Seattle is ready to dazzle this holiday season with a delightful blend of cherished traditions and new festivities.
The Seattle Christmas Market introduces the Seattle Christmas Express, while Savor Seattle offers a holiday food tour of Pike Place Market.
Exclusive hotel packages enhance the experience, providing opportunities to stay, celebrate, and revel in the magic of downtown during this festive time.
Classic performances and immersive experiences will enchant audiences, featuring George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, alongside LIT Immersive’s “Kringle’s Inventionasium.”
For a complete guide to holiday events, visit seattleholidays.com.
The Seattle Christmas Market returns for a third year at Seattle Center, transforming Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn into a charming European-style holiday village from Nov. 20 until Dec. 24.
This year, the market boasts expanded themed nights, new seasonal treats, and the Christmas Market Express, which offers a monorail ride straight to the festivities.
Malte Kluetz, the CEO and founder of the Seattle Christmas Market, expressed excitement about the new transport option, saying it creates a joyful ride for both locals and visitors.
The Winterfest at Seattle Center continues the celebrations, running from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31.
This event spans five weeks and features ice sculpting demonstrations, a World Bazaar marketplace, and a nostalgic 19th-century model train display.
Winterfest concludes with the spectacular New Year’s At The Needle, a stunning fireworks and drone show touted as North America’s largest structurally launched pyrotechnic display.
Experience the festive spirit at Pike Place Market with Savor Seattle’s Festive Flavors of Pike Place Market: Holiday Food Tours, available from Nov. 20 to Jan. 4.
This popular tour invites guests to sample seasonal bites and delve into diverse holiday traditions that enliven the market.
Heather Refvem, operations manager at Savor Seattle Food Tours, noted that this year’s tour includes extra holiday tastings, tips for incorporating market goods into holiday celebrations, and a bonus take-home treat.
Visitors can savor over ten delectable bites and discover fresh festive stories in just two hours.
Pike Place Market also marks its 30th Annual Magic in the Market on Nov. 29.
This event transforms the entire market into a winter wonderland featuring magic shows, choir performances, crafting workshops, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus and live reindeer.
The evening culminates in the market’s renowned lighting ceremony and a performance by Can Can Cabaret at 5 p.m.
For those seeking a Nordic holiday experience, the National Nordic Museum hosts the 48th annual Julefest, a weekend celebration running from Nov. 21 to 23.
This tradition will transform NW Market Street in Ballard into a Nordic-style marketplace with artisanal goods, Scandinavian cuisine, apparel, and cultural performances.
Another avenue for unique holiday gifts can be found at the Native Art Market at The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center on Nov. 22-23, featuring Indigenous artisans.
Additionally, the Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show on Dec. 6-7 will showcase locally handcrafted goods for holiday shoppers looking for thoughtful presents.
Seattle’s holiday season sparkles with an array of performances and experiences that appeal to all ages.
New to the festivities this year is Kringle’s Inventionasium by LIT Immersive, an interactive experience where visitors can design gift-worthy inventions within Mr. Kringle’s whimsical toy laboratory.
The Great Figgy Caroling Competition on Dec. 6 spreads holiday cheer throughout Pike Place Market with caroling and community spirit, becoming a beloved tradition.
Classic performances return to the stage from Nov. 28 to Dec. 28, including George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall.
ACT Theatre will present its 50th anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Allen Theatre, while “Elf: The Musical” will grace the stage at the 5th Avenue Theatre.
For further seasonal enjoyment, the Seattle Symphony brings its family-friendly lineup to Benaroya Hall, featuring popular selections like Holiday Pops from Dec. 12-14 and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” from Dec. 5-7.
The Seattle Men’s Chorus will perform “Holly Jolly Jingle” from Dec. 13-23.
Other seasonal favorites hitting the stage include Intiman Theatre’s production of Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” from Dec. 10-28, the 20th anniversary rendition of “Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker” at the Triple Door during the same time frame, and “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show” at Moore Theatre from Dec. 23-28.
Seattle’s holiday spirit is further illuminated by spectacular light displays and decorations.
Woodland Park Zoo will feature WildLanterns from Nov. 14 to Jan. 18, showcasing an immersive experience of illuminated creatures and vibrant landscapes.
This year’s display includes glowing representations of animals slated to debut in the upcoming Forest Trailhead exhibit, set to open in 2026.
The Sheraton Grand Seattle brings back its beloved Gingerbread Village Display from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1, featuring delightful gingerbread creations crafted by local artists and chefs.
Visitors can enjoy this free display while donations collected will benefit Breakthrough T1D.
The iconic Argosy Christmas Ship Festival follows from Nov. 28 through Dec. 23.
This cherished tradition lights up the waterfront with caroling and festively decorated ships.
Small yet vibrant, the Winter Bonsai Solstice at the Pacific Bonsai Museum on Dec. 13 invites guests to explore its renowned bonsai collection amid a celebration of lights while sipping hot chocolate in the glowing gardens.
Across Lake Washington, the Bellevue Botanical Garden metamorphoses into a wondrous illuminated spectacle for Garden d’Lights, available from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31.
On Dec. 7, the Stroum Jewish Community Center presents the Festival of Laser Lights: Family Hanukkah Show, bringing a lively celebration of the Hanukkah story through awe-inspiring laser displays.
To enhance your Seattle holiday experience, seasonal packages are available at several downtown hotels.
The Grand Hyatt Seattle offers a Christmas Market Stay Package that includes two tickets to the Seattle Christmas Market, two round-trip rides on the Christmas Market Express, and complimentary valet parking.
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers holiday dining experiences, such as a lavish Christmas Eve feast and New Year’s celebrations with multi-course dinners accompanied by live music at Goldfinch Tavern.
Guests can also partake in a Prosecco and Pasta class with Executive Chef Andrea Ferrandi, as well as luxurious spa gift sets and Four Seasons gift cards for their loved ones.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle celebrates holiday magic through cherished traditions including The Teddy Bear Suite, a cozy, storybook setting adorned with twinkling lights, candy canes, and cuddly bears of every type.
The Festival of Trees features more than 20 elaborately decorated trees, each honoring a patient from Seattle Children’s Hospital and supporting vital initiatives like the Uncompensated Care Fund and Autism Center.
Lotte Hotel Seattle and Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge embrace the festive spirit with a whimsical gingerbread house pop-up bar on the 16th floor, open throughout December.
Pastry Chef Aris has crafted a unique experience to enjoy holiday-themed cocktails and confections in a cozy setting high above the city.
Additionally, Hotel 1000 will bring back its holiday pop-up bar, Rosebay Chalet, beginning Nov. 13.
This festive venue offers a chic après-ski atmosphere inspired by the Swiss Alps, pairing immersive design with a selection of decadent holiday cocktails, small bites, and a Build Your Own Gingerbread Chalet Kit.
For more information on Seattle’s holiday offerings and experiences, visit seattleholidays.com.
image source from：visitseattle
