During the holiday season, in Seattle, Washington the city comes alive with a range of enchanting events and activities to celebrate Christmas. Seattle provides a selection of experiences, for visitors and locals alike. Here are a few standout holiday attractions to explore:
- Holiday Lights: From late November to December, Seattle is lit up with twinkling Christmas lights. The Woodland Park Zoo usually hosts its annual WildLights event, with hundreds of thousands of energy-efficient LED lights recreating wild animals and wild places. Additionally, neighborhoods like Candy Cane Lane (in the Ravenna neighborhood) and Olympic Manor (in the Ballard neighborhood) are famous for their festive light displays.
- Pike Place Market: This iconic Seattle spot gets a festive makeover with holiday decorations. It’s a great place to buy unique, locally-made gifts for your loved ones. Plus, you might even catch some carolers singing festive tunes!
- Winterfest at Seattle Center: This is an annual tradition that includes free and affordable festive, fun-filled activities like ice sculpting, live performances, and more. The highlight for many is the ice skating rink.
- Holiday Pops with Seattle Symphony: Enjoy a holiday concert at Benaroya Hall featuring the Seattle Symphony. They play a range of Christmas classics that will leave you filled with holiday spirit.
- Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival: This is a unique Seattle tradition where a parade of boats adorned with Christmas lights travels around Puget Sound, stopping at different waterfront communities to serenade them with carols.
- Macy’s Holiday Parade and Star Lighting: Usually held the day after Thanksgiving, it’s a fantastic way to usher in the holiday season, culminating with the iconic Macy’s star being lit up.
- Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival: While not in Seattle proper, many Seattleites make the drive over the mountains to the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, which hosts one of the most beloved Christmas lighting festivals in the Pacific Northwest.
- Shopping: Seattle offers an array of shopping destinations from downtown stores to neighborhood boutiques. You can find unique Christmas gifts in areas such as Ballard, Pioneer Square, and Capitol Hill.
- Visit Pike Place Market: During the holiday season, this iconic destination comes alive with Christmas decorations, seasonal produce, and artisanal gifts.
- Holiday Carousel in Westlake Park: An annual tradition, the carousel brings a bit of whimsy to downtown Seattle. It’s fun for kids and adults alike.
- Wildlights at Woodland Park Zoo: Enjoy a festive lights display as the zoo is transformed into a luminous winter wonderland. You’ll see dazzling light installations and nocturnal animals that are still active in the winter months.
- Enchant Christmas at T-Mobile Park: This immersive holiday light experience includes a massive light maze, an ice-skating trail, and a Christmas market with over 40 local artisan vendors.
- Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival: This is a heartwarming tradition that involves a fleet of boats decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. The lead ship has a choir that serenades waterfront communities around Puget Sound.
- The Nutcracker at McCaw Hall: The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker is a holiday classic. The performances, set designs, and costumes are top-notch and create a magical experience.
- Seattle Center Winterfest: Enjoy ice sculpting, live performances, and festive decor. Don’t forget to check out the miniature winter train village.
- Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Grand Seattle: Local architecture firms collaborate with Sheraton’s culinary team to design, bake, and construct elaborate gingerbread houses. It’s a must-see.
- Snowflake Lane at The Bellevue Collection: Although this isn’t in Seattle proper, it’s worth the short drive to Bellevue to experience this daily parade, complete with snowfall, live toy drummers, and costumed characters.
- The Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival is worth a visit if you’re keen, on taking a road trip. Located two hours away from Seattle Leavenworth transforms into a winter wonderland during the festival with the entire town aglow, in festive lights setting the perfect Christmas mood.
Remember that the specifics of these events may change year by year, so it’s a good idea to check the event details closer to the holiday season. Regardless of the activities, Seattle during Christmas time is always filled with a lot of holiday spirit. Enjoy your festive season in Seattle!