10 Best Things To Do At Christmas In Seattle, Washington - Updated 2024

things to do in seattle at christmas
Pallavi
Pallavi 
Updated
| 5 min read

Probably most famous as the place of origin of Starbucks followed, Seattle is a wonderful city to visit any time of the year and offers multiple outdoor activities. Just be prepared for the rain. Seattle might not experience a traditional white Christmas, but the elaborate decorations, cheerful carols, and illuminated attractions will put anyone in the holiday spirit. Book tickets to view the iconic Nutcracker, stroll along the Duwamish River, and indulge in some shopping at the annual Christmas markets. A visit to the iconic Space Needle is an absolute must for a different view of the city as is a visit to one of the several national parks nearby before the end of your visit. Continue reading to explore the best things to do at Christmas in Seattle, Washington.

1. Attend a viewing of the classic 'A Christmas Carol'

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Scrooge (Timothy McCuen Piggee) looking at his past with his younger self (Chip Sherman) and Belle (Fawn Violette Ledesma). Photo by Dawn Schaefer

Posted by ACT Theatre on Thursday, November 30, 2017

The talented cast of the ACT will transport you into the world of Dickens with a showing of this classic Christmas play. See your favorite characters come to life on stage as Scrooge transforms from a grumpy miser to a kinder person. Adapted from Charles Dickens’s best-selling novel, this story is one that especially resonates during Christmas time.

Accompanying the colorful characters is a musical score by Adam Stern, conductor of the Seattle Philharmonic. The show is open for visitors aged five and above, as younger children might be alarmed by the use of bright lights and fog.

A Christmas Carol

Address: Allen Theater, 700 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101

Website: A Christmas Carol

Opening hours: Nov 25 - Dec 24 (Multiple timings, please check the website)

Price: 39 USD - 77 USD

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2. The classic Nutcracker adds to the festivity

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Pacific Northwest Ballet is one of the premier ballet institutes in the US, and if you are in Seattle over the holidays, you should definitely try to catch a showing of the classic Nutcracker. Colorful, elaborate costumes and dramatic storylines see you following Clara as she battles the evil Mouse King.

Many watch the show as a yearly Christmas tradition, and if you have never watched it before, prepare to be completely blown away by the talent both on and off the stage.

The Nutcracker

Address: Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Website: The Nutcracker

Opening Hours: Nov 25 - Dec 27 (Multiple timings, please check the website)

Price: 27 USD - 195 USD

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3. Participate in the one of a kind Christmas Ship Festival

Christmas Dinner Cruise
Source: Photo by Flickr user Thank You (23 Mil... used under CC BY 2.0

Seattle is surrounded by water, so you can be sure that it also lights up during the holidays. Argosy Cruises have been running the annual Christmas Ship Festival for the past 70 years and is a unique attraction where you are entertained as you sail past several waterfront communities.

You can experience this fun festival either aboard the official Christmas Ship, the 21+ Follow Boat, or from shore. After the well-celebrated opening day lighting ceremony, guests board the glittering ships and set sail for a wonder 1.5-hour cruise along Puget Sound.

An onboard choir on the official ship serenades the guests on Christmas Ship, which is broadcasted on the 21+ Follow Boat, too. At the adult-only ship, guests enjoy spectacular views of Seattle and access to a full-service bar. It includes a fun ugly sweater contest, so tourists can come prepared.

While the attraction is usually open from Friday to Sunday, the ships sail every day in the week before Christmas, so start booking your tickets!

Christmas Ship Festival

Website: Christmas Ship Festival

Opening Hours: Nov 25 - Dec 23 (Fri to Sun: Multiple timings, please check the website)

Price: 40 USD -72 USD, Kids under 3 years ride for free.

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4. Experience Seattle as it illuminates for the holidays

Christmas Tree Lighting 2017 @ Art Gallery (38086191264)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user GoToVan used under CC BY 2.0

A yearly tradition sees the heart of the city decked out in lights, immersive installations, and dozens of holiday trees. The event also includes the annual lighting of the 12.2 m (40 ft) tree that marks the beginning of the holiday season in the city. Past years have included a holiday-based scavenger hunt, sculpted trees, and even an augmented reality adventure. Come along with friends or family and be delighted as the city is covered in multi-colored shimmering lights.

Downtown Holiday Lights and Delights

Address: Downtown Seattle

Website: Downtown Lights

Price: Free

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5. Joy of Christmas at the Winterfest

During the last week of November, Seattle Center transforms into a glittering illuminating winter wonderland. For five weeks, the center is a joyful destination featuring a host of activities and entertainment that will delight people of all ages. Visit Winter Train & Village to view an elaborate running set of a 19th-century model train and village display. Visitors can even participate in an exciting scavenger hunt.

Outside Fisher Pavilion, you can view award-winning ice sculptors at work as they create seasonal masterpieces for the public to enjoy. You can enjoy varied entertainment at the Winterfest, with Trevor Noah and Dicken’s Carolers stopping by.

Walk around the campus and appreciate the various light displays and do stay back for the daily viewing of the light and music show at International Fountain. And don’t forget to visit Space Needle.

Seattle Center Winterfest

Address: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Website: Winterfest

Opening Hours: Nov 26 - Dec 31: 10am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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6. A spin on The Christmas Carol

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Unexpected Productions on Friday, June 1, 2018

Everyone knows the famous Dicken’s story of The Christmas Carol, but Unexpected Productions features an alternate take on the story based on audience suggestions. Each night the audience can provide over 30 different suggestions that the cast will weave together to form a varied take on this Christmas classic. Arrive early and get in on the fun as you provide suggestions and are aware of the various scenarios that will play out in front of you.

In the week before Christmas, you will have daily shows - so book your tickets!

A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol

Address: Unexpected Productions, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101

Website: A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol

Opening hours: Nov 25 - Dec 23: Thu - Sun: 7pm onwards

Price: from 20 USD

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7. A jazzy holiday performance by BlueStreet Voice

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

We're almost SOLD OUT!!!! Get your tickets today for our Cool Yule Holiday Party and Concert! Dec 08, 7:30 PM at the...

Posted by BlueStreet Voices on Sunday, December 2, 2018

Hosted by the BlueStreet Voice, this event will get you in the holiday spirit with special jazz tunes and jazz-based holiday classics. The group is a vocal jazz troupe who via their exemplary performances wish to promote jazz within the greater Seattle community. The hour-long event will include an unmanned bar, along with sweet and savory snacks.

Cool Yule Holiday Party

Address: Good Shepherd Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle

Website: Cool Yule Holiday Party

Opening hours: Dec 10, 7:00 pm

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8. Enjoy a musical parody of a popular movie

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Seattle Public Theater on Thursday, October 27, 2022

Jeff Schell and the writers of the famous The Habit comedy troupe bring together this fun parody musical of the iconic Bruce Willis movie. This holiday comedy is bound to be a thrilling rush with action, drama, foot tapping music, and some unforgettable jokes.

A Very Die Hard Christmas

Address: Seattle Public Theater, 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, Seattle

Website: A Very Die Hard Christmas

Dates: Nov 25 - Dec 20 (Multiple timings, please check the website)

Price: 29 USD - 34 USD

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9. Be mesmerized by Gingerbread Village

IMG_0620.jpg
Source: Photo by Flickr user Kuruman used under CC BY 2.0

Sheraton Grand, in partnership with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, erects an elaborate gingerbread village in the hotel’s lobby every year. Some of the top architectural design firms in the city along with the Sheraton’s own talented culinary experts create dozens of houses following a festive theme. Past themes have been Elf Life, Jingle All the Way, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.

The event is free for all, but a donation towards the foundation is greatly appreciated as they race to find a cure for T1 diabetes.

Gingerbread Village

Address: 1400, 6th Ave, Seattle

Website: Gingerbread Village

Opening hours: Nov 21 - Jan 1: Sun - Thu: 9am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 11pm

Price: Free

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10. Dress up and race for a cause

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Arthritis Foundation hosts an annual run, where participants dress up and run to raise funds for the cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis is the leading cause of disability among adults in the US. This foundation aims to use the funds to provide care and solution to patients.

The event includes a kid’s run, a 1-mile walk, and 5k timed and untimed runs. At the ticket price for the adult event, you will also receive a t-shirt and jingle bells. Registrations close at midnight on December 10.

Jingle Bell Run - Seattle

Address: Green Lake Aqua Theater, West Green Lake Way N, Seattle, WA 98103

Website: Jingle Bell Run

Date: Dec 11

Price: 25 USD - 50 USD

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Christmas-time fun in Seattle

 Light display from the 1950's - 1960's, Seattle, Washington, USA
Source: Photo by Flickr user Wonderlane used under CC BY 2.0

If you love the outdoors, you will definitely love exploring Seattle as temperatures dip and the scarves come out. As the city lights up for Christmas, visitors can pick from a wide range of activities for both adults and kids to enjoy. Consider booking a flight to Seattle after checking the best things to do at Christmas in Seattle, Washington.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Raised in Bangkok and now living in India, Pallavi loves planning and going on road trips around the country. She believes they are the best way to understand a region!

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