The Week Ahead
January 5, 2026
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Happy New Year, Bainbridge Island! As we step into 2026, there’s something especially fitting about beginning the year by looking close to home—at the people, places, and gatherings that give our community its character. January often arrives quietly, with shorter days and a slower rhythm after the holidays, but it’s also a time of fresh starts, renewed curiosity, and small moments of connection that set the tone for the months ahead.
The first week of the year is a natural pause point: a chance to ease back into routines while still holding onto that reflective, hopeful New Year energy. On Bainbridge Island, that pause is often filled not with resolutions, but with reunions—neighbors meeting in familiar spaces, artists returning to the stage, and traditions picking up where they left off. It’s a reminder that even in the heart of winter, there’s plenty happening if you know where to look.
This week’s events offer a thoughtful cross-section of how the island welcomes a new year. There’s a sense of storytelling and reflection, whether through a classic musical that asks what happens after wishes come true, a cultural celebration rooted in centuries-old New Year traditions, or an open stage where voices and instruments share space without pretense. Each event, in its own way, invites us to slow down, listen, and be part of something shared.
What stands out is how approachable these gatherings are. They take place in schools, community halls, and multipurpose spaces we pass every day—venues that feel familiar and inviting rather than formal or intimidating. Many are free or low-cost, designed with accessibility in mind, and shaped by volunteers, educators, and local artists who care deeply about making room for everyone. That openness feels especially meaningful at the start of a new year, when many of us are looking for ways to reconnect.
January can be a month of hibernation, but it doesn’t have to be. These early-2026 events offer gentle reasons to step out, whether you’re seeking an evening of theater, a lively afternoon with food and drumming, or a cozy night of acoustic music. They reflect a community that values creativity, tradition, and togetherness—not as grand gestures, but as regular practices woven into everyday life.
As the first post of the year, consider this an invitation and a warm welcome: here are three events happening this week that help ring in 2026 the Bainbridge way—by gathering, sharing stories, and starting the year connected.
Featured Events:
Into the Woods
Bainbridge Island audiences are invited to venture Into the Woods this January, as Bainbridge High School Theater brings Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved musical to the stage from January 8–18, 2026. A clever, witty, and surprisingly moving work, Into the Woods weaves together familiar fairy tales while asking deeper questions about wishes, consequences, and what happens after “happily ever after.”
With music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, Into the Woods follows characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), and a Baker and his Wife as their stories collide in unexpected ways. What begins as a lighthearted quest quickly grows more complex, exploring themes of responsibility, community, and moral ambiguity—making it a favorite for both seasoned theatergoers and newcomers alike.
The production runs at Bainbridge High School Theater, with performances on weekends from January 9 through January 18. For those eager to attend early or sample the show, a pay-what-you-can preview will take place on Thursday, January 8, offering accessible entry for audiences of all budgets.
In keeping with Bainbridge Island’s commitment to inclusive arts experiences, the production will also feature a Special Relaxed Performance on Saturday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. Relaxed performances are designed to be more welcoming for audience members who may benefit from a less formal theater environment, including individuals with sensory sensitivities. Additional information about relaxed performances is available through the production’s partners at Neurodiversity Allies.
While Into the Woods draws from fairy tales often associated with children, this production comes with a parental advisory. The show contains mature themes, implied violence, and depictions of character deaths both onstage and offstage. Parental discretion is advised for children aged 10 and under, as the musical ultimately aims more squarely at teens and adults.
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, this Bainbridge High School Theater production promises a thoughtful and entertaining evening of live performance. Whether you’re a longtime Sondheim fan or simply looking for a memorable night out close to home, Into the Woods offers a rich theatrical experience right here on Bainbridge Island.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
January 8-18
Bainbridge High School 9330 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Full details here
Know before you go:
Mochi Tsuki 2026
up your needles, and letting the hours unfold naturally.
Cost, tickets and logistics:
Saturday, January 10, 11am-3pm
Woodward Middle School, 9125 Sportsman Club Road, Bainbridge Island, WA
Full details here
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Seabold Second Saturday Open Mic
For those who prefer their live music close, warm, and unpolished in the best possible way, Seabold Second Saturday: Acoustic Open Stage offers a monthly gathering that feels more like a shared living room than a concert hall. Held on the second Saturday of every month at Seabold Hall, this Bainbridge Island tradition invites musicians and listeners alike to slow down and settle into an evening of mostly acoustic sound and genuine connection.
The setting is part of the magic. Seabold Hall is a small, one-room historic schoolhouse tucked away off Komedal Road, known for its natural acoustics and intimate atmosphere. Performers play with minimal or no amplification, allowing voices, strings, and keys to resonate naturally in the space. The result is a listening experience that feels refreshingly human—no booming speakers, no flashy production, just music as it’s meant to be heard.
Musically, the open stage leans toward folk, blues, Celtic, jazz, and original material, but the door is open to nearly any genre, provided it doesn’t overwhelm the room. If amplification is part of your act, organizers simply ask that you reach out in advance to make arrangements. There is a piano available on site, though regulars will tell you it has a personality of its own: a bit worn, a bit quirky, and not always perfectly in tune. For some musicians, that’s part of the charm; for others, bringing a digital keyboard may be the better option.
What truly sets Seabold Second Saturday apart, however, is the community. Performers range from seasoned professionals to first-time open mic participants, with plenty of space in between. Kids and adults share the stage, and newcomers are welcomed just as enthusiastically as long-time regulars. The audience is famously attentive and supportive, making it an especially inviting place to try out new material or perform for the first time.
The event begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening and open mic sign-ups at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $8, optional for performers, free for kids, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Whether you come to play, listen, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Seabold Second Saturday is a reminder of how meaningful small, local music gatherings can be on Bainbridge Island.
Cost, ticket, and logistics:
Saturday, January 11, 7:30pm
Seabold Hall 14450 Komedal Road, Bainbridge Island, WA
Full details here
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