Festive Seattle-Area Holiday Activities to Make the Season Sparkle

Swansons Nursery Model Train and Holiday Décor, Seattle

Date and time: Swansons is open daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with extended hours 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Nov. 23–Dec. 23. They are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Cost: It’s free to browse and look at the train; holiday items and Santa photos available for purchase.

North Seattle’s Swansons Nursery specializes in plants and gardening, and also holiday splendor! Among all the sparkling decorations, kids love to check out the model train display. This year’s train layout is all set up with a chocolate factory theme! There are so many little scenes and vignettes to spot within the train layout, including a few fun ones the grown-ups will appreciate. After you check out the train, take the kids to visit Santa’s yurt, where they can write letters to Santa and play games. Swansons will have live music on select weekend days in December, too.

While all the fun stuff listed above is free to enjoy, keep in mind that Swansons offers beautiful holiday trees, seasonal décor, gifts and many pretty things to buy. You can also book ahead for Santa photos, if you like; spots go quickly and photo packages range in price depending on your selection.

Gingerbread Village, Seattle

Date and time: Open daily Nov. 21, 2024–Jan. 1, 2025. Viewing hours are 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday, and 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cost: Free, though donations are encouraged as this annual event is a fundraiser benefitting type 1 diabetes research.

The Sheraton Grand Seattle hosts the amazing Gingerbread Village, on display this season for its 30th year. Stop by the hotel to view the impressive architectural creations. Expect jaw-dropping amounts of candy and sugar constructed into fanciful shapes!

Seattle Festival of Trees, Seattle

Date and time: The trees are on view Nov. 21–Dec. 2.
Cost: Free

Check out the Seattle Festival of Trees, a display of 20 elaborately decorated Christmas trees on view in the lobby of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The trees are for sale for many thousands of dollars, with proceeds benefitting the autism center and uncompensated care fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Luckily, the trees are free to view.

Winterfest Opening Day and Ice Spectacle, Seattle

Date and time: Friday, Nov. 29, noon–5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Watch ice sculptures take shape in real time at the International Fountain Plaza as master ice carvers Janson Iwakami, Chan Kitburi and James Royal show off their talents sculpting blocks of ice into holiday-themed shapes. See the carvers in action at the Winterfest kick-off celebration, then warm up by the fire pits and listen to carolers. Bonus: If you visit Seattle Center after dark, enjoy the whole grounds awash in lights. It’s so pretty!

Winterfest Armory Stage Entertainment, Seattle

Date and time: Performances take place on the weekends, Nov. 29–Dec. 29.
Cost: Free

Winterfest presents a variety of free entertainment for all ages. Time your visit to see the train and catch carolers, comedy acts or dancers on the same trip. Our picks include the Zaniac Comedy Show (Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m.), SANCA (Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m.) and Bailadores de Bronce (Dec. 21, 2 p.m.).

Winterfest Train & Village, Seattle

Date and time: Open daily, Nov. 29–Dec. 31. The train operates from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: Free to view; $2 suggested donation.

Young kids will love visiting the Seattle Center Armory to examine the huge Winterfest model train and village display. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet and use your best I-spy eyes to see if you can spot all the items on the list. You’re even invited to take a turn operating the train.

Teddy Bear Suite, Seattle

Date and time: The Teddy Bear Suite is open for visits Nov. 29, 2024–Jan. 2, 2025, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Call the hotel to double check the hours if you want to visit on a holiday.
Cost: Free; donations encouraged.

The teddies have arrived for their annual stay at the Teddy Bear Suite at downtown Seattle’s ultra-fancy Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It’s free to marvel at the bears in the decorated hotel room, but guests are invited to make a donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Christmas Ship Viewing, multiple locations

Date and time: Ships sail on select dates, Nov. 23–Dec. 23.
Cost: Free

This classic Northwest wintertime adventure is a tradition for so many families! Bundle up, stash a flashlight in your pocket and head to a Puget Sound or Lake Washington beach to watch the parade of Christmas Ships sail by. Listen to live choral music broadcast from the brightly lit boats. Of course, you can pay to ride the ships, but it’s free and fun to watch from shore. Christmas ships depart from various ports and make all kinds of stops.

Pop-up Hanukkah, West Seattle

Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free

Gather at Junction Plaza Park for West Seattle’s beloved annual Pop-up Hanukkah with a grand menorah lighting, songs and doughnuts.

Menorah Lighting on Alki Beach, West Seattle

Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free

Head to Alki Beach for the third annual grand menorah lighting. There will be a chocolate gelt drop by local firefighters, a 12-foot menorah lighting, doughnuts and music.

Next up: Eastside holiday activities