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. Most activities are open 10am-6pm, though some have shorter or longer hours. Many of the activities take place indoors at the Armory Main Level and Fisher Pavilion. There are also some outdoor activities on the plaza in front of Fisher Pavilion and around the International Fountain. More detail on each of the activities is found below.
Seattle Center Winterfest activities
The grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza and other buildings are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Free Winter Train & Village in the Seattle Center Armory is an enchanting turn-of-the-century village and model train. Take a turn controlling the model train between 10:30 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM and 3:30-5:30 PM daily for a $2 suggested donation. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Free ice sculpting by award-winning artists. Outside Fisher Pavilion. Saturdays in December.
Free entertainment in the Seattle Center Armory on weekends. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Free New Year’s Eve Celebration. In the hours leading up to the Space Needle Fireworks DJ electronic music accompanies a visual light show projected onto the International Fountain. The event ends at 11:45PM, when everyone can head outside for the fireworks show from atop the Space Needle.
Winterfest Ice Rink. Fisher Pavilion. Admission: $8 for adults, $6 children ages 6-12, $2 children ages 5 and under, includes skate rental. Dec 24 closes 4pm, Dec 25 closed, Dec 31 closes 11:30pm.
More info: http://www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest/
