21 things to do in Seattle this December

December has arrived, and Seattle is filled with exciting, festive events. From holiday markets and Christmas lights to shopping and concerts, we have you covered with a ton of things to do in Seattle this December.

Enchant Christmas

Twinkling lights, a maze with larger-than-life sculptures, a Christmas market with over 40 local artisan vendors, ice skating, and all of our favorite parts of Christmas are coming together in one amazing festival: Enchant Christmas. From November 22 to December 29, T-Mobile Park is being overrun by elves and Christmas cheer. Do not miss the opening weekend to get you into the holiday spirit.

When: November 22 to December 29
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: T-Mobile Park — 1250 1st Avenue S, Seattle
Admission: $14.99-$89.99

Sheraton Grand Gingerbread Village

The Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Grand never fails to impress. It is absolutely impossible to dislike the lit-up miniature houses and scenes. Speaking of, a talented team of architects and chefs (with the help of a few children) put together the village to ensure that it stays glued together. Bring your friends and family, but remember: Don’t eat the gingerbread houses.

When: November 23 to January 1
Time: 9 am to 9 pm
Where: Sheraton Grand Seattle — 1400 6th Avenue, Seattle
Admission: Free, donations accepted

Garden d’Lights

As if the Bellevue Botanical Garden needed to become any more beautiful, it’s transforming into a sparkling paradise full of twinkling plants, flowers, birds, animals, and cascading waterfalls. Aside from the lights, enjoy a tour of the Gingerbread Village in the Aaron Education Center as well as nightly musical entertainment.

When: November 30 to December 31
Time: 4:30 to 9 pm
Where: Bellevue Botanical Garden — 12001 Main Street, Bellevue
Admission: $5

Seattle Winterfest

Winter has officially arrived with the return of Winterfest. The sparkling lights and ice rink pretty much scream Instagram, while Saturday ice sculpting is a treat for the whole family. On New Year’s Eve, the Seattle Center will be bursting with fireworks.

When: November 29 to January 5
Time: All day
Where: Seattle Center — 305 Harrison Street, Seattle
Admission info: Free

DSA Holiday Carousel

The DSA’s iconic winter carousel is back spinning in Westlake Park for its 31st year. The carousel will remain by donation and spin all night long — until 8 pm, that is. Bring your little cousins, best friends, or perhaps a Tinder date? The Holiday Carousel is nestled right beside the Urban Craft Uprising Holiday Market, which opens on November 29. A ride and a hot chocolate on the side? Now that’s a perfect winter night. 

Where: November 29 to January 1
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Downtown Seattle, Westlake Park — 401 Pine Street, Seattle
Admission: $4, suggested donation

WildLights

Experience the wildest lights that Seattle has to offer at the Woodland Park Zoo. Over 800,000 energy-efficient bright and colorful LED lights will transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. While taking in the lights, don’t forget to enjoy the animal encounters, carolers and Instagrammable features.

When: November 29 to January 5
Time: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Woodland Park Zoo — 5500 Phinney Avenue N, Seattle
Admission: $12.95+

Urban Craft Uprising

Forget mass-production this winter and help save the planet. This market promises unique, high-quality, handcrafted goods from independent crafters, artists, and designers. The people on your gift list deserve well-made, local gifts. Besides gifts, Urban Craft Uprising offers activities, classes, showcases, and events.

When: December 7 and 8
Time: Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall – 301 Mercer St., Seattle
Admission: All ages; free

The 35th Annual Jingle Bell Run Seattle

Dress up in your best festive attire and get ready to run 12k/5k/1 mile through downtown Seattle in the oldest and largest holiday run in Washington. It’s a run to support those living with arthritis and is all about doing good and feeling good. Bring a team together and create a group costume. 100% off registration fees and fundraising go towards The Arthritis Foundation. (There is also a kids’ run!)

When: December 8
Time: 7 to 10 am
Where: Westlake Park — 401 Pine Street, Seattle
Admission: $15-$50 with registration

The 39th Annual Winter Festival and Crafts Fair

With over 120+ handpicked makers and all-day entertainment, the PNA Annual Winter Festival & Crafts Fair is one not to miss! For just $4, you’ll have access to coffee, a mimosa garden, a festival garden and, of course, hundreds of crafts to purchase. Get your festival passport stamped in all corners of the festival to be entered to win one of many goodie bags filled with items from the crafters in the fair.

When: December 7 and 8
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Phinney Center – 6532 Phinney Avenue N, Seattle
Admission: $4 and a suggested donation of a food item for the FamilyWorks Greenwood Food Bank

Thompson Seattle Sip and Shop

Enjoy browsing through a curated collection of local designers, boutiques, and beauty brands while sipping signature cocktails from The Nest’s new fall-winter menu. If you’d like to channel your inner influencer with a one-of-a-kind experience, this sip and shop is the place to be.

When: December 7
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: The Nest Rooftop Bar – 110 Stewart Street, Seattle
Admission: 21+ event; Free

Deck the Hall Ball 2019

If you are a lover of alternative rock, come out and support Seattle’s Alternative Station along with the artists in their lineup. 107.7 The End‘s Deck the Hall Ball is back for another year, this time featuring The 1975, The Head and the Heart, Of Monsters and Men, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Regrettes, and Chong the Nomad.

When: December 10
Time: Doors at 4 pm; show at 5 pm
Where: WaMu Theater – 800 Occidental Avenue S, Seattle
Admission: All ages; $65+ tickets available online

European Christmas Market

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you do not want to miss out on this market. For the second year, l’Alliance Française de Seattle has partnered with Goethe Pop Up Seattle to bring a true European Christmas Market to the city. The market will have handmade arts, crafts, and products from local artisans. What distinguishes this from the other markets this season is its French and German fare. Enjoy French and German performances as well as food and drinks while you peruse the festival.

When: December 14
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Chapel Performance Space, 4th floor – 4649 Sunnyside Avenue N, Seattle
Admission: All ages; free

Seattle SantaCon 2019

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. March the street with thousands of Santas for the annual Seattle SantaCon. Over 2000 Santa’s will be painting the downtown red and white; you will not be able to go anywhere without seeing a Santa! SantaCon is the official mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes, parading the streets all over the world. Buy a wristband and enjoy access to 15+ venues, drink specials, a costume contest, and more.

When: December 14
Time: Noon to 2 am
Where: All over downtown
Admission: $5+; tickets available online and in-person

Punk Rock and Paintbrushes

 

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If music and art are your jam, we know where you should go on December 14th: Punk Rock and Paintbrushes. The art show has continued a four-year run in LA and is making its way to the Northwest for the first time. The show features the art of Matt Hensley, Warren Fitzgerald, Soma Snakeoil, and so many other talented artists. If that hasn’t convinced you yet, know that coffee and cocktails are confirmed attendees.

When: December 14
Time: 6 to 11 pm
Where: Piranha Shop Gallery – 1022 1st Avenue S, Seattle
Admission: All ages; free with RSVP

Deck the Brew Hall: Fremont Brewing Holiday Market

Fremont Brewing, the company with the Beer Patrol car, is kicking off the season with its first-ever Deck the Brew Hall: Fremont Brewing Holiday Market. Stop by to find locally made gifts by dozens of artisans, a Santa Claus Yeti, crafts for kids, and holiday-infused beers on tap. There truly is nothing better than a holiday festival with beer.

When: December 14 and 15
Time: Noon t0 6 pm
Where: Black Heron Lounge at Fremont Brewing – 3409 Woodland Park Avenue N, Seattle
Admission: All ages; free

Varnish Nail Art Pop-Up at K Banana

A $15 manicure is pretty unheard of, but this holiday season, we’re in luck. Varnish Seattle is hosting a nail pop-up at K Banana featuring $15 manicures, which include two statement nails. Now that’s a steal.

When: December 15
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: K Banana – 2621 NE Village Lane, Seattle
Admission: $15 with registration

Deadmau5

EDM legend Deadmau5 is bringing his CUBE V3-2019 Tour to the WAMU Theatre. We can’t wait for the Canadian electronic music producer’s progressive house mixes along with his famous Mickey Mouse-esque headpiece to the Emerald City.

When: December 19
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: WAMU Theatre – 1000 Occidental Avenue S, Seattle
Admission: $42+ available online

Seattle’s 2nd Annual Winter Beer Festival

The Seattle Farmers Market Association is proud to host the second annual Winter Beer Festival with over 25 winter craft beers, seltzers, ciders and more at Magnuson Park Hangar 30. The Beer Festival is partnering with the Winter Solstice Night Market, which is an indoor holiday night market with over 150 booths and food trucks.

When: December 20 and 21
Time: 4 to 9 pm
Where: Magnusen Park Hangar 30 – 6310 Northeast 74 Street, Seattle
Admission: 21+ to enter the Beer Festival; $10 tickets are available online

REZZ

REZZ, another Canadian DJ who has taken the world by storm, is coming to the WaMu Theatre. Her boundary-pushing music has propelled her career, racking up tens of millions of streams. After headlining numerous festivals worldwide, she’s back on her own tour with Peekaboo and Black Gummy.

When: December 21
Time: Doors at 7 pm; show at 8 pm
Where: WaMu Theatre – 1000 Occidental Avenue S, Seattle
Admission: $35+ available online

Holiday Fun Run

Spread holiday sweat and cheer with the Holiday Fun Run hosted by Magnusen Series. Choose between a 5k run/walk, 10k run/walk, 15k run, 400-meter kids dash, half marathon run, duathlon, or obstacle dash. At the end of your hard work, pick up a well-worked-for hot chocolate by the finish line.

When: December 21
Time: 10 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Magnusen Park – Sand Point Way NE and NE 65th Street, Seattle
Admission: $3-$46 with online registration

The Emo Night Tour

 

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Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, My Chemical Romance. Did any of these happen to throw you into a flashback? Bring your sadbois and tears to the club for Emo Night at El Corazon. There will be guaranteed moshing, beers, and tears of joy.

When: December 28
Time: 8 pm
Where: El Corazon – 109 Eastlake Avenue E, Seattle
Admission: $12 advance tickets online; $15 at door