The Magic of Wintertide

What an enchanting end to our year of events in 2025! The Wintertide Festival of Lights was a magical evening filled with exciting performances, delicious food and drinks, engaging activities, and the chance to see light art on display throughout Webster’s Woods.

The creativity, community-spirit, and general excitement were palpable throughout the run of the festival on December 13th. From the start, festival goers enthusiastically crafted solstice crowns while preparing for the lantern parade. Neon Brass Party Band then led the way through Webster’s Woods to kick off the event. With handmade crowns, glowing outfits, and a variety of lanterns, participants became a part of the main event for our community lantern parade!

 

As Neon Brass Party Band performed a lively series of music in the meadow, Wintertide attendees danced along before heading through the Woods to discover all that the festival had to offer. They were soon to encounter our vendors: Angeles Brewing, Pacific Pantry, High Country Doughnuts, and Dragon’s Brew Coffee. Each vendor was offering a selection of delicious food and drinks to fulfill any craving! Pacific Pantry’s legendary grilled cheese sandwiches, High Country Doughnuts’ undeniably delicious eggnog mini doughnuts, Dragon’s Brew Coffee’s delectable hot chocolate, and Angeles Brewing’s high quality brews, kept festival goers fueled for an evening of excitement.

As the second performers of the evening prepared to take the stage, attendees wandered through Webster’s Woods to see the stunning light installations as part of the 2025 Light Art Experience, shopped the Makers Market in the Esther Webster Gallery that was hosting over 33 vendors, and embraced their creativity at the glow in the dark painting tent where everyone was welcome to make their own masterpiece!

Mid-festival, Fractal Phase Fire Troupe reignited the energy in the meadow with their fire performance. Twirling flames, complex choreography, and dangerous precision allowed for a thrilling show designed for all ages.

As the Wintertide Festival of Lights continued throughout the grounds of Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, attendees were able to take a step away from the hustle and bustle and grab a seat by fire tables in the gallery’s courtyard to enjoy live music by Sarah Shea. Cozy seating, charming music, and prime viewing of the gallery’s buzzing Makers Market made for a wonderful space to soak the evening in.

 

Just around the corner, Foxlight Productions’ interactive flower sparked joy and made attendees part of the light art for a one-night-only experience.

Nestled throughout the trails of Webster’s Woods were sneak peeks of the final performers of Wintertide, Sequim Acrobatics. On platforms laid into alcoves of trees, acrobats performed tricks that mesmerized audiences and sparked excitement for their upcoming performance.

To close out the evening, Sequim Acrobatics filled the stage. With immense talent, artistry, and practiced excellence, Sequim Acrobatics performed for the crowds of Wintertide. Their tricks and captivating energy closed out the festival on a high!

2025’s Wintertide was, truly, one for the books. Attendees brought enthusiasm, good spirits, and creativity to Webster’s Woods. Thank you to everyone who attended for making this event such a special one. Thank you also to our volunteers, vendors, and performers for making this event possible. Lastly, thank you to our grantors and sponsors for providing the support you so graciously offer, Wintertide would not happen without your contributions.

Photos by Matt at Cascadia Films.