The Emerald City shines brighter than ever this holiday season
Credit to Author: Dave Pottinger| Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2019 06:18:57 +0000
From classic, heart-warming traditions to new additions to the holiday scene, Seattle offers dazzling experiences that will light up the holidays. With festive events kicking off November 21, the Emerald City promises to be the picture-perfect destination to celebrate the holidays this season.
“Seattle’s city lights are always inviting and luminous throughout the year, but never so much as during the holidays,” says Tom Norwalk, the president of Visit Seattle.”
Lumaze is an indoor Christmas festival at Pier 91 from Nov 28 to Jan 5th, 2020.
The season kicks off Nov. 21 with Lumaze by Glow Gardens at Pier 91. This first time in Seattle event features light gardens, illuminated structures and playgrounds, food and beverage, live music and an artisan market. Bring the kids to A Fairytale Christmas — they can become princes and princesses and help Santa locate his lost presents.
Seattle’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park is November 29. Join this Seattle tradition as the city officially lights up for the holidays. The evening will include a celebratory countdown, a vintage carousel spinning in the park, fireworks show, the kick-off of the seasonal Holiday Market and a magical dusting of snow.
And Woodland Park Zoo comes alive at night with over 700,000 lights, live reindeer and holiday treats.
Continuing the holiday traditions The Sheraton Grand Seattle hosts their 27thannual Gingerbread Village, November 23 through January 1. This year’s theme: #ElfLife. Last year’s Gingerbread Village, Inspired byWhoville, drew more than 200,000 people. Architects and chefs utilize an estimated 1850 lbs. of gingerbread, and 150,000 pieces of candy, to make the beloved Gingerbread Village. Life-size collection of gingerbread structures weighs an average of 350 pounds each.
Gingerbread Village s free for the public to attend, the Sheraton Grand Seattle annually donates over 8,000 volunteer hours and thousands of pounds of dough, icing and candy.
Since 1949, the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival has been a Northwest tradition. Cruise a few hours around Puget Sound waterfront communities aboard the Spirit of Seattle — decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights — that includes photos with Santa, choir music and loads of kids’ activities. Also offered is a 21+ Follow Boat as well as Onshore Events. The Christmas Ship Parade of Boats takes place on Dec. 13 and the Grand Finale falls on Dec. 23.
Magic in the Market, Pike Place Market’s longest-running holiday tradition, returns Saturday, November 30. The event includes a Market holiday lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, live entertainment, and cookie decorating. Shop for handmade stockings and stocking stuffers.
Pike Place Public Market
With an all-new adventure, Mischievous, Enchant Christmas®returns to T-Mobile Park for its second year. While snow falls gently around you, work your way through the World’s Largest Light Maze with hot cocoa in hand. Mosey through a Christmas Market experience with more than 70 local artisans, and glide along a lighted ice-skating trail, all while holiday music and live entertainment spreads the joy of the season. Discover the adventure starts November 22.
Thompson Seattle’s holiday festivities start with a nod to Thanksgiving with a Turn up for Turkey at The Nest – a rooftop bar with views of the Puget Sound – on November 27, and a Friendsgiving celebration on November 28 at Conversation. Think roasted turkey and salmon, squash with chestnuts & cranberries, aged cheddar mac & cheese with truffles, pecan pie topped with bourbon whipped cream – and more. The “12 Days of Thompson” line-up also includes holiday champagne & cookie decorating, tiki cocktails and aloha spirit for summer sizzle in December.
And come New Year’s Eve dance the night away at the Fountain of Light Dance Party, a free event at Seattle Centre’s Winterfest. And of course, there’s fireworks — how about viewing them at eye level from one of Seattle’s high spots?