Looking for festive things to do in Seattle this December?
December is one of the liveliest and most magical months of the year in Seattle. Whether you’re excited for holiday celebrations, hustling to find the perfect locally-made gift, in search of lights and festive cheer, or just want to find some moments of calm during this busy month, there is something on this event list for you. The best part is that many of these December events in Seattle are cheap or even free!
Read on for the ultimate list of all the things to do in Seattle this December:
1. Cheer for Seattle Marathon runners
The Seattle Marathon is the Pacific Northwest’s oldest marathon (and one of the most scenic, in our opinion!). It takes place on Sunday, December 1 at Seattle Center, along with a half marathon. There is also a kids’ marathon the day before. Register by November 28 and get all the info you need about this year’s Seattle Marathon.
2. See Cyndi Lauper perform in Seattle
Cyndi Lauper will be at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on December 1 for her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, along with special guests. See more concerts in Seattle this December.
3. Experience the lights of Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars is back for its second year in Seattle! The Seattle Chinese Garden is transformed into an enchanted luminary night walk with projections and music that will amaze all ages. See available December dates and get tickets here.
4. Shop at a weekend market
In need of holiday gifts? GeekCraft Expo Holiday Market and the Native Art Market are both happening in Seattle on Sunday, December 1.
5. See The Muppet Christmas Carol at SIFF Cinema
SIFF Cinema Uptown in Queen Anne will be showing The Muppet Christmas Carol on December 5, 7 and 8. If you arrive 30 minutes early you’ll be treated to “an exciting Muppet pre-show special.” Tickets are only $5 for kids age two to 12 years old and free for kiddos under two years. See more info here.
6. See Billie Eilish live
Billie Eilish will be in Seattle performing at Climate Pledge Arena on December 5 and 6 as part of her Hit Me Hard And Soft Tour. See more December concerts in Seattle.
7. Explore the Titanic Exhibition
See what it was like on the Titanic as you explore this temporary exhibition in Seattle. See available December dates and get tickets here.
8. Take a short road trip for Holiday Magic
The Washington State Fair is turning its fairgrounds in Puyallup into a winter wonderland on select days this month starting on December 6. There will be ice skating, delicious food, a Christmas market, light displays, and more! Get tickets and all the info on the Holiday Magic website.
9. Watch a caroling competition at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is always high on our list to visit during the holiday season, since you can shop for all sorts of unique gifts while enjoying the market’s holiday light displays. If you go to the market on December 7 from noon to 2:30 p.m. you’ll catch the annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, which is a free holiday event for a good cause.
10. Challenge yourself to the Tomb Raider Experience
Discover if you can Escape from the Temple of Fire in this Seattle Tomb Raider Experience! See available December dates and get tickets here.
11. Go to Hometown Holidays in West Seattle
From December 5 through December 15, downtown West Seattle (also known as The Junction) has several free events planned for holiday cheer. Events include selfies with Santa, a cocoa and coat drive, and a holiday art walk. Don’t miss the Holiday Festival on December 7! See the full schedule on the West Seattle Junction website.
12. Shop and sip in Ballard
Join the festive Ballard Cocktail Trail on December 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. You get to try festive cocktails while searching for holiday gifts at local boutiques. Get tickets on the Visit Ballard website.
13. See Santa and a tree lighting at Ballard HolidayFest
On Saturday, December 7 the annual Ballard HolidayFest is taking place in Marvin’s Garden Park from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. This free holiday festival will have a tree lighting, free photos with Santa, live music, festive food and drinks, and more!
14. See a Christmas movie with live music
Seattle Symphony is accompanying the classic holiday movie The Snowman with live music this December 14. Get tickets to The Snowman here or see more upcoming holiday concerts on the Seattle Symphony website.
15. Walk along the Green Lake Pathway of Lights
On December 14 the annual Green Lake Pathway of Lights will be lit up after sunset for a free, family-friendly event. In addition to the lights, there will be live music, sweet treats, and hot drinks.
16. Bundle up for Concerts Under the Stars
Looking for a unique date night in December? You can enjoy a stunning view of Seattle and a cocktail while listening to live music atop The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion. You can get tickets now for A Very Sinatra Christmas Special on select December dates.
17. Try Dining in the Dark
Go on a unique dinner date this month courtesy of Dining in the Dark. This dining experience in Seattle lets you put your tastebuds to the test as you enjoy a meal blindfolded at The Columbia Tower Club on December 19. Book your seat here.
18. Catch a Holiday Candlelight Concert
Talented string musicians will be performing holiday classics while candlelight illuminates stunning Seattle venues this December. You can get tickets now for these upcoming Candlelight Concerts and more:
- Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” and More at The Arctic Club Hotel on December 5, 19, and 20
19. A holiday arts festival and market
On December 7 you can head to Gage Academy in Capitol Hill for a holiday art market! There will be a small works arts sale (where you can purchase an original piece of art for under $350), a drawing jam with live models, free art supplies, live music, an after-hours bar, and more. It’s $10 at the door and free for youth under 18. See event info here.
20. Save money at the movies
If you’re planning to go to the movies this December, make sure to take advantage of discounted Regal Cinemas tickets. Get your discounted Regal Cinemas ticket here.
21. Dress up (or down) for Seattle’s GeekWire Gala
If you’re a part of Seattle’s tech community, you won’t want to miss out on getting tickets for this year’s Geekwire Gala. This 21+ event is on December 12 at Showbox Market and is a chance to have some festive fun with other tech workers in Seattle. There will be drinks, dancing, and an awards ceremony. You can wear anything from cocktail attire to a T-shirt.
22. Take advantage of free Seattle museum days
There are several Seattle museums that offer free admission on select days every month. The majority of these are coming up on Thursday, December 7. Check out the full list via our guide to Seattle museum free admission days.
23. Go to a hockey game
The Seattle Kraken are playing several exciting home games at Climate Pledge Arena throughout December, with the first game on December 10. See the full schedule of this month’s games in Seattle.
24. Spread cheer during Seattle SantaCon
You can get dressed up as Santa and participate in this year’s Seattle SantaCon on December 7, 14, or 21. There will be drink specials, a costume contest, and more!
25. Eat and drink at Winter Beer Fest
There will be Washington craft beer, food, and entertainment at the Winter Beer Fest on December 20-21 at Victory Hall at The Boxyard. Tickets and more info here.
26. See lit-up bonsai trees
You can visit Pacific Bonsai Museum for their annual Winter Bonsai Solstice on December 14. From 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. the museum’s bonsai collection will be lit up with holiday lights, and there will also be hot chocolate and more. This kid-friendly event is free with a suggested donation of $12.
27. Cheer on the Seattle Seahawks
It’s football season! The Seattle Seahawks are playing two exciting home games this month on December 15 and December 22. If you can’t get tickets to the games at Lumen Field, watch in comfort at one of Seattle’s best sports bars.
28. Enjoy free holiday fun at Pike Place Market
From December 16 through December 20, Pike Place Market is hosting Crafty’s Handmade HoliDAYS. There will be a free event every day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ranging from ornament painting to live holiday music. While you’re there, you can get your holiday shopping done and enjoy a delicious meal.
29. Visit Winterfest at Seattle Center
WinterFest is returning for another holiday season at Seattle Center! From November 29 through December 31, there will be a winter train and village display, daily light shows, and live performances every weekend. And it’s all free!
30. Explore Wildlanterns at the zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo will be lit up in December through January 19 with a fantastic evening lantern display. Read all about this year’s Wildlanterns before you go.
31. Visit the Village of Lights in Leavenworth
Leavenworth, WA is known for taking Christmastime very seriously. You can now visit any day of the week to find stunning holiday light displays, food and shopping, live entertainment, and more. See more info about their Christmastown on the Leavenworth website.
32. Bundle up for ice skating
If you’d like to go ice skating to the tune of holiday music this winter, there are several options in Seattle and the surrounding area. Check out our guide to Seattle ice rinks.
33. Shop locally for gifts at Seattle’s holiday markets
There’s nothing better than buying local, handcrafted goods for holiday gifts. Luckily Seattle has plenty of places to find such a thing—and we’re not just talking about Pike Place Market. See our round-up of all the Seattle holiday markets.
35. Visit Seattle’s Gingerbread Village
The Sheraton Grand Seattle’s annual Gingerbread Village is back for 2024 from November 21 through January 1. You can visit the Sheraton lobby Sundays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm to see the famous gingerbread houses for free (donations will go towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Northwest Chapter).
36. See the Seattle Christmas Ship Festival
You can’t miss this beloved Seattle tradition! You can partake by getting tickets to cruise on the official (and family-friendly) Christmas Ship with Santa, partying on the 21+ follow boat, or joining a free onshore community event. See the 2024 schedule of events on the Argosy Cruises website.
37. Partake in Downtown Holiday Lights & Delights
Downtown Seattle has several free events planned this December such as live concerts, a holiday bazaar, and a free ice skating rink in Pioneer Square the weekend of December 13-15. See the schedule and more info on the Downtown Seattle website.
38. Get a festive cocktail at Seattle’s Christmas-themed bars
Several Seattle bars and restaurants turn into winter wonderlands for the holidays. Check out our full round-up of the most festive holiday bars in Seattle.
39. See a live holiday performance
From The Nutcracker ballet to a hip-hop version of A Christmas Carol, Seattle has a wide variety of live performances coming up that will put you in a festive mood. We rounded up some of Seattle’s best holiday concerts, plays, and more in our guide of things to do in Seattle for the holidays!
40. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Seattle
Stay tuned for our full guide to spending New Year’s Eve in Seattle. For now, we’ll call out Seattle Center as an excellent place to be on New Year’s Eve in Seattle. There will be free music in the Armory, a dance party at the International Fountain, and—of course—fireworks above the Space Needle at midnight.