Winter weather patterns, holiday lights and long, dark nights are on the menu this week, with folks bustling around in a frenzy, somewhat reminiscent of the pre-pandemic pace of things. Humboldt’s late Autumn offerings of cool, crisp hikes, oddly warm bursts of sunshine and community events are all happening around us. How will you celebrate living on the North Coast?
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
HOSPITALITY NIGHT OPEN HOUSE IN FERNDALE
6-9P Old-fashioned Christmas magic meets festive holiday street fair at Ferndale’s annual Hospitality Night. Main Street merchants stay open late the first Friday in December to serve up holiday cheer to patrons. Please wear masks inside stores. See historic Ferndale alight in holiday splendor and discover why this fun family-friendly event is a tradition for many!
6:30-9P – First-come, first-served – no pre-registration needed. Max. 75 skaters
–>Youth $5.00 (17 & under) –>Adult $6.00 (18 & over) At the Eureka Municipal Auditorium. Please call 707-441-4248 if you have any questions!
WINTER WONDERLAND AERIAL CABARET
6:30 Join us for an evening of Aerials, pole, and fire dance as we turn our fitness gym into a theater!
GREEN FRIDAY ZERO-WASTE EVENT FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
7-9P Join us for “Green Friday” – Humboldt 350, the NorthCoast Environmental Center and the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship are hosting a zero-waste makers’ space for teens and young adults. Ditch the consumer craze of the holiday season and come get creative with us! Craft your own upcycled gift, learn new ways to lighten your carbon footprint this time of year, and meet others who care. The event is free and all materials and professional facilitation will be provided. Please share within your networks and with the teens and young adults in in your life.
FIRST FRIDAY INTERNATIONAL DANCE PARTY
8-10:30P – The Humboldt Folk Dancers invite the public to a live music, International Folk Dance Party at the Redwood Raks World Dance Studio in the Creamery District in Arcata. The event features easy dances and an evening of international music with local bands. All ages and dance levels are welcome. COVID protocols are in place. (707) 496-6734. humboldtfolkdancers.org. Also Happening 1/6/23
8P – A musical comedy based on the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. Follow these beloved characters through the Seussian Jungle, New York City Circus, and the tiny town of Whoville as Horton tries to help his Who friends survive. The show runs Fridays at 8PM and Saturday & Sundays at 2PM through December 18 at Ferndale Repertory Theatre. This show is fun for all ages! Tickets are available
SATURDAY
DALE LORZO’S MAGICAL LIBRARY TOUR
10:30-11:30A @ Arcata Library & 3-4P @ Azalea Hall – Using refined slight-of-hand, marvelous escapes and masterful illusions, Lorzo delivers sparkle and comedy for the whole family. Each child in attendance gets to choose their own free book to keep.
10A-3P Holidays in Trinidad – Trinidad Head Lighthouse Tour 10A – 12N, FleaArt and Holiday Boutique, Town Hall 11 – 3P
1-3P Trinidad Art Gallery features sculptor and creator of the Woodland Folk, Eleanor Seeley, alongside harpist and painter Howdy Emerson. Visit to view featured works, enjoy tasty snacks, and hear enchanting harp tunes.
1 & 3P At the Gazebo in Old Town – Tuba Christmas was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high-performance standards, well-structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values, and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists.
3-5P Hosted by merchants across Arcata. Santa’s Firetruck Parade moves across town at 4 p.m. The parade will journey to the Valley West, Westwood, Sunny Brae and Uniontown Shopping Centers before coming to the Arcata Plaza for music and treats.
4-7:30P Sit down for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, a side salad, a dinner roll, a dollop of cranberry jelly and dessert. Dinners will be served buffet style and can be either dine-in or to-go. Dinners can be pre-paid using link, or by cash or check at the door. $20 per serving, $35 for two, $10 for children under 10 and seniors. At Humboldt Grange Hall.
5P & 7P Scotia Lodge Historical tours. Take a guided tour to learn the history of this historic hotel. Get access to closed off areas and enjoy this true Humboldt County gem. Limited tickets. Presale tickets are highly advised. Due to capacity restrictions, if sold out, there are no extra ticket sales at the door.
REDWOOD PARK’S CONSERVANCY ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT WALK
5-8P A nighttime walk through the ancient redwood forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park lit by over 500 luminaria. Local storytellers and musicians will fill out the night with stories and songs of winter, the holidays and the redwoods. Hot cider and cookies will be served upon return to the visitor’s center following the walk. Only 300 spots per night. Tickets will sell out. Get them online only using link.
6P – Come on down to the historic Kimtu Cookhouse. We’ll have a cozy fire burning in the wood stove. It is the Drama Club’s first performance since the pandemic closure and we’re delighted to share this event at no cost as our holiday gift to you. If you have questions, or know a young actor who might like to join the club, please phone us at (530) 629-3564. If you would like to make a donation to support the Drama Club there will be a donation box at the event.
WORLD AIDS DAY PUBLIC VIGIL
6P – At the Gazebo in Old Town
ARTS ALIVE – Old Town Eureka, First Saturday of the month, 6-9P (Numerous special events happening all throughout Old Town)
WILD DAYS, MILD NIGHTS ART OPENING
6-9P Connect with plants, art and your fellow humans at a Stained Ghost art opening at Faces of the Moon during Arts Alive! Enjoy refreshments, a curated sonic journey by Robust Worlds, and a plant sound healing community ritual while soaking in a new collection of flower and mushroom essence-infused paintings and magical jewelry talismans. One-of-a-kind pieces will be available for sale if you’re looking to cross some gift buying off your list (or to treat yourself). Can’t make it to the opening? The collection will be on display thru the month of December. Follow @stainedghost on instagram to learn more!
6-9P Maker’s Apron, Humboldt’s new creative reuse center will be hosting a Pop Up-Cycled Gift Shop in our future home at 317 E Street during Arts Alive. Find upcycled creations from local makers, plus drop-in crafting for kids and adults. You’ll have to wait for the Grand Opening in January to donate your unused arts, crafts, and education supplies though since the store shelves are still being built.
ONLY SKIN DEEP: AN EVENING OF MUSIC, DANCE AND POETRY
7P The Only Skin Deep Project seeks to provide a platform and safer container for local artists of Indigenous American, Pan African, Latinx, Asian and Mixed Heritage to share our unique selves and talk about our experiences. This weekend, we will be contemplating the mysteries of darkness, of contrast, of demons, transparency, light and space!! Only Skin Deep: the shadow show will take place in person at Synapsis Collective (1675 Union Street in Eureka). The show will also be livestreamed online! For more information and to purchase tickets, head to our.show/shadow.
8P – A musical comedy based on the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. Follow these beloved characters through the Seussian Jungle, New York City Circus, and the tiny town of Whoville as Horton tries to help his Who friends survive. The show runs Fridays at 8PM and Saturday & Sundays at 2PM through December 18 at Ferndale Repertory Theatre. This show is fun for all ages! Tickets are available
SUNDAY – AND INTO THE WEEK BEYOND…
OLD FASHIONED PANCAKE BREAKFAST
8-11A Please join us for our Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast, Enjoy your breakfast in our spacious hall with buttermilk and whole grain pancakes, ham, sausages, scrambled eggs, apple compote, orange juice, tea, and French Roast coffee. Top your eggs with homemade salsa and cheese. At the Freshwater grange, $10, $7 children.
9A-7P Holiday Boutique McKinleyville Community Choir Holiday Concert 3P. Santa’s Lighted Boat Parade 6P – Decorated boats of all kinds welcome! Line up in the Harbor 5P. For details & Boat Parade registration: www.trinidadcivicclub.org. Questions: 707-677-3655, [email protected].
11A-12N Starting December 4th – Every Sunday 11-noon at Trinity Herbals and Wellness Center! In those darkest days of the year it feels so good to get some movement! This is a sober family friendly all ages space. $10 suggested donation- no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
12P Please join us for the 2022 Toy Run! We will meet at the Arcata Plaza and kickstands go up at 12P sharp. We will ride to the Eureka Veteran’s Hall at 1018 H Street, where a free lunch will be served. All bikes are welcome!
1-4P Tour the historic Fern Cottage in Ferndale, decorated for the holidays. $12 adults, $10 seniors, free for Children. Includes music, treats and more. Also happening 12/18.
2P – Come on down to the historic Kimtu Cookhouse. We’ll have a cozy fire burning in the wood stove. It is the Drama Club’s first performance since the pandemic closure and we’re delighted to share this event at no cost as our holiday gift to you. If you have questions, or know a young actor who might like to join the club, please phone us at (530) 629-3564. If you would like to make a donation to support the Drama Club there will be a donation box at the event.
ONLY SKIN DEEP: AN EVENING OF MUSIC, DANCE AND POETRY
2P The Only Skin Deep Project seeks to provide a platform and safer container for local artists of Indigenous American, Pan African, Latinx, Asian and Mixed Heritage to share our unique selves and talk about our experiences. This weekend, we will be contemplating the mysteries of darkness, of contrast, of demons, transparency, light and space!! Only Skin Deep: the shadow show will take place in person at Synapsis Collective (1675 Union Street in Eureka). The show will also be livestreamed online! For more information and to purchase tickets, head to our.show/shadow.
ANNUAL LINGUICA & BEANS DINNER
4-7P featuring great food and friendliness on tree lighting night at Ferndale’s Portuguese Hall $12 adults, $6 children. Proceeds will benefit Portuguese Hall repairs. More info: (707) 786-4222
LIGHTING OF AMERICA’S TALLEST LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE
5:30P – Revel in holiday magic at the lighting of Ferndale’s spectacular living Christmas tree, the tallest in America! Decked with colored lights by Ferndale’s volunteer firefighters, the radiant spruce at the end of Main Street is visible for miles, a beacon to herald the Christmas season. Experience small-town Americana at its best as the whole town turns out in anticipation of the lighting, a Ferndale tradition since 1934! Free hot cocoa will be available at stations throughout the lighting area, and wrapped homemade cookies of all kinds will be passed out to attendees.
2P – A musical comedy based on the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot being based on Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg. Follow these beloved characters through the Seussian Jungle, New York City Circus, and the tiny town of Whoville as Horton tries to help his Who friends survive. The show runs Fridays at 8PM and Saturday & Sundays at 2PM through December 18 at Ferndale Repertory Theatre. This show is fun for all ages! Tickets are available
REDWOOD PARK’S CONSERVANCY ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT WALK
5-8P A nighttime walk through the ancient redwood forest in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park lit by over 500 luminaria. Local storytellers and musicians will fill out the night with stories and songs of winter, the holidays and the redwoods. Hot cider and cookies will be served upon return to the visitor’s center following the walk. Only 300 spots per night. Tickets will sell out. Get them online only using link.
TUESDAY
FRIENDS OF THE FAIR QUARTER CRAZE
6P Doors open at 6 for dinner and shopping. Bidding begins at 7. Bring your friends and your quarters to the Home Ec building at Redwood Acres and have a blast! Dinner is a chili bowl, roll, dessert and soda for $10. The bar will be open!
WEDNESDAY
AUDUBON’S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
7-9A Sean McAllister, Tony Kurz and Ken Burton discuss the Centerville, Arcata and Tall Trees counts, and give information on the Del Norte and Willow Creek counts. Hot drinks and goodies served at 7A, so bring a mug to enjoy cider, cocoa, or shade-grown coffee. Please come fragrance-free. 707-822-2211 At the Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, Arcata.
THURSDAY
MOSAIC WORKSHOP
5-7P Come make a beautiful mosaic heart rock for someone on your holiday list this season! This is a laid back crafting (and drinking ) event. A drink voucher is included with your workshop ticket, so come sample 6River’s best brews while you work. Crafters can arrive anytime between 5-7P (please allow roughly 45 minutes to complete the workshop) Choose from a rainbow of stained glass, pick a bead border and add any trinkets you like. All supplies are provided! All ages welcome. Please email Katie at [email protected] to reserve your spot. Cost, $40. Also happening 12/15
Save the Date…
A1 GREY ELECTRIC LIGHTED PARADE
12/9 5P/6:30P You are invited to participate in the Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade to be held in Fortuna beginning at 6:30 pm! Any floats, tractors, trucks, bikes, or scooters that are decked out for the holidays are welcome to join in on the fun. All parade entries must be mobile, lighted, and not more than 12 feet high and 10 feet wide. All entries should be decorated so that spectators on both sides of the street can view them. All entries are expected to have signage (banner, poster, vehicle decals, logos, etc.), whether carried or attached to the float/vehicle, signifying who or what organization they are representing. There is no entry fee to participate in the parade. This is a “rain or shine” event so please plan for inclement weather. You have until 11:59P on 12/8, to fill out and submit your online entry form! Late entries will not be accepted. You may download a paper copy and turn it into the Fortuna Chamber office at 735 14th Street.
12/9-12/18 North Coast Dance presents its annual holiday tradition: The Nutcracker! Join us for an exciting ballet full of familiar favorites and fresh new twists. This year’s production features a fantastic cast of local dancers. Whether you come every year or are starting a brand new tradition, log in at https://ticketpeak.co/northcoastdance/events to order your tickets. Performances will be held the 9th, 10th, and 11th, then again the following weekend.
BIKE PARTY TO THE TRUCKER PARADE
12/10 5P Let’s light up our bikes and ride together to watch the Trucker Parade! We will stop at the home of a bike party regular who lives along the route for the parade itself. Refreshments will be provided. You may bring treats to share. If you would like to drop off the treats the day before, send us a message on our facebook or instagram acct 
Please be respectful of their space we ride rain or shine! bring warm layers.
COZY CRAFTS: LEARN TO MAKE CINNAMON STICK CANDLES
COZY CRAFTS: LEARN TO MAKE PAPER STAR DECORATIONS
12/10 2:30P – It might be dark and chilly outside, so why not add some warmth and color to your home! Learn how to make cinnamon stick candles or paper star decorations to decorate your table. All supplies will be provided. There is limited seating, so be sure to reserve your spot here: https://forms.gle/dSLBdSqDSC8dFCTc6 Ages 14+.
12/11 – The 2022 Christmas Trucker’s Parade is On! The 34th Annual Trucker’s Parade will be held on December 11th at 6 pm in Eureka, CA starting at Redwood Acres. To get your truck entered into the parade, download the entry form and mail it to Rex & Friends Trucker’s Christmas Parade, P.O.Box 6024, Eureka, CA 95502 along with your entry fee check of $35 (benefits Boys & Girls Club) made out to Rex & Friends. For questions leave a message or text 707-599-4171 or email [email protected]. We hope to see you there, and you can check out the event live-streamed if are unable to join us!
ARTS ALIVE – SOUTHERN HUMBOLDT
12/17 – 2P As part of our Small Town Christmas Celebration local businesses will be hosting local artists for all to enjoy on Saturday, December 17th. Give the gift of art this holiday season and support local artisans. The best way to spread holiday cheer is to shop local!
SEASONAL ONGOING:
DON’T WASTE, DONATE YOUR PUMPKINS
STARTING 10/23 – Drop at Soot Sprite Gate, or schedule a free pick up in Mckinnleyville. There is no end date, we will accept as long as the community wants to participate. All pumpkins are used for animal food or compost… Recycle, reuse, grow 3040 Central Ave Mckinnleyville CA- 310-673-9000
11A-3P – Ongoing event happening all Fall, through January! Bring your apples, containers and some friends. First come first serve. Donations accepted for use of our gear and labor.
Local Holiday Craft Fair List and Shop Local Guide is LIVE
This page has doubled in size this week!!! We have the full list of opportunities to shop local, and to shop directly from the artisans in our community. Check out this page for a list of local craft fairs and more! Also, please send us your shop local info: [email protected].
…THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE!! YOU’LL WANT TO KEEP SCROLLING FOR THE FULL LIST OF EVENTS HAPPENING LOCALLY, INCLUDING ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES, A LIST JUST FOR KIDS, AND THE LIVE MUSIC AND MORE IN THE LINKS BELOW. UPDATED WEEKLY!
LIVE MUSIC/ETC
Looking for a live show? We’re updating this page constantly, trying to include all of the local venues we can find, with their latest events listed in an easy-to-read way. There continues to be more and more happenings throughout Humboldt including a huge variety of music, comedy, open mics, outdoor venues, trivia and more.
JUST FOR KIDS
This list of ideas of ways to keep your kids happy includes a wide variety of options all over Humboldt.
ONGOING EVENTS
Ongoing events are the backbone of our community’s offerings. Click through to find the list broken down by each town/city and see what kind of ongoing happenings, workshops, classes, etc are in the works where you live.
STAY BUSY, LEARN A SKILL, MEET SOMEONE NEW!
VOLUNTEER/DONATE
Our amazing local non-profits are always hosting an array of events that benefit the people and land of our community. We’re lucky to have so many powerful and supportive groups that keep the backbone of Humboldt alive and well. Consider offering a few hours of your time, donating cash or goods or participating in a fundraiser for any number of our community organizations.
This newsletter is a free weekly offering to our Humboldt Community! We hope you love it. If you’d like to add an event, or if you have pictures to share, or feedback to offer, we’re all ears – our email is [email protected] and we want to know what you think.
