How to Celebrate Christmas in Seattle - The Adventuring Millennial

The most wonderful time of the year is here!

As I’m writing this, I’m sipping a peppermint mocha and blasting Christmas music. I love this festive season so I had to create another holiday themed-post. Today I’m focusing on my favorite city in the Pacific North West: Seattle!

I only lived in Seattle for 8-months and I am so glad I was there for the Christmas season. Let me tell you, Seattle really gets into the spirit. Maybe it’s their way of dealing with the dismal, grey days of the season. Whatever the reason, I’m glad Seattle knows how to celebrate the holidays. When I lived there, I went to pretty much every Christmas event I could find and writing this post really makes me want to go back for another holiday season.

So, I’ve gathered a list of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Seattle. I checked out most of these events when I lived in Seattle. But don’t worry, I’ve done my research and made sure everything’s up-to-date for the 2019 season!

Already you ready to get festive? Ho, ho here we go!

Tree Lightings

What’s more festive than a Christmas tree? Here are my top picks for tree-lightings in Seattle:

Macy’s Star and Westlake Park Tree Lighting: This fun event includes the tree lighting, firework display, and an appearance from Santa! Check back for the official date announcement, but it looks like it might be November 29, 2019.

Bellvue Place (November 29, 2019): At 7:00 pm, the 30-foot Bellvue Tree comes to life with plenty of twinkling lights. This event includes a Snowflake Lane Parade, holiday music, cookies, and hot cocoa.

West Seattle: Check out the tree lighting in West Seattle’s Junction on December 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm. This festive event includes a Holiday Market, crafts, live music, and the chance to take pictures with Santa.

Christmas Shows

There are plenty of live Christmas events around Seattle this season! Some of my favorites include:

Improvised Christmas Carol (November 29-December 23, 2019): The comedians at Unexpected Productions put on an annual Christmas Carol-themed show. Instead of telling the traditional tale, this hilarious version is told with suggestions from the audience. Each show this season will be slightly different but equally enjoyable.

A Christmas Carol (November 29–December 28, 2019): If the traditional story is more your jam, check out the 44th annual performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at The Allen Theatre.

The Nutcracker (November 29-December 28, 2019): The Pacific Norwest Ballet puts on an incredible performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker each year.

Holiday Pops (December 6-December 8, 2019): Enjoy a live performance of classic seasonal songs. This annual concert by conductor Jacomo Bairos and the University of Washington Chorale is a favorite tradition for Seattlites.

Elf the Musical (November 29-December 22, 2019): If you feel like venturing out of Seattle a bit, make your way to the Tacoma Musical Playhouse to see a version of Elf the Musical. In this fun and whimsical production, the story of Buddy the Elf comes to life before your eyes.

Holiday Markets

Visit one of Seattle’s Winter Markets to shop for unique and handmade gifts.

Urban Craft Uprising 15th Annual Winter Show (December 6-8, 2019): This free festival, held in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, is a showcase of independent artists and designers.

South Lake Union Winter Market (December 11 & 12, 2019): This annual market features local vendors selling crafts, food, and other artisan goods.

West Seattle Winter Night Market (December 13, 2019): Grab a warm drink and browse the 20+ stalls filled with handmade trinkets from local artists.

Winter Solstice Night Market (December 20 & 21, 2019): Visit the historic Magnuson Park Hangar 30 for an indoor market complete with 150+ vendors offering festive eats and handmade gifts.

Events

How to Celebrate Christmas in Seattle- The Adventuring Millennial

Don’t miss these festive events happening around Seattle this season!

Magic in the Market (November 30, 2019): This free event is an all-day spectacle complete with live reindeer, Santa photos, and a Stockings and Stuffers Handmade Market. At 5:00 pm, enjoy the sounds of live Christmas music as all of the holiday lights in the market turn on for the first time this season!

Figgy Pudding Caroling (December 6, 2019): Hands-down, this was my favorite Christmas event in Seattle. This annual caroling competition attracts more than 10,000 people to listen to the festive songs. Walk around Downtown Seattle and Westlake Center to hear a variety of caroling teams sing their version of holiday tunes. Want to join? Register your caroling team now!

Christmas Ship Prade of Boats (December 13, 2019): Each year, Seattle’s ships are adorned with festive decorations and travel from Lake Union to Fremont. You can watch the spectacle for free from the Fremont waterfront or join in your own boat.

Enchant (November 22-December 29, 2019): This large ticketed Christmas event is relatively new to Seattle. This year it’s being held at the T-Mobile Park. You can rent ice skates to follow the skating trail, get lost in the maze of Christmas lights, try festive treats, or shop at the Holiday Market.

Bellevue’s Snowflake Lane (November 29- December 24, 2019): Each night at 7:00 pm, a parade of Toy Drummers, Jingle Belle Dancers and other festive performers make their way down Bellvue Avenue. Even if you miss the parade, this stretch of Bellvue is decorated with plenty of sparkling snowflake lights.

Festive Displays

Want to see twinkling Christmas lights and creative decorations? Here are the festive displays you can’t miss!

Sheraton Grand Seattle Gingerbread Village (November 23, 2019- January 1, 2020): Local chefs and architects come together to create a spectacular village of gingerbread for this beloved Christmas tradition.

Green Lake Pathway of Lights: Take a stroll around the Greek Lake Circuit, which will be lined with luminaries. Enjoy festive tunes and hot chocolate while you walk. If the weather is nice, hot air balloons will also rise above the event. The 2019 date hasn’t been announced, but it will likely be early December.

WildLights (November 29, 2019-January 5, 2020): Follow the pathways through the Woodland Park Zoo to see displays of more than 8,000 lights. Enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine, and spiced hot cider around the firepits. Or, head inside to the Snowmazium where you can build a snowman or partake in a snowball fight.

Garden d’Lights (November 30-December 31, 2019): The Bellvue Botanic Garden is adorned with thousands of lights shaped like whimsical plants, animals, and other natural scenes. Enjoy a hot chocolate as you stroll through the festive park.

Candy Cane Lane (After December 8, 2019): An iconic Seattle neighborhood has been going all out for the holidays since the 1940s. You will find Candy Cane Lane at N.E. Park Rd., just off Ravenna Blvd. at the cross street of 21st Ave. N.E. north of University Village. The houses in this neighborhood are decorated with plenty of festive lights and you can slowly drive past to take in the sights.

Ballard: Take s stroll through the trendy Ballard neighborhood for some festive lights. The main stretch of Ballard Ave is usually lined with sparkling lights and you will see a Christmas tree just off the main drag.

Festivals

Looking for something more? Check out my picks for the best winter festivals in Seattle.

Winterfest (November 29-December 31, 2019): Each year, the Seattle Center hosts an impressive festival complete with an ice skating rink, Christmas lights, and live performances. Step inside the Armory South Court building to check out the popular Winter Village & Train display. Visit the calendar to learn more about ice sculpting, dance showcases, and other special events.

Winter Beer Festival (December 6-7, 2019): This popular community event takes place each year in Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. This year, you can expect an impressive line up of food trucks and 50+ local breweries.

SantaCon (December 14, 2019): Want to dress up as Santa and go on a pub crawl? Why not! Sign up for SantaCon and find your best red suit before joining the crowds across the city.

Day Trip to Leavenworth

If you want to expand your PNW Christmas celebrations outside of Seattle, consider taking a day (or weekend) trip to the Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth.

On the weekends of December 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22, 2019, you can enjoy the Christmas Lighting Festival. Take a picture with Santa, listen to festive music, and watch as thousands of lights switch on to create a magical scene. For all the details, check out my Leavenworth Christmas Guide!

I hope you are feeling the holiday cheer! Which Christmas in Seattle events are you most excited about?

If you are looking for more, check out these posts:

Christmas in NYC: The Complete Guide

Christmas in Disney World: The Complete Guide

The Best Day Trips from Seattle