SUN Celebration, stories, photos with Santa, lighting of lobby tree, craft vendors, 2-5 p.m.; display of 21 designer trees, each honoring a patient at Seattle Children’s Hospital, display continues through Dec. 3; Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; free (seattlefestivaloftrees.org).
Yulefest
SUN Nordic vendors, cafe, bake sale, lefse, performances by Scandinavian fiddlers, singers, folk dancers, visits with Santa, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle; $5, ages 12 and younger free (nordicmuseum.org).
Most Read Entertainment Stories
Teddy Bear Suite
SUN-DEC. 30 Teddy Bear wonderland suite, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 25, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; free, donations for Seattle Children’s Hospital collected (fairmont.com/seattle/special-offers/other-offers/teddy-bear-suite/).
Gingerbread Village
TUE-JAN. 4 “Jingle all the way” structures with theme of classic holiday songs, all made of candy and treats, on display 24 hours a day through Jan. 4, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; free, donations for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation requested (gingerbreadvillage.org).
Seattle Turkey Trot
NOV. 27 Casual 5K run, jog or walk to benefit Ballard Food Bank, 9 a.m., 32nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 85th Street, Seattle; $20-$35 (seattleturkeytrot.org).
Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot
NOV. 27 Run or walk 1 mile or 5K, proceeds benefit local food bank, 8:30 a.m., Battle Point Park, 11299 Arrow Point Drive N.E., Bainbridge Island; $10-$30 (bainbridgeturkeytrot.org).
Macy’s Holiday Parade
NOV. 28 Inflatable floats, marching bands, costumed characters, professional sports teams and community drill teams, plus an appearance from Santa, 9 a.m. from Seventh Avenue on Pine Street to Fifth Avenue to University Street, on University to Fourth Avenue, on Fourth Avenue ending at Macy’s, Seattle (holidaysinseattle.com/).
Holiday Star and Westlake CenterTree Lighting
NOV. 28 Macy’s Holiday Star lighting, Westlake Center tree lighting, fireworks display (weather permitting), 5 p.m., Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; free (holidaysinseattle.com/).
Holidays in Seattle Carousel and Winter Village
NOV. 28-JAN 1 “A Christmas Story” Holiday Carousel, proceeds benefit Treehouse for foster kids, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 28 and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, special hours 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, closed Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 1, $3; Winter Village providing power charging for mobile devices, activities for kids, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 28 and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays through Jan. 1, closed Dec. 25, free; Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle (holidaysinseattle.com/).
Seattle Center Winterfest
NOV. 28-JAN. 4 Winter Train and Village holiday model train display, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; weekend entertainment featuring Keith Highlanders Pipe Band, 2 p.m. Nov. 28; Dickens Carolers 12:30 p.m. Nov. 29-30; Northwest Boy Choir 12:30 p.m. Dec. 6; Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 21; Menorah Lighting Ceremony, 6 p.m. Dec. 21; all-ages New Year’s Eve Celebration dance, 8-11:45 p.m. Dec. 31; Seattle Center Armory; Ice Rink, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Jan. 4, closes 4 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Dec. 25, open until 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Fisher Pavilion Seattle Center, Seattle; Ice Rink, $2-$7 includes skate rental, cash only (206-684-7200 or seattlecenter.com).
Festivals of Light
NOV. 28-DEC. 30 Winter holiday celebrations from around the world, Diwali, Nov. 28-Dec. 4; Christmas Around the World, Dec. 5-11; Hanukkah, Dec. 12-18; Santa Lucia, Dec. 19-23; Kwanzaa, Dec. 26-30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; Seattle Children’s Museum, the Armory, Seattle Center; $7-$8.25 (206-441-1768 or thechildrensmuseum.org).
WildLights
NOV. 28-JAN. 4 Light displays of wild animals and wild places, carolers, Snowmazium stories and “snowball” fights, carousel, indoor day exhibit of reptiles and amphibians, and at Adaptations Building meerkats, sloths; two reindeer, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 28-Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 4, Woodland Park , 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $6.50-$9.75 (.org/wildlights).
Snowflake Lane 10th Anniversary
NOV. 28-DEC. 21 Tenth year of nightly music with Toy Soldier Drummers, Jingle Belle Dancers and Snow Princesses, falling snow and lights, 7 p.m. dail Nov. 28-Dec. 24; Celebration Lane, 7 p.m. Dec. 26-31, Bellevue Way Northeast between Northeast Eighth Street and Northeast Fourth Street, Bellevue (snowflakelane.com).
Magic Season Ice Arena
NOV. 28-JAN. 11 Open-air ice skating, shelter for all-weather skating, new larger ice surface, food vendors, special events including free lessons, stroller skating, family skate days, hours vary daily through Jan. 11, Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $9-$12 includes skate rental (bellevuedowntown.com).
Port Defiance Zoo Lights
NOV. 28-JAN. 4 Animal-themed light displays, ride a camel, carousel, aquarium, 5-9 p.m.daily through Jan. 4, closed Dec. 24, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma; $4.50-$9 (pdza.org).
Magic in the Market
NOV. 29 Sample treats, decorate holiday cookies, 1 p.m. in the Atrium Kitchen; Santa, Great Figgy Pudding choirs throughout the afternoon; Santa lights the holiday tree and Market lights at 5 p.m., Pike Place Market, 1501 Pike Place, Seattle (pikeplacemarket.org).
Greet the Season at Lake Union Park
NOV. 29 MOHAI, The Center for Wooden Boats and the Historic Ships Wharf fill with festive music and family-friendly crafts and activities all day. MOHAI open with regular admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free admission to Atrium only 5-8 p.m., Argosy Christmas Ship will visit. Museum of History & Industry, 860 Terry Ave N., Seattle; museum admission $14-$17, ages 14 and younger free (206-324-1126 or mohai.org).
Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony
NOV. 29 Tree lighting, snacks, Santa, 4:30 p.m., downtown Edmonds (edmondswa.com/events/tree-lighting.html).
Santa Train
NOV. 29-DEC. 20 Ride vintage train, visit Santa Claus at the historic Snoqualmie Depot with music, cookies, hot cocoa and coffee, trains depart hourly 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 19, 20; pulled by steam locomotive Dec. 19, All day Saturday, Northwest Railway Museum, 38625 SE King St, Snoqualmie; $20, reservations suggested (425-888-3030 or TrainMuseum.org).
Holiday Duck Tour
NOV. 29-DEC. 30 Ride to see holiday lights downtown, on the waterfront and by Seattle Center on 40-minute, land-only tour, 6-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, closed Dec. 8 and Dec. 24-25, Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., Seattle; $7-$15 (ridetheducksofseattle.com).
Garden d’Lights
NOV. 29-JAN. 3 Thousands of lights decorate the gardens, with 3-dimensional flowers, shrubs and vines and animal characters, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 3, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; $5, ages 10 and younger free; free for everyone Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-11 (425-452-6844 or gardendlights.org).
Kirkland Winterfest
NOV. 30 Music performances, carols, kids’ activities, Santa arrival, tree lighting ceremony, 2-6 p.m., downtown Kirkland (kirklanddowntown.org/event/winterfest-holiday-tree-lighting-music-festival/).
Providence O’Christmas Trees Carnival and Gala
DEC. 1-3 Christmas Carnival’s 30th anniversary all-ages event, entertainment featuring The Not-Its!, games, crafts, Santa photos, displays of decorated trees, noon-8 p.m. Dec. 1, free admission; Silver Bells Luncheon with fashion show, 11 a.m. Dec. 2, $60; trees auctioned at Providence O’Christmas Trees Gala to benefit Providence Senior and Community Services, 5 p.m. Dec. 3, $330, by reservation, The Westin, 1900 Fifth Ave., Seattle (206-938-2788 or providence.org/OTrees).
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
DEC. 1-23 See Santa’s permanent Reindeer Farm, meet Santa and his elves, sit in his Grand Traveling Sleigh, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1-23, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah; $10-$14 (CougarMountain.org).
Winter’s Eve Community Open House & Hayrides
DEC. 3 Cooking, decorating, holiday craft activities, hot cocoa and cider, 6-9 p.m., free; luminaria illuminate path to the bonfire, where you can listen to the carolers on the Christmas Ships in the bay at 8:25 p.m.; hayrides at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., $5/person, by reservation; Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Boulevard S., Seattle (206-652-2444 or sewardpark.audubon.org/ages-6-10).
The Lights of Christmas
DEC. 4-30 1 million lights, five entertainment stages, children’s activities, vendors, food, overnight packages available, 5-10 p.m. Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-23, 26-30, Warm Beach Christian Camps & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; $10-$15 (800-228-6724 or warmbeachlights.com).
Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
DEC. 5 Caroling teams compete, proceeds benefit Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank; pre-event show, 5:30 p.m., caroling teams compete on the streets, 6:15-7:15 p.m.; main stage sing-off and awards, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., Seattle; free for spectators, $75/team of five to participate, preregister by Dec. 2 (pikemarketseniorcenter.org).
Fremont Festivus
DEC. 5 Santa, music, treats, holiday bazaar, Lenin lighting, 5-9 p.m., Fremont neighborhood, Seattle (fremocentrist.com/Festivus.php).
Celebrations Holiday Home Tour
DEC. 5 Self-guided tour of five homes decorated for the holidays, proceeds benefit local charities, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Redmond-Woodinville; $30 (425-556-5106 or eastside.assistanceleague.org/ps.aboutus.cfm?ID=648).
Very Merry Sammamish
DEC. 5 Holiday lights, kids’ activities, petting , entertainment, food, 5:30-8 p.m., Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Place S.E., Sammamish (sammamish.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=3156).
Bethlehem Experience
DEC. 5-6 Drive through village with Wise Men, angels, animals and manger scene, 6-8:30 p.m., Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, 11042 Sunrise Drive N.E., Bainbridge Island; free (206-842 — 3098 or rbpres.org).
Bellevue Festival of the Nativity
DEC. 5-8, 12-14 Display of 500 Nativity sets, live Nativity, music, children’s activities, 12:30-9 p.m. Dec. 5-8 and 12-14, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15205 S.E. 28th St., Bellevue (bellevuenativity.com).
Wild Waves Holiday With Lights
DEC. 5-JAN. 4 Rides only, Dec. 5-6, 14; rides, Santa, Toyland, 5-10 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 19-23, Dec. 26-Jan. 4, Wild Waves Theme Park, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S., Federal Way; $9.99-$12.99 (wildwaves.com).
Christmas in the Country
DEC. 5-7 Vendors, artists at studios, farms and other venues, Santa, pony rides, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7, locations including Historic Lynwood Center, Lynwood Center Road, Bainbridge Island (christmasinthecountry.info/home.html).
Nativity Exhibit
DEC. 5-7 Exhibit of more than 600 Nativities from 100 countries, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 7, Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 12509 27th Ave. N.E., Seattle; free (nativityexhibitnw.org/).
Clam Lights
DEC. 5-JAN. 1 Holiday entertainment, 6:15 p.m., mayor’e welcome and official lighting, 7 p.m. Dec. 5; Rainier Yacht Club Parade of Boats, 7:30 p.m.; Argosy Christmas Ship parade, 8:20 p.m. Dec. 5; light displays on dozens of trees and shrubs on paved trail along Lake Washington, 5-9 p.m. nightly, Dec. 5-Jan. 1, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton (425-430-6700 or rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=6150).
Magnolia Holiday Home Tour
DEC. 6 Six homes decorated for the holidays, boutique vendors, refreshments, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima Parish Center, 3218 W. Barrett St., Seattle; $25-$30 (magnoliaholidaytourofhomes.com).
Magnolia Winterfest
DEC. 6 Tree lighting, Santa, carolers, treats, shopping, snowfall, live reindeer, kids’ attractions, 4 p.m., Magnolia Village, 32nd Avenue West and West McGraw Street, Seattle (magnoliachamber.org).
Junction Holiday Party and Tree Lighting
DEC. 6 Treats, games, events at Junction businesses, 4-8 p.m.; tree lighting, 5 p.m., Junction Plaza park, 42nd Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street, Seattle (wsjunction.org).
Redmond Lights
DEC. 6 Celebrating Redmond’s cultural diversity, activities for all ages including City Hall campus lighting, luminaria walk, tree lighting, kids’ activities, live performances at Redmond Town Center, 4-8 p.m., Redmond City Hall Plaza, 15670 N.E. 85th St., Redmond (redmondlights.com).
Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting, Renton
DEC. 6 Holiday music, tree lighting, 5-7 p.m., Renton Downtown Piazza, South Third Street and Burnett Avenue South, Renton (rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=6150).
Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, Auburn
DEC. 6 Children’s parade, community caroling, lighting of City Hall Christmas tree, 4:30 p.m., downtown Auburn (auburnwa.gov).
Jingle Bell Brunch
DEC. 6 Mrs. & Mr. Claus, brunch, 10 a.m., Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St., Federal Way; $10, preregister (253-835-6900 or itallhappenshere.org).
Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting, Country Village
DEC. 6 Santa arrives to light the tree, 7 p.m.; two live reindeer on display daily through Dec. 24, Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell (countryvillagebothell.com).
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Lake Sammamish
DEC. 6 Lake Sammamish Boat Club parade, 5-7 p.m., Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah (lakesammamishfriends.org).
Holiday Tree Lighting, Salish Lodge
DEC. 6 Tree lighting, music, treats, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Salish Lodge and Spa, 6501 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie (425-888-2556 or salishlodge.com).
19th-Century Christmas
DEC. 6 Stories, music, dance, crafts Yule log at an 1800s Christmas with re-enactors, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma; $5-$8, ages 4 and younger free (253-591-5339 or fortnisqually.org).
Eatonville Christmas Parade
DEC. 6 Santa, floats, lights, 5 p.m., downtown Eatonville (visitrainier.com).
Arlington Hometown Holidays
DEC. 6 Holiday craft market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Pioneer Hall; Festival of Trees open house, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Cascade Valley Hospital; Santa parade, noon, Olympic Avenue, followed by caroling and tree lighting at Legion Park; free wagon rides, 12:30-4:30 p.m., City Hall; visit with Santa at Legion Park, 1-3 p.m., Arlington (360-403-3448 or arlingtonwa.gov).
Candy Cane Lane
DEC. 6-JAN. 1 Holiday display, houses with festive decorations and lights, drive through or park nearby and walk through, 4-11 p.m. daily Dec. 6 through Jan. 1, until midnight Dec. 24, 25, 31, Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle.
Victorian Farmhouse Christmas
DEC. 6-7 Tour the mansion decorated for the holidays, docents in period costumes; 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Dec 6, noon and 2 p.m. Dec. 7, Neely Mansion, 12303 Auburn-Black Diamond Road, Auburn; $12-$18 (253-850-2777 or neelymansion.org).
Winter Wonderland Hayrides & Holiday Crafts
DEC. 6, 13, 20 Truck-drawn hay wagon ride around Seward Park for all ages, hourly 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; holiday crafts, learn about local birds, plants and animals, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, 20, Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Boulevard S., Seattle; craft party free, hayrides $5/person, preregister (206-652-2444 or sewardpark.audubon.org/ages-6-10).
Children’s Christmas in Scandinavia
DEC. 7 Lucia pageant, music and dancing led by kids, visit from Santa, Nordic crafts, for all ages, 1 p.m., Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle; $6-$8, ages 4 and younger free (206-789-5707 or nordicmuseum.org).
SAM Lights
DEC. 11 Hundreds of lights and luminaria decorate the park, art activities for all ages, music, 5:30 p.m. Olympic Sculpture Park, Broad Street and Elliott Avenue, Seattle (seattleartmuseum.org/visit/calendar/events?EventId=29555).
Chet Gibson Memorial Lighted Boat Parade
DEC. 12-13 Queen City Yacht Club decorated boat parades, 6 p.m., Lake Union and Lake Washington, Seattle (queencity.org).
CookieFest
DEC. 13 Thousands of cookies by local bakeries and culinary schools sold $18/dozen to benefit Seattle Milk Fund, 9 a.m. until noon or while supplies last, Macy’s, 1601 Third Ave., Seattle (seattlemilkfund.org).
Green Lake Pathway of Lights
DEC. 13 Walk around the lake luminaria-lined path with music, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Green Lake Park, 7201 E. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle; nonperishable food bank donations collected (206-684-0780 or seattle.gov/parks).
Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association Santa’s Lights tour
DEC. 13 Santa Claus visits vintage buses in a 3-hour tour of Seattle’s best Christmas lights, 7 p.m., from Second Avenue South and South Main Street, Seattle; $5 (206-684-1816 or mehva.org).
Hanukkah Under the Stars
DEC. 13 Hanukkah party, music by Recess Monkey, food vendors, games, crafts, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island; free, pregister; donation to Jewish Family Service encouraged (206-232-7115 or sjcc.org).
Lake Sammamish Lighted Holiday Boats Parade
DEC. 13 Boat parade, decorate your boat and join or watch from Idlewood Park or Sammamish Landing Park, 6 p.m. from Sammamish Slough around the northern Lake Sammamish; if rain is forecast, moved to Dec. 14 or Dec. 20, Redmond (425-449-0070 or sammamishyacht.com/).
Drive-Thru Christmas Story
DEC. 13-14 Full-size sets of the Nativity story, 6-8:30 p.m., Normandy Christian Church, 908 S. 200th St., Des Moines (206-878-4740 or normandychristian.org).
Santa Breakfast and Mini Nutcracker
DEC. 13-14, 20 Breakfast, meet Santa, Nutcracker story performance, 11 a.m. Dec. 13-14, 20, Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., Seattle; $15-$20 (brownpapertickets.com/event/922959).
Holiday Village at Bloedel Reserve
DEC. 13-JAN. 5 Trains and holiday buildings display, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays through Jan. 5, closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, Visitor’s Center, 7571 N.E. Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island; $5-$15 (206-842-7631 or bloedelreserve.org).
Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
DEC. 14 Festive 5K run, walk, Kids 1K Run With the Elves, costume contest, benefits the Arthritis Foundation, 8 a.m., Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., Seattle; $40-$55, Kids Run $15-$20; online registration closes midnight Dec. 5, in-person sign up on selected dates through Dec. 13; (206-547-2707 or seattlejinglebellrun.kintera.org).
Traditional Santa Lucia Celebration
DEC. 14 Swedish pageant, candlelight procession with singing and costumes followed by a smorgasbord and dancing around the tree, for all ages, 5 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2400 N.W. 85th St., Seattle; free (206-783-7900 or ourredeemers.net).
Live Nativity
DEC. 19-20 Live performance every 20 minutes, 7-8:40 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 922 216th Ave. N.E., Sammamish (425-638-9152).
Madison Park Holiday Bash
DEC. 20 Christmas Ships parade, bonfire, live music, snacks, 4 p.m., Madison Park Bathhouse, East Madison Street and East Howe Street, Seattle (206-497-2666).
Traditional Santa Breakfast
DEC. 20-21 Santa visits, performances including Mini Nutcracker Ballet and Leo the Clown, benefits local children with Juvenile Arthritis, 9:30 a.m., Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $30-$55, by reservation (santabreakfasts.kintera.org).
The Steamer Virginia V
DEC. 21, 23 Cruises meet up with Christmas Ships, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 21, $44-$75; Grand Finale Dessert Cruise, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, $45-$60; 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle; by reservation, space limited (206-624-9119 or virginiav.org/).