Fun Things to Do This Holiday Season

Annual Christmas Lights Festival in Stanwood, WA

The holiday season is filled with events and entertainment no matter what you like to do. We’ve listed some of the many fun things to do this holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in and around Puget Sound.

Some events are free, while others require reservations and/or admission. Call or go online for details and pricing for each event you’re interested in.

The Lights of Christmas

Experience the magic of the holidays at The Lights of Christmas Festival in Stanwood, just one hour north of Seattle. This event features more than one million light displays, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more!

Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 18-23, 26-29

Christmas Lighting Festival

Visit the Christmas Lighting Festival in the picturesque Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth. Browse through the village’s quaint shops, savor German food, enjoy live outdoor entertainment, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and then gather at dusk (on weekends) for the lighting ceremony.

Leavenworth, Dec 6 – Dec 22

Christmas Ship Festival 2019

Whether you are on board or watching from the shore, this parade is a lovely Northwest holiday tradition. The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is an excellent way to celebrate the holiday season, especially for families.

Brightly decorated and glowing with thousands of lights, the Christmas ships parade through dozens of waterfront neighborhoods. Choirs perform carols on board the Christmas Ship. Nov 29–Dec 23 E

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A fresh take on the timeless classic that gives the audience a completely new way of experiencing the storyline as portrayed by actors who maintain the integrity and spirit of each Peanuts character.

Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center Federal Way

Fri, Nov 22, 5 pm, 8 pm

A Hip Hop Nutcracker

This reinterpretation of the beloved ballet swaps out imperial Russia for 1980s Brooklyn as little Maria-Clara travels back in time to her parents’ first meeting at a nightclub. It’s acted out by a dozen hip hop dancers, a DJ, and an on-stage electric violinist.

Pantages Theater, Downtown Tacoma

Nov 15 – 7:30 pm

Paramount Theatre, Downtown Seattle

Nov 16 – 8:00 pm, Nov 17 – 2:00 pm

Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes

A Cirque Musica production blends the grace and thrills of the world’s greatest cirque performers with stunning music.
ShoWare Center – Kent • Thurs Nov 21, 7:30 pm

Julefest

See how Nordic countries ring in the Yuletide by tasting Scandinavian treats, seeing performances from local Nordic groups, and shopping for house-made wares. Nordic Museum – Ballard • Nov 23–24

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2019

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s jolly blend of electric-guitar shredding and Christmas music is like the flu: It comes around every year and it’s extremely catchy. TSO, whose interpretation of Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” probably sparked the whole classical-music-meets-metal fad.
Tacoma Dome – Tacoma
Nov 24, 3:30 pm (21+)

Annual Holiday Native Gift Fair & Art Market

Find gifts for loved ones by local Native artists and makers at this annual market.
Duwamish Longhouse – West Seattle, Nov 29–Dec 1 & Dec 13–15 Free

Elf the Musical

This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Tacoma Musical Playhouse – Tacoma, Nov 29–Dec 22

Enchant Christmas

Enchant Christmas looks to be a big, memorable, Christmas event. Held at T-Mobile Park, Enchant Christmas includes A Christmas lights maze where “Eddie the Elf” has hidden eight “Christmas gifts” to find. Activities, including an ice skating rink with skate rentals, Santa, and live music.
T-Mobile Park, Sat, Nov 30, 4 – 11 pm

PNB Nutcracker Ballet

Pacific Northwest Ballet performs The Nutcracker by George Balanchine, with a live orchestra, magnificent sets and costumes, and a huge cast in McCaw Hall.
McCaw Hall, Nov 29-Dec 28

Bellevue Street Show

Enjoy a 20-minute show of lights, music, falling snow, young dancers, and drummers in uniform on (Bellevue Way between N.E. 4th & N.E. 8th). Free.
Nov 29-Dec 24

Winterfest at Seattle Center

Enjoy holiday lights, skating at Fisher Pavilion (cost), folk dancers, carolers, dancers, ice sculptors, model trains, and entertainment.
The Seattle Center, Nov 29 – Dec 31 Closed Dec. 25. Free

Handel’s Messiah

Hearing Handel’s Messiah is a holiday tradition. Formed by the Federal Way Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony & Chorale.
Dec 7- Federal Way Performing Arts Center, Federal Way
Dec 20-22 – Seattle Benaroya Hall

Ugly Sweater Cruise

Wear a tacky Christmas sweater aboard Ugly Sweater Holiday Party Cruise, which includes a drink ticket, appetizers, city views, DJ music, and an ugly sweater contest, departing from north Lake Union 21+. Dec 21

Jingle Bell Run – Tacoma

Run or walk 3 miles at the Jingle Bell Run at Wright Park in Tacoma. Costumes are welcome.
Tacoma’s Wright Park, Dec 24, 10:30 am

Victorian Christmas Market

A Victorian Country Christmas has 500 booths with vendors in Victorian costumes selling art, jewelry, decorations, clothing, and toys.
Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup. Free parking. Dec 4 – 8

Family Concert in Tacoma

Let It Snow! A Holiday Celebration features the Tacoma Concert Band playing “music from around the globe” with a sing-along at Pantages Theater.
Pantages Theater, Tacoma, December 2019

Christmas Tree Lighting

See a free tree-lighting ceremony, usually with music.

Nov. 29 – Bellevue at Bellevue Place
Nov. 29 – Seattle at Westlake Center
Nov. 30 – Seattle at Pike Place Market
Nov. 30 – Tacoma at the Broadway Center
Nov. 30 – Edmonds at Centennial Plaza
Dec. 6 – Mercer Island at Mercerdale Park
Dec. 6 – Mountlake Terrace at Evergreen Playfield
Dec. 6 – Renton at Coulon Park
Dec. 6 – Sammamish at city hall
Dec. 6 – University Place (city south of Tacoma)
Dec. 7 – Kent at Kent Town Square Plaza
Dec. 7 – West Seattle at West Seattle Junction

Reindeer & Model Train

Visit live reindeer and watch a model train circle a winter landscape during the Reindeer Festival. Free.
Swansons Nursery-Ballard, Nov 9 – Dec 24

Green Lake Lights

Take a walk following glowing luminaries on the Green Lake Pathway of Lights, which includes live music at four locations, rain or snow or stars. Free.
Green Lake – Seattle, Dec 14

Phinney Winter Festival

The Winter Festival & Crafts Fair has 120 arts and crafts vendors, musicians and dancers, and lunch and baked goods at Phinney Center. Children age 12 and younger are free. Phinney Center – Seattle, Dec 7 – 8

Indoor Christmas lights

Lumaze has half a million lights, interactive features, illuminated sculptures, an artisan marketplace, food trucks, breweries, and wineries.
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on Pier 91, Nov 29 – Jan. 4

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