Solstice and Chanukah and Christmas, oh my!

By Beachcomber Staff • December 16, 2025 1:30 pm
An artwork fashioned from a Coulter pinecone by local artist Jennifer Hawke. (Courtesy Photo)
An artwork fashioned from a Coulter pinecone by local artist Jennifer Hawke. (Courtesy Photo)

Islanders can celebrate the winter holiday season a number of ways this week and next.

Chanukah

Vashon Havurah will hold its annual Chanukah Party from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 (the sixth night of Chanukah) at the Common House of Vashon Cohousing, 10421 SW Bank Rd.

From 5-7 p.m. there will be candlelighting, Havdalah and dinner with latkes made by Darryl Shannon. Applesauce and sour cream will be provided by the Havurah — bring other potluck dishes to share. At 7 p.m., there will be a special Chanukah storytelling performance by Merna Ann Hecht. All are welcome.

Winter Solstice

Mosaic Voices, lead by local author and mythologist Michael Meade, will offer an online solstice ritual from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 (Solstice Eve). The event will “weave together songs and story, poems and prayers with rituals of remembrance and rites of forgiveness to release the past and a resounding collective prayer to light the way in these dark times.” Find out more and register to attend for free or by donation at tinyurl.com/2zs4axw2, or email info@mosaicvoices.org.

On Dec. 21 (Solstice), the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit will open its sanctuary for an indoor luminary. Stop in from 6-8 p.m. for contemplation and music during the longest night. At 8 p.m. the evening will conclude with “Night Prayer” from the New Zealand prayer book.

Dec. 24

• 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 hold a Christmas Eve service at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30 for Christmas caroling before the service.

• 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 Children’s Nativity and Christmas Eve candlelit 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 4 p.m.

• Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Hwy SW) will hold a candlelit “Lessons and Carols” Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

• Vashon United Methodist Church (17928 Vashon Hwy SW) will offer its candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m.

Dec. 25

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