In 2025, head to Seattle Center for these 25 FREE Festál cultural festivals. Each event highlights the distinct ethnic communities of people living in the Puget Sound region. The festivals showcase the traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more. The origins of the Festál … [Read more...] about Free “Festál” ethnic festivals at Seattle Center
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75+ best value places for happy hour food and drinks
Here are our suggestions for some of the best happy hours in Seattle. These are some of the most popular venues and hidden hideaways in neighborhoods throughout the Emerald City. Note that this list of bars and lounges focus on establishments with popular happy hour drink and food specials. If you're looking to … [Read more...] about 75+ best value places for happy hour food and drinks
Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Here's a list of Japanese and Chinese gardens in the Puget Sound region. Most of these Puget Sound gardens offer FREE admission. The Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum is the most well-known. However, there are at least 10 more you can visit, from Everett to Tacoma and Bellevue. They are … [Read more...] about Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Fitness exercise is a popular reality in Seattle. The city consistently ranks as one of the healthiest places in the country, as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index. The ACSM report finds that we like fitness and exercise, evidenced by our overall health, walkable … [Read more...] about 10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Free and cheap meditation resources
Meditation is a great way to relax and reduce stress or “unplug” from the pace and responsibilities of everyday life. The benefits of a regular meditation practice can include many positive changes such as increased focus, creativity, patience, happiness, and overall life balance. Meditation is a tradition dating … [Read more...] about Free and cheap meditation resources
Free things to do in January
Listed below are the free things to do in January. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our January events calendar. January 2025 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers … [Read more...] about Free things to do in January
Best things to buy in January
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for January in Seattle-Tacoma area stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in January include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday, … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in January
40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. You begin a labyrinth walk at the only entrance (and exit) and proceed along the path. At the … [Read more...] about 40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Here’s where to get help with income taxes
United States income tax season begins in late January and ends on April 15, the deadline for filing personal income tax. If April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Tax Day deadline is extended to the following Monday. If the tax day deadline falls on a federal holiday, the deadline is extended by one day. This … [Read more...] about Here’s where to get help with income taxes
January events and entertainment
Our January events calendar features a wide variety of entertainment in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. As always, we focus on events with a regular adult admission price of $15 or less. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts that can help bring the price down. … [Read more...] about January events and entertainment
New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations in the Puget Sound region
Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. New Year's Eve traditions include fireworks shows, parties, drinking champagne, counting down to midnight, and kissing someone at midnight. The New York City "ball drop" in Times Square typically hosts … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations in the Puget Sound region
Drive or walk the free Tacoma Light Trail
The Tacoma Light Trail is a free winter festival of light art in downtown Tacoma that features outdoor performances, dragon parades, lumens concerts, a lighted bike ride, illuminated art throughout downtown, and much more. New Year's Eve, December 31, from 6 PM to 10 PM. Kickoff event at Tollefson Plaza. … [Read more...] about Drive or walk the free Tacoma Light Trail
Christmas light displays around the Puget Sound region
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Here's our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are drive-thru or walk-thru commercial displays with an … [Read more...] about Christmas light displays around the Puget Sound region
Birthday of Martin Luther King federal holiday
The Birthday of Martin Luther King is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor. Born January 15, 1929, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. Many people see … [Read more...] about Birthday of Martin Luther King federal holiday
Affordable Christmas dinner to go in the Puget Sound region
Make your holidays more relaxing when you order a Christmas meal for takeout. Puget Sound area grocery stores and restaurants offer prepared Christmas dinners to go featuring a variety of options, including meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, plus side dishes and desserts. Many are surprisingly affordable, … [Read more...] about Affordable Christmas dinner to go in the Puget Sound region
New Years celebrations and traditions
Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. The date January 1 comes from traditions in the Roman empire. The solar calendar first month (January) honored Janus, the god of beginnings. As the saying goes, every day is essentially the start of a new … [Read more...] about New Years celebrations and traditions
Free things to do in December
Listed below are the free things to do in December. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our December events calendar. December 2025 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our advertisers don't … [Read more...] about Free things to do in December
Best things to buy in December
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for December in Seattle stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in December include the week before Christmas Day and the day after … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in December
Affordable December entertainment
Our December events calendar features a wide variety of entertainment in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. As always, we focus on events with a regular adult admission price of $15 or less, or virtual admission of $30. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts … [Read more...] about Affordable December entertainment
Restaurants open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Check our list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area restaurants offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. As usual, we focus on locally owned (or Northwest originated) restaurants with modest prices. We also include popular national chain restaurants. If you are looking for something different, you’ll find a list of … [Read more...] about Restaurants open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
U-cut, pre-cut fresh Christmas trees around the Sound
Here’s our list of Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree, plus some of the best local stores for fresh cut trees and other holiday greenery, as well as holiday lights, ornaments, and other seasonal décor. Choosing a Northwest Christmas Tree The Pacific Northwest is home to many species of … [Read more...] about U-cut, pre-cut fresh Christmas trees around the Sound
7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow
Here is a list of winter sports you can enjoy in Washington State, including popular sports such as skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. Our list starts with indoor ice sports, followed by outdoor snow sports. In addition, we list several other fun activities that appeal to a wide variety of recreational … [Read more...] about 7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow
Voter’s Guide for the Puget Sound region
Our voter’s guide covers information about registration and voting in Washington State, especially for voters in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area and around the Puget Sound basin, including Skagit, Snohomish, Island, Kitsap, King, and Pierce counties. Listed below, you'll find information about registering to vote, voting … [Read more...] about Voter’s Guide for the Puget Sound region
List of Holidays (by month) for 2025
Besides Federal government and Washington State employee holidays there are many other holidays, observances, and special events that occur throughout the year. Popular holidays are often recognized in communities by celebrations such as festivals, parades, shopping discounts, and other revelry. In the lists below, we … [Read more...] about List of Holidays (by month) for 2025
Free Snowflake Lane Christmas parade in Bellevue
Since 2005, Snowflake Lane has strived to be the region's most festive free holiday show. Presented by The Bellevue Collection, it has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s favorite holiday traditions. The Snowflake Lane parade runs nightly from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Join the festivities every … [Read more...] about Free Snowflake Lane Christmas parade in Bellevue
