By Stephanie Banaszak
Special to La Conner Community News
Featured by Architectural Digest in its article “The World’s 17 Most Beautiful Villages You’ve Probably Never Heard Of – Including One in the US,” La Conner is the one U.S. destination highlighted. Just 90 minutes north of Seattle, this waterfront village offers something increasingly hard to find: a place with a character all its own.
Set along the Swinomish Channel, La Conner brings together historic streets, a working waterfront, the iconic Rainbow Bridge, and panoramic views of the Skagit Valley. But its appeal goes beyond the scenery. La Conner has an independent creative spirit, shaped by artists, makers, locally owned businesses, and people who have always done things their own way.
At Christmas, that spirit becomes an experience worth discovering. It is the Art of Christmas.
Imagine an afternoon without an agenda. Wander streets lined with independent boutiques and galleries. Find something unexpected, meet the people behind the businesses, discover original work by local artists, and settle in for a good meal. Enjoy the waterfront lights, festive storefronts, and the Lighted Boat Parade. Bring friends, make a day of it, and leave room for a few spontaneous discoveries.
This isn’t a cookie-cutter Christmas destination. It’s a beautiful Northwest village with its own point of view. The appeal is in the details: the creative touches, the independent spirit, the walkable downtown, and the pleasure of finding something you didn’t know you were looking for.
Make La Conner part of your December tradition. Come for the Christmas atmosphere, stay for the character, and discover why people are beginning to take notice.
With free customer parking and trolley service during select holiday events, it’s easy to explore at your own pace.
La Conner Holiday Events 2026
November 20 — Jingle Belles Ladies Night Out: An evening of independent boutiques, holiday finds, and downtown festivities.
November 28 — Gilkey Square Tree Lighting: A community celebration to welcome the season.
December 5 — Heritage Holiday: A day of scheduled community gatherings at Maple Hall.
December 12 — Holiday Lighted Boat Parade: Watch festively illuminated boats glide along the Swinomish Channel in a sparkling waterfront holiday tradition.
December 18–19 — Holiday Market at the Yacht Club: A seasonal gathering of makers and their work.
For the full event calendar and details, visit LaConnerThrives.org and LoveLaConner.org.
