Do It Like a Local, A HOLIDAY Weekend Guide to Seattle
Seattle may or may not have snow to herald the holidays, but not to worry: the city is chockful of events to keep kids of all ages engaged in the spirit of the season. From the festive holiday lights to candy canes, hot chocolate and gingerbread; from the sounds of traditional carols to come-all ye community sing-a-longs, Seattle's holiday show is sure to leave you with a winter glow.
Seattle's kick-off to the holidays starts with Macy's Holiday Parade downtown. Locals and visitors alike line the streets to cheer their favorite floats, costumed characters, local notables, school marching bands, and the season's most revered guest: Santa Claus! Ho, ho, ho! All of this leads to the grand finale later in the evening: t... More >
Seattle's kick-off to the holidays starts with Macy's Holiday Parade downtown. Locals and visitors alike line the streets to cheer their favorite floats, costumed characters, local notables, school marching bands, and the season's most revered guest: Santa Claus! Ho, ho, ho! All of this leads to the grand finale later in the evening: the lighting of the star atop Macy's and the grand tree at Westlake Center, plus a spectacular fireworks display to wrap things up. The festivities begin at 8:45AM at the corner of 7th & Pine.
Besides the Annual Tree Lighting, Westlake Center is host to the treasured Wonderland Holiday Carousel in the park. Suggested donations of $2.00 will get you a ride on one of the colorful horses or a seat in an ornate sleigh. Regular hours are from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 ... More >
Besides the Annual Tree Lighting, Westlake Center is host to the treasured Wonderland Holiday Carousel in the park. Suggested donations of $2.00 will get you a ride on one of the colorful horses or a seat in an ornate sleigh. Regular hours are from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays through December; closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 2. Step inside the Center for Story Time with Mrs. Claus while waiting for your visit and photos with Santa.
You'll "Ooo!" and "Ah!" right alongside the kids as you watch the tree magically soar 20 feet high.
For a quintessential Seattle experience, be sure to see the Argosy Christmas ships at numerous locations throughout the area in December. Whether you decide to hop aboard one of the cruises, follow the flotilla of ships as they coast from site to site, or view the splendid lights from the shore, you will enjoy this unique holiday tradi... More >
For a quintessential Seattle experience, be sure to see the Argosy Christmas ships at numerous locations throughout the area in December. Whether you decide to hop aboard one of the cruises, follow the flotilla of ships as they coast from site to site, or view the splendid lights from the shore, you will enjoy this unique holiday tradition.
Seattle Center is transformed with the magic of Winterfest for the holidays. For five weeks, from Nov. 26th to January 2nd, everyone is invited to join in the free activities. Come inside the Center House to view the Winter Train and Village, take a spin on the Ice Rink to the tunes of the season, or watch one of the many outstanding c... More >
Seattle Center is transformed with the magic of Winterfest for the holidays. For five weeks, from Nov. 26th to January 2nd, everyone is invited to join in the free activities. Come inside the Center House to view the Winter Train and Village, take a spin on the Ice Rink to the tunes of the season, or watch one of the many outstanding cultural performances on stage.
The Children's Museum, also at Seattle Center, hosts its own multicultural holiday tradition with the annual Festival of Lights. The museum is open M-F, 10AM - 5PM, weekends from 10AM - 6PM, and closed on major holidays. Admission fees are $7.50 for children and adults, $6.50 for grandparents, $6.00 for active military and FREE for kids under 1 year.
Even Scrooge can't resist the joy and wonder of the season when seen through eyes of children at the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker performance. Choreographer Kent Stowell and author/illustrator Maurice Sendak combine their artistic talents to create a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life tour de force. You can't help but be swept up... More >
Even Scrooge can't resist the joy and wonder of the season when seen through eyes of children at the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker performance. Choreographer Kent Stowell and author/illustrator Maurice Sendak combine their artistic talents to create a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life tour de force. You can't help but be swept up in Clara's dream of her beloved Nutcracker as he wages a fierce battle against the Mouse King. You'll "Ooo!" and "Ah!" right alongside the kids as you watch the tree magically soar 20 feet high. And who can forget the Celebration of Dances with the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of Sweets? This is a not-to-be-missed favorite Seattle holiday tradition.
| Regular hours are from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. |
It's hard to imagine the holiday season without the smell and taste of gingerbread. Mmm . . . Whether or not making a gingerbread house is part of your family tradition, you won't want to miss the annual display of the Gingerbread Village displayed in the hotel lobby of Seattle's downtown Sheraton Hotel. The gingerbread houses are the... More >
It's hard to imagine the holiday season without the smell and taste of gingerbread. Mmm . . . Whether or not making a gingerbread house is part of your family tradition, you won't want to miss the annual display of the Gingerbread Village displayed in the hotel lobby of Seattle's downtown Sheraton Hotel. The gingerbread houses are the jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring creations of local architecture firms and culinary teams. Each year the designers outdo themselves in creating an entire village around one popular theme, such as "Home for the Holidays" and "A Reel Christmas," based on favorite scenes from holiday movie classics. All donations support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. On display from Nov. 26th - Jan. 2nd.
So many holiday performances, so little time. . . Seattle Symphony performs a variety of shows throughout the season, any number of which will delight music lovers. Take your pick among productions that include Holiday Pops, Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth and a New Year's Eve concert. Programs like the audience sing-a-longs of tra... More >
So many holiday performances, so little time. . . Seattle Symphony performs a variety of shows throughout the season, any number of which will delight music lovers. Take your pick among productions that include Holiday Pops, Handel's Messiah, Beethoven's Ninth and a New Year's Eve concert. Programs like the audience sing-a-longs of traditional carols and A Charlie Brown Christmas are sure to engage the entire family. Performances are presented at the beautiful Benaroya Hall. For more information on times and ticket proces, contact the box office or www.seattlesymphony.org.
For pure entertainment and laugh aloud enjoyment, it's hard to beat a performance by the Seattle Men's Chorus, which has the distinction of being the largest gay men's chorus in the world, at 300 singing members. Locals eagerly anticipate the annual holiday show for its over-the-top production, exquisite singing and year-round message of hope, celebration, and acceptance for all. Under the expert guidance of Artistic Direct... More
For pure entertainment and laugh aloud enjoyment, it's hard to beat a performance by the Seattle Men's Chorus, which has the distinction of being the largest gay men's chorus in the world, at 300 singing members. Locals eagerly anticipate the annual holiday show for its over-the-top production, exquisite singing and year-round message of hope, celebration, and acceptance for all. Under the expert guidance of Artistic Director Dennis Coleman, the chorus works in collaboration with guest artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Natalie Cole, Maya Angelou and Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara. Call the Box Office at (206) 388-1400, Monday - Friday, Noon-7PM, or go to www.flyinghouse.org for showtimes and ticket information.
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