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.
Sweet Treats
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! The 2024 Cookie Crawl begins at Discover Burien (located at 611 SW 152nd Street), where participants get a map of participating establishments and a reusable bag to collect all their sweet treats. Local company Street Cheese will also be onsite with some delightful cheese cookies and host a pop-up shop at Discover Burien, where you can purchase cheese, charcuterie, accompaniments, and cheese plates to-go.
Holiday Afternoon Tea (November 30 and Ongoing)
On November 30, enjoy a festive afternoon tea at Zenith Holland Nursery, a garden store in Des Moines with a beautiful gift shop and holiday area inside. This special event is produced in partnership with Marina Mercantile, which hosts afternoon tea throughout the year. Your ticket gives you inclusive access to a full afternoon tea service, one glass of sparkling wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage.
Marina Mercantile also hosts an ongoing holiday afternoon tea at their store, which you can reserve online through their website. Enjoy a full, traditional tea service with finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and homemade holiday treats.
Santa Photos
Photos with Santa at Westfield Southcenter (November 21 - December 24)
Get your Santa photos at the mall before or after shopping to make it a full day of festive fun! Times vary by date, so check the schedule online before booking. Walk-ups are welcome every day until closing time, but it can get busy, so booking a time slot in advance is highly recommended.
Sensory-Friendly Santa Event (December 8)
This sensory-friendly event at Westfield Southcenter allows families with all types of special needs to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa in a comforting environment. Accommodations are made to support the sensory, physical, and developmental needs of Santa's guests. Reserve a time slot between 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Santa PAWS at Westfield Southcenter (Multiple Dates)
On select dates (all Mondays between November 25-December 16), you can bring your furry friend to Westfield Southcenter Mall between 4 - 7 p.m. to take a festive Santa photo that you'll treasure forever!
"Santa Claus is Coming to B-Town” Food Drive (November 30)
On Saturday, November 30, Santa will be at the Tin Room Theater in Olde Burien from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (with a cookie break from 1 - 1:30 p.m.) This community event will feature free Santa photos for those who donate non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation. All proceeds will benefit the Highline Area Food Bank, and all attendees are encouraged to bring shelf-stable food or contribute financially to help support families in need during the holiday season.
Weekend Santa Visits at Zenith Holland Nursery (November 29-December 22)
Zenith Holland Nursery has a charming holiday section where Santa will be posted up on weekends between November 29 and December 22. Check the company website for details about the times he'll be there. Pets and kids welcome!
Pet & Family Santa Photos at Marina Mercantile (December 8)
Marina Mercantile, in partnership with A Dog's Dream, will be hosting photos with Santa from Noon - 5 p.m. Photos are $20 or $15 with a donation of diapers, with proceeds benefiting Pregnancy Aid Des Moines.
Santa Parade with South King County Fire Department (December 4)
Catch a Santa parade on Saturday, December 4th! The first route will begin at 5 p.m. at Station 66 in Des Moines and end at Redondo Beach around 6 p.m. where a second route will begin. If you miss it, head to the Des Moines Marina around 8 p.m., where there will also be the Des Moines Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade.
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 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and enjoy free hot chocolate and holiday music as you stroll through the museum grounds.
Holiday Magic
Des Moines Lighted Boat Parade (December 7)
See festively decorated boats set sail across Puget Sound! The Des Moines Lighted Boat Parade is an annual tradition organized and hosted by the Des Moines Yacht Club (DMYC) for all boaters in the area. The route varies slightly each year, but in 2024, boats will start at Des Moines Marina, travel north to Three Tree Point in Burien, then circle down south to Redondo Beach before returning to Des Moines marina.
Candlelight Concert Series (December 11)
See a live orchestra perform holiday classics and favorites from The Nutracker by candlelight at The Museum of Flight.
Argosy Christmas Ship Festival (November 23-December 23)
Ride on an all-ages Christmas Ship along with carolers while enjoying festive beverages. 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. View a 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. 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 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. to enjoy holiday music, hot chocolate, crafts and activities, and of course, surprise visits everywhere by the furry friend himself.
Shop ‘Til You Drop!
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.
Zenith Holland Nursery (Ongoing)
Zenith Holland Nursery in Des Moines not only has Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias, but a huge selection of thoughtfully curated gifts, such as home decor, skincare, stationary, and more. They also have weekend Santa visits (kids and pets welcome)!
Find More Holiday Fun
Jul 1 to Dec 21
Building Wonder: Bonsai Treehouses by Dave Creek
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Jul 4
4th of July Parade
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Jul 4
Des Moines 4th of July Celebration and Drone Show
Des Moines 4th of July Celebration & Drone Show 🎉 Join us for an unforgettable Independence Day celebration along the Des Moines waterfront! The festivities…
Sep 20
Georgetown Morge Haunted House
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Oct 12 to Apr 25, 2026
Season & Concerts
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Oct 24
After Hours: Halloween
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Oct 25
Boo-in Burien Trick-or-Treat
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Oct 26
Halloween Trunk-or-Treat
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Oct 26
Creepy Crawlers Pub Crawl & Costume Contest
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Oct 27
The Museum of Fright
Halloween Fun for the Whole FamilyAcross the Museum galleries, you’ll find Halloween-themed games and activities to spark imagination, and innovation, and get in the Halloween…
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