Happy Thursday, neighbors! This week on Bainbridge has film-festival nights at Lynwood, one of the last farmers market Saturdays of the year, a Latine makers’ market at BIMA, and a mushroom feast in the woods at IslandWood. November on the island is cozy, creative and full of good people, and Tom and I wanted to make it easy for you to get out and enjoy it.
Carii’s pick: Sunday’s free Keaton Shorts with Live Piano at Island Center Hall. Old-school slapstick with a live score is about the most fun a family can have on a November afternoon.
How we build this list: we check every event on the organizer’s own page the week we publish. Plans can change, so tap the source link before you head out.
The week at a glance: Nov 12–18, 2026
- Thursday, Nov 12: Bainbridge Island Film Festival Opening Night: The Last Critic
- Thursday, Nov 12 – Sunday, Nov 15: Red at Bainbridge Performing Arts
- Friday, Nov 13 – Sunday, Nov 15: The rest of the Bainbridge Island Film Festival
- Saturday, Nov 14: Bainbridge Island Farmers Market
- Saturday, Nov 14: BIMA Mercado
- Sunday, Nov 15: Keaton Shorts with Live Piano (Film Festival)
- Sunday, Nov 15: Curated Conversation: Nepantla: Exploring Chicano Art
- Sunday, Nov 15: The Wild Table: A Forage-to-Feast Celebration of Mushrooms
- Sunday, Nov 15: Seattle International Comedy Competition
- Tuesday, Nov 17: Drink & Draw with BIMA
- Tuesday, Nov 17: Emergency Preparedness: Education and Training
What’s happening, and why we love it
Bainbridge Island Film Festival Opening Night: The Last Critic
When: Thursday, Nov 12, 6:30 PM, followed by the Opening Night Reception at 8:00 PM
Where: Lynwood Theatre, 4569 Lynwood Center Rd NE (reception across the street at The Marketplace, 4738 Lynwood Center Rd NE)
Four days of new films kick off with this award-winning documentary on rock critic Robert Christgau, a Q&A with cinematographer/producer Ben Wu, and then a party. Per the festival, opening-night tickets cover both the film and the reception. Lynwood parking is limited, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Source: BIFF 2026 on Eventive
Red at Bainbridge Performing Arts
When: Thursday, Nov 12 – Sunday, Nov 15, Preview Thu, Nov 12; performances Nov 13–15 (check the ticket page for curtain times)
Where: Bainbridge Performing Arts (Studio Series)
John Logan’s six-time Tony winner puts you inside Mark Rothko’s studio, with Mel Carson as Rothko and Reed Viydo as Ken, directed by Laurel Marlantes. It’s an intimate one, and it fits a film-and-art kind of weekend.
Source: Bainbridge Performing Arts
The rest of the Bainbridge Island Film Festival
When: Friday, Nov 13 – Sunday, Nov 15, Screenings all day Fri–Sun; see the full schedule
Where: Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Cinemas and other island venues
Features, shorts, Kitsap and island-connected films, and lots of filmmaker Q&As. Pick one, or make a weekend of it.
Source: BIFF 2026 schedule · bifilmfest.org
Bainbridge Island Farmers Market
When: Saturday, Nov 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Town Square at City Hall, 280 Madison Ave N
The season wraps Nov 21, so this is one of the last two Saturdays to fill your bag from island farms and makers. It’s a short walk from the ferry, too.
Source: Bainbridge Island Farmers Market
BIMA Mercado
When: Saturday, Nov 14, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art galleries (Orientation, MESA and Beacon Galleries)
A free market of art, craft and goods from Latine makers across the Puget Sound region, part of BIMA’s Día de los Muertos celebration. Note that BIMA moved it to Saturday. While you’re there, the community ofrenda by artist Araceli Cruz is open daily 10 AM – 5 PM through Sunday, Nov 15.
Source: BIMA: Mercado · BIMA: Ofrenda
Keaton Shorts with Live Piano (Film Festival)
When: Sunday, Nov 15, 2:00 PM
Where: Island Center Hall
Buster Keaton slapstick with a live piano score. The festival lists it as free and family-friendly, so bring the kids and Grandma.
Source: BIFF 2026 schedule
Curated Conversation: Nepantla: Exploring Chicano Art
When: Sunday, Nov 15, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Where: Frank Buxton Auditorium, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery founders Jake Prendez and Judy Avitia-Gonzalez talk about building a home for Chicana/o art, followed by a Q&A and reception. It’s free; register on BIMA’s page.
Source: BIMA
The Wild Table: A Forage-to-Feast Celebration of Mushrooms
When: Sunday, Nov 15, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave NE
A seasonal feast built around wild mushrooms, with stories and a little mycology on the side. It’s a very Pacific Northwest way to spend a November evening. See IslandWood’s page for tickets.
Source: IslandWood events
Seattle International Comedy Competition
When: Sunday, Nov 15, 7:30 PM
Where: Bainbridge Performing Arts
Sixteen comedians compete for a spot in the semifinals. BPA says this one sells out well in advance and isn’t suited to younger audiences, so plan a grown-ups’ night out.
Source: Bainbridge Performing Arts
Drink & Draw with BIMA
When: Tuesday, Nov 17, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Where: Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse, 500 Winslow Way E #110
A free, drop-in life-drawing session with a clothed model, for ages 21+. Materials are provided, no registration is needed, and every skill level is welcome.
Source: BIMA
Emergency Preparedness: Education and Training
When: Tuesday, Nov 17, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Where: Bainbridge Island Library (Kitsap Regional Library), 1270 Madison Ave N
Presented with Bainbridge Prepares. It’s useful for every household, and especially for newcomers settling into their first island winter. Registration is required.
Source: Kitsap Regional Library
Little extras this week
- Read to a Dog: Thu, Nov 12, 3:30–4:30 PM, Bainbridge Island Library. Kids practice reading aloud to friendly therapy dogs from Kitsap Therapy Dogs. (Kitsap Regional Library)
- Last days of Community Creatives in Bloom at Bloedel Reserve: Through Sun, Nov 15, in the Residence Living Room. Included with garden admission (free for members). (Bloedel Reserve)
- Open Book Tours at Daisy Lane: Wed, Nov 18, 11 AM – 1 PM. Handle artists’ books and hear from the artists at BIMA’s Daisy Lane studio. Registration is on BIMA’s page. (BIMA)
Save the date
Illuminate, downtown Bainbridge’s holiday kickoff with the tree lighting in Town Square, is Sunday, Nov 29 (Love Kitsap). There’s more on the season and the market in our November newsletter.
Thinking about making the island home?
Weekends like this are a big part of why people fall for Bainbridge, and we’d love to help you find your spot here. If you’re moving from out of state, start with our step-by-step relocation checklist. When you’re ready to talk neighborhoods, timing or a scouting visit, tell us about your move on our relocation page or send us a note. Tom and I will get right back to you.
See you around the island!
Carii & Tom
The Carii Clawson Team, Coldwell Banker Realty
