Seattle events calendar for December 2015. Festivals, fun things to do, Christmas events, Christmas lights, Christmas ships, New Year’s Eve parties, Seattle, WA.

Christmas tree festival

December 1 - 2, 2015 (begins Nov. 21)

0.5 mile south

View 21 designer trees in the lobby and driveway of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel during the annual Festival of Trees charity event. See schedule for gala, family celebration, and teddy bear suite. Free to view.

Santa Train

December 1 - 19, 2015 (begins Nov. 28)

36 miles east

The Northwest Railway Museum runs a popular 20-minute Santa Train from North Bend to the Snoqualmie Depot for cookies and a visit with Santa. Runs Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 18-19.

Reindeer festival - Issaquah

December 1 - 23, 2015

14 miles east

Visit Cougar Mountain Zoo when it’s decorated like the North Pole to welcome Santa with his reindeer and sleigh during the Issaquah Reindeer Festival.

Reindeer festival - Seattle

December 1 - 24, 2015 (begins Nov. 14)

7 miles NW

Visit live reindeer and watch model trains wind their way through a winter landscape during the Reindeer Festival at Swanson’s Nursery. Free.

Bellevue street show

December 1 - 24, 2015 (begins Nov. 27)

10 miles east

Enjoy a 20-minute show of lights, music, falling snow, young dancers, and drummers in uniform every night on Snowflake Lane (Bellevue Way). Free.

Nutcracker ballet

December 1 - 28, 2015 (begins Nov. 27)

1 mile NW

The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for families and ballet lovers, with a live orchestra, magnificent sets and costumes, and a huge cast in McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Watch for a version in 2015.

Christmas lights - Seattle zoo

Dec. 1 - 31, 2015 (Nov. 27 - Jan. 3)

5 miles north

WildLights has 500,000 lights in animal shapes, real reindeer, night creatures, a carousel, indoor play, and carolers at Woodland Park Zoo. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.

Christmas lights - Bellevue

Dec. 1 - 31, 2015 (Nov. 28 - Jan. 2)

11 miles east

Enjoy zillions of colorful lights and displays at Garden d’Lights in Bellevue Botanical Garden. Sometimes a line on free nights.

Christmas lights - Tacoma zoo

Dec. 1 - 31, 2015 (Nov. 27 - Jan. 3)

40 miles south

Bundle up to admire half a million holiday lights and displays at Zoolights in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo. Open every evening except December 24.

Victorian Christmas

December 2 - 6, 2015

37 miles south

A Victorian Country Christmas has 560 booths with vendors in Victorian costumes selling art, jewelry, decorations, clothing, and toys at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center.

Christmas improv

December 3 - 27, 2015 (begins Nov. 27)

0.4 miles SW

Audience suggestions add hilarious twists to An Improvised Christmas Carol by Unexpected Productions at Pike Place Market.

Caroling at Westlake

December 4, 2015

0 miles

Hear 40 caroling teams sing outside Westlake Center, and then vote for your favorite at Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition or register teams.

Tour artists’ studios

December 4 - 6, 2015

Seattle locations

Shop from two-dozen artists in their studios making clothing, jewelry, glass, ceramics, prints, and more on Seattle Sampling Artists’ Studio Tour. Free.

Bavarian Christmas

December 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 2015

117 miles east

Enjoy Christmas lights twinkling on snow, roasted chestnuts, sleigh rides, and caroling at the annual Leavenworth Christmas Lighting.

Drawing day

December 5, 2015

2 miles NE

Get creative with drawing materials, open studios, live models, live music, and food trucks at family-friendly Drawing Jam at Gage Academy of Art.

Champagne tasting

December 5, 2015 (uncertain)

4 miles north

Sample champagne and sparkling wine from 14 stations, with appetizers, at Champagne & Bubbles Extravaganza at Wine World and Spirits.

Art for $100

December 5, 2015

5 miles south

Find affordable art from 50 artists, free crafts, DJ music, and food trucks at Art Under $100 at Seattle Design Center.

Lights in Redmond

December 5, 2015

15 miles NE

Redmond Lights starts with singers & dancers at city hall at 4 p.m. When the holiday lights go on at 5 p.m. follow 100 luminaries past choirs and performers to Redmond Town Center for activities & carols to 8 p.m.

Scandinavian Christmas

December 5, 2015

22 miles NW via Bainbridge ferry

Jule Fest is a free Scandinavian bazaar of arts and crafts, folk dancing, Vikings, Christmas tree lighting, a bonfire, a Lucia bride, and Santa Claus in Poulsbo.

Craft show

December 5 - 6, 2015

1 mile NW

Shop for hand-crafted clothing, jewelry, toys, stationery, art, candles, housewares, and food at Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show in the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center. Repeats in July. Free.

Phinney winter festival

December 5 - 6, 2015

5 miles north

The Winter Festival & Crafts Fair has 100+ arts and crafts vendors, musicians and dancers, and lunch and baked goods at Phinney Center.

South-end pops concert

December 6, 2015

23 miles south

Federal Way Symphony plays holiday favorites and classical music at Winter Wonders Holiday Concert at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Federal Way.

Celtic Christmas

December 6 - 14, 2015

multiple cities

Celtic Yuletide by Magical Strings is Irish music, dance, storytelling, juggling, and songs in Bellevue, Kent, Leavenworth, Mt. Vernon, Tacoma, and Seattle.

Nutcracker Ballet - north end

December 11 - 20, 2015

Everett & Edmonds

Olympic Ballet Theatre performs The Nutcracker at Everett Performing Arts Center Dec. 11 to 13, and Edmonds Center for the Arts Dec. 17 to 20.

Jingle Bell run - Seattle

December 13, 2015

0 miles

Wear a costume or tie on bells for the 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at Westlake Center.

Seattle jazz

December 13, 2015

1.5 miles NW

Hear the entire score of the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, preceded by cocktails at Cornish Playhouse at the Seattle Center.

Handel’s Messiah

December 18 - 20, 2015

0.5 mile south

Handel’s Messiah is a holiday tradition performed by the Seattle Symphony & Chorale at Benaroya Hall.

Affordable Nutcracker

December 19 - 20, 2015

11 miles east

The low-budget Nutcracker by Cornerstone Studio has a youthful cast that wows with breakdancing and acrobatics at Bellevue High School.

Christmas show

December 19 - 23, 2015

34 miles south

The Christmas Revels is a family-oriented celebration of the winter solstice. Expect music, dance, theater, song, and storytelling at Rialto Theater in Tacoma.

Model train festival

December 21, 2015 - Jan. 1, 2016

33 miles south

See model train displays on all floors, and get a photo with Santa Dec. 21-23 at the Model Train Festival at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma.

Jingle Bell run - Tacoma

December 24, 2015

36 miles south

Run or walk 3 miles at the Jingle Bell Run at Wright Park in Tacoma. Costumes are welcome.

Christmas jazz

December 26, 2015

0.6 miles SE

Sacred Music by Duke Ellington features the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, plus guest vocalists, a chorus, and a tap dancer at Town Hall Seattle.

New Year’s street show

December 26 - 31, 2015

10 miles east

Celebration Lane is a 20-minute exuberant display of bright lights, rocking music, and drummers dancing with costumed characters on Bellevue Way. Free.

New Year’s Eve restaurants

December 31, 2015

Seattle locations

Find a list of restaurants that offer special menus and celebrations for New Year’s Eve at OpenTable.

New Year’s Eve for foodies

December 31, 2015

0.5 miles NW

Dress up and pay up to enjoy 8 innovative appetizers with chef introductions, drinks, champagne, and live music at The Best of 2015 NYE Party at Coterie Room.

New Year’s Eve symphony

December 31, 2015 (9 p.m.)

0.5 mile south

New Year’s Eve: Concert, Countdown & Celebration features classical music performed by the Seattle Symphony, a countdown with a live band, dancing, and a toast, at Benaroya Hall.

New Year’s Eve at the Needle

December 31, 2015

1 mile NW

Put on a winter coat and head to Seattle Center for the West Coast’s best New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight. The Space Needle is the tallest structure on earth that launches fireworks. Parties upstairs sell out early, but the view from the ground is free.

New Year’s Eve at Chihuly

December 31, 2015

1 mile NW

New Year’s Eve pARTy includes appetizers & dessert, live music and dancing, a tour of the exhibits, and a champagne toast with a view of the Space Needle’s fireworks through the Glasshouse ceiling at Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center. Free parking.

New Year’s Eve at EMP

December 31, 2015

1 mile NW

Indulgence is billed as Seattle’s biggest New Year’s Eve bash, with 3,000 guests, 3 performance stages, comedy, and dancing to live music at Experience Music Project, with museum access. Sells out.

New Year’s Eve science

December 31, 2015

1 mile NW

SPECTRA 2016: New Year's Eve Under the Arches has aerial acts, fire sculptures, laser shows, dancing, appetizers, champagne, and a view of the Space Needle fireworks at Pacific Science Center, age 21+.

New Year’s Eve film

December 31, 2015

1.4 miles NW

Watch the glamorous film with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman at Moulin Rouge! New Year’s Eve Sing Along, including champagne at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

New Year’s Eve party

December 31, 2015

1.5 miles south

Resolution is a massive celebration with 6,000 balloons, 500 pounds of confetti, aerial acrobatics, spectacular lighting effects, music, dancing, bars, at WaMu Theater. White and gold attire recommended.

New Year’s Eve comedy

December 31, 2015

3.3 miles north

Blue Years Eve features bawdy adult comedy, a champagne toast at midnight, music, and dancing at ComedySportz in Fremont.

New Year’s Eve in Fremont

December 31, 2015

4 miles north

Bonza Bash New Year’s Eve promises a night of glitz, glamour, celebration, and fun at Fremont Studios.

New Year’s Eve show

Dec. 31, 2015

4 miles NW

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza is a variety show done by the Moisture Festival with midnight champagne and treats at Hale’s Ales Palladium.

New Year’s Eve in Tacoma

December 31, 2015

33 miles south

First Night Tacoma fills the last day of the year with family friendly entertainment, including a short parade, fun run, music and dance shows, puppets, and a fiery midnight spectacle in downtown Tacoma.

Beer festival

December 2015 (undated)

7 miles NE

Try winter beers from 50 Washington breweries with food truck cuisine at Winter Beer Fest at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park, then vote for your favorites.

Charles Dickens festival

December 2015 (undated)

35 miles south

Dickens Festival at Stadium has street singers, a fun run, carriage rides, vendors, a luminary parade, and an evening dance in Tacoma’s Stadium District. Santa is at the conservatory. A Victorian concert is Sun.

Holiday exchange

December 2015 (undated)

5.5 miles NW

No money changes hands at the Holiday Party & Barter Fair. Instead bring things you cooked, made, or do as a service to trade at Ballard Alki Lodge. Free.

Dance films

December 2015 (undated)

1.2 miles east

Next Dance Cinema features local and international dance on screen at Northwest Film Forum.

Rock concert

December 2015 (undated)

1 mile NW

Deck the Hall Ball is an annual marathon concert that features popular bands at Key Arena, run by Seattle radio station KNDD 107.7 FM or “The End.”

CityClub lunch

December 2015 (undated)

0.1 miles north

Hear local leaders discuss current events at Seattle CityClub’s Annual Year in Review at the Westin Hotel.

Contemporary dance

December 2015 (undated)

1.2 miles east

Next Fest NW Performance is a contemporary dance series at Velocity Dance Center.

Star Trek convention

December 2015 (undated)

11 miles east

Trekkies of the world unite for parties, contests, and celebrity visits at The Official Star Trek Convention at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Christmas play

December 2015 (undated)

0.3 miles east

A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ holiday classic about the miraculous transformation of miserly Scrooge at ACT Theatre.

Christmas ships parade

December 2015 (undated)

Lake Washington & Puget Sound

Ride onboard with the choir or listen from shore at a bonfire during Christmas Ship Festival. See schedule.

Christmas concert

December 2015 (undated)

Seattle and Tacoma

PLU Christmas features the choir, chorale, and orchestra of Pacific Lutheran University at Benaroya Hall and at PLU in Tacoma.

Holiday chorus

December 2015 (undated)

Seattle, Tacoma, Everett

Seattle Men’s Chorus sings holiday songs at Benaroya Hall, as well as Everett and Tacoma.

Christmas plays

December 2015 (undated)

Seattle, Edmonds, Renton

• Ham for the Holidays is wicked comedy at ACT.
• Christmastown: A Holiday Noir is an adult detective comedy at Bathhouse Theater.
• Unruly kids take over the church pageant in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Bathhouse Theater.

Holiday burlesque

December 2015 (undated)

5 miles SE

The Best Burlesque Pageant Ever is an over-the-top adult comedy at Columbia City Theater.

Lights at Wild Waves

December 2015 (undated)

25 miles south

See colorful displays with a million lights, and go on rides at Holiday with Lights in Federal Way.

Holiday concert

December 2015 (undated)

0.6 miles SE

Holiday Pops with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra includes a sing along to favorite songs and a visit from Santa at Town Hall Seattle.

Bellevue concert

December 2015 (undated)

9 miles east

Brass Band Northwest plays Christmas and holiday music with guest singers at All I Want for Christmas at Bellevue Presbyterian. Donation.

Campy Christmas

December 2015 (undated)

11 miles NE

Holiday Late Night is billed as fierce, fabulous, and festive. It’s a campy evening of drag, satire, and holiday traditions turned on their heads at Kirkland Performance Center.

Holiday show

December 2015 (undated)

11 miles NE

KPC’s Olde Time Holiday Show features a variety of singers, dancers, circus performers, illusionists, a pianist, an opera singer, and audience members at the Kirkland Performance Center.