And for those who live in Seattle proper, it doesn’t get much better than Pike Place Market’s Holiday Night Market. It’s the station's biggest event of the year and your chance to revisit 2025 with the people who helped make sense of it. Hear stories from his career and insights from his new book, Wisdom Takes Work, followed by an audience Q&A and a curated pop-up from The Painted Porch Bookshop.
Plus, arrive early to meet live birds in the lobby before the program begins. She’ll join KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick and BirdNote executive director Nick Bayard for a lively conversation about conservation, creativity, and the joy of paying attention to the natural world. Well, it’s not a canon work yet; it changes every year. Imagine if that lay on the shoulders of a junior high drama department. In this theatrical tradition, the pair interview sentient snacks before being kidnapped and held for ransom by holiday traditions.

• Their latest album, 2, was built by the members uploading song fragments and ideas from studios in four different Canadian provinces, with Shauf bringing them all together and adding in interesting samples like old-timey audio of a lovers’ quarrel.
• A John Waters Christmas Past EventLikeListThe seasonal sojourns of America’s favorite cult movie maker, sicko author, and filth elder John Waters have always been fun—he’s funny, irreverent, and unexpected.
• The group’s lineup also includes talented musicians on trumpet, keys, guitar, drums, and bass—check out their disco-funk cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” if you need convincing.
• And of course, jolly old Saint Nick himself will make an appearance with a little help from Old Stove Brewing, which will pour seasonal brews for the grown-ups.
• While National Lampoon had Americans in a chokehold for decades, O Christmas Tea proves that the Brits get a chuckle out of ridiculousness, too.
• He will perform the entirety of his Grammy-winning album, along with deep cuts and fan favorites, this Friday at WAMU.
• Take on experiences, visit beautiful attractions, and attend exciting events in Seattle to make it all worthwhile.

It's been over two years since "Queen of American Freedom Music" Mavis Staples treated Seattle to a show, and I can't wait to hear her perform tracks from her newest album Sad And Beautiful World. It's back and merrier than ever, featuring 40 of the state’s best craft breweries and cideries pouring exclusive winter warmers, spiced seasonals, barrel-aged gems, and a few left-field surprises. Round up your band of merry fools and bundle up in your warmest gear to embark on this year’s self-guided winter bar crawl. The Stranger’s Holiday Drink Week is back, serving up a citywide lineup of festive libations that put mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate to shame. Held inside the restored historic church operated by Illume, the screening will have pastries, coffee and tea, root beer floats, popcorn, and other cozy treats available. Others say it doesn't start till the turkey’s gone.

A Day in Georgetown: How to Explore Seattle’s Quirkiest Neighborhood

It's the least "holiday" of all the light shows this month. SIFF closes out the year and rings in the next with a trio of seasonal classics. Tucked in Columbia City, The Beacon wards off The Big Dark with screenings of the entire 2017 season in their cozy, oh-so-cute independent theater. A decade ago, Seattle Rep premiered a show that would become a beacon of hope, joy, and connection.
2025 Christmas Ship FestivalRemindLikeListIt doesn’t get more classic Seattle holidays than festive ships gliding across Puget Sound. Running the first weekend in December, it’s the perfect place to get some holiday cheer in early. For four days, over 350 booths will fill the marketplace with handmade gifts and artisan wares. The market ran during one weekend in November and is back for round two in December, so there's ample opportunity to choose from a wide range of gifts, including clothing, jewelry, art prints, woodworks, and instruments.
Culminating in the “Nitro Bomb” where every rider on the team is airborne at the same time, all of the dynamic action (not to mention a full pyrotechnics show) will keep you on the edge of your seat. Featuring freestyle motocross, BMX, skate, scooter, wheelchair motocross, and even skis, toy cars, shopping carts, and hospital gurneys—these stunt-addicts will try to ride and/or jump over anything! Attendees are in for big laughs and belted notes as Spritzer leads audiences through a fabulously over-the-top celebration of the winter season. One of Seattle’s (and my) favorite queens, Anita brings glitz, glamour, and glorious vocals to a holiday setlist packed with classics drenched in queer cheer. On both the special and the album, Rogers really does the work, letting us know that Santa and Jesus met at college in Bethlehem, that the Grinch is a grower, not a shower, and that Mrs. Claus isn’t one to be cheated on. Adapted from the 1994 Disney classic, the musical has won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is well-known for its breathtaking costumes, incredible choreography, and unforgettable music by Tim Rice and Elton John.

Welcome To Night Vale: Murder Night in Blood Forest PLUS MUSICAL GUEST

But during the Trump administration’s first run, Waters’ holiday stand-up shows became sort of beautiful and sustaining. A John Waters Christmas Past EventLikeListThe seasonal sojourns of America’s favorite cult movie maker, sicko author, and filth elder John Waters have always been fun—he’s funny, irreverent, and unexpected. We deliver best of the city happenings and handpicked content for you every week. AllEvents is the perfect platform for event organizers looking to connect with enthusiastic attendees. Relish outdoor adventures, artsy escapades, and foodie delights are only a few of the things to do in Seattle.
Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan comes out on November 7, with the band playing two nights in Seattle about a month after its release. Darnielle writes emotionally evocative lyrics, sometimes about his own life, sometimes about historical tales, and, in the case of their forthcoming release, sometimes about an imagined small crew shipwrecked on a deserted island. The Mountain Goats Past EventLikeListAnyone who went to the Claremont Colleges (myself included) knows who the Mountain Goats are, since the band's originator, John Darnielle, grew up there and attended one of the schools.
Boats follow alongside and bundled-up spectators gather on shore to watch the glow pass by, but whether you’re on board or waving from land, this tradition serves up some seriously unmistakable local magic. For 76 winorio years, Argosy Cruises’ Christmas Ship Festival has sent off the Spirit of Seattle, decked in hundreds of sparkling white lights, to nearly 40 waterfront communities. Plus, it's a festive activity to tack onto the standard "let's get drinks" date.

SEATTLE HOLIDAY MARKET

The music is charged with emotion, from rage to numbness and frustration to perseverance, which is an emotional journey I bet quite a few of us can relate to. Both bands have played Vegas' When We Were Young fest and can be classified as post-hardcore with occasional screaming, heavy instrumentation, and punk-inspired vocals. They're off on their first-ever tour in support of their debut EP, Beautiful Chaos, gracing Seattle with one of only four West Coast stops. KATSEYERemindLikeListIf you want to get technical, KATSEYE isn't K-pop, they're a global girl group. Some may recognize their tunes from when they dominated daytime commercial breaks in the 2010s with ad placements for IBM and Expedia.

Music Recommendations from Your Favorite Seattle Bands

Even the pups can participate as long as they’re well-behaved and kept on leash. Runners and walkers of all levels can choose from a 12K or 5K timed run, a 5K fun run, a one-mile run/walk, or the always-adorable Kids’ Fun Run with the Elves. This beloved Arthritis Foundation fundraiser kicks off bright and early with an 8 am festival zone featuring photo ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, family fun in Elf Village, food trucks, music, and a costume contest. Green Lake Pathway of LightsRemindLikeListSeattle has a lot of holiday traditions, and this is definitely among the most magical of them.

Host Events

• From Doris to Some Rap Songs to his fresh new album Live Laugh Love, he’s made a habit of continuously breaking his own molds with every project.
• The second show in Unnatural Redhead Productions’ 2025 season, Ass-tronauts & Robo-tits (a title that AI could never) blasts off for an intergalactic journey through comic books, outer space, alternate Earths, and galaxies of glitter, horror, and horniness.
• Touring in support of their newest album Cosplay, the group is known for lyrical depth, emotional intensity, and an energetic, borderline chaotic stage presence.
• The beloved Will Ferrell film gets an onstage adaptation filled with holiday cheer.
• Though they’ve only put out two albums, the quintet has been friends for 20 years, building a trust that allows them to push each other musically and explore the edges of the folk-rock genre.
• Winter Beer FestRemindLikeListNow that all the IPA drinkers have gone into hibernation, it’s time for us high-ABV “this goes down like a full meal” beer lovers to resurface.
• Born and raised across the water in Bremerton, he attended Western in Bellingham and started the beloved indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie with some classmates.

Whether you’re into art, music, theater, culture, or sports, you’ll always find something exciting happening. Check ticket price for event You can explore by location, what's popular, our top picks, free stuff… The Tulalip Amphitheatre shines nightly, offering a breathtaking outdoor walking experience, where well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the annual caroling competition. He will perform the entirety of his Grammy-winning album, along with deep cuts and fan favorites, this Friday at WAMU.

Performances in Seattle

The beloved Will Ferrell film gets an onstage adaptation filled with holiday cheer. In the classic, Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghosts take to the Union Arts Center stage for the 50th time this year. Touring in support of their newest album Cosplay, the group is known for lyrical depth, emotional intensity, and an energetic, borderline chaotic stage presence.