Celebrate the season with a coastal Christmas and a crab pot tree

written by Laura Cherau

Looking for a unique way to kick off the winter season? For a one-of-a-kind quaint coastal Christmas tradition, now in its twelfth year,
check out the world’s tallest crab pot Christmas tree at the port of Ilwaco. Each year the crab pot tree grows a little bit taller, and this year it will celebrate the local crabbing fleet with garlands, lights and buoys sporting the fleet’s colors. On the first three Saturdays in December, Ilwaco also holds an informal Saturday Christmas Market at the Inn at Harbor Village located just a few blocks from the port shops, galleries and restaurants. Since it is also crab season, it’s the perfect time to stop in at Jesse’s Ilwaco Fish Market for a tour and a crab or two.