Welcome the New Year with healthy, active outdoor fun. Polar Bear Dips are for those willing to brave icy Northwest winter water, including Lake Washington and Puget Sound. If you prefer to stay dry, then check out our list below of the many First Day Hikes at Washington State Parks around the region. Polar Bear Dip … [Read more...] about New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dips and First Day Hikes
Seasonal
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
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
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
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
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
Free Christmas tree lighting events around Puget Sound
Listed below we keep a list of Christmas tree lighting celebrations in cities and communities around the Puget Sound region. In case you are wondering where we got the custom of lighting trees in winter, we dug up some interesting history. A short history of Christmas tree traditions The tradition of the … [Read more...] about Free Christmas tree lighting events around Puget Sound
Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
Check our list of locally owned Seattle restaurants and franchises offering Thanksgiving Day dinners. Our selection of restaurants ranges from casual eateries to dinner houses. Some offer a special Thanksgiving dinner menu, some offer their regular menu, and some have both options. Some offer dine-in, others have … [Read more...] about Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
Free family-friendly Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza, and other buildings are closed only on … [Read more...] about Free family-friendly Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Free and cheap holiday events (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa)
Any day of the week during the long holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, you can find FREE and cheap things to do that put you in a festive mood. Some events are short-lived. Some begin on Thanksgiving Weekend (or before) and continue through New Year's Eve. The calendar list below will include all kinds … [Read more...] about Free and cheap holiday events (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa)
Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
Here's a list of Santa photo opportunities. They include free and paid Santa pictures all around the Puget Sound region. All that, and toys, too! We're indubitably impressed! Some of the free Santa photo ops are at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. Most of these free … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. All of the books are available at local libraries, some in several formats including audio books and eBooks. Many would also make wonderful gifts. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Thanksgiving dinner to go from grocers + BBQ + sushi
If you prefer to leave the cooking to someone else, Puget Sound area grocery stores offer prepared Thanksgiving dinners to go featuring turkey and vegetarian options with everyone's favorite side dishes. Pre-order a turkey dinner from local grocery stores and everything comes packaged in ready-to-heat … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving dinner to go from grocers + BBQ + sushi
Our top 10 picks for Seattle shopping on Cyber Monday
Here are our suggestions for Cyber Monday, which always happens right after Thanksgiving Weekend. It's a big prelude to the holiday shopping season with a focus on online shopping deals.If you live in the Seattle metropolitan region and want to add Pacific Northwest flair to your gift giving, check our list of locally … [Read more...] about Our top 10 picks for Seattle shopping on Cyber Monday
November events and entertainment
Our November 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 November events and entertainment
Best things to buy in November
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 November in Seattle stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals include Veterans Day deals (November 11), Black/Green Friday (day … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in November
Free things to do in November
Listed below are the free things to do in November. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our November events calendar. November 2024 free events and 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 … [Read more...] about Free things to do in November
Discount dining for Seattle Restaurant Week
Held twice annually in April and October, Seattle Restaurant Week is the Seattle-Tacoma metro area's largest discount dining celebration. About Seattle Restaurant Week It all started when local area restaurants united to thank diners for their support of the restaurant community over the years. Since its inception, … [Read more...] about Discount dining for Seattle Restaurant Week
All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
The following list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area corn mazes are popular Halloween outings for many families and an alternative "haunt" for thrill-seekers. Some corn mazes are family-friendly, some are scary and creepy, and some are frightening. If you are looking for haunted houses and spooky tours, check out our big … [Read more...] about All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Below, we provide links to pumpkin patches and farm stands selling picked pumpkins in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area around the Puget Sound region. All are open weekends in October, a few open earlier. Some locations are open weekends only, others during the week. Check their website for details before you head out. One … [Read more...] about Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Free things to do in October
Listed below are the free things to do from our September events calendar. For more things to do, see our complete October events calendar. 2024 October free events and things to do Featured Events: The items listed first each day highlighted by a photo are featured events. Featured events are … [Read more...] about Free things to do in October
