On Saturday, November 23rd, downtown Anacortes sparkled with holiday cheer as the second annual Elves Night Out brought the community together for a magical evening of shopping, dining, and festive fun. Hosted by the Downtown Anacortes Alliance and Majestic Inn & Spa, this much-anticipated event celebrated the spirit of the season and showcased the vibrant energy of downtown businesses.
A Night of Shopping, Sipping, and Strolling
The event featured dozens of local businesses offering exclusive deals, holiday activities, and seasonal treats. From decorating cookies at Cosmic Veggies to creating a handcrafted ornament, attendees had a jolly time blending creativity and holiday magic.
Highlights included:
- Sip & Sup Specials: Restaurants like Adrift and Rockfish Grill served festive drinks and menu items to warm shoppers throughout the evening. Blackbird Wine Bar’s guests enjoyed specially priced bubbles.
- Creative Experiences: Guests relished hands-on activities, like ornament-making at MoonWater Arts, holiday games at Marine Supply Hardware and a guessing game at Ink + Wool.
- Exclusive Offers: Retailers like Thrifty Kitty and Fidalgo Artisan Yarn & Clothing delighted visitors with special discounts and unique gift ideas. Shoppers eagerly entered in-store raffles too.
- Holiday Treats: Fidalgo Fudge provided sweet holiday snacks, while Wellness for Life wowed with its speakeasy-style cocoa bar featuring a restored antique hot cocoa machine.
Gift Bags Filled with Cheer
One of the highlights of Elves Night Out was the 400 gift bags assembled by the hardworking “elves” of the Downtown Anacortes Alliance and local businesses. These bags, filled with coupons and gifts from more than 20 downtown businesses, added an extra layer of holiday magic to the evening.
Some standout items included:
- Elf Ears from Pelican Bay: Guests who wore the elf ears back to Pelican Bay before Christmas received 10% off their purchases—a fun and festive incentive.
- Handmade Ornaments from clayhouse: Each bag contained a beautiful ornament and a coupon for 10% off an ornament-making drop in at clayhouse.
Introducing the Holiday Cheer Contest
New to this year’s Elves Night Out was the Holiday Cheer Contest, recognizing businesses that went above and beyond in spreading holiday cheer. Judges evaluated festive window displays, decorations, and staff costumes to select standout winners:
The Holiday Cheer Contest aimed to celebrate the joy of shopping local during the eight days following Elves Night Out—a crucial time for downtown businesses that includes Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. This year’s campaign featured 11 Holiday Cheer posts on both Facebook and Instagram, which reached 40,000 people—four times the reach achieved during the same week in 2023 with the Holiday Look Book. Locals especially enjoyed seeing photos of unique decorations and their favorite shopkeepers dressed as elves.
Amplifying the Downtown Spirit
This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration among businesses, and sponsors, including the Majestic Inn & Spa, and Prism Tax and Accounting Services. The success of Elves Night Out reflects the dedication of local merchants and the Downtown Anacortes Alliance in making downtown a hub of connection and holiday magic. Attendees and shop owners expressed their gratitude for the event:
- “That was so fun & well-organized! Thank you to all involved!” – Mary P.
- “I have gone every year. It is always a great time, and I love all the shops and restaurants that support it. Thank you!” – Gina D.
- “Such a fun night! It is so nice to see Anacortes hopping!” – Amanda L., Wellness for Life
- “What a fun night! Thank you Downtown Anacortes Alliance for being creative, thoughtful, and helpful. We appreciate you!” – Brandy B., Watermark Books
As we look ahead to next year, the Downtown Anacortes Alliance invites everyone to shop local and to join in supporting our mission to keep downtown thriving. Whether you’re a community member, potential donor, or volunteer, your involvement helps make events like this possible. Thank you for making 2024’s Elves Night Out one to remember!
