Holidays in Westlake Park, 2014, photo by TIA International Photography
The holiday season seems to sneak up on us and then it’s over before we know it. There are so many activities and things to be done; it can be hard to keep track of them all. We’ve created a one-stop guide to all of our festive happenings. Find gingerbread decorating for the kids, take advantage of low-cost childcare options, discover where to buy local, unique presents and locate a drop-off spot for gift donations.
The holidays can be stressful when you’re going it alone. Luckily, you have us.
CELEBRATE
NORTHEAST
Gingerbread House Decorating
What: Gingerbread house decorating
Where: Northgate Community Center
When: 6-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
Cost: $8 per house
Luminaria Walk
What: Luminaria walk and hot chocolate
Where: Meadowbrook Pond
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free
Gingerbread House Decorating
What: Gingerbread house decorating
Where: Laurelhurst Community Center
When: 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
Cost: $8 per house
Snowflake Funfest
What: Carnival games, swag making, crafts and hot chocolate
Where: Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
When: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18
Cost: $3 per individual, Family fee (5+) $12
NORTHWEST
Multi-Cultural Dinner
What: A community dinner, celebrating food from around the world
Where: Bitter Lake Community Center
When: 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
Cost: $3 per person, $10 per family of four
Holly Day Decorations
What: Create beautiful wreaths, garlands and sprays using invasive plants that need to be removed from the park like English ivy and holly
Where: Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center
When: 2-4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: $9 per person, pre-registration required
Gingerbread Jubilee
What: Gingerbread house making
Where: Ballard Community Center
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10
Cost: $5
Gingerbread Houses
What: Gingerbread house decorating
Where: Magnolia Community Center
When: 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
Cost: $3 per person, $10 per family of four
CENTRAL
Belltown Holiday Artwalk
What: Check out the Beaconettes performing at the artwalk
Where: Belltown Community Center
When: 6-7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9
Cost: Free
Garfield Campus Holiday Party
What: Family dinner and celebration, gifts for children*
Where: Garfield Community Center
When: 6:30-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18
Cost: $2 per person
*Pre-registration is required for child to receive a toy at the event. Toys are for children under 12. Call 206-684-4788 for details.
SOUTHEAST
Winter Wonderland Party
What: Crafts, photos, visit from North Pole
Where: International District Chinatown Community Center
When: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18
Cost: $1 per child
SOUTHWEST
Gingerbread House Making
What: Enjoy hot cocoa and decorate a gingerbread house
Where: Delridge Community Center
When: 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9
Cost: Free
Winterfest
What: Games, refreshments, Santa visit
Where: South Park Community Center
When: Noon-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12
Cost: $2 per person, free for ages 2 and under
Winter Festival
What: Celebrate the holiday season with games and refreshments
Where: High Point Community Center
When: 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18
Cost: Free
Christmas Ships in Lake Union Park, 2014, photo by TIA International Photography
REALLY BIG EVENTS
Twinkle, Twinkle
Join us from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, for the fourth annual “Twinkle, Twinkle Freeway Park Winter Warmup” event! The Jim Ellis Freeway Park Association in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation and Exeter House will be leading s’more making, holiday crafts and singing with the Dickens Carolers. Participants can warm up with free hot chocolate by a bonfire.
This year the Dickens Carolers will lead a parade to Westlake Park beginning at 6 p.m. to join the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition downtown.
Pathway of Lights
Join thousands of people for “Pathway of Lights” around Green Lake from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. Experience the warm glow of luminaries and sounds of the season performed by schools and local artists.
Christmas Ships
Since 1949, glistening lights on grand ships have glided across the Puget Sound to celebrate the holiday season. The Argosy Christmas Ships sail to more than 45 waterfront communities every year. Choirs onboard the ships greet those onshore with 20-minute performances of popular carols, while those on land keep warm near cackling bonfires waiting for their arrival.
This year, Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting special bonfire events in many of its waterfront parks. For a complete Christmas Ships schedule, go here.
Gingerbread house decorating
SHOP (and childcare!)
NORTHEAST
Ravenna Holiday Art and Crafts Sale
What: Locally crafted gifts from artists, activities for kids, warm soup
Where: Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free
Parents Night Out – Drop and Shop
What: Childcare during shopping season
Where: Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
When: 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
Cost: $15, sibling discount $5
Parents Night Out – Drop and Shop
What: Childcare during shopping season
Where: Northgate Community Center
When: 6-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18
Cost: $15, sibling discount $5
SOUTHEAST
Holiday Bazaar
What: Marketplace Gift Bazaar, proceeds go towards recreation scholarships
Where: Rainier Beach Community Center
When: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free