Happy New Year, Seattle! It’s not only a new month, but a brand-new year for exploring our city. If you’re looking for some exciting things to do in Seattle in January 2026, we have plenty of options for you. Whether you’re interested in catching a live show, getting outdoors, going shopping, or seeing an immersive exhibition, there’s something on this list for you. The best part is that many of these events are cheap or even free!
This ongoing list is in chronological order, and we will add more events as they pop up! Be sure to bookmark this and check back regularly for more.
Here are the best things to do in Seattle this January:
1. Secure Your Spot Early To Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — A Classical Music Concert
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Candlelight are bringing the magic of Middle-earth to Seattle with Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — a classical music concert. This 60-minute journey features a string quartet performing iconic scores from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Surrounded by thousands of candles at the Arctic Club Hotel, guests will revisit epic themes as the franchise nears its 25th anniversary. Tickets are on sale now and already selling out for this stunning tribute to the legendary film trilogy’s powerful soundtrack.
2. Brave the Seattle Polar Bear Plunge
Every January 1 at exactly noon, hundreds of Seattleites welcome the new year by plunging into the frigid water of Lake Washington. Read about this year’s Seattle Polar Bear Plunge before you go. And if you’re located in West Seattle, there’s also a New Year’s Day plunge at Alki Beach.
2. Visit a Seattle museum for free
You’ll be able to enjoy free admission to Seattle museums in January if you have the inside scoop. Most of the free museum days occur on the first Thursday of the month. Read our guide to free museum admission in Seattle.
3. Join a Seattle art walk
Multiple Seattle neighborhoods hold an art walk every month—and they’re free! Read all about the various Seattle art walks coming up this January.
4. Walk through Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars recently reopened in the Seattle Chinese Garden and if you haven’t experienced it yet, you can still get tickets for select dates this January. It transforms the garden into a celestial night walk experience full of music and light displays. Book your time slot here!
5. See a Kraken hockey game
There are plenty of opportunities to catch a hockey game in Seattle this month! The Seattle Kraken will be playing several exciting home games at Climate Pledge Arena throughout January. See their game schedule on the NHL website.
6. Catch a Candlelight Concert in Seattle
You can brighten up these dark January nights with the soft glow of candlelight and string renditions of both classical and popular music. Don’t miss out on these beautiful upcoming Candlelight Concerts in stunning Seattle venues.
7. See the zoo lit up for WildLanterns
Don’t miss out on the WildLanterns light festival at Woodland Park Zoo before it’s gone. The last day is January 18! This after-dark experience is winter fun for all ages. Read all about WildLanterns before you go.
8. Commemorate MLK Day
There are several ways to celebrate Martin Luther King Day this year in Seattle. The main MLK Day rally on January 19 begins with a job fair at Garfield High School in the Central District before the march to city hall.
9. Warm up in Seattle’s newest saunas
Need to banish the January chill? Seattle has two new saunas where you can warm up, chat with other Seattleites, and relax. Read about Good Day Sauna in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park and Tuli Lodge on Pier 62 on the Seattle waterfront.
10. Shop and eat at these weekend markets in Seattle
One of our favorite things to do on the weekends in Seattle year-round is strolling through a neighborhood farmers market or street market. See our guide to the best weekend markets in Seattle—it gets updated weekly!