It’s finally the best time of the year in Seattle! Starting the day after Thanksgivingthe Emerald City comes alive with festive lightsChristmas treesholiday marketsand events that run that gamut from classic to quirky. Most of these events are family-friendlyand many are even free!
Read on for the complete guide to the best Seattle Christmas events and things to do in Seattle during the holidays.
1. See the zoo lit up at WildLanterns
WildLanterns is one of Seattle’s most beloved winter traditions. This lantern festival is happening all throughout the holiday season at the Woodland Park Zoo. Read all about this year’s WildLanterns before you go.
📅When: FridayNovember 152024 through January 192025
📍Where: Woodland Park Zoo
2. Visit the Seattle Festival of Trees display
The Seattle Festival of Trees is an annual holiday event for a good cause. All the money raised goes towards Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Children’s Autism Center. From November 21-December 2 you can go view 20 decorated trees on display for free at Seattle’s historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel (donations welcome!).
📅When: November 21-December 2
📍Where: Fairmont Olympic Hotel
3. Gingerbread Village
Now through January 1you can visit the Sheraton Grand Seattle to see the epic Gingerbread Village display. Viewing hours for the public are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s free to visit the display and donations go towards the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
📅When: November 21 – January 1
📍Where: Sheraton Grand Seattle
4. Sail away with the Seattle Christmas Ship Festival
This unique festival has been a Seattle holiday tradition since 1949. Whether you book a ride on one of the boats or simply enjoy the festivities from the shoreSeattle’s Christmas Ship Festival is an annual highlight that’s not to be missed. See more info and the full schedule for December here.
📅When: Nov. 23 – Dec. 23
📍Where: Various locations
5. Enjoy free fun at Winterfest
Winterfest is a beloved Seattle holiday tradition that runs from November 24 to December 31 at Seattle Center. Check out the opening day celebration on November 24 and return as much as you’d like to enjoy the the winter train and village displaythe live entertainment lineupa daily light showand more.
📅When: November 24 to December 31
📍Where: Seattle Center
6. See the Seattle tree lighting celebration
Head to Westlake Park in downtown Seattle the day after Thanksgiving to experience live musica tree lighting ceremonyand fireworks! Get all the details about this year’s Seattle tree lighting celebration.
📅When: Nov. 29
📍Where: Westlake Park
7. See Seattle’s Nutcracker Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet is performing the Nutcracker from November 29 through December 28. This holiday classic is magical for all ages.
📅When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 28
📍Where: McCaw Hall (321 Mercer StSeattleWA)
8. Enjoy free holiday fun in downtown Seattle
Starting with the tree lighting event in Westlake Park that we mentioned earlier on this listdowntown Seattle will be hosting a series of free events as part of its annual Holiday Lights & Delights festivities. This will include a free ice skating rinka caroling event with cookies and hot cocoaa holiday lights displayand more. See the full schedule of events on the downtown Seattle website.
📅When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 21
📍Where: downtown Seattle
9. Shop and see Santa at Pike Place Market
On SaturdayNovember 30 you can see Pike Place Market get lit up for the holidays! And yesSanta will be there. Read all about this year’s Magic in the Market eventwhich has a new addition planned for the 21+ crowd.
📅When: Nov. 30
📍Where: Pike Place Market
10. Hometown Holidays in West Seattle
Downtown West Seattle has festive events such as a tree lighting and a night market happening between November 30 through December 15 this holiday season. Most of the events are free and kid-friendly. See the full Hometown Holidays schedule.
📅When: November 30 through December 15
📍Where: Downtown West Seattle
11. Attend a Candlelight Concert Holiday Special
At these romantic experiencesyou’ll enjoy holiday music played by a talented string quartet while surrounded by candles in stunning Seattle venues. Tickets are available now for these upcoming holiday concerts.
12. Electric Cookie Run at Green Lake
Run a lap (or two) around Green Lake for a good cause on SaturdayDecember 2. At the end of the run cookies are providedand there will also be a prize for most festive costume. You can sign up here.
📅When: SaturdayDec. 2
📍Where: Green Lake
13. Holiday in the Park
On December 5 you can head over to Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill for the free Holiday in the Park event. There will be live musicfree cookies and cocoaa children’s craft boothand glowing luminaries from 6:00 to 8:15 p.m.
📅When: Dec. 5
📍Where: Volunteer Park
14. Twinkle Twinkle at Freeway Park
There is a free outdoor holiday event at the downtown Freeway Park on FridayDecember 6. You can join from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to enjoy a bonfireholiday lightscarolerss’moreshot cocoaand more. If you can bring a winter clothing donation it would be greatly appreciated.
📅When: FridayDec. 6
📍Where: Freeway Park
15. Explore Holiday Magic at the Fair
The Washington State Fair is transforming its grounds in Puyallup for its annual Holiday Magic event. Visit on select dates throughout December from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm for an ice rinkholiday displaysa marketfoodand more.
📅When: Dec. 6-812-15& 18-23
📍Where: 110 9th Avenue SW PuyallupWA
16. Spread cheer during 3 days of Seattle SantaCon
Seattle SantaCon is back this December with 3 full days of festivities. On December 71421, you can join other Santas for a costume contestdrink specialslive entertainmentand more (ages 21+ only).
📅When: SaturdayDec. 71421
📍Where: Downtown Seattle
17. The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
On SaturdayDecember 7 Pike Place Market will host Seattle’s annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. This festive caroling event runs from 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and raises money for a good cause.
📅When: Dec. 7
📍Where: Pike Place Market
18. Ballard HolidayFest
All ages are welcome at this free holiday festival from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on SaturdayDecember 7 at Marvin’s Garden Park. There will be a tree lightingfree Santa photoslive musicand more. See details on the Visit Ballard website.
📅When: SaturdayDec. 7
📍Where: Marvin’s Garden Park
19. A Sinatra Concert Under the Stars
A unique holiday concert in Seattle this month is A Very Sinatra Christmas Special at The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion on December 8. You get to enjoy a cocktail and an incredible view of Seattle along with the live music. Get tickets here.
📅When: Dec. 8
📍Where: The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion
20. Guilty Holiday Pleasures Party
Join a free neighborhood holiday party in Capitol Hill on ThursdayDecember 12. From 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Chophouse Row there will be a pop-up gift marketfood and drink specialsdrag queen carolersDJ setsa Bad Santa photo boothand more. No tickets or preregistration requiredand the event is family-friendly. See details here.
📅When: ThursdayDec. 12
📍Where: Capitol Hill
21. Stroll down Green Lake Pathway of Lights
Green Lake is hosting its annual Pathway of Lights event on Saturday, December 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. After sunset you can stroll along the illuminated path around Green Lake while enjoying holiday music and warm refreshments.
📅When: SaturdayDec. 14
📍Where: Green Lake
22. Craft week at Pike Place Market
This will be the third year of Crafty’s Handmade HoliDAYSa week of free holiday activities at Pike Place Market. From December 16 to 20 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pmall ages can enjoy events such as ornament paintinglive holiday musicand more.
📅When: Dec. 16-20
📍Where: Pike Place Market
23. Dining in the Dark
Make time for a unique date night this December with Dining in the Dark. You choose between a meatseafoodor vegan option and then surprise your tastebuds with a blindfolded meal at the 75th floor of the Columbia Tower Club. Book your dining experience here.
📅When: Dec. 19 at 6 pm and 8:30 pm
📍Where: Columbia Tower Club
24. Shop for gifts at a holiday market
It’s a great idea to try to shop for holiday gifts from smalllocal businesses. Luckily Seattle makes that easy with lots of holiday markets that pop up throughout November and December. Read all about the Seattle Christmas Market that’s back for its second year. You can also see our guide to the best Seattle holiday markets.
25. Catch a live holiday show in Seattle
Whether you’re in the mood for a comedy or a classicSeattle has an amazing lineup of live holiday shows coming up this season:
- The GoodThe Badand The Ugly Sweater runs from December 3-15.
- Snowed In (Again) by ArtsWest is a new-ish holiday musical that runs from November 21 to December 22.
- Seattle Theatre Group has several holiday shows coming up this December.
- Land Of The Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker at The Triple Door is returning this year for many performances between December 11 and 29.
- Holiday concerts at Seattle Symphony are running all throughout December.
- A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol by Unexpected Productions at Pike Place Market is being performed on select dates in November and December.
26. See the nighttime lights of Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars is already open in Seattle and continues through December 15. The Seattle Chinese Garden will be transformed with a magical light displaymusicand more for an enchanting evening. Get your tickets now!
📅When: Now through Dec. 15
📍Where: Seattle Chinese Garden
27. Visit a Seattle ice skating rink
Ready to bundle up and ice skate to the tune of holiday classics? There are a few ice skating rinks in Seattle and the surrounding area that you can choose from.
28. Visit Leavenworth for maximum Christmas cheer
Leavenworth is known nationwide as Washington’s most popular Christmas attraction. You’ll be able to enjoy over-the-top lights and decorationsholiday shoppingand free events at this year’s Christmastown. See our helpful guide to visiting Leavenworth.
29. Treat yourself to a festive cocktail
Several popular Seattle bars are decking the halls for the holidays! See our guide to the best holiday-themed bars in Seattle.
30. Tour Seattle neighborhoods’ holiday displays
If you’re looking for holiday displays in Seattlesome of the best neighborhoods to walk or drive around are Upper Queen AnneMagnoliaCrown Hilland best of allCandy Cane Lane in Ravenna. The above display was seen in Queen Anne in recent years.
31. Wonderland at Can Can Culinary Cabaret
Enjoy dinner and a festive holiday show at the Can Can Culinary Cabaret theater at Pike Place Market. Winterland is playing through January 5. Get tickets here!
32. Christmas Day movies playing in Seattle
Planning to spend Christmas Day at the movies? Options this year include BabygirlNosferatuand It’s a Wonderful Life. See our roundup of the best movies in Seattle playing on Christmas.