Charming Seattle Christmas Market Returns for the Holiday Season

It is nearly December and I am thrilled for the holiday season ahead. Maybe I’ve watched too many Hallmark Christmas movies, but I just couldn’t resist the idea of strolling through a local holiday market, sipping hot cocoa and shopping for gifts from local vendors. When I heard the charming Seattle Christmas Market was back for its second year with even more kid-friendly elements, I hurried to Seattle Center with my young daughter in tow.

The Seattle Christmas Market is a European-style market that brings together local artisans, vendors, musicians and others for a spirited holiday shopping experience. It promises fun for the whole family, with activities and attractions geared toward kids. This year, it added 20,000 square feet and new holiday festivities.

Kids activities at the Seattle Christmas Market

As we walked through the entrance to the Seattle Christmas Market, we were greeted by friendly staff and festive decorations. We posed for a photo on Santa’s sleigh before stopping by the information booth, where we picked up a scavenger hunt sheet (complete it for a small prize!). We admired the twinkling lights and view of the Space Needle before walking over to Santa’s snow globe.

The sparkling white igloo was the perfect setting for Santa photos, and the big man himself was there waiting for us. We got our photo with him in a European-inspired blue outfit, which made for a unique Santa photo (that was printed for us for free!), but we’ve heard he’ll also make an appearance in a red suit this year. Added bonus: We didn’t have to wait long to meet him or to have the photobooth-style photos printed, and we were quickly on our way.

Just outside Santa’s igloo, we walked past a glowing holiday light display with a large train and candy canes. Staff pointed us toward the Fairytale Forest, a path down to the marketplace lined with more holiday lights and scenes from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. My daughter paused to see the changing lights of the Hansel and Gretel scene, while I admired the oversized mushrooms and adorable deer statues.

From the forest path, we spotted the double-decker carousel and hurried to it. Rides on the carousel are free and you can go as many times as you want! Even on our weekend visit, the line to ride it stayed short and we fit in three rides between shopping and eating. Both levels have unexpected animal figures, from dragons to seahorses to dolphins. My daughter loved picking a different one to ride each time, fondly giving them nicknames and looking for them again from the line.

Taking a break from the carousel ride (and light rain), we popped inside Fisher Pavilion, which has been transformed into the ski chalet-inspired Alpen Haus for the market. Long tables, string lights, Christmas trees and more decorations made it all the more inviting.

We spotted a bright red mailbox and Santa letter-writing station inside and got to work on my daughter’s wish list. (Make sure to send your letter by Dec. 20. The form letter even has a spot for a return address, so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a reply!)

All the kid-friendly attractions were easy to find, and I appreciated that the fun started as soon as we entered the market, the layout of which is so thoughtfully designed it contributes to the magical holiday atmosphere.

What to eat and drink

Maybe it was all the walking (or the multiple carousel rides), but we definitely worked up an appetite during our afternoon at the Christmas Market. While we sampled nuts and popcorn for a snack, we wanted a heartier lunch. There were so many options to choose from, it was nearly impossible to decide. I spotted paella, salmon sandwiches, barbecue, bratwurst, pretzels, pierogies and more.

We opted for savory dumplings and sour cream for lunch, which we ate inside the Alpen Haus. We also couldn’t resist splurging on a magical hot chocolate with blow-torched marshmallow topping as an afternoon treat.

At the center of the market sits a life-size Christmas pyramid, which is a traditional German holiday decoration. At ground level, adults can buy a cup of “Gluhwein” — hot mulled wine — while kids can enjoy the “Kinderpunsch.” The second floor of the pyramid has a stage for daily music.

Finding a unique gift

This year, I am bound and determined to pick out a unique, local or handmade gift for everyone on my list. The Seattle Christmas Market brings together such wonderful vendors, and I found things that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Handmade plush animals, delicate pearl jewelry — I found myself lingering at each booth to admire every option (and add to my own Christmas wish list). I loved chatting with the vendors and hearing more about their offerings.

If you are hoping to get inspiration for your children’s holiday wish list, a few of the booths had really wonderful options. The Lavender & Berries booth had puzzles of all sizes with adorable illustrated scenes from the Pacific Northwest (my daughter picked out one with a moose and squirrel on a camping trip). The unique plushies at Estudios Aiya’s booth also caught my eye — it’s hard to resist a small capybara in a strawberry hat, or a banana-shaped duck.

More to do at Seattle Center

You really can’t beat the Seattle Christmas Market’s location. Nestled in Seattle Center, you get stunning views of the Space Needle from every spot in the market, and you can walk by the International Fountain on your way out. (My daughter asked if I brought her swimsuit — can you tell she is in her “Frozen” era? The cold doesn’t bother her anyway.)

There is also the Artists at Play playground for adventure seekers, where kids can climb to the highest heights. Make a full day of it and explore the Pacific Science Center or Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). We opted for a romp on the playground, where we saw the Seattle Center Monorail arriving (and departing!).

Take the kids and make a day of it!

Editor’s note: Nancy Chaney originally reported on this holiday event for ParentMap in 2023 and contributed to this article. The article was updated in November 2024 to include all new details for the current season, after ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, visited with her family.