Holiday scene

Seattle Christmas Guide 2024

Seattle's Best Christmas Events for 2024!

Last updated February 18, 2025.

From Pike Place's twinkling Magic in the Market to the dazzling WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle transforms into a rain-kissed winter wonderland. The Space Needle stands sentinel over festivities like the Seattle Christmas Ship Festival and downtown's beloved Gingerbread Village.

While Snowflake Lane draws crowds across Lake Washington to Bellevue, Seattle proper keeps spirits bright with quirky traditions like SantaCon pub crawls and the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. The Pacific Northwest's signature blend of classic and unconventional celebrations defines our holiday season.

Discover the Emerald City's festive side below!

When is Christmas? Thursday, December 25th, 2025

Seattle Holiday Light Displays

Seattle Tree Lighting

The Seattle Tree Lighting is a festive holiday event in downtown Seattle featuring live music, giveaways, costumed characters, and an epic fireworks display. The event includes the lighting of the huge downtown Seattle Christmas tree and the iconic Macy's star. It is a free holiday event that concludes with more festive live music from the African American Cultural Ensemble and Motown vocal trio The Jewel Tones.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 24, 2023
  • ⏰ Time: (See website for times)
  • 🏛️ Venue: Westlake Park
  • 📍 Address: View on map

Enchant Christmas

Enchant Christmas in Seattle features an all-new World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, an ice-skating trail, live entertainment, interactive games, Santa visits, and a charming holiday marketplace. The event is set against the backdrop of a captivating original story, Santa's Magic Timepiece, where you search for the missing fragments of Santa's magical timepiece. The maze includes breathtaking light sculptures, guiding you through an 80,000 square foot journey. Additionally, there is ice skating, seasonal food and drink, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music and entertainment, and a Ferris wheel offering a bird’s-eye view of the dazzling lights.

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WildLanterns

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo features large-scale animal light displays, nature scape lanterns, and themed zones like All About Bugs and African Savannah. The event offers an immersive experience with over 300 lanterns, loop walkways, and numerous display areas. Visitors can explore the zoo's residents, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and giraffes, while enjoying interactive elements like animated lanterns and light-up seesaws.

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Astra Lumina

Astra Lumina is an immersive light and sound installation that transforms the Seattle Chinese Garden into a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. The event features 10 different and dramatic light displays set to atmospheric music and nature sounds, creating a multisensory experience for all ages.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 8-31
  • ⏰ Time: 5 pm-10 pm (Saturdays until 1 pm), December 14-31 seven nights a week
  • 🏛️ Venue: Seattle Chinese Garden
  • 📍 Address: 6000 16th Ave SW

Holiday Lights & Delights

Holiday Lights & Delights in Seattle features dazzling holiday-themed light sculptures in Westlake Park, including larger-than-life installations of presents, arches, and trees. The event also includes a holiday augmented reality experience created by Novaby, available at designated spots throughout downtown's retail core. Additionally, the Downtown Seattle Association offers family-friendly entertainment, holiday concerts, and a pop-up ice skating rink.

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Seattle Holiday Markets and Shopping

Magic in the Market

Magic in the Market is a holiday event at Pike Place Market in Seattle, featuring a variety of activities and attractions. The event includes demonstrations by local artisans, live holiday music, and kid-centered activities such as DIY crafts and a free holiday cookie decorating experience. Santa will be available for free photos. The event also offers shopping opportunities at local businesses and seasonal food and beverage offerings.

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Seattle Holiday Shows and Entertainment

The Nutcracker Ballet

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet is a classic holiday ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, stunning costumes and scenery, and impressive performances by professional dancers. The ballet includes memorable characters like Clara, the Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, set against a whimsical backdrop designed by Ian Falconer. This beloved tradition offers an enchanting experience for audiences of all ages.

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Holiday Concerts at Seattle Symphony

The Seattle Symphony's holiday concerts feature a diverse range of performances, including Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour, Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright, and Home Alone in Concert. These events showcase the symphony's brass section and offer a variety of holiday music and traditions. The concerts are designed to delight audiences of all ages with their heartwarming programs and festive atmosphere.

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Candlelight Concert Holiday Special

Candlelight Concerts in Seattle offer a unique musical experience featuring iconic holiday music and timeless classics. These concerts take place in awe-inspiring locations such as The Museum of Flight, where the gentle glow of candlelight enhances the beauty of the performances. The program includes works by renowned composers like Vivaldi, Debussy, and Tchaikovsky, as well as tributes to popular artists like The Beatles and Taylor Swift. The concerts are designed to be immersive and memorable, with each performance lasting approximately 60-65 minutes.

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Snowflake Lane

Snowflake Lane is a festive holiday event in Downtown Bellevue featuring nightly parades with snowfall, toy drummers, characters, and holiday floats. The event is set along Bellevue Way between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square, with guests invited to stand on the sidewalks from Northeast 4th Street to Northeast 8th Street. The show includes holiday music and lasts for twenty minutes. The event is part of The Bellevue Collection's holiday season activities.

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Land Of The Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker

Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker is a unique blend of jazz, ballet, striptease, and song. This award-winning holiday spectacle features iconic characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy and Rat King, with each act meticulously designed to delight audiences. Choreographer and co-creator Lily Verlaine brings her classical ballet background and the storytelling of burlesque to create an immersive event.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 11 - December 29, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: (See website for times)
  • 🏛️ Venue: The Triple Door
  • 📍 Address: 216 Union St, Seattle

XMAS Maximus Christmas Band

XMAS Maximus is Seattle's oldest Christmas band, performing both familiar and unfamiliar holiday tunes. The band features a talented group of musicians who bring joy and cheer to their audiences with their sugarplum-sweet performances.

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Holiday Harmony Pop

Holiday Harmony Pop is a premier group of professional a cappella carolers who perform festive music to make the holiday season exciting, fun, and memorable. Dressed in bright, contemporary costuming, they delight audiences with a wide variety of holiday songs in perfect 4-part harmony. Located at the Armory Stage/Dance Floor, this event is a highlight of the holiday season.

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Seattle Holiday Giving Opportunities

Seattle Festival of Trees

The Seattle Festival of Trees is an annual event that features beautifully decorated designer Christmas trees, a Teddy Bear Suite for children, and various holiday activities. The event supports Seattle Children's Hospital's Uncompensated Care Fund and the Autism Center. Attendees can mingle with friends, enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, participate in live and silent auctions, and view inspiring stories of featured patients.

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Seattle Other Holiday Activities

Seattle Christmas Ship Festival

The Seattle Christmas Ship Festival is a long-standing holiday tradition that showcases the spirit of the season through festive boat parades, caroling, and community gatherings. The festival features a parade of beautifully decorated boats traveling through various waterfront communities around Lake Washington and Puget Sound. The highlight is the Spirit of Seattle, the official Christmas Ship, adorned with hundreds of shimmering white lights. Onboard, community choirs perform classic holiday carols, entertaining both passengers and audiences onshore. The festival includes various ways to participate, such as boarding the Spirit of Seattle for a 1.5-hour cruise or following the Christmas Ship on a 21+ adults-only boat.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 29 - December 23, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: (See website for times)
  • 🏛️ Venue: Lake Washington and Puget Sound
  • 📍 Address: View on map

Winterfest

Seattle Center Winterfest is a multi-week celebration featuring a wide array of activities, including live performances, ice sculpting, and a miniature 'turn-of-the-century village' with a moving model train. The festival transforms the Seattle Center into a winter wonderland with beautiful Christmas lights, an ice rink, and various seasonal decor. It offers something for everyone, making it a perfect event for families and those looking to soak in the festive atmosphere.

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Gingerbread Village

The Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Grand Seattle is a cherished holiday tradition featuring elaborate gingerbread creations crafted by top local architecture firms and Sheraton chefs. This year's theme, Iconic Destinations, takes visitors on a sweet journey to Agra, India; London, England; Sydney, Australia; and Paris, France. The event benefits Breakthrough T1D and type 1 diabetes research.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 21, 2024 - January 1, 2025
  • ⏰ Time: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday), 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Friday-Saturday)
  • 🏛️ Venue: Sheraton Grand Seattle
  • 📍 Address: 1400 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Seattle SantaCon

Seattle SantaCon is an annual mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and inside locations in the Downtown Seattle area. The event focuses on spontaneity and creativity while having a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill. Thousands of Santas participate in live entertainment, free admission to venues, drink specials, costume contests, and professional photography.

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Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition

The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition is a heartwarming holiday event that brings together 20 spirited teams to perform and compete in a festive celebration on the cobblestones of Pike Place Market. This family-friendly event invites families, friends, and Market visitors to gather and sing along, supporting essential services for Seattle's most vulnerable residents. The fundraiser raises over $1 million for the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, providing free meals, activities, and services for low-income and homeless seniors, as well as vital food bank services for people of all ages.

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Teddy Bear Suite

The Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle is a festive holiday attraction featuring a whimsical display of teddy bears. The suite offers an immersive experience with teddy bear-themed treats, movies on demand, and a four-course dinner. Guests also receive two Signature Fairmont Teddy Bears as a parting gift. The event supports Seattle Children's Hospital and encourages donations to benefit the hospital's Autism Center and Uncompensated Care Fund.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 23 - January 3
  • ⏰ Time: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 9am to 1 pm, Closed Mondays
  • 🏛️ Venue: Fairmont Olympic Hotel
  • 📍 Address: 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101

Rainier Ridge at Seattle Children’s Museum

Rainier Ridge at Seattle Children's Museum offers a variety of winter-themed activities, including sock skating, building snow people, and browsing seasonal wares and crafts. The event features winter-themed stories, play areas with balance boards, and photo opportunities. Visitors can enjoy a winter market and activities like making s'mores.

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Hometown Holidays

Hometown Holidays in West Seattle is a festive celebration featuring a night market, live music, a beer garden, and a tree lighting ceremony. The event includes carolers, entertainers, and a visit from Santa. Local vendors and fun activities make it an enjoyable event for all ages.

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Ballard HolidayFest

Ballard HolidayFest is a free community event featuring free photos with Santa, hot cocoa and cider, holiday treats and popcorn, tree lighting, Tomte Trail prize giveaways, live music, and more. It is made possible through support from the Seattle Office of Economic Development, Ballard Alliance, and volunteers from the Ballard business community.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 7, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 2 – 5 p.m.
  • 🏛️ Venue: Marvin's Garden Park
  • 📍 Address: View on map

Santa’s Reindeer at The Village

Santa's Reindeer at The Village is an event where visitors can see Santa's reindeer near Cinemark Totem Lake. The event includes a visit to Santa's Workshop, where one can meet Santa and enjoy various holiday activities. The reindeer friends live locally at Rainier Reindeer Ranch, adding a touch of authenticity to the experience.

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Electric Cookie Run

The Electric Cookie Run is a festive holiday event where participants don their most spirited holiday attire, complete with lights, and run either one lap of 2.8 miles or two laps totaling 5.6 miles around Green Lake in Seattle. The event is professionally chip-timed and USATF sanctioned, ensuring a top-notch experience for all participants. After crossing the finish line, participants can indulge in delicious cookies from some of Seattle's finest bakeries and collect their shiny medal.

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Santa Photos at Ounces Taproom

Santa Photos at Ounces Taproom in Seattle offer a festive holiday activity where visitors can take free photos with Santa Claus. The event is open to all ages, including children, families, and pets. The beer garden is decorated with holiday lights, Christmas music, and a 20ft Santa. Seasonal beer and cider are available on tap, and free candy canes are provided. The event is family and dog-friendly, making it a fun and inclusive experience.

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Garfield Community Center Holiday Party

The Garfield Community Center Holiday Party is a festive event celebrating the season with neighbors and friends. Enjoy music, games, crafts, and more. Participants can register for a gift from Toys for Tots, with toys dependent on donations and distributed two weeks after the event.

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