You can enjoy a long list of fun Christmas events in the Seattle/Tacoma region. Whether you enjoy the arts, or the outdoors, you'll find plenty of ways to celebrate the winter holiday season in the Puget Sound region. Here are a few suggestions:
Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker - The Pacific Northwest Ballet's quintessential version of The Nutcracker is a decades-long Seattle holiday tradition. Gorgeous costumes, Tchaikovsky's score,and fabulous sets make PNB's The Nutcracker a treat for the eyes and ears. With over 30 performances every year, The Nutcracker is a fun way for the whole family to celebrate the season together.
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Every year, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium puts on a lavish holiday light display. After strolling through the zoo paths to view the twinkling decor, you can get enjoy live entertainment, a carousel ride, hot chocolate, or family photos. Advance Zoolights tickets may be purchased at Fred Meyer, online, or at a zoo kiosk.
Victorian Country Christmas Festival
The Victorian Country Christmas Festival, held each year at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center, is a huge Victorian-themed marketplace. You'll have the chance to shop for unique and hand-crafted gift items as well as enjoy a variety of holiday entertainments and activities.
Wildlights at Woodland Park Zoo
The region's newest Christmas-time attraction, Wildlights features hundreds of thousands of colorful, energy-efficient LED light displays. During your Wildlights visit, you'll get to stroll through the pathways of the western section of Woodland Park Zoo after dark to experience festive scenes from nature. Strolling carolers, live reindeer, snow play, and ice sculptures are other things you might have the chance to see and do. Advance tickets are highly recommended and can be purchased online.
Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival - Held in late October at the Tacoma Done, the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival is one of the first major holiday gift shows in the Northwest. Plan to spend a few hours strolling among the hundreds of booths offering unique arts and crafts items, gourmet foods, and unique gift ware. You'll be able to enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, including a singing Christmas tree.
Festival of Trees - The Festival of Trees is an annual event benefiting Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. This year's festival will take place at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Held over the first weekend in December, the Festival features a display of over 65 Christmas trees, each decorated in celebration of the holiday season.You will also be able to get your picture taken with Santa Claus, enjoy live entertainment, and do some holiday shopping.
Winterfest at Seattle Center- This month-long festival offers fun for the whole family, including free concerts, dances, an Outdoor Classic Carousel, the Winter Train, and the Winter Ice Rink. Children and train afficianados will enjoy the vintage Winter Train as it winds its way through an enchanting miniature village. The ice rink occupies Fisher Pavillion; skate rental is available. You'll also be able to enjoy weekly Saturday bonfire sing-alongs and ice carvings. Winterfest also commemorates traditional holidays with Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and Interfaith celebrations.
Molbak's Festival of Poinsettias - A day trip to Molbak's nursery in Woodinville is always worth it - doubly so at Christmas time. During the holiday season, Molbak's puts on a spectacular display that includes a huge selection of gift items, live and artificial trees, wreaths, bows, lights, and thousands of ornaments. They also feature dozens of different varieties of poinsettias in colors ranging from purple to white. You can attend free seminars and register for workshops where you'll learn how to create wreaths, centerpieces, and other festive seasonal displays. Their garden store offers indoor and outdoor plants, containers, and garden statuary. Molbak's also has a fantastic gift store filled with unique home furnishings, bath and body items, and other gift items. You'll have a chance to enjoy live holiday music and Santa visits during Molbak's Festival of Poinsettias - check their web site for the line-up and schedule.
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park
A drive-through extravaganza of holiday lights with close to 300 displays and thousands of sparkling lights, all along a two-mile stretch at Spanaway Lake. You can tune into local radio station FM 93.7 for show music. Admission is per vehicle, so fill up your car or van with friends and family.
More fun Christmas events in Seattle/Tacoma:
- Cut your own tree at a local tree farm
- Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide concerts
- Watch The Christmas Carol at ACT Theatre
- Magic in the Market: Holiday Events & Lighting Ceremony
- Northwest Boychoir's "A Festival of Lessons & Carols"
- Watch or join the Christmas Ship Festival
- Westlake Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
- The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
- Snowflake Lane in Bellevue
>>More Washington Christmas Links
For comprehensive listings of holiday events in and around the Puget Sound region, check out these resources:
Have a safe and happy holiday season!!
