In Pictures: Happy Haida Gwaii holidays

The whole school marched hand-in-hand to start off the night, with students’ artwork displayed around the gym. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)The whole school marched hand-in-hand to start off the night, with students’ artwork displayed around the gym. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
(Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)(Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Everyone wore a smile except the Grinch. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Everyone wore a smile except the Grinch. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
With Christmas-light necklaces and blinking neck-ties, the students really lit up. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)With Christmas-light necklaces and blinking neck-ties, the students really lit up. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
They came with bells on and Christmas lights, too — students and teachers from Chief Matthews Elementary School filled the Old Massett Village Hall with cheer on Dec. 19 for the school’s annual holiday extravaganza. Turn to page 8 for more photos. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)They came with bells on and Christmas lights, too — students and teachers from Chief Matthews Elementary School filled the Old Massett Village Hall with cheer on Dec. 19 for the school’s annual holiday extravaganza. Turn to page 8 for more photos. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Reindeer get ready for the stage at the Chief Matthews Elementary Extravaganza — one with a red nose. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Reindeer get ready for the stage at the Chief Matthews Elementary Extravaganza — one with a red nose. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Little drummer boys and girls play after singing a round of pa-rum-pum-pum at the Chief Matthews Elementary Extravaganza, where students sang both Xaad Kil and English songs. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Little drummer boys and girls play after singing a round of pa-rum-pum-pum at the Chief Matthews Elementary Extravaganza, where students sang both Xaad Kil and English songs. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
(Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)(Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Singers in the Tow Hill Choir, led by Michael König, performed Christmas carols between scenes of the shadow-puppet play Brave Irene. Dancers also joined the story, streaming in to interpret scenes for a full house in the mostly candlelit Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse in G̱aw/Old Massett. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Singers in the Tow Hill Choir, led by Michael König, performed Christmas carols between scenes of the shadow-puppet play Brave Irene. Dancers also joined the story, streaming in to interpret scenes for a full house in the mostly candlelit Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse in G̱aw/Old Massett. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Shadow puppeteers show Brave Irene in a fierce snowstorm, sledding her way to deliver a beautiful ball gown in a box that doubles as a sled. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Shadow puppeteers show Brave Irene in a fierce snowstorm, sledding her way to deliver a beautiful ball gown in a box that doubles as a sled. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Dancers take centre stage at the Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)Dancers take centre stage at the Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse. (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)
The ALM Winter Concert featured “A Tale of Desperaux” by Ms. Parser’s class. (Submitted)The ALM Winter Concert featured “A Tale of Desperaux” by Ms. Parser’s class. (Submitted)
The ALM Winter Concert featured “A Tale of Desperaux” by Ms. Parser’s class. (Submitted)The ALM Winter Concert featured “A Tale of Desperaux” by Ms. Parser’s class. (Submitted)
Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)
Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)
Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)Songs at the ALM Winter Concert included favourites like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, along with Blue Christmas and Feliz Navidad. (Submitted)
One of these ornaments is not like the other… (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)One of these ornaments is not like the other… (Andrew Hudson/Haida Gwaii Observer)

Holiday spirit shone all over Haida Gwaii in the lead-up to Christmas, with concerts and community dinners from Old Massett to Sandspit and everywhere in between.

Below are photos from the Chief Matthews Extravaganza, a performance of the shadow-puppet play Brave Irene at the Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse, the winter concert at Agnes L. Mathers Elementary, and one photo of a real standout ornament at Sandspit Airport.

Related: Masset Christmas concert stocks lots of laughs

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