Looking for 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, shopping for the perfect locally-made gifts, in search of light displays 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. Free First Thursday at Seattle museums
There are several Seattle museums that offer free admission on select days every month. The majority of free admission days are on Thursday, December 4. Check out the full list via our guide to Seattle museum free admission days.
2. 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 5 through December 23. There will be ice skating, delicious food, a Christmas market, light displays, and more! Get all the info on the Holiday Magic website.
3. Experience the lights of Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars is back for its third 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. 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 6 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.
5. Experience The Forbidden Forest in Vancouver
Calling all Harry Potter fans! If you don’t mind a road trip across the border, this new immersive experience in Canada will create core memories. Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience is open on select dates this December in Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC. Get tickets here!
6. Go to Hometown Holidays in West Seattle
From December 4 through December 14, 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 6! See the full schedule on the West Seattle Junction website.
7. 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.
8. Ballard HolidayFest and Market
This free holiday event in Ballard is on December 6 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Marvin’s Garden Park & Ballard Ave NW. There will be free Santa photos from 2:00 to 5:00. There will also be cider, a tree lighting, s’mores and a fire pit, and a market with vendors. More details on Visit Ballard.
9. Shop and sip in Ballard
Join the festive Ballard Cocktail Trail on December 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Your ticket lets you try 10 festive cocktails while browsing for holiday gifts at local boutiques. Get tickets on the Visit Ballard website.
10. Pike Place Market’s Holiday Night Market
Shop for holiday gifts at this festive night market at Pike Place Market on December 11 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Most vendors at Pike Place Market usually shut down after dark, so this is a unique opportunity to enjoy after-hours shopping at Seattle’s most iconic market. There will also be a beer garden, music, and free Santa photos!
11. See The Muppet Christmas Carol at SIFF Cinema
SIFF Cinema Uptown in Queen Anne will be showing The Muppet Christmas Carol on December 11, 13, and 14. 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 ages under two. See more info on the SIFF website.
12. 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 11 at Showbox SoDo 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.
13. Walk along the Green Lake Pathway of Lights
On December 13 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. There will also be several hot air balloons (weather-dependent).
14. 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.
15. Eat and drink at Winter Beer Fest
There will be Washington craft beer, food, and entertainment at the Winter Beer Fest on December 19-20 at Victory Hall at The Boxyard. Costumes are encouraged! This is a 21+ event. Get more info here.
16. See lit-up bonsai trees
You can visit Pacific Bonsai Museum for their annual Winter Bonsai Solstice on December 13. 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 free hot chocolate and music. This kid-friendly event is free!
17. Go to a Kraken hockey game
The Seattle Kraken are playing several exciting home games at Climate Pledge Arena throughout December! See the full schedule on the NHL website.
18. Cheer on the Seattle Seahawks
It’s football season! The Seattle Seahawks are playing two exciting home games this month on December 14 and December 18. If you can’t get tickets to the games at Lumen Field, watch in comfort at one of Seattle’s best sports bars.
19. Enjoy free WinterFest fun at Seattle Center
WinterFest is returning for another holiday season at Seattle Center! From November 28 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!
20. Walk through WildLanterns at the zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo will be lit up for select dates in December with a fantastic evening lantern display. Read all about this year’s Wildlanterns before you go.
21. See a Christmas movie with live music
Seattle Symphony is accompanying classic holiday movies such as The Snowman and The Muppet Christmas Carol with live music this December at Benaroya Hall. See all the upcoming holiday concerts on the Seattle Symphony website.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. Visit Seattle’s Gingerbread Village
The Sheraton Grand Seattle’s annual Gingerbread Village is back for 2025 all throughout December. 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).
26. 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 2025 schedule of events on the Argosy Cruises website.
27. 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. See the schedule and more info on the Downtown Seattle website.
28. 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.
29. See a live holiday performance
From The Nutcracker ballet to modern versions 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!
30. 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—free fireworks above the Space Needle at midnight.