2023 Holiday Happenings!! [Local events Guide]

🎄☃️❄️ I’ve compiled a list of local holiday events for you! Have a wonderful season!

❄️❄️ Frosty Fest in Sammamish

A highly-anticipated, family-friendly, festive evening of activities, treats, food and entertainment. There will be local school choirs performing, a photo booth, live reindeer, games, food trucks and more. Friday, December 15, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Central Washington University – Sammamish 120 228th Ave NE

☃️☃️ Seattle Winterfest

Celebrate your holidays with a trip to Winterfest at the Seattle Center where you’ll find a train village, a holiday market, a variety of weekend entertainment and a New Year’s Celebration. Through 12/24 FREE

🎄🎄 Snowflake Lane at The Bellevue Collection

Snowflakes flutter all around as a parade of costumed characters and magical floats glide down the street spreading holiday cheer. You might need to show up well before the 7 p.m. showtime to get parking & a good viewing spot. Location: Bellevue sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets every evening, through December 24. FREE

🎅🏻🎅🏻 Gingerbread Village Display at the Sheraton

Visit the Sheraton Grand Seattle this year and see the spectacular gingerbread house village made by architects, master builders, and chefs. Displays will be available for viewing through January 1. Free, but donations help the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

🎁🎁 Annual Snoqualmie Winter Lights

Throughout December: the light displays are magical and festive – the quaintest lights on the Eastside. Pose for family photos or selfies, shop, sip, snack, and stroll. The light display route starts at the Salish Lodge and Spa and meanders down a pedestrian and stroller-friendly walk along the Centennial Trail of holiday trains into historic Downtown. Stop at the Railroad Park Gazebo for holiday tree photos and kids can drop off their wish lists in the Santa Letter Box. Visit the Snoqualmie Train Depot, walk along the boardwalk, and catch a glimpse of snowcapped Mount Si.

🧸🧸Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Snuggle in with some cuddly bears for a picture-perfect holiday outing in downtown Seattle. Every year, in partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Fairmont fills a hotel suite with teddy bears. Open through January 3 Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm Sundays 9 am – 1 pm. Closed Mondays. Donations support Seattle Children’s Hospital. FREE

🌿🌿 Bellevue Botanical Garden presents Garden d’Lights

As you follow the pathways through the garden you’ll discover a variety of brightly lit displays, plant and animal shapes, rock formations, butterflies, bees, and birds. Be prepared: It’s a 1-mile walk through the Garden d’Lights. November 25-December 31. $8/person, children 10 and younger free. Watch for $5 nights, weekdays during the first two weeks of the show.

🛍️ Seattle Christmas Market – NEW in 2023!

Inspired by the centuries-old yuletide tradition of the German Christmas markets, this month-long celebration takes place at the Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn at Seattle Center. Browse aisles of artisan crafts, gifts, traditional food and drink, interactive installations, seasonal decorations, and more. Join the event newsletter for more details. November 24-December 24. Tickets required, adults $19 children 6 and under FREE

❄️❄️ Village of Lights: Christmastown in Leavenworth

Drive over to Leavenworth where the town celebrates the holidays with more than half a million lights, music and entertainment, holiday characters, kids’ activities, roasting chestnuts, Santa photos and more. November 24-December 24. Free.

🩰 Pacific Northwest Ballet: “George Balanchine’s Nutcracker”

The classic holiday story of Clara and the nutcracker that comes to life, featuring Tchaikovsky’s magical music. November 24-December 27 at McCaw Hall [Seattle]. Starting at $26

🦓🐯 Zoo WildLanterns

Every holiday season the Woodland Park Zoo [Seattle] hosts WildLanterns November 10 – January 14, an outdoor event where they install festive Christmas lights throughout the zoo exhibits.

⛴️🎄 Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival

An excellent way to celebrate the holiday season, especially for families. The parade has been taking place since 1949, traditionally starting the day after Thanksgiving and running until December 23. Brightly decorated and glowing with thousands of lights, the Christmas ships parade through dozens of waterfront neighborhoods around Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Choirs perform carols on board the Christmas Ship, entertaining not only passengers but also those viewing from the shore. The Christmas Ship Parade departs from Lake Union Park, so it’s an excellent watching spot to enjoy the lights and caroling for free. Fremont Cut is another good place to watch the ships passing by. Or you can take your own boat, decorate it with lights, and join the parade! Free from the shore. Tickets start at $40+

⛸️ Ice Skate in Bellevue Downtown Park

Thru Jan 15 ($15-$20 per person including skate rental)