🎄 Seattle’s Ultimate 2025 Holiday Guide: Lights, Markets, Concerts, Santa Trains and Family Events Across the City and Beyond!

Seattle transforms into a winter wonderland in December—glittering light displays, festive markets, live performances, ice skating, Santa photo ops, tree-lightings, cruises on Lake Washington, and even snowy fun nearby. Here’s your ultimate guide to holiday happenings across the Emerald City.

🌟 Major Downtown Attractions & Light Displays

1. Occidental Square Ice Rink & Holiday Bazaar

Dates: Dec 13–21, 2025; rink open daily 12–6 p.m.
Includes free skate rentals, private sessions (Mon–Thurs), and a Holiday Bazaar featuring vintage crafts & holiday goods on opening day (Dec 13). [downtownseattle.org], [bing.com]

2. Westlake Center Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities

Nov 28, 1–6 p.m.: Return of the tree lighting—live music, fireworks, DJ Rick Rizzs, extended holiday lights. [yahoo.com], [downtownseattle.org]
Pine Street Corridor Lighting runs daily: Fourth–Seventh Avenues, sparkling ambiance hosted by the Downtown Seattle Assoc. through Dec 14. [yahoo.com], [downtownseattle.org]

3. Festival of Trees & Teddy Bear Suite at Fairmont Olympic

Nov 17–Dec 2: Decorated tree display benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital; free entry with optional donation. [yahoo.com], [northwestp…metime.com]
Teddy Bear Suite (Nov 28–Dec 24): whimsical “suite within a suite” featuring teddy bears & holiday décor. [yahoo.com], [northwestp…metime.com]

4. Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Grand

Nov 20–Jan 1: This free annual exhibit (34th or 31st year) celebrates a “Toy Shop Time Machine” theme. $5 donation suggested. [yahoo.com], [northwestp…metime.com]

5. Candy Cane Lane (Ravenna)

Dec 6–Jan 1: Residential light extravaganza on Park Road NE with music, pedestrian-only nights, and food bank donations. [yahoo.com]

🎭 Festive Shows & Concerts

1. “Elf: The Musical” at 5th Avenue Theatre

Dates: Nov 28–Dec 28, 2025. A joyful retelling of Buddy the Elf. [seattle-theatre.com]

2. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Dates: Nov 28–Dec 28 at McCaw Hall. [seattle-theatre.com], [christmasinwa.com]

3. Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

A dazzling cirque performance with full orchestra. [seattle-theatre.com]

4. Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

Dec 20–21 at Arctic Club Hotel; intimate, baroque-style holiday concert. [seattle-theatre.com]

5. Christmas Ship Festival (Argosy Cruises)

Dec 1–23: Choirs aboard illuminated boats sing along Lake Washington & Puget Sound. Shoreline gatherings in Seattle and Eastside neighborhoods. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]

🌌 Immersive Light Experiences

1. Enchant Christmas @ T-Mobile Park

Ice skating labyrinth, artisan village, and light maze festival. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]

2. Winterfest @ Seattle Center

Nov 29–Dec 31: Ice rink, DJs, cultural performances, model train village, mesmerizing lights. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]
New Year’s at the Needle (Dec 31): Fireworks & digital light show. [christmasinwa.com], [visitseattle.org]

3. WildLanterns @ Woodland Park Zoo

Nov 14–Jan 18, 2026: Themed lantern displays, interactive zones, and Pacific Northwest wildlife installations. [yahoo.com], [christmasinwa.com]

4. Astra Lumina @ Seattle Chinese Garden

Nighttime projection walk with music—third annual event. [secretseattle.co]

5. Tulalip Lights & Ice

Near Quil Ceda Village; 9.7 million lights, ice skating, food vendors, open through Jan 11. [northwestp…metime.com]

6. Point Defiance ZooLights (Tacoma)

Open through year-end; millions of lights & animal-shaped displays. [christmasinwa.com], [seattleschild.com]

🎄 Markets, Festivals & Eastside Parades

1. Seattle Christmas Market @ Seattle Center

Nov 20–Dec 24: European-style holiday village with 80+ artisans, mulled wine & food trucks. New “Christmas Market Express” monorail shuttles. [yahoo.com], [visitseattle.org]

2. Magic in the Market @ Pike Place

Seasonal tree lighting, live music, gourmet treats. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]

3. Snowflake Lane @ Bellevue Way

Nov 28–Dec 24, nightly at 7 p.m.: Snowfall, costumed performers, toy drummers & dancers. [yahoo.com], [allevents.in]

4. Savor Seattle Holiday Food Tours

Pike Place Market holiday tastings & storytelling. [visitseattle.org]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Local Events

1. Hometown Holidays @ West Seattle Junction

Dec 4–14: Selfies with Santa, cocoa & coat drive, art walk, and Holiday Festival on Dec 6. [secretseattle.co], [christmasinwa.com]

2. Free First Thursday @ Seattle Museums

Dec 4: Free admission at Burke Museum, MOHAI, and others. [secretseattle.co], [christmasinwa.com]

3. Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition

Dec 6, noon–2:30: Carolers compete at Pike Place, benefiting Northwest Harvest. [secretseattle.co]

4. ZooLights @ Point Defiance & Woodland Park

Tacoma & Woodland Park glow nightly for kids and families. [seattleschild.com], [christmasinwa.com]

5. Polar Express & Christmas with Santa (Trains!)

Chehalis-Centralia Polar Express (weekends through Dec 21) and Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s Christmas with Clauses (through Dec 23). [seattleschild.com]

6. Reindeer Festival @ Swanson’s Nursery

Meet live reindeer & take hearty holiday photos indoors/outdoors. [christmasinwa.com]

🌲 Community Tree Lightings & Free Events

1. Westin Seattle Family Preview

Dec 1, 4–7 p.m.: View designer-decorated trees, Northwest Boychoir, arts/crafts. [northwestp…metime.com]

2. Community Light Ceremonies (Puget Sound)

Dec 1–6: Tree lightings in Ballard, Bellevue, Kent, Redmond, Renton, Auburn, Mukilteo, Everett, Snoqualmie, SeaTac, Mercer Island, Queen Anne & more. [events12.com], [northwestp…metime.com]

3. Bellevue Ice Rink

Open during Snowflake Lane; outdoor rink and free skating. [christmasinwa.com]

4. Holiday Bazaar & Busker Art Walk

Dec 12: Bell St. Park features carolers, poetry, gallery pop-ups, and buskers. [downtownseattle.org]

✨ Off-Site & Day-Trip Delights

Village of Lights (Leavenworth): Christmas village charm, crafts, and hot cocoa. [northwestp…metime.com]
Forbidden Forest Experience (Vancouver, BC): Immersive Harry-Potter style walk in Stanley Park. [secretseattle.co]
Tulalip Lights & Ice and Washington State Fair “Holiday Magic” in Puyallup make fab short excursions. [secretseattle.co], [northwestp…metime.com]

🧭 Tips & Weekend Planning

Timing: Early December (Dec 1–14) sees lighter crowds; after Dec 20, expect long lines. [yahoo.com]
Weather: Expect overcast skies, rain, and chilly temps—dress in waterproof layers & bring an umbrella. [christmasinwa.com]
Transport: Use Link Light Rail to avoid downtown parking woes.
Early Reservations: Santa photos, Nutcracker, Polar Express, and Enchant Christmas often sell out—reserve early!. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]

🗓️ Sample Weekend Itinerary (Dec 12–14)

Friday evening (Dec 12):
- 6 p.m.: Free Candlelight Concert at Pacific Place. [downtownseattle.org], [christmasinwa.com]
- 5–7 p.m.: Holiday Art Walk & Letter-to-Santa at Bell Street Park. [downtownseattle.org]
Saturday (Dec 13):
- Morning: Winterfest skating at Seattle Center; Holiday Bazaar. [downtownseattle.org]
- Afternoon: Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition @ Pike Place. [secretseattle.co]
- Evening: WildLanterns at Woodland Park or Enchant Christmas at T-Mobile Park. [yahoo.com], [celebrateseattle.com]
Sunday (Dec 14):
- Westlake Park carousel & tree shopping at First & Pike. [downtownseattle.org], [christmasinwa.com]
- Afternoon: Argosy Christmas Ship Festival or visit Candy Cane Lane. [celebrateseattle.com], [yahoo.com]

🏨 Where to Stay & Dine

Hotels: Fairmont Olympic, Inn at the Market, The Edgewater, T-Mobile Park area—convenient for major events. [celebrateseattle.com], [christmasinwa.com]
Restaurants: Canlis (holiday tasting), Salty’s (Alki beach views), The Pink Door (live music & Italian flair). [christmasinwa.com]

✔️ In Summary

Seattle brims with mesmerizing holiday events in December 2025:

Festive lights: Winterfest, WildLanterns, Candy Cane Lane
Live performances: Nutcracker, Elf, Cirque Musica & Candlelight
Family favorites: Santa trains, carousel rides, caroling contests
Interactive events: Astra Lumina, Christmas Ship Festival, Snowflake Lane
Local traditions: Tree-lightings, downtown ice rink, holiday markets
Day-trips: Tulalip Lights, Leavenworth, Vancouver’s Forbidden Forest

With hundreds of events spanning free experiences and premium performances, early planners will enjoy smooth, memorable weekends. Bundle up, sip some hot chocolate, and let Seattle’s holiday spirit carry you through December!