The Week Ahead
December 22, 2025
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The week of Christmas on Bainbridge Island includes a range of public events that make it easy to step out of the house and into something shared. From community gatherings to live music performances, these events offer structured, in-person experiences during a time of year when many schedules are already full. Whether you’re planning Christmas Eve itself or looking ahead to the days that follow, the island offers several options that fit different ages, interests, and energy levels.
This article highlights three events taking place between December 24 and December 27. Each one centers on live music and brings people together in a different way. The first is a Christmas Eve gathering designed for all ages, focused on music, story, and community connection. The other two events lean into live jazz, featuring both a local musician performing holiday jazz on Christmas Eve and a full evening concert later in the week with re-arranged seasonal classics. Together, they provide a snapshot of how Bainbridge Island marks the holiday season through shared cultural and musical experiences.
Christmas Eve with newlife takes place from 4 to 5 pm at Blakely Elementary School and is designed to be accessible for families, individuals, and neighbors alike. The one-hour format makes it easy to attend without committing an entire evening, and the focus on music and storytelling creates a clear structure for the gathering. With no late hours and an all-ages approach, it fits naturally into Christmas Eve plans for those looking for a local option earlier in the day.
Later on Christmas Eve, Holiday Jazz runs from 5 to 7 pm and features live holiday jazz by Bainbridge Island musician Lang Armstrong. This event offers a different type of experience—one centered on listening, dining, and live performance in a casual setting. Armstrong, who studies at the Eastman School of Music, regularly performs on Bainbridge Island and in the Seattle area when home from school. His holiday set brings live jazz into the evening hours, providing an option for those looking to include music in their Christmas Eve plans.
The final event takes place after the holiday itself. On Saturday, December 27, the Jazzy Holiday Concert returns to Bainbridge Cinemas for a two-hour evening show. Held in Theater #3, the concert features a mix of the group’s regular repertoire and re-arranged holiday classics. The venue is set up for live performance, with concessions available and ticketing handled through the cinema. General admission and VIP ticket options make it possible to choose a straightforward concert experience or a longer evening that includes a pre- and post-show gathering.
Taken together, these three events reflect the variety of ways Bainbridge Island residents and visitors can engage with the holiday season locally. From a short, family-friendly Christmas Eve gathering to live jazz performances that extend beyond the holiday itself, they offer clear, in-person options for marking the week through music and shared time.
Featured Events:
Christmas Eve With newlife
If you’re looking for a warm, welcoming way to slow down and soak in the meaning of the season, this Christmas Eve gathering on Bainbridge Island offers a beautiful place to begin. On December 24, from 4–5pm, the community is invited to come together for an hour of music, story, and simple joy at Blakely Elementary School.
This festive Christmas Eve event is designed for all ages, making it an easy and meaningful outing whether you’re coming with little ones, teens, friends, neighbors, or on your own. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting—less about rushing from place to place, and more about pausing to remember what makes this night special. The theme says it all: Good news. Great joy. All people.
Expect a blend of songs both old and new, mixing beloved Christmas favorites with fresh music that captures the hope and wonder of the season. Whether you love to sing along or prefer to simply listen, the music sets a tone of celebration and comfort—perfect for a winter evening when the world feels a little quieter and the lights feel a little brighter.
At the heart of the gathering is the Christmas story, shared in a way that’s accessible, imaginative, and meaningful. It’s a retelling that reminds us why this story has endured for centuries—one that speaks to hope, renewal, and the promise that even in a weary world, joy can still break through. You don’t need to have grown up with this story to appreciate it; it’s shared with openness and warmth, welcoming curiosity and reflection alike.
Of course, no festive gathering would be complete without tasty treats, and this event promises a few sweet touches to enjoy as you mingle and connect. It’s the kind of setting where conversations come easily, kids feel comfortable, and everyone leaves feeling just a bit lighter than when they arrived.
If you’re searching for a Christmas Eve tradition—or simply a peaceful moment before the holiday rush—this Bainbridge Island gathering offers a meaningful way to celebrate. Come as you are, bring who you love, and take part in an hour that truly captures the spirit of the season.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Wednesday, December 24, 4-5pm
Blakely Elementary School 4704 Blakely Ave NE Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
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Special Event: Holiday Jazz Music + Cocktail Night
Holiday Jazz takes place on Christmas Eve from 5 to 7 pm and features live holiday jazz performed by Bainbridge Island musician Lang Armstrong. The early evening timing makes it an easy stop before dinner plans or evening gatherings, and the setting allows guests to enjoy live music alongside food and drinks.
The performance centers on jazz standards and seasonal selections played live rather than recorded, creating a relaxed backdrop for conversation and dining. Guests are encouraged to settle in with a craft cocktail, order food, and listen at their own pace. The music is present without overpowering the room, making it suitable for small groups, couples, or anyone looking for a low-key way to spend part of Christmas Eve.
Lang Armstrong is a multi-instrumentalist and saxophonist currently studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He has earned top honors at the state level on tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, and in duet performance. At Eastman, he studies saxophone under Charles Pillow and continues to refine both his technical and ensemble playing.
When home from school, Lang performs regularly on Bainbridge Island and throughout the Seattle area. His local performances have made him a familiar presence in community venues, and his experience playing in a range of settings translates well to an intimate holiday performance. His approach emphasizes clear phrasing, strong melodic lines, and an easy sense of timing that works well for live, in-room listening.
Holiday Jazz offers a straightforward way to include live music in Christmas Eve plans without committing to a late night or formal concert setting. The combination of skilled local talent, live jazz, and a comfortable early-evening schedule makes it a natural fit for the holiday calendar.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Wednesday, December 24, 5-7pm
The Marketplace 4738 Lynwood Center Rd NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
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Jazzy Holiday Concert: Ranger and the "Re-Arrangers"
The Jazzy Holiday Concert returns to Bainbridge Island on Saturday, December 27, with an evening performance from 7 to 9 pm at Bainbridge Cinemas. The show takes place in Theater #3, a space already set up for live performances and previously used by Bainbridge Pavilion Concerts during their building construction period. The venue offers comfortable seating, good sightlines, and a layout that works well for both music and audience engagement.
This concert is a collaboration between the performers, Bainbridge Pavilion Concerts, and Bainbridge Cinemas. Ticketing is handled directly through the cinema’s box office, and concessions will be available throughout the evening. Guests can purchase tickets online in advance or in person at the theater, making access straightforward for both locals and visitors.
The program features a mix of the group’s regular repertoire alongside a selection of re-arranged holiday classics. Over the years, the musicians have developed a small but well-tested collection of seasonal jazz arrangements that they bring out during the short holiday window. These are not standard note-for-note renditions. Familiar melodies are reshaped through changes in rhythm, harmony, and style, giving the music a fresh structure while keeping it recognizable.
One audience favorite is a minor-key, tango-inspired version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which reflects the group’s broader approach to arrangement: playful, intentional, and grounded in strong ensemble playing. The set balances original interpretations with material longtime listeners may already know, creating a program that works for both returning audiences and first-time attendees.
General admission tickets are priced at $20. For those looking for a more expanded evening, a VIP Holiday Soirée Pass is available for $50. This option includes premium concert seating and access to a second-floor party suite. VIP guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, seasonal drinks, and time to socialize before the show, during intermission, and afterward. The suite opens 45 minutes before showtime and remains available through the end of the evening, including time to meet and talk with the band.
Tickets can be purchased online through Far Away Entertainment or directly at the Bainbridge Cinemas box office.
Cost, ticket, and logistics:
Saturday, December 27, 7pm
Bainbridge Cinemas, 403 Madison Ave N # 101, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
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