Get Festive in Seattle Southside

Winter Holiday Events in and around Seattle Southside

The holiday season is full of magic, fun, and delight, no matter how old you are!

Whether you're hoping to be dazzled by a light display, shop for gifts at a festive market, or find delicious seasonal treats, there's a holiday event around Seattle Southside that will bring a smile to your face.

Shopping
Light Displays
Holiday Magic

Shop ‘Til You Drop!

People shopping at Westfield Southcenter

Westfield Southcenter Mall (Ongoing)

The largest mall in the Pacific Northwest, Westfield Southcenter Mall offers lots of shopping opportunities to help you find gifts for everyone on your list. Plus, the festive decorations and light displays make for a classic holiday experience for all. Families can take photos with Santa beginning in late November. Plus, this year, Westfield is partnering with hotels in the area to give cash back to shoppers. If you're staying at a participating hospital, you can receive $25 "cash back cards" for every $100 you spend at Westfield. Learn about Shop and Stay Rewards.

Waterfront Holiday Market (November 2)

This special, festive edition of the Des Moines Waterfront Farmer's Market features locally made food, gifts, arts, and crafts to make your home more merry and bright for the yuletide season. As an added bonus, you get to enjoy the gorgeous views from the Des Moines Marina! You can enjoy this free and festive event from 10AM-4PM.

Holiday Bazaar (December 7)

Shop extra small this holiday season at the Normandy Park Cove Holiday Bazaar, featuring hyperlocal handicrafts by artisans and more. Plus, feast while you shop at locally-owned food trucks! Taking place from 9AM-3PM, you can find gifts here that can't be found anywhere else!

Seattle Christmas Market (November 21-December 24)

Immerse yourself in a magical, European-style Christmas village while you shop at the Seattle Christmas Market. With Bavarian-style scenery, light displays, and a Christmas Carousel, it's an experience the whole family will love. Take the Link Light Rail from Seattle Southside to the Monorail for quick and easy access to Seattle Center.

Merry and Bright

Tree Lighting Ceremonies (December 6)

Feel the magic of the holidays and warm community spirit at local tree lighting ceremonies. These annual events are a great way for people to come together and kick off the holiday season. Family-friendly activities like caroling, crafts, bounce houses, and more are available to help keep everyone entertained, and rumor has it Santa himself may make an appearance! There are two local tree lighting ceremonies, both taking place on Friday, December 6th: one in SeaTac at the community center and one in Des Moines at Big Catch Plaza (December 6th).

Zoolights (November 29 - January 5) and WildLanterns (November 15-January 19)

Get wild with your holidays! Both major local zoos do holiday themed lighting displays every year. Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (pictured above) uses twinkling holiday lights to create beautiful displays themed around wildlife and nature.

At WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, walk through fantasy lands of glowing, larger-than-life plants, animals and mystical creatures. You'll see your fair share of real animals, too, including regal peacocks and mischievous monkeys.

Winter Bonsai Solstice (December 14)

See a world-renowned collection of bonsai under twinkling lights at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way. Visit between 4PM - 7PM and enjoy free hot chocolate and holiday music as you stroll through the museum grounds.

Holiday Magic

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival (November 23-December 23)

The Christmas Cruises have been a Northwest tradition for more than 75 years, and you can join on a boat or from the shore. To be at the center of things, ride on the all-ages Christmas Ship along with carolers while enjoying festive beverages and beautiful views of the shoreline. Or, stay on dry land and watch the ship cruise by while being serenaded by the Christmas carolers on board. Thanks to a state-of-the-art speaker system, you can hear the carols clearly from the shore. Check the schedule for tickets, times and locations.

Winterfest at Seattle Center (November 29-December 31)

There's tons to do at Seattle Center for the holidays, from special concerts to a holiday market, and beyond! View an adorable miniature village and train set decorated to look like a late 19th-century town in the full swing of holiday celebrations. This display has come out for every Winterfest for over 40 years! On the weekends, the stage in the armory is home to performances by dancers, musicians, and more to help get you in the holiday spirit. And at night, Seattle Center twinkles with thousands of festive lights.

Solstice with Sasquatch (December 21)

The Pacific Northwest loves local lore about Sasquatch (a big hairy creature, also called Bigfoot), and you can catch him this season at The Museum of Flight! Come between 11AM-4PM to enjoy holiday music, hot chocolate, crafts and activities, and of course, surprise visits everywhere by the furry friend himself.

Burien Cookie Crawl (December 7)

Explore local businesses and taste your way through Burien as you nosh on a wide variety of delicious cookies. Tickets must be purchased in advance and they often sell out, so make sure to buy them early!

Find More Holiday Fun

Oct 23 to Oct 31

Spookiest South Sound Experiences

October in South Sound is finally here! October in the South Sound brings the start of a cozy drizzle, stunning fall foliage, mouthwatering farm-to-table autumnal…

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Oct 23 to Oct 31

Witches Tea

Join Marina Mercantile for a delightfully SPOOKY version of its traditional Afternoon Tea featuring handmade finger sandwiches, cookies, cakes, scones, and more! Gluten-free and Vegan…

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Oct 23

FREE Photography Reception

The City of SeaTac presents a Photography Reception Join us for a Photography Reception at the SeaTac Community Center. View the Photography Exhibit, meet photographers…

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Oct 24

Haunted Factory Tour

Seattle Halloween Events! The Haunted Factory is back with an ALL-NEW experience! DON'T MISS OUT! Haunted Factory Tours are only for a limited time, October…

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Oct 24

Halloween Cookie Decorating Class

Learn fun techniques to decorate Halloween-themed sugar cookies This Cookie Class is great for beginners and intermediate cookiers. All ages and experience levels welcome! Registration…

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Oct 24

After Hours: Halloween

Join us for this fun 21+ event! Join us—if you dare—for a night of fun and frights at the Seattle Ahhhhquarium! Adults will take over…

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