Resolution Run 5K and Polar Bear Dive includes an optional dip in the cold waters of Lake Washington, awards, snacks, and a beer garden at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE in Seattle.
Join 1000 people running into Lake Washington at noon to celebrate the new year at the Polar Bear Plunge, or just watch from shore. Costumes are encouraged. Parking is limited at Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St. The Polar Bear Cub for kids is 11:45 a.m.
Jump into the cold waters of Puget Sound during Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance Marina, 5912 Waterfront Dr. in Tacoma. Afterward, warm up at heating tents with hot drinks. Separate kids’ plunge (11:30 a.m.).
Bundle up to admire 1.5 million holiday lights and displays at Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo, 5400 N Pearl St. in Tacoma. Closed Dec. 24 & 25. Pay to bring your dog on some nights.
Monthly Columbia City Night Market has 8 food trucks, 20 makers and vendors, live music, and a beer garden on 37th Avenue S. (from S. Ferdinand to S. Edmunds). Walk 10 minutes from Columbia City rail station to 4850 37th Ave. S in Seattle.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day includes an indoor rally (11 a.m.), a march to city hall (12:30 p.m.), and then a bus ride back to Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave. in Seattle.
King Day “is a family friendly celebration designed to foster learning, connection, and dialogue across generations” with exhibitions, activities, and free admission to the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St. in Seattle.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration features a fair with local organizations (11 a.m.) and a program (1 p.m.). Free parking on the street and at Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce St. in Tacoma.
UW Dance Presents “showcases original choreography by internationally recognized faculty and visiting artists” to live music in Meany Hall for the Performing Arts at 4040 George Washington Lane NE in Seattle.
Shop for bigfoot gear; hear speakers; taste local beer, wine, and cider; watch a calling contest; visit the children’s arts & crafts area; and meet “renowned researchers and authors” at sQuatch Fest at Cowlitz County Fairgrounds, 1900 7th Ave. in Longview. Children younger than five years old are free. Schedule.
Enjoy furry costumes, art vendors, games, panel discussions, and a masquerade dance at Anthro Northwest at Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St. in Seattle. See minors policy if younger than age 18.
See four displays made mostly of food at Gingerbread Village in Sheraton Grand Seattle, 1400 6th Ave. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., extended to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Donation box. The theme changes each year.
A ticket to The Sound of Music film starring Julie Andrews includes “a tote bag filled with interactive surprises,” attendees in costume, pre-movie trivia, and subtitles on screen so you can sing along at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Ave. in Seattle.
Live and breathe weddings at the Seattle Wedding Show in the Seattle Convention Center, 705 Pike St. in Seattle. Expect fashion shows, discount gowns, and hundreds of vendors. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Bohemia is a “macabre and mystical dream cabaret” that combines classical music, art nouveau, green fairies, aerial numbers, dance, burlesque, classical piano battles, comedy, and original songs at The Triple Door, 216 Union St. in Seattle. Must be age 17+, except the 8:45 p.m. show is age 21+. Closed Mon. & Tues.
Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Winter Festival has a free recital before each performance in Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle. Repeats in July.
Wonderland is a whimsical winter cabaret and burlesque show that promises “a glittering parade of nostalgia, exploding with dance, laughter, and all the cheer of yesteryear” at Can Can Culinary Cabaret, 95 Pine St. in Seattle for age 21+. Food and drinks for sale.
Banff Mountain Film Festival promises “an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world” when it screens films that are award-winners and audience favorites at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle. Other screenings in a dozen Washington cities.
Hear talks by travel experts (including Rick Steves and Pauline Frommer) and shop from travel industry vendors at the Travel & Adventure Show at Seattle Convention Center Arch, 705 Pike St. in Seattle.
National Geographic Live presents scientists, photographers, filmmakers, and adventurers live on stage with amazing photos and video at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle.
Hear one of six new plays written by Seattle playwrights being read aloud during New Works Northwest at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St. in Seattle. [Don’t confuse with Northwest New Works Festival held in June.]
La Galette des Rois features galettes accompanied by a French cider tasting and soft drinks in a room above the French bakery at Centennial Tower, 2515 4th Ave. in Seattle.
SEAshucked Gala features “live sushi hand rolling, fresh oysters, decadent caviar, a delightful charcuterie spread, cupcakes, bubbly Chandon, and fantastic cocktails” with a sky-high view at Columbia Tower Club, 701 5th Ave. in Seattle.
Watch four films, play games, make crafts, “enjoy themed cocktails and snacks in the lounge,” and see a panel discussion during Follow the Yellow Brick Road at Museum of Pop Culture, 325 5th Ave. N in Seattle. Buy a one-day or two-day pass, with a discount for Washington residents.
Watch 100 minutes of short films selected from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival program, including “fiction, documentary, and animation from around the world” at Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. in Seattle.
SAAS Summit is “an all-ages, multi-modal experience with thought-provoking discussions, interactive breakout sessions, and networking activities” featuring seven local speakers at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1201 E Union St. in Seattle. Held in Jan. and Oct.
Daphne “finds romance in the beauty and celebration of nature, not in the arms of men” with pastoral music by Strauss. Seattle Opera performs in German with English subtitles at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. in Seattle.
Seattle Boat Show has 800 boats and watercraft on display plus 150 boating seminars at Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S in Seattle. A free shuttle goes to boats in the water at Bell Harbor Marina. Children age 17 and younger are free.
Seven local dancers of Whim W’Him perform works created by “three acclaimed choreographers” in the show Winter ‘26 at Cornish Playhouse, 201 Mercer St. in Seattle.
Lunar New Year Family Fair includes lion dances and speeches outdoors for free, plus games and crafts indoors if you buy a ticket to Wing Luke Museum, 719 S King St. in the Seattle. Expect crowds.
Robert Burns Night includes a bagpipe band, the reading of poems by Robert Burns, Scottish dishes, a welcome sherry, and four tastes of whiskey at The Barrel Thief, 3417 Evanston Ave. N #102 in Seattle for age 21+.
Walk to 16 restaurants serving a variety of soups (for example, gumbo, curry, pozole, chowder, stew) during Fremont Soupocalypse, which requires no ticket and offers a prize after you collect eight soup stamps. The restaurants include Fremont Mischief Distillery, 132 N Canal St. in Seattle.
Watch the Washington Huskies play an exciting exhibition game with the UNLV Rebels in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, 3870 Montlake Blvd. NE in Seattle.
WildLanterns features “large-scale animal and nature scape lanterns representing wild places from around the globe” including bugs, lions, pandas, parrots, and dragons, with snacks for sale and a performance in the entrance building at Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle.
See WildLanterns’ amazing luminary displays, have animal encounters, take carousel rides, and visit holiday-themed lounges with fireplaces selling specialty cocktails and food during Night Owls at Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle for age 21+.
Grad Lab Concert is “an evening-length work co-created and performed by U.W. Master of Fine Arts
candidates” at Meany Center for the Performing Arts, 4040 George Washington Lane NE in Seattle.
“Discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song” at Astra Lumina, a pricey walk with special-effects lighting and sound in Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW in Seattle.
The annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a breakfast, a keynote speaker, live music, and a community conversation at South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW in Seattle.
Play board games, card games, role playing games, and miniatures games during OrcaCon, which includes panel discussions, workshop, and vendors in Hilton Bellevue, 300 112th Ave. SE in Bellevue.
ShoreLights is “a dazzling showcase of light” covering art installations and trees in the Park at Town Center, 17550 Aurora Ave. N in Shoreline. Closes 9 p.m. Free parking.
Buy a handmade ceramic bowl at Empty Bowls to fund charity, and you’ll also get a bowl of soup with bread, dessert, and a drink at Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. SW in Burien.
See edible exhibits plus the books that inspired them, and then vote for your favorites during the Edible Book Festival at Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE in Lake Forest Park. Some entrants may offer tastes to the public after 12:30 p.m. Poster.
Kidstock offers musical performances, arts & dance workshops, carnival games, face painting, a root beer garden, and a fire truck at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N in Edmonds.
Cork, Fork & Support includes “delicious heavy appetizers,” tastes from four local wineries, a speaker, and an auction to support charity at Maryhill Tasting Room & Bistro at Hollywood Schoolhouse, 14810 NE 145th St. in Woodinville.
A ticket to Wassail Cider Fest includes a commemorative glass, 10 tasting tokens, a live band, and folk dancers at McMenamins Anderson School, 18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell for age 21+. You’re welcome to “wear a costume of bright colors with medieval flair” since there will be a costume contest.
Watch motorcycles go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds over a slippery ice surface at Xtreme International Ice Racing as drivers compete to earn points at Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett.
Kids meet the Snow Sisters, make a snowflake magic wand, get crowned with a rhinestone tiara, sing, dance, watch snow fall, and enjoy “assorted small bites, desserts, and pink lemonade” at the Royal Winter Ball at Party Magic, 29006 216th Ave. SE in Black Diamond. Costumes welcome. Each ticket includes adult and child.
Tacoma Home & Garden Show features home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D Street in Tacoma. Free for children age 12 and younger.
Check out hundreds of recreational vehicles at the Tacoma RV Show in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D Street in Tacoma. Children age 16 and younger are free. Free parking. Repeats in Oct.
Watch model trains run through detailed scenes of the Pacific Northwest, and see railroad-history exhibits at the Model Train Festival at Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. Free for children age 5 and younger.
The Illuminated Ballroom is a family-friendly event with performers, music, hands-on art making, and beverages available in Courthouse Square, 1102 A Street in Tacoma. Check out illuminated art on the nearby Tacoma Light Trail.
Tulalip Lights & Ice has 9.7 million lights on plants surrounding the casino entrance ponds and the Tulalip Amphitheater at 10400 34th Ave. NE in Tulalip. Ice skating, food for sale, and a beer garden. See Santa some nights.
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Children age 5 and younger are free.
The Great Train Show features model train layouts, a kids’ play area, and hundreds of vendors at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Children age 11 and younger are free.
Puyallup Flat Track features motorcycles and quads racing on an indoor track at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Enter at the green gate. Children age 5 and younger are free. Schedule.
See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at the Pacific Northwest Reptile and Exotic Animal Show at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Bring no pets. Held in January & July.
Each paying adult can bring two children for free (age 12 or younger) during Kids & Critters Weekends at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Drive E in Eatonville. Valid on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Olympia Funk Festival promises “three days of electrifying funk music, non-stop dancing, and pure celebration” in the Olympia Ballroom and at Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave. SE in Olympia.
WinterHop BrewFest includes music, a souvenir glass, and five tastings from 13 microbreweries in shops near the event headquarters, which is in Ellensburg Unity Park, 417 N Pearl St. in Ellensburg. Bring age 21+ ID.
Taste of the Northwest includes six oysters plus 12 tastes of wine, beer, and whiskey, with live music and light appetizers at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, 104 W Woodin Ave. in Chelan. Optional dinner on Saturday.
Dress warmly for Lake Chelan Winterfest, which features ice sculptures, live music, wine & ale tasting, kids’ activities, a polar bear splash, a giant beach bonfire, and fireworks on the sunnier side of the state.
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January 2027
