Elves Night Out 2025 transformed downtown Anacortes into a bright, laughter-filled holiday scene. Families, friends, and full squads of elves filled Commercial Avenue, visiting shops, sipping cocoa, and soaking up the magic. And at the center of it all were the businesses whose creativity and care made the night truly shine.

This year’s Holiday Cheer Contest brought out an incredible range of decorations, costumes, activities, and joyful moments. With so many businesses going all-in, we chose to spotlight those who didn’t receive recognition last year — a way to share the love and celebrate as many contributors as we can.

Here are this year’s standout moments from the 2025 Holiday Cheer Contest:

Most Holiday Cheer: Elle Nicole

Elle Nicole delivered a warm, bright, beautifully styled holiday experience. People stepped inside and immediately smiled — the perfect mix of festive and welcoming.

Little elf peeking out of the santa slippers
Shoppers finding the perfect gift at Elle Nicole
A festive holiday display featuring a decorated Christmas tree, colorful ornaments, and a red sleigh surrounded by whimsical decorations and gifts.
Elle and Nicole Baumann at Elves Night Out.

Best Activity: Watermark Books

Watermark Books filled their shop with live watercolor artists and two book authors. Guests drifted from table to table, chatting, watching, and picking up signed books and handmade art. The space buzzed with creativity.

Live art by MaryGoldTales Illustration
Live art by MaryGold Tales Illustration
Lit storefront window at Watermark Book Co at Night
Authors Rachel Linden and Peter Cavanaugh
Authors Rachel Linden and Peter Cavanaugh
Staff at Watermark books wearing their holiday sweaters

Best Restaurant Ambiance: Tasha Lee’s Table

Tasha Lee’s Table won the night with one unforgettable centerpiece: a gigantic, spectacular holiday tree that transformed the dining room and made every table feel special.  And Tasha brought the cheer to her menu with prime rib and Poinsettia cocktails with a cranberry twist.

Elf Chef at Tasha Lee's Table
Beautiful christmas tree at Tasha Lee's Table
Poinsettia cocktails ready to drink at Tasha Lee's Table.
The secret back bar ready for the holidays at Tasha Lee's Table

Best Parklet: A’Town Bistro

A’Town created  the feeling of a German holiday market in a cheerful holiday parklet with cookies, homemade Irish Cream, and a warm welcome that drew people in and encouraged them to linger.

A boy and a woman smile for the camera, with the woman resting her arm around the boy's shoulders. They are indoors, decorated with holiday lights and festive garland in the background.
A cozy holiday setup featuring a table with festive cookies under colorful lights, surrounded by warm atmosphere and decorations.
Botella de bebida con etiqueta de A'Town Bistro, descansando sobre una superficie de hielo y rodeada de una toalla blanca.
A cozy display featuring a sparkly snowman, a decorative pillow with 'believe' written on it, ginger molasses cookies in a glass dish, and festive red lights.

Joyful Handmade Decorations: Friends of the Forest

Friends of the Forest created thoughtful, nature-inspired decorations that brought warmth and calm to the evening — a beautiful reflection of their mission.

Four women smiling and posing together in a festive setting, wearing holiday-themed outfits, including reindeer antlers and tinsel, with a decorated backdrop.
A decorative display featuring a calendar for November 2025, with events and activities listed, embellished with colorful ribbons and ornaments hanging from the ceiling.
Exterior view of the Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands building, decorated for the holiday season with string lights and festive ornaments.
Two women dressed in festive holiday attire pose cheerfully in front of a decorated Christmas tree, with one wearing a green elf costume and the other in a red and white outfit, creating a joyful holiday atmosphere.

Best Store Decorations and Doorway: Fidalgo Flower Co.

Fidalgo Flowers turned their entry into a holiday moment. A balloon arch, clever giant cardboard pinecones, and a joyful gift bag pickup station invited everyone inside.

Two individuals dressed in festive holiday attire stand smiling in a decorated shop. One is wearing a red outfit with reindeer antlers and decorative elements, while the other is in a green and red dress that resembles an elf costume.
Entrance to a shop decorated with a festive balloon arch in red, white, and gold, creating a welcoming holiday atmosphere, with people gathered inside.
Interior view of a store decorated for the holidays, featuring hanging wooden pinecone decorations and greenery. Customers browse various festive displays, including homemade goods and floral arrangements.
Two women smiling together at a holiday event, with festive balloon decorations in the background.
Decorated holiday display featuring red ribbons, greenery, wrapped gifts, and seasonal decorations in a shop window.

Best Hand Painted Windows: Bakerview Games

Bakerview Games added bright, hand-painted windows that caught people’s attention all evening. Their artwork brought color and charm to the block.

A festive scene from Elves Night Out 2025 shows a performer in holiday attire engaging with a crowd inside a shop, surrounded by families and a cheerful atmosphere.
Two people standing behind a wooden counter in a retail store filled with games and collectibles. The woman is wearing a festive sweater, while the man is dressed in a light-colored hoodie. A sign for 'Wigglitz' is visible on the counter.
Window decoration featuring festive drawings and a quote about spreading Christmas cheer, with images of trees, gifts, and snowflakes.
A decorative storefront window featuring hand-painted holiday scenes, including snowflakes, Christmas trees, a snowman, and festive houses. Behind the window, colorful shelves are filled with various board games and plush toys.

Best Costume: Fidalgo Fudge

The Fidalgo Fudge Christmas Tree costume became an instant crowd favorite. Trista shimmied and sparkled and kids and adults laughed, and asked for photos — a full-commitment holiday move.

A decorated Christmas tree adorned with red ornaments, garlands, and lights, set against a bright window with holiday decorations.
Una empleada con cuernos de reno y un vestido verde atiende a una mujer y a una niña en un mostrador de una cafetería decorada para las fiestas.
Three people stand in front of a holiday-decorated shop, admiring festive peppermint decorations above the entrance.
Two women in festive outfits at a counter, one wearing a green elf costume and the other dressed as a Christmas tree, surrounded by holiday decorations.

Most Elegant Cheer: Red Salon

Red Salon delivered elegance everywhere — glowing trees, beautifully decorated mirrors, and a warm, welcoming space that felt festive without being over the top.

Group of five women posing together in a festively decorated room with a Christmas tree, wearing holiday-themed attire, with colorful decorations in the background.
Exterior view of Red Salon, decorated for the holidays with festive wreaths, ornaments, and candy canes adorning the doorway.
Un calendario de adviento decorado con un diseño navideño que muestra la fachada de una tienda llamada 'North Pole Toy Shoppe', con varias ventanas y adornos festivos, colocado en una estantería de madera.
A beautifully decorated holiday tree adorned with red and white ribbons, ornaments, and snowflakes, set in a warm indoor environment.

Most Creative Use of Merchandise: Thrifty Kitty

Thrifty Kitty used their merchandise in clever, funny, unexpected ways that made people smile. Every corner held a surprise.

Two people dressed as whimsical green holiday characters with festive decorations, smiling and posing in front of a snowy backdrop.
Ventana de Thrifty Kitty decorada con un árbol de Navidad iluminado, adornos y regalos, creando un ambiente festivo.
Tres personas sonrientes posando juntas en una tienda decorada para las fiestas, vestidas con trajes navideños, incluida una elfa con un vestido verde brillante.
Decorative holiday shelf featuring three whimsical snowmen figurines, adorned with hats and scarves, alongside a small red candle and white ornaments.

Best Photo Booth: Majestic Inn & Spa

The Majestic created a festive, well-lit, photo-ready space that felt like a slice of the North Pole where families, couples, and full elf squads lined up to capture the evening.

A festive scene featuring an elf in a colorful costume, adorned with a green outfit and red accents, carefully examining a row of green gift bags tied with red ribbons.
Three individuals dressed in festive holiday attire pose cheerfully in a decorated room, featuring holiday decorations and a warm atmosphere.
Group of five people dressed as holiday elves, posing together in a festive setting with decorations, including a garland arch and holiday-themed props.
A festive holiday scene with a couple dressed as elves seated together, surrounded by Christmas decorations including a Santa figure, a decorated arch, and gift boxes.

Thank You to our Holiday Cheer Judging Team

Our judging team covered every corner of downtown to celebrate the creativity on display. Ryan Walters (our next Mayor) and his wife Allison, Jenn Mann (retired owner of Tides of Anacortes), and Ursula Edelman (youth judge) hit the sidewalks with clipboards and enthusiasm, led by Brenda Walker, who brought her signature mix of organization, energy, and elf spirit.

A group of six people dressed in festive elf costumes, smiling and posing for a photo, with a decorated backdrop featuring holiday decorations and a small Christmas tree.

A Shoutout to Last Year’s Honorees

We closed this year’s recognitions by honoring new businesses, but we want to give a well-deserved nod to last year’s incredible group. They continue to bring creativity and holiday spirit to downtown year after year:

  • Wishing Rock – Most Holiday Cheer
  • Moonwater Arts – Best Elves Night Out Activity
  • Wellness for Life – Best Snacks (the famous cocoa machine + snack speakeasy!)
  • Creative Hub – Joyful Handmade Decorations
  • Ink + Wool & Fidalgo Fudge – In-store Decorations and Gift Box Doorway Arch
  • Anacortes Health & Nutrition – Hand-Painted Windows + curated holiday products
  • Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Bar – Classic Decorations and Excellent Costumes

We’re lucky to have all of you making the season bright.

A Big Thank You to Every Business Who Showed Up

Whether your team decorated windows, donned costumes, hosted activities, served treats, extended hours, or simply brought your good energy to the night — thank you. You made Elves Night Out feel vibrant, welcoming, and fun.

Downtown glowed because you put in the work. The community noticed, and they loved it.

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