Seattle Area Calendar of Events
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December 2019
Fantasy Lights
Nov. 28, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
Pierce County Parks and Recreation is pleased to present the 24th annual ‘Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park’ the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. The beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable lakeside tradition for the entire family.
Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival
Nov. 29 – Dec. 23, 2019
Holiday traditions in the Northwest start on the water with the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship festival – a holiday celebration that has been a Pacific Northwest tradition since 1949. Every year, the Argosy Christmas Ship sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, over 45 in total. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via state-of-the-art speaker system. On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship.
http://www.argosycruises.com/theme-cruises/christmas-ship-festival/
Snowflake Lane
Nov. 29 – Dec. 24, 2019
Snowflake Lane is a holiday spectacle for the whole family, made up of live toy soldier drummers, exhilarating music, animated snow characters, and glittering lights, all surrounded by snow falling every night along Bellevue Way between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place in Bellevue, Washington.
Nutcracker Ballet
Nov. 29 – Dec. 28, 2019
Treat your loved ones to Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker this holiday season! Choreographer George Balanchine’s production of Tschaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker has become the most famous stage production of the ballet performed in the U.S.
Seattle Center WinterFest
Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, 2019
Connecting to the sights, sounds and spirit of the season – Seattle Center Winterfest includes Winter Train and Village, Winterfest Ice Rink, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, along with music and comedy, performances by more than 100 student groups and more.
Zoo Lights at Point Defiance
Nov. 29, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Need a break from Christmas shopping and holiday baking? Head on over to Point Defiance Zoo for their annual Zoo Lights celebration. Over half a million colorful lights adorn the zoo grounds for one unbelievable holiday display. Don’t expect to see any polar bears or penguins on this trip, though – they’re tucked away safe and sound for this one.
WildLights
Nov 29, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020
Seattle’s wildest winter holiday lights festival is back! The favorite new holiday tradition features wild animals and wild places recreated in hundreds of thousands of sparkling LED lights. Experience amazing indoor and outdoor light displays, see a few animal friends – including visiting reindeer – have a faux-snowball fight with your family, and enjoy carolers singing the joy of the holiday season.
Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
Nov. 29, 2019 – Jan. 20, 2020
Skate and celebrate at the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink, the region’s largest open-air holiday ice skating experience! The festive venue offers shelter for all-weather skating, food and beverage concessions, music from STAR 101.5, and a series of special events including Free Skate Mondays, Stroller Skating, Late Skate Friday & Saturdays, and Free Skate Lessons with professional instructors!
Garden d’Lights
Nov. 30 – Dec. 31, 2019
The enormously popular Garden d’Lights festival features over a half million lights which transform the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a blossoming winter wonderland. Every December, over 150,000 people enjoy this dazzling holiday display.
A Victorian Country Christmas
Dec. 4 – 8, 2019
Step back in time and enjoy a Victorian village filled with 560 stores at the fairgrounds in Puyallup! Also, enjoy a Christmas Carousel ride, a horse drawn carriage ride, or hop aboard the Santa Tram!
Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Dec. 6, 2019
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as dozens of caroling teams sing their hearts out on downtown Seattle street corners in and around Westlake Center. This charity event attracts over 10,000 spectators each year!
Festival of Trees
Dec. 6 – 7, 2019
During the first week of December, Festival of Trees in Tacoma brings the sights and sounds of the holidays to the families of western Washington with a glittering display of approximately 60 exquisitely decorated trees.
Christmas in the Country
Dec. 6 – 8, 2019
Christmas in the Country is Bainbridge Island’s premier winter holiday event. Following a map, visitors will drive the winding, tree-lined, rural roads on Bainbridge and stop at quaint historic cottages, farms, and fascinating homes while shopping for unique, handmade art, gift items, and epicurean delights created by local and regional artists and authors.
Bainbridge Island Studio Tour
Dec. 6 – 8, 2019
Bainbridge Island is just a short ferry ride from Seattle, and twice each year local artists open their studios to the public. The free tour is self-paced and the route is easily accessible by bicycle or by car. Each destination provides an oportunity to meet the artists, view works in progress and finished pieces, as well as various refreshments and live entertainment.
Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show
Dec. 6 – 8, 2019
Urban Craft Uprising is Seattle’s largest indie craft show! At UCU, now in its eleventh year, fans can choose from a wide variety of hand-crafted goods, including clothing of all types, jewelry, gifts, bags, wallets, buttons, accessories, aprons, children’s goods, toys, housewares, furniture, paper goods, candles, kits, geekery, art, food, and much, much more.
Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade
Dec. 7, 2019
The Puyallup Santa Parade is one of the highlights of the holiday season in Downtown Puyallup. Over 100 parade entries light up Meridian on one magical evening. Thousands of families line Meridian to marvel at the sight of holiday floats, marching bands, antique tractors while they await the arrival of Jolly Old Saint Nick himself as he arrives on a Central Pierce Firetruck.
Kenmore Christmas Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market
Dec. 7, 2019
Kenmore Christmas Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market occurs annually on the first Saturday in December. The family-friendly event includes entertainment from local choirs and dance groups, arts and crafts, food trucks, holiday craft market, and photos with Santa. Santa surprises children with his arrival by fire truck.
Jule Fest
Dec. 7, 2019
Come to beautiful downtown Poulsbo for Christmas in the Norwegian tradition. Events include Christmas tree lighting, music, dancing around the Christmas tree, horse and wagon rides, food, and so much more!
Redmond Lights
Dec. 7 – 8, 2019
Redmond Lights is a celebration of traditions, cultures and faiths. Experience this three part, progressive event, by starting at the City Hall Campus Lighting; strolling down the Redmond Central Connector Luminary Walk; and ending the evening at Redmond Town Center. Along the way, enjoy light displays, music, entertainment, the Holiday Market, and fun activities for the whole family.
Duwamish Native Holiday Gift Fair
Dec. 13 – 15, 2019
The Duwamish Tribe invites the public to its Longhouse for a Native Holiday Gift Fair. Buy directly
from native artists and craft persons. Lots of holiday spirit and a big lighted tree. Unique gifts in every price range – fine art, native crafts, regalia, cards, jewelry, t-shirts, smoked salmon and more. Snacks: soup of day, hot chocolate and more. Free admission and parking for shoppers.
https://www.duwamishtribe.org/events/2019/12/13/annual-holiday-native-gift-fair-amp-art-market
Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk
Dec. 14, 2019
The Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk features a 10k run and 5k run/walk. This holiday favorite takes place on the second weekend of December and will celebrate 33 years of running in the Kent Valley in 2015.
Model Train Festival
Dec. 20, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
History and holiday magic unite at the Washington State History Museum during the Annual Model Train Festival in December. Bring your family, friends, and the railroad enthusiasts in your life to see this showcase of the most spectacular and detailed model railroad scenes in the Pacific Northwest!
http://www.washingtonhistory.org/visit/wshm/eventsprograms/trainfest/
Winter Wildland
Dec. 28 – 29, 2019
Bundle up and bring your flock to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park during winter break this year for the annual Winter Wildland celebration. Watch animals throughout the wildlife park enjoy fun, winter-themed enrichments.
Ivar’s Clam Lights
Dec. 6, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020
Ivar’s Clam lights is a stunning visual display of several dozen trees and shrubs professionally decorated with thousands of lights. Centered at Ivar’s, Kidd Valley, and the water walk at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton, the overall decorated paved trail path is a flat walkable loop approximately one mile in total distance.
Light Up the Night – Holiday Parade & Bonfire
TBD
Light Up the Night Parade and Holiday Beach Party at Lake Sammamish State Park will be made up of people who come wearing their finest holiday lights and is led by Hoopsmiles, his LED hula hoops and a giant snowman. Wear your twinkling sweaters and hats and get creative! Decorated wagons, strollers, tricycles and more are also encouraged. There will also be live music and bonfires on the beach at this annual holiday event.
https://www.lakesammamishfriends.org/events/2018/12/2/light-up-the-night
Greenlake Pathway of Lights
TBD
The 2.8-mile path around Green Lake is lit with thousands of luminarias. Bring your own lights and candles to add to the ambiance. Local musicians perform, warm drinks and treats available at four sites.
Port Gamble Country Christmas
TBD
Visitors will enjoy a variety of festival holiday activities, including horse-drawn hayrides through a town sparkling with over 100,000 holiday lights, craft-making for the kids at Santa’s workshop, followed by Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display.
First Night Tacoma
Dec. 31, 2018
Ring in the New Year at First Night Tacoma, an alcohol-free event with over a dozen stages of music, arts and entertainment throughout the evening. This annual family-friendly event on Broadway culminates with a fireworks extravaganza at 11:30 pm!
