It’s officially the last month of the year! Why not end 2021 with a whole month of fun? There’s plenty to do and see this month between new art exhibits, concerts, holiday markets, and opportunities to eat. So here it is, 55 of the absolute best things to do in & around Seattle this December.
Concerts
Thundercat’s upcoming show celebrates his newest album It Is What It Is which was released in 2020. The album features collaborations with artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole, and Zack Fox.
When: December 4th
Where: 911 Pine Street
Cost: $30.75+
Looking for the perfect indie concert to cap the year? Why not check out Milky Chance at The Moore Theatre. The concert will be full of uplifting electronic beats and indie-folk energy. Can’t go wrong with that!
When: December 16th
Where: 1932 Second Ave
Cost: $37.50 – $42.50
Arts
Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker
Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker is a great performance to add to your list of holiday events. Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann have been producing this show in Seattle for 14 years making it a beloved classic in its own right. The show is refined and stunning, with professional dancers performing Verlaine’s choreography.
When: December 8th-29th
Where: 216 Union Street
Cost: $50-$90
Visit a major piece of land art
Robert Morris’ Johnson Pit #30 was just included in the National Register of Historic Places which is a huge deal. It’s a first for a contemporary land art piece so you might as well give it a visit this weekend and show it some love. Who knows, it might just become your new favorite piece of art.
Where: 21610 37th Place S, SeaTac, WA
PNB’s Nutcracker is one that you probably know well. It follows the story of a young girl as she adventures into a Christmas wonderland with her newfound friend, the nutcracker. Together they battle the evil mouse king and bring joy to all the fantastical characters they meet along the way. With PNB’s talented dancers, detailed costumes, and choreography it’s a must-watch and perfect romantic date.
When: Until December 28th
Where: 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA
Cost: $27+ per person
Da Vinci – Inventions at MOHAI
Chances are that most of us know all about Da Vinci’s crazy creations. However, it’s just as likely that you’ve never seen those inventions brought to life in a true scale. Grande Experiences has created an exhibit that will offer you a look at the creativity of the ultimate Renaissance man.
When: Until January 3rd
Where: 860 Terry Ave N
Cost: $17-$22
This unique show highlights the beauty of natural stones. You’ll be able to see 30 stones of various shapes and sizes at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. The stones were collected in 6 including CA, ND, NM, SD, OR, and WA. It sounds niche but it’s sure to be one of the more unique shows you’ll see this year.
When: Until January 9th
Where: 2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA
Cost: Free
Get in the holiday spirit with a show full of classic beauty and flirtatious artistry. Expect an intimate theatre turned into a whimsical winter chalet. It’s an unforgettable holiday experience paired with food, wine, and spirit menus carefully crafted with local market-fresh winter ingredients.
When: Until January 9th
Where: Can Can, 94 Pike St
Cost: $100+
Recent Acquisitions in Contemporary Art
Love the Frye? Well, their collection is growing! You can check out 7 recent artworks by Juventino Aranda, Rokni Haerizadeh, Rose Nestler, Mary Ann Peters, Cauleen Smith, Anthony White, and Ko Kirk Yamahira. All of these works were acquired by the museum in 2019 and are being shown together now.
When: Until January 11th
Where: 704 Terry Ave
Cost: Free
Duane Linklater: mymothersside
Linklater works with a range of mediums to address the contradictions of contemporary Indigenous life both within and beyond settler systems of knowledge, representation, and value. This exhibition brings together a range of the artists’ work including sculptures, video works, and digital prints on linen from the last decade.
When: Until January 16th
Where: 704 Terry Ave
Cost: Free
Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective
This is the first major US retrospective of PNW-raised photographer Imogen Cunningham’s work. You’ll see “portraits of artists, musicians, and Hollywood stars; elegant flower and plant studies; poignant street pictures; and groundbreaking nudes”. It’s sure to be a beautiful show.
When: Until February 6th
Where: 1300 First Ave
Cost: $32.99
Boren Banner Series: Sadie Wechsler
This piece is outside, it’s free to visit and you can do so at pretty much any time of day. Plus Wechsler’s new piece explores the history of Seattle’s own First Hill. The artist consulted the Burke Museum and members of the Duwamish Tribe in order to create a photograph that represents the ecological history of the area.
When: Until April 17th
Where: 704 Terry Ave
Cost: Free
BAM Biennial 2021: Architecture & Urban Design
Explore BAM’s juried exhibition which focuses on the work of established and emerging Northwest artists, craftspeople, and designers, with an emphasis on new work. This year’s biennial focuses on specific fields and areas of studies within the realm of art, craft, and design.
When: November Until April 24th
Where: 510 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue, WA
Cost: $15
Culture
Winter Porch Light Parade 2021
Visiting large-scale holiday light displays is fun and all but why not check out how Washingtonians are decorating their own homes? The cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline are inviting folks to create their own holiday light displays to help spread holiday cheer. You can find a full map of the displays by clicking above.
When: December 1st-31st
Where: Participating homes in Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline
Cost: Free
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
If you’ve ever wanted to see behind-the-scenes images of your favorite hip-hop artists, this exhibit is for you. MoPOP’s newest exhibit, Contact High allows visitors to see over 170 images of hip hop’s most influential artists like Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac, and more. See four decades of photography, from the late 70s to today, documenting a revolution across different aspects of life.
When: Tuesday-Thursday 10 am–5 pm
Where: 325 Fifth Ave N
Cost: $30 – $32.50
Each first Saturday Kremwerk puts on SIN, a fetish, EBM, and industrial night. You can expect fetish performances, drinks, and dancing. Additionally, you can see features by Seattle Shibari and professional photography by Jason Renek. If you’re looking for something new, this might just be worth checking out.
When: First Saturday of each month
Where: 1809 Minor Ave #10
Cost: $15
Each week on Tuesday you can attend a drag happy hour at Chop Suey. You’ll be able to watch drag icon Jane Don’t and three of Seattle’s other premiere drag beauties do their thing. It’s sure to be the most fun you’ve had at a happy hour in a while.
When: Tuesdays
Where: 1325 E Madison St
Cost: Varies
Join GKIDS and Fathom Events for the annual Studio Ghibli Fest to experience the wonder of some of the world’s most beloved animated films. You’ll be able to watch Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Castle in the Sky, and My Neighbor Totoro. Don’t miss out!
When: Until December 9th
Where: Participating theaters around Seattle
Cost: $13.13
POP2k: Playing 2000s pop dance hits
Looking for an excuse to dance this month? Look no further than a wildly fun 2000s pop dance hits party at the new and improved Crocodile! You’ll be able to dance to the tunes of artists like Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, Usher, and more.
When: December 11th
Where: 2505 First Ave
Cost: $5
On December 11th and 18th, you’re invited to paint the town red and white. You can expect live entertainment all day, free admission to 15+ venues, drink specials, a costume contest, professional photographers, and more! Best of all, you can hop in on the fun pretty much anytime between noon and midnight to pick up your wristband.
When: December 11th & 18th
Where: Locations TBA
Cost: $5-$20
Crossing Boundaries: Portraits of a Transgender West
It’s Pride Month and a brand new and amazing exhibition is opening at The Washington State History Museum. This new exhibition “highlights historical narratives of transgender people in the West”. You’ll hear stories from the 1860s until the 1940s. These stories tell the history of individuals who defied gender norms and communicate the show’s themes of visibility, identity, acceptance, and history.
When: Until December 12th
Where: 1911 Pacific Avenue
Cost: $14
Listen to carolers aboard the Christmas Ship
If you’ve lived in Seattle long enough chances are that you’ve heard singing coming from Puget Sound during the holidays. That beautiful sound is the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship and while watching from shore is nice, you can actually ride the ships and hear the singing up close. So bundle up and get ready to sail with your SO.
When: Until December 23rd
Where: Onboard/Onshore
Cost: Free-$50
If you’ve never attended Snowflake Lane before, it takes place nightly at 7 pm throughout the holiday season. Spectators gather on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th to watch as Bellevue slips away and is replaced with a winter wonderland. Expect to see falling snow, dazzling lights, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers.
When: Until December 24th
Where: Between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square
Cost: Free
Looking to snag a truly unique holiday experience? Then you’ll want to check out Kringle’s Filling Station which is put on by Hotopp Creative Studio, an award-winning Seattle-based entertainment designer. You’ll get to meet the Kringle brothers and take pictures in a 1972 Volkswagen Thing, and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate from one of their special gas pumps.
When: Until December 24th
Where: 8211 Aurora Avenue North
Cost: $10+ per person
Garden d’Lights is taking over the Bellevue Botanical Garden to bring an enchanting experience to the Eastside. You’ll be able to see the botanical garden like never before as over half a million lights illuminate the beauty of the garden. With the many unique lights and scenes, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
When: November 27th-December 31st
Where: Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, 98005
Cost: $5 per person
If you’re down for a bit of a drive it’s well worth it to head to Stanwood. You’ll get to see over a million spectacular lights, dazzling displays, all while you wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus and listen to Christmas music in the warmth and comfort of your own car. It’s 30 minutes of Christmas fun that you can add to an evening date.
When: Until January 8th, Closed December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st
Where: 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA
Cost: $25-$55 per car
Let the holiday magic begin! The Woodland Park Zoo is lighting up with an immersive, interactive, and larger-than-life light experience this holiday season. You’ll get to explore bugs, prehistoric life, jungle creatures, and a massive 200-foot long dragon. It’s well worth checking out if you want to deviate from traditional Christmas lights.
When: Until January 16th
Where: 5500 Phinney Ave N
Cost: $25.95 – $30.95
Holiday Markets
Living Artists Collective Holiday Market
This super cool market is happening at Ada’s Technical Books. You’ll be able to find original artwork, stickers, art prints, tarot decks, greeting cards, and other fun objects by member artists of the Living Artists Collective. Shop, sip a delicious drink, and get a Tarot card reading.
When: December 4th
Where: 425 15th Ave E
Cost: Free admission
This market is happening down south in Tacoma but is well worth checking out. It’s hosted by POC with an emphasis on featuring BIPOC makers. You’ll find 19 vendors in both indoor and outdoor locations as well as coffee and music.
When: December 4th
Where: 3502 McKinley Ave Suite A, Tacoma, WA
Cost: Free admission
If you’re looking to support women-owned businesses, this holiday market is for you. You’ll be able to shop from local women-owned businesses. Not many details have been released on this market yet but we’ll expect more to come soon.
When: December 4th
Where: 1437 South Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free admission
This fair or market is seriously massive. We’re talking over 150 vendors selling wares like clothing, jewelry, housewares, furniture, and much more. You’re pretty much guaranteed to find a gift for a friend and probably something for yourself too.
When: December 4th & 5th
Where: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free admission
South Lake Union Winter Market
If you can’t make it to Urban Craft Uprising have no fear because they’re actually returning to SLU. You’ll be able to find a showcase of a couple dozen more vendors at Vorst Plaza selling their wares. It runs for two days and vendors will rotate meaning you can find new things each day.
When: December 8th & 9th
Where: 426 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free admission
This is the ninth annual market taking place at the Seattle Art Source gallery. It’s on the smaller side but full of beautifully crafted items from local makers. You’ll find home goods, self-care products, stationery, and much more.
When: December 9th-12th
Where: 5531 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free admission
2021 Valley Made Holiday Market
This market of local makers is happening at the Vinery at Christianson’s Nursery. The market on the 10th is 21+ while the events on December 11th & 12th are free for all ages. Get your holiday shopping done and support a wonderful selection of makers.
When: December 10th-12th
Where:
Cost: December 10th $20, 11th & 12th free
You’ll be able to shop from over 100 vendors at this massive holiday craft fair happening inside Hangar 30. Expect original art, self-care products, jewelry, home goods, and more. You’ll also be able to find food and drinks here if you’re feeling peckish while shopping.
When: December 11th & 12th
Where: Magnuson Park, Hangar 30
Cost: Free admission
Check out this pop-up holiday gift market that’s taking place in the heart of Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. You’ll be able to find ceramics, clothing, candles, food, and much more. Expect to see businesses, local makers and more spread out over 10,000 sqft and 2 levels.
When: December 12th
Where: 115 Bell Street, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free admission
Winter Solstice Holiday Night Market
You’ll be able to enjoy a winter solstice market from the folks who put on the popular Seattle Night Market. Expect to shop, eat, and listen to live music. If you want an adults-only event check it out on Friday when it’s 21+ only, Saturday is all ages.
When: December 17th & 18th
Where: Magnuson Park, Hangar 30
Cost: TBA
At Home
A new month means new Netflix additions. Ready to watch an old fave or a new release? Netflix has you covered on both fronts. So plan ahead, see what’s coming and get ready for a great month of streaming.
Where: Click above to see the new additions
Cafe Nordo’s Room Service brings the same level of experience you get at the cafe to your home in the form of a cinematic mystery-in-a-box. So far Nordo’s Room Service has created three different boxes each with a unique goal and theme. They include “Do Not Disturb” in which you must unlock a spectral curse; “Witching Hour” in which you must cast a spell to solve a riddle and decipher secret codes; and the latest, “The Interrogation of Alice” in which you must solve the future crimes of Alice.
Where: At home
Cost: $126-$162
Food & Drink
Looking for a fun and tasty food pop-up? Check out what La Dive has to offer this month. You can enjoy a culinary pop-up from Ben’s Breads and Mamnoon. Don’t miss out on this one if you consider yourself a foodie!
When: December 5th & 12th
Where: 721 E Pike St
Cost: Varies
Treat yourself to a bowl of pasta
Sometimes we’re all in the mood for a bowl of pasta. While relatively easy to make at home, nothing beats a perfectly cooked and crafted bowl from one of Seattle’s amazing Italian restaurants. We even made a list of some of the best spots to check out.
Where: Click above to see our picks
You can expect holiday-themed drinks in perfectly kitschy cups surrounded by decor like twinkling lights, ornaments, and tinsel. It’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a Christmas tree in the best way possible. Who knows, you might just end up with some inspo for your own holiday parties.
When: Until December 31st
Where: 2505 2nd Ave Suite 102
Cost: Varies
Fall is here, why not treat yourself to a delicious bowl of pho? Everyone loves this flavourful Vietnamese dish and luckily for all of us, there are tons of places in Seattle to grab a bowl. Don’t worry about searching though because we compiled a list of the best.
Where: Click above to see our picks
The wildly popular Christmas-themed Miracle bar is returning to Seattle in the form of a pop-up cocktail bar. It’s the ultimate spot to snag holiday cocktails in a festive setting. You’ll feel just like papa Noel yourself as you sip professionally-developed cocktails surrounded by kitschy holiday décor.
When: Until December 24th
Where: Rob Roy, 2332 2nd Ave
Cost: Varies
The Alice – An Immersive Cocktail Experience
Guests will be able to create their own liquid concoctions under the watchful eye of The Mad Hatter. They’ll also get to dive into Wonderland with a game of flamingo croquet, paint the roses red, and devour ‘Eat Me’ cake. Don’t forget to solve riddles and challenges so that you can unlock all the ingredients to create your own enchanted teapot cocktails.
When: Until December 30th
Where: 1356 E Olive Way
Cost: $40 per person
Misc
Learn how to make a holiday wreath
There’s nothing better than the fresh scent of winter greens filling your home. Store-bought wreaths are very nice but obviously pricey so why not learn to make your own? In this class, you’ll learn how to attach greens to a reusable wireframe, how to style your wreath and how to hang and care for your wreath at home.
When: December 9th
Where: The Works Seattle, 151 12th Ave
Cost: $75
Watch as the market comes alive thanks to beautiful light displays and decorations crafted to create the ultimate holiday ambiance. Folks who attend can also enjoy special shopping offers, live holiday music, photo ops, glass blowing demonstrations, and more. If you’re feeling extra cheery you can indulge in some holiday drinks & treats while you wait to take free photos with Santa.
When: Throughout the holiday season
Where: Pike Place Market
Cost: Free/Varies
What’s a more PNW date than the great outdoors? Skiing is always fun at Washington’s assortment of slopes and resorts. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, a day spent skiing with your SO is a great break from the city.
Where: Click above to see our picks
You can enjoy a ride on the Snoqualmie Yuletide Express. It’s a 25-minute holiday excursion full of holiday decorations, Christmas spirit, and more. To make the journey even more magical, the train will briefly pause at the crest for a view of the river valley before returning to Snoqualmie.
When: Until December 19th
Where: 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie WA 98065
Cost: $12.50-$25
Visit Washington’s ultimate Christmas town
Is there a more iconic holiday town in Washington than Leavenworth? We think not. They’re lighting up once again this year but instead of having to wait for weekends to see the light, now you can see the town glowing daily. Enjoy the lights, hike in the area, shop & dine, there are lots to do and see in Leavenworth
Where: Leavenworth, Washington
Cancelled Plans at Periodic: A Pop-Up Shop
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift consider checking out the Cancelled Plans pop up at Periodic. The pop-up is featuring local candle brand Cancelled Plans. All of the candles are vegan, clean-burning, and non-toxic.
When: Until December 31st
Where: 2252 7th Ave
Cost: Varies
Explore 4 unique, interactive light art installations on display in South Lake Union this month. It’s a way for you to see South Lake Union in a whole new light, literally. Expect a family-friendly, outdoor experience that can be enjoyed at your leisure.
When: Until December 31st
Where: Participating parks in SLU
Cost: Free
Want to show your crush just how many tricks you know on the ice? Well luckily, Seattle and its surrounding areas have a few ice rinks for you to check out. Whether you’re looking for a simple open skate or to take lessons like figure skating or hockey, these ice rinks have you covered.
Where: Click above to see our picks
The Christmas tree rush is officially here folks. Now that Thanksgiving is over, Seattleites will be looking for the best places to grab a tree. From Charlie Brown trees to massive trees, these spots have you covered. Here’s where to get a Christmas tree in & around Seattle.
Where: Click above to see our picks
During this exhibit, guests will be able to explore the “Hockey Science Lab,” where you can test your hockey knowledge through hands-on interactive activities on a scaled-down replica rink and test things like reaction time, speed, balance, coordination, and power all of which are crucial to the game of hockey. Additionally, you can explore a hockey locker room full of the game’s biggest stars.
When: Until February 27th, 2022
Where: 200 2nd Ave N
Cost: $24.95
There’s no shortage of fun for you this month. Get out there and enjoy all that Seattle has to offer. Happy Holidays and we’ll catch you back here in the New Year!
