Seattle is pulling out all the stops for the holidays with a lineup of events and activities guaranteed to get you in a festive mood. Mark your calendars, as you won’t want to miss these celebrations and timeless Emerald City traditions.
The Seattle Christmas Market returns 11/21-12/24 with over eighty vendors at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn, offering local and international artisan-crafted gifts. Delicious treats and hot drinks will be available, along with daily musical entertainment and a 2024 Special Edition double-decker carousel. And don’t miss the Lantern Festival parade, 12/1 at 5 p.m.
Also at the Center is Seattle Center Winterfest, 11/24-12/31, where you’ll be dazzled by the lights, amusements, entertainment and a winter train and village. It all culminates with an impressive fireworks and light show at the Space Needle, 12/31, during “New Year’s At the Needle.”
Back after a four-year hiatus is “Enchant,” which returns to T-Mobile Park, 11/22-12/29. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to return to Seattle this year with a brand-new adventure,” says Kevin Johnston, Founder of Enchant. “Our World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, ‘Santa’s Magic Timepiece,’ takes guests into the heart of a magical tale in which you are charged with recovering lost star fragments in the maze in order to save Christmas.” Enchant promises even more festive magic with an ice-skating trail, new Ferris Wheel experience, great photo-ops, visits with Santa, seasonal food and drink, live entertainment and more.
Over at the National Nordic Museum is the 47th Annual Julefest: A Nordic Christmas Celebration, 11/22-24. This popular event transforms NW Market Street in the city’s Ballard neighborhood into a traditional Nordic marketplace with vendors selling artisanal goods, Scandinavian apparel and traditional holiday specialties.
Pike Place Market gets into the action on 11/30 with its annual “Magic in the Market,” a long-running holiday tradition. Picture all nine acres decked out in festive glory. There’ll be cookie decorating, eggnog sipping, gift shopping and an opportunity to meet Santa. And of course, you’ll want to stay for the colorful Market lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.
Also at the Market is “Crafty’s Handmade HoliDAYS,” 12/16-20. This festival, now in its third year, offers one-of-a-kind products and artsy experiences for all ages, plus live holiday music.
Holiday performances are a staple in Seattle:
- ACT Theatre presents its production of “A Christmas Carol,” 11/29-12/27. This timeless holiday show is a beloved tradition for many families.
- Another classic is George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 11/29-12/28.
- Get your voices ready to sing along with the Seattle Men’s Chorus at their holiday show, “Ho Ho Ho!” The group will be performing at multiple Puget Sound area locations, 12/1-21.
- A full program of holiday faves, both classical and pop, are on tap at the Seattle Symphony’s “Holiday Pops” performance, 12/6-8.
- Local caroling teams will raise their voices at the 39th Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, 12/7 from 12-2:30 p.m. Held at Pike Place Market, this competition helps raise money for the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank. It’s the Market’s longest-running holiday tradition.
Light displays are always popular and this year, Woodland Park Zoo’s “WildLanterns” returns 11/15-1/19. An all-new, immersive “Mystical Forest” awaits, where illuminated creatures take over the zoo.
Drool at the delicious tableau over at Sheraton Grand Seattle’s Gingerbread Village Display. Made by architects, master builders and chefs, this creation is open and free to the public, 11/21-1/1, but donations are welcome, going to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Take to the seas and set sail during the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, an Emerald City tradition since 1949. Get ready to celebrate aboard an enchanting Argosy cruise, 11/29-12/23.
Across Lake Washington, you’ll find more holiday fun with sparkling displays at Garden d’Lights 2024 at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, 11/30-12/31. This includes a special “Hands On Hanukkah” evening, 12/14, where the Stroum Jewish Community Center offers Hanukkah crafts and entertainment for the whole family.
If you want to extend the merriment and spend a night downtown Seattle, a number of select hotels are offering seasonal packages with perks ranging from discounted rates and comp cocktails to event tickets and spa credits. Check out Hotel Andra Seattle’s Solstice Savings, the Hyatt Regency Seattle’s Enchant Winter Package or the Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s offerings, including the ever-popular Teddy Bear Suite. The Fairmont also hosts the Festival of Trees, a fundraiser showcasing twenty-plus decorated Christmas trees that share the stories of Seattle Children’s Hospital patients. All proceeds benefit the Seattle Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care and Autism Center.
