The Holidays in Seattle Mean..

Erin Wing - Seattle
December 6, 2011

You've made your holiday shopping list and checked it twice, and now it's time to get out and enjoy the season with your little elves. There's definitely something magical about December in Seattle. Lights sparkling on the water, old fashioned tree festivals and parades, and Christmas cheer all around. This month you'll enjoy a slew of family traditions old and new. So bundle up and get ready to embrace the spirit of the season Seattle style.

Downtown in December

Where to begin the holiday fun? Downtown Seattle, of course! Start by visiting the Santa at Nordstrom. This one is seriously the real deal. If your tiny tot is terrified to talk to the jolly fella, just email the wish list and watch him ho, ho, ho through the huge store window, for a view that's close, but not too close. After a Santa sighting, ride the Holiday Carousel at Westlake Park, check out the gingerbread village at the Sheraton Hotel, and get some kid friendly grub at Johnny Rockets while you watch the snowflakes fall inside the Pacific Place mall.

The Christmas Ship

Pour your favorite warm drinks and gather at your nearest neighborhood beach for a 62 year old holiday tradition, the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival. The ship full of carolers stops at three beaches each night through December 23. The sights and sounds at every viewing location are great, but a bonfire beach is definitely your best bet if you prefer to stay warm. (Who doesn't!) Hang out with the neighbors by a roaring bonfire and enjoy this unique community building tradition. Excellent picks for families with young kids are Carkeek Park on December 11, or Madison Park Beach on December 17. Both have bonfires, family friendly food nearby, and early performances so you can make it home before bedtime.

More Twinkling Lights

Does your family like light displays? Clark Griswald-style, fuse blowing light displays? If so, visit Garden d'Lights in Bellevue to see some seriously glowing gardens, or check out the animal shaped displays made from half a million lights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's Zoolights. (For both venues, avoid long lines by purchasing tickets ahead of time online.) For a free illuminating experience, visit Winterfest where you can celebrate the chilly season with winter-themed family activities and of course, lots of light. The whole Seattle Center Campus is aglow with millions of twinklers, plus bonfires on Saturday nights, and a Menorah Lighting Ceremony on December 21. Your December nights will be merry and bright, without blowing your holiday budget on electricity.

Get Crafty

Homemade gifts for the holidays are definitely the way to go for the littlest gift givers, and Seattle kids have lots of opportunities to create something special for loved ones at these crafty holiday events. Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio, offers holiday gift making workshops, where kids can create high quality meaningful gifts for the special people on their shopping list. At Arts Aloft, kids can make a special ornament or gift, or attend a creative camp over winter break.  Want to get the whole crew involved? Bring the family and work together on a paint-your-own-pottery project at Kids ‘N Clay Pottery Studio in Lynnwood.

Holiday Shows

The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol are certainly not unique to Seattle, but especially for first-time theater goers, a trip downtown to the theater is a ticket to holiday magic nonetheless. Or perhaps you'd like to skip the downtown crowds? The Emerald Ballet Theater's version of The Nutcracker is a great alternative for families. Shows are held on December 10 and 11 at the Northshore Performing Arts Center in Bothell. With good views of the stage from every seat, affordable prices and plenty of parking, this one is a perfect introduction for the very young, (or very wiggly) ballet enthusiasts. Other family friendly holiday options include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Greenlake Bathhouse Seattle Public Theater, or the Kirkland Performance Center's Old-Time Holiday Show. Both offer afternoon matinees and they're located in neighborhoods with plenty of family friendly dining options for a post performance meal.