the weather is inclement.

Poetry

Island poets, including Vashon Poet Laureate Margaret Roncone, will read their poems on the topic of “Winter” and “The Returning Light” in a live broadcast hosted by Voice of Vashon personality Susan McCabe at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, on Voice of Vashon, 101.9FM.

Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)

• Bethel Church (14736 Bethel Lane SW) holds its candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

• Burton Community Church (23905 Vashon Hwy SW) will hold its candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

• Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit (15420 Vashon Hwy SW) will sing carols at 6 p.m., followed by a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m.

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church (16100 115th Avenue SW) will hold its Christmas Eve Mass at 5 p.m.

• Vashon Island Community Church (9318 SW Cemetery Rd) will hold its Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

• Vashon Lutheran Church (18623 Vashon Highway SW) will host a one-hour “Candles, Carols & Lessons.” Friends and family are invited to join and sing Christmas carols at 3:45 p.m.

• Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Hwy SW) will hold a candlelit Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m.

• Vashon United Methodist Church will offer its Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m.

Dec. 25 (Christmas Day)

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church (16100 115th Avenue SW) will offer Christmas Day Mass at 10 a.m.

Dec. 28 (Hanukkah, fourth day)

• Vashon Havurah’s annual Hanukkah party will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Vashon Cohousing’s Common House. Latkes and fixings will be provided; bring a menorah and candles. This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.