2023 Holiday Happenings Around the Sound

The rain is back, the days are dark…who is ready to beat the gloom? Below are some Seattle-area favorites to brighten your spirits. You can bundle up and bask in breathtaking outdoor light shows, or relax and enjoy from the comfort of a cruise ship or theater seat…

Winterfest at Seattle Center

305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest

Map | Guidebook

Dates/Times: Nov. 24, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023. Seattle Center (Holiday lighting Nov. 1 – March 1); ice sculpting Nov. 24, 12-4 pm; Winter train & village open daily Nov. 24 – Dec. 31 | 10 am – 6 pm; Seattle Christmas Market open Nov. 24 – Dec. 24.
Cost: General admission is free for all ages; Seattle Christmas Market is $16-$20 for adults (buy tickets)
Parking: Paid parking available at the Mercer Garage, 5th Ave N Garage, and Theatre Commons ADA Lot. Click here for the campus map.
Food: A multitude of dining options await you in the Armory.
Special Events: Opening Day Celebration, live stage entertainment at the Armory, the Winter Train & Village, New Year’s Eve Celebration Dec. 31 from 8pm-12 Midnight, and more!
Holiday Closure: Dec. 25

Image courtesy of seattlecenter.com

The Nutcracker by Pacific Northwest Ballet

McCaw Hall | 321 Mercer St, Seattle
pnb.org/nutcracker/
click here to get tickets

Dates: November 24 – December 27, 2023
Cost: $29-$208 per seat
Parking: Mercer Street Garage or Other Nearby Parking
Food: Beverages and snacks are available for purchase

Image courtesy of pnb.org

Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden

12001 Main Street, Bellevue WA 98005
http://gardendlights.org
click here to get tickets (must be purchased online)

Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 25, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023 | 4:30 – 9:00 pm
Cost: $8 per person (ages 10 and under are free)
Promotions: Discounted$5 ticket nights Nov. 27-30 and Dec. 4-7.
Parking: Premium parking is $5 per car in the Garden’s lot as space allows OR park for free at Wilburton Hill Park
Food: Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase
Holiday Closures: December 25

https://bellevuebotanical.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/032_D-Lites_LH0A4170_M_Burton_2018-scaled.jpg

Image courtesy of bellevuebotanical.org

Snowflake Lane at the Bellevue Collection

Bellevue Way & NE 8th Street, Bellevue WA 98004
http://snowflakelane.com/

Dates/Times: Nightly Nov. 24, 2023 – Dec. 24, 2023 | 20 minute show starts at 7 pm
Cost: Free for all ages
Parking: Free parking at Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square
Food: A variety of dining options (from happy hour, to kid fare, to gourmet) are all within walking distance
Special Events & Activities: Ice Skating, Santa Photos

Image courtesy of snowflakelane.com

Christmas Ship Festival

Launch locations include Seattle Waterfront – Pier 55, Shilshole Bay Marina, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, Lake Union Park (MOHAI), AGC Marina, Carillon Point Marina, and Kirkland City Dock.

www.argosycruises.com
click here to get tickets

Dates/Times: Click here for the full schedule
Cost: $40 – $74 per person (kids 3 and under are free)
Parking: Varies by location – click here for details
Food: Snacks and drinks available for purchase on the ship. Outside food/drinks are not allowed.
Special Events: Opening Night, Parade of Boats, Grand Finale

Image courtesy of argosycruises.com

Westlake Center Tree Lighting & Holiday Activities

401 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98101 (Westlake Park)
https://downtownseattle.org/events/holidays/

Tree Lighting Celebration: Nov. 24 at 3:30 pm in Westlake Park.
Luminous Light Sculptures: Nov. 24, 2023 – Jan. 9, 2024 in Westlake Park.
Holiday Lights & Delights: Nov. 25, 2023 – Jan. 9, 2024 in Occidental Square.
Sweet & Snowy Saturdays: Nov. 25, 2023 – Dec. 16, 2023 | 11:30 am – 1 pm in Occidental Square.
Cost: Free for all ages
Parking: Access the Republic Parking garage from Olive Way between 4th & 5th Ave, or check out this interactive map of city parking

https://downtownseattle.org/app/uploads/2021/11/events-holidays-2021-lights-lights-more-lights-wlp-occ-4x3-v1-640x480-c-default.jpg

Photo Courtesy of Downtown Seattle Association

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407
www.pdza.org/event/zoolights
click here to get tickets

Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 24, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024 | 4:30 – 10 pm
Cost: $14-$18 (free for kids 2 & under)
Promotions: Discounted tickets for zoo members & BECU members
Parking: Free parking in zoo lots (carpooling recommended)
Food: Dinner, drinks & snacks are available at the Plaza Cafe & outside stands. Roast s’mores and pudgy pies around the fire on the Cafe Deck, too!
Activities: Carousel, S’mores Roasting, Groovy Goats in Holiday Coats
Holiday Closures: Dec. 24 & 25

https://www.pdza.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Hero-zoolights-1440x500.jpg

Image courtesy of https://www.pdza.org

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo

West Entrance: 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103
South Entrance: 750 N 50th St, Seattle, WA 98103
www.zoo.org/wildlanterns
Click here to get tickets | Map

Dates/Times: Open nightly Nov. 10, 2023 – Jan. 14, 2024 | 4:00 – 9:00 pm.
Cost: $25.95 – $36.95 per person (ages 2 & under are free).
Promotions: Zoo members get 20% off tickets; Holiday Senior Stroll on Nov 14 from 4-6 pm with 40% off for ages 65+
Parking: $6 parking is available in all lots after 3:30 pm (here is a map). Park by the West Entrance (Penguin, Otter, or Bear Lot) if you are purchasing your tickets in person—the South Gate (Hippo Lot) is only for those who already have tickets.
Food: Refreshments are available at food kiosks throughout, plus the Pizza Corner at 1899 Grove, and Gather & Graze Café (with covered seating provided). You are also welcome to bring your own food & non-alcoholic beverages.
Special Activities: Tianyu Cultural Performances in the PACCAR Auditorium, Zoomazium, ZooStore, Carousel. Sensory-Friendly Nights on 11/15, 12/6 & 1/11.
Closures: Most Mondays (open Dec. 11 & 18 + Jan 1); Nov. 23, Dec. 24 & 25.

Image courtesy of zoo.org

But wait, there’s more…

Holiday theatrical & musical shows

“A Christmas Carol” at ACT Theatre

Magic in the Market

The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition

Leavenworth Village of Lights

Santa Train in North Bend

Windermere Mercer Island

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