The Reporter welcomes calendar items for nonprofit groups and community events. This list highlights the upcoming weekly community events happening in Sammamish and Issaquah. See below for further instructions on how to submit events.

UPCOMING:

Winter Wonderland Pancake Breakfast and Photos with Santa
Location: University House Issaquah, 22975 SE Black Nugget Road, Issaquah
8:30-10:30 a.m. — On Dec. 12, children are welcome to meet and get their picture taken Santa and Mrs. Claus — and see Santa’s Reindeer Fire Engine — during a fundraising event for Eastside Fire & Rescue. University House Issaquah is part of Era Living, a private, Seattle-based company of eight premier retirement communities. University House Issaquah offers a warm, vibrant lifestyle with ongoing learning programs for residents, beautiful Cascade vistas and exceptional Independent Living and Assisted Living care. For more information, call 425-557-4200.

Holiday Boat Parade

*This event was to be held Saturday but due to predicted stormy weather this weekend, the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park pushed the parade to Dec. 12* 
Location: Lake Sammamish State Park, 2000 NW Sammamish Road in Issaquah; take exit 15 off Interstate 90
4:30 p.m. — Join the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park for its fourth annual beach party and bonfire Dec. 12 while watching the holiday lighted boat parade. For more information, visit the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Lake-Sammamish-State-Park-102690359928865/.

ONGOING:

Issaquah’s Reindeer Festival
Location: Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St, Issaquah
From Dec. 1-23, Santa will be at the Cougar Mountain Zoo for the annual Issaquah Reindeer Festival. The festival, packed with several activities, starts at 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.CougarMountainZoo.org or contact info@cougarmountainzoo.org.

 

Friday, Dec. 4

A Very Merry Sammamish tree lighting
Location: Sammamish Commons Plaza, 801 228th Ave SE5: 30-7:45 — Join the city in a festive family fun event perfect to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy a petting zoo, face painting, crafts, live entertainment, a tree lighting and treats. It’s open and free to the public. For more information call Lynne Handlos, recreation coordinator with the city, at 425-295-0584.

Saturday, Dec. 5

Santa’s at the EX3 Teen Center
Location: 825 228th Ave NE, Sammamish
8:45 a.m., 10 a.m. — Enjoy some time with Santa, pancakes, “Douglas the Talking Fir,” music and crafts for kids. For more information, call 425-392-8905.

Volunteer at Ebright Creek Park
Location: Ebright Creek Park, 1317 212th Ave SE, Sammamish
9 a.m. to noon — Volunteer with the Washington Native Plant Society as they work to restore the salmon-bearing creek, which runs into Lake Sammamish. Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs. To learn more, call 425-295-0556.

Skyline High School bazaar
Location: Skyline High School, 1122 228th Ave SE, Sammamish
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Shop for special holiday gifts and unique handcrafted items, enjoy music and food at Skyline High School’s 12th annual holiday bazaar.

Springfree’s holiday party
Location: Issaquah Commons Shopping Center, 775 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah
2-3 p.m. — Join in the free, family fun concert with Recess Monkey. Please bring an unwrapped toy or children’s book for local children in need to help Eastside Baby Corner. Light snacks will be provided.

Master Chorus Eastside’s holiday concert

Location: Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave SE, Sammamish
7 p.m. — Master Chorus Eastside, formally known as the Issaquah Chorale, will bring a Charles Dickens classic to life during the choir’s 25th concert season. General admission is $20. Tickets for seniors, students and veterans are $15. A family ticket is $44. Children younger than 9 years old are free, but still need a ticket for admission. For more information, visit www.masterchoruseastside.org/#!concerts/c1jh6.

Monday, Dec. 7

CoderDojo | Sammamish Library hosts science, technology event
Location: 825 228th Ave SE, Sammamish
3:30-5 p.m. — Children, teens and families are welcome to attend a “Celebrate Computer Science Education Week!” event to explore coding in an open, collaborative environment for youth. Drop in for a self-directed, online learning. Bring your laptop or tablet and an adult. For more information visit coderdojo.com. The event runs Dec. 7-10.

Monday, Dec. 9

Highlands Travel Club talks Italy
Location: Blakely Hall at Issaquah Highlands, 2550 NE Park Dr
7-9 p.m. — Join the Issaquah Highlands Travel Club in exploring Italy. Guests are encouraged to bring an Italian appetizer and Italian beverages to share with the group. For more information visit Facebook.com/highlandstravelclub. To RSVP email IHTravelClub@gmail.com.

 

Submissions: The Reporter welcomes calendar items for nonprofit groups and community events. Please email your event notices to mcampbell@issaquahreporter.com. Items should be submitted by noon on the Tuesday the week before publication. Items are included in the print paper on a space-available basis. Calendar online: Post activities or events online with our calendar feature at www.issaquahreporter.com. Events may be directly added to the calendar on our home page. Click on the “Calendar” tab.