Dec 24 Wednesday
Connect to a world of sparkling lights, amusements and spirited entertainment at Seattle Center Winterfest, presented by Symetra, Nov. 28 – Dec. 31, 2025 happening in-person on our grounds. Throughout the five weeks of Winterfest, those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit or delightful diversion will find seasonal decor, ice sculpting, our Winter Train & Village, weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve Celebration.
Seattle Christmas MarketFrom November 20 to December 24 the Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn at Seattle Center will be transformed into a European-inspired outdoor Christmas village and community marketplace. A true feast for the senses with festive decorations, daily live entertainment, sweet and savory treats, hot chocolate and Glühwein (hot mulled wine), and beautifully handcrafted gifts at over 60 local and international vendors, the Seattle Christmas Market is the perfect place to celebrate the magic of the holiday season.
Winter Train & VillageDelight in viewing a late 19th-century model train and village display, installed inside the Armory Food & Event Hall. This annual tradition has been on display for nearly 50 years! The public is invited to take a turn operating the train, or interact by participating in our Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your entry sheet at the Train Station, and see how many clues you can spot. The train operates 10am to 6pm daily from November 28th through December 31st. Visitors are invited to operate the train between 10:30am and 5:30pm. Donations accepted to keep the train operating. Audio description and accessible transcripts for the display available from the Yard Boss at the Train Station.
Winterfest World Bazaar presented by FestálShop for your holiday gifts at this special World Bazaar, offering goods created by local BIPOC artists, and curated by community partners. Browse a rotating roster of vendors on weekends, noon to 6pm between November 28th and December 21st. Check out our event calendar for list of vendors on each day.
Symetra Ice SpectacleOur weekly Ice Sculpting series is back! Watch as acclaimed carvers create original sculptures made of ice each Saturday during Winterfest starting at 12pm at Mural Amphitheatre. Artists include Chan Kitburi, Janson Iwakami and James Royal.
More information at: https://www.seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/winterfest
The Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink presented by Symetra returns for its 28th year! The region’s largest ice-skating experience boasts over 9,000 square feet of real ice in a fully covered, open-air venue at Bellevue Downtown Park. Join for a season of festive fun featuring free skate lessons courtesy of Microsoft, themed skate nights, on-site concessions, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a novice eager to learn, get ready to bundle up for an unforgettable time on the ice.
Garden d’Lights is a dazzling holiday tradition that transforms the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a magical wonderland of over half a million sparkling lights in whimsical shapes of plants, flowers, birds, animals, and cascading waterfalls, all set amid the Garden’s natural beauty. Now celebrating its 31st year, this beloved family event continues to enchant visitors with festive charm and imaginative displays.
Join us for CASINO de SALSA with the incredible Takechi Ruiz, Wednesdays at 6 PM! No partner? No problem. Just bring your energy and we’ll bring the rhythm. 💥
Let’s make some 🔥 moves together.
Location: Tacoma - 1105 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WADay: Every WednesdayTime: 6:00 – 7:00 PMAges: Ages 12+Registration Link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=532322&preLoadClassID=20477009
Contact: 253-327-1873
AfroCuban Dance is HERE and you’re invited!
Experience the roots, rhythms, and soul of AfroCuban dance with the phenomenal Takechi Ruiz every Wednesday at 7:15 PM.
This is more than a class, it’s a celebration of culture, community, and movement. Perfect for all levels. Let’s move!
Location: Tacoma -1105 Martin Luther King Jr. WayDay: WednesdaysTimed: 7:15 – 8:15 PMAge: Ages 12+Contact: 253-327-1783
Registration Link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=532322&preLoadClassID=20477009
Welcomed by KNKX. Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, John Lewis, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List:” for the Wall Street Journal.
His dynamic genre-spanning music has brought him to 21 countries on three continents – and still growing – performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York’s Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and the world’s oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy.
Pasquale Grasso - It was the kind of endorsement most rising guitarists can only dream of, and then some. In his interview for Vintage Guitar magazine’s February 2016 cover story, Pat Metheny was asked to name some younger musicians who’d impressed him. “The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life is floating around now, Pasquale Grasso,” said the jazz-guitar icon and NEA Jazz Master. “This guy is doing something so amazingly musical and so difficult. “Mostly what I hear now are guitar players who sound a little bit like me mixed with a little bit of [John Scofield] and a little bit of [Bill Frisell],” he continued. “What’s interesting about Pasquale is that he doesn’t sound anything like that at all. In a way, it is a little bit of a throwback, because his model—which is an incredible model to have—is Bud Powell. He has somehow captured the essence of that language from piano onto guitar in a way that almost nobody has ever addressed. He’s the most significant new guy I’ve heard in many, many years.”
Tumble out of bed and stumble to the theater for this delicious workplace revenge comedy from living legend Dolly Parton. Pushed to the boiling point by their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even—a plan that spins wildly and hilariously out of control. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
Set in the Rolodex era, when shag rugs, pet rocks, and disco were the grooviest things around, this must-see, dance-filled musical is based on the hit 1980 film and features the blockbuster title song—plus a new score of 18 original numbers by Dolly Parton herself. Outrageous, big-hearted, and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and getting credit, it’s about kicking butt and taking care of business, and it’s about to put a huge smile on your face.
Scrooge has no honor, nor any courage. Can three ghosts help him to become the true warrior he ought to be in time to save Tiny Tim from a horrible fate? Performed in the original Klingon with English supertitles, and narrative analysis from The Vulcan Institute of Cultural Anthropology.
Dec 25 Thursday
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® returns to brighten your holidays! Experience the sparkle, dancing, music, and magic that only The Nutcracker can bring. We’ll be decking the halls (McCaw Hall, that is) and putting on the greatest show in town, all you need are your tickets. Gather your friends and family for the Northwest’s favorite holiday tradition, a treat you’ll savor all season long.
Langston Hughes’ gospel song-play returns! Featuring 30 performers, a live band, powerful vocals, a citywide gospel choir—and a chance to sing along. The magic and joy of the Christmas story is brought to life with vivid colors, dance and music. A joyful holiday celebration for all ages and beliefs that will have you leaping to your feet.