The first annual Bethel Island Children’s Christmas Party was held in 2006 at the Rusty Porthole restaurant & bar. The party was small, but each of the 40 local children in attendance were given new winter coats and wrapped gifts. In 2023, over 270 children attended the party, which has been held in Scout Hall, the local community center, every year since 2007. The venue is filled with music, pizza, gifts, and Christmas cookies and donuts for the children, who all had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa, have balloon animals made, and to be creative and make their own gifts at the Craft Shoppe.
