Every single year, I look forward to the Christmas season. I love going to Christmas tree lightings, holiday bazaars, and the zoo. I have rounded up my favorite holiday activities and traditions for you all to enjoy!
- Woodland Park Zoo Wildlights – 11/24/17 – 1/1/2018, 5:30pm – 8:30pm nightly
There is nothing better than visiting the zoo during the holidays when it is covered in Christmas lights! This is the zoo I grew up going to in the Seattle area.
- Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium Zoolights – 11/24/17 – 1/1/2018, 5:00pm – 9:00pm nightly
If you live in the Tacoma area, this is a great zoo to visit for all of their holiday lights.
- The Lights of Christmas – Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 7-10, 14-17, 19-23, 26-30, 2017; 5-10pm
I have great memories of this event! I remember when I was about 10 or 11 years old, I went with my mom and stayed overnight here where we enjoyed all of the Christmas lights and dinner theater.
- Christmas Ship Festival – 11/24 – 12/23
There are a few ways you can enjoy this festival of boats decorated in Christmas lights: on the lead ship, on the follow boats, or on the shore. I got to go on the lead boat a few years ago with my family and have since viewed the boats on the shore. Taking the boat ride is a pretty fun experience and you can even enjoy a hot buttered rum!
- Bellevue Snowflake Lane & Ice Skating – 11/24/17 – 1/15/18
One of the more popular things to do is the Bellevue Snowflake Lane. What is more fun that a whole street transforming into a winter wonderland for 15 minutes every hour? It is a pretty cool place to take your kids! I have also enjoyed the ice skating rink. It takes me back to my childhood!
- Seattle’s Gingerbread Villages – 11/21/17 – 1/1/2018
Have you visited these gingerbread houses in the past at the Sheraton? Well, this year, they have moved across the street to the City Centre! Be sure to check it out!
- Christmas Tree Farms
One of my favorite traditions as a kid was going to pick out a real Christmas tree from a tree farm. I loved walking through the field of trees, and getting a nice, hot cup of cider and a candy cane.
Did you go as a kid? Well, since then, the Nutcracker has been revamped thanks to George Balanchine. I grew up watching this movie and went to see it when I was younger. I look forward to going this year!
- A Victorian Country Christmas – 11/29 – 12/3
This is one of my favorite holiday things! Located at the Puyallup fairgrounds, there are 500 vendors to shop, lots of food to eat, and lots of Christmas performances. I have been going to this off and on for the last 10 years and I love it!
This is something you have to do once in your life! I was lucky enough to take the snow train up to Leavenworth when I was 12 and loved it! The snow train may be fully booked already because it is SO POPULAR, but you may still be able to hop on a charter bus and get a ride to the lighting!
Other tree lighting ceremonies:
- Edmonds – 11/25 3:00 – 5:15pm
- Mountlake Terrace – 12/1 6:30pm
- Seattle – 11/24 4:30 – 6:00pm
- Tacoma – 11/25 5:30pm
Have you all been to these events? What are your favorites? Are there others that I need to check out?
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