Islands invite holiday day-trippers

Bainbridge Island Christmas in the Country art sale and holiday event is Dec. 5-7, and the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour is Dec. 6-7 and 13-14.

By Madeline McKenzie

Seattle Times staff

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GREG GILBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Holiday events in country settings on Bainbridge and Vashon islands this weekend are a ferry ride from Seattle.

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Take your holiday season on a scenic ferry ride and a drive in the country this weekend to browse for holiday décor and gifts by island artists at the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour, Christmas in the Country and the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour.

Christmas in the Country includes holiday events for all ages along with vendors at seven Bainbridge Island venues. Browse through vintage Christmas ornaments, garden art and natural-dyed yarn at Blackberry Hill Farm, stained glass art and textile sculptures at Sweetlife Farm, and jewelry and vintage Santas at the Little Yellow Farmhouse. Countryman Stables has free pony rides for kids, and Santa photos are available at Hazel Creek Farm.

Also this weekend, the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour arts-and-crafts show and sale includes works by more than 60 artists at nine art studios and community halls around the island.

For another island getaway, shop for paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography and garden art by 100 artists at more than 30 studios and galleries in the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour this Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 13-14. Meet the artists at several locations and get information on tour locations at any venue displaying the Art Studio Tour sign.

The details

Christmas in the Country: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; pony rides noon-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Bainbridge Island Studio Tour: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: Both events free.

Location: Information and maps at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, Highway 305 and Winslow Way, near the ferry landing.

Getting there: Via ferry from Colman Dock, Seattle (ferry info: 888-808-7977 or www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries), or via Interstate 5 southbound to Highway 16/Highway 3, turn off at Highway 305.

More information: 206-842-3700 or www.christmasinthecountry.info and www.bistudiotour.com.

Vashon Island Art Studio Tour

Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 13-14.