Seattle events calendar for January 2018. Best festivals, fairs, fun things to do, Martin Luther King Day events, kids activities, free entertainment in Seattle, Washington.

Free state parks

January 1, 2018

statewide

New Year’s Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, so you can spend it exploring any of these 140 Washington State Parks. Free.

Christmas lights - Seattle zoo

January 1, 2018 (begins Nov. 24)

5 miles north

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

New Year’s Day run/walk

January 1, 2018

7 miles NE

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.

Polar Bear Plunge - Seattle

January 1, 2018

8 miles NE

Join 1000 people wading into Lake Washington to celebrate the new year at the Polar Bear Plunge, or just watch from shore. Costumes are encouraged. Matthews Beach Park has limited parking. Free.

Christmas lights - Tacoma zoo

January 1, 2018 (begins Nov. 24)

40 miles south

Bundle up to admire half a million holiday lights and displays at Zoolights in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo from 5 to 9 p.m. Closed Dec. 24.

Polar Bear Plunge - Tacoma

January 1, 2018

41 miles south

Jump into the cold waters of Puget Sound at Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance boat launch, and then warm up at heating tents with hot drinks. Separate kids’ plunge. Free.

Winter at Seattle Center

January 1 - 7, 2018 (begins Nov. 24)

1 mile NW

Enjoy holiday lights, skating at Fisher Pavilion (cost), folk dancers, carolers, dancers, ice sculptors, model trains, and entertainment during Winterfest at the Seattle Center. See schedule. Closed Dec. 25. Free.

Art walk

January 4, 2018

1 mile south

Head to historic Pioneer Square for the January First Thursday Art Walk, when art galleries open their doors to introduce new exhibitions and artists. Free.

Free museums

January 4, 2018

Seattle locations

Visit these free on the first Thursday of the month.

• Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the U.W.
• Museum of History & Industry at South Lake Union
• Seattle Art Museum downtown (and see any special exhibition for half price)

Remodeling expo

January 5 - 7, 2018

0.5 mile east

Get ideas for your dream home from speakers, vendors, and remodeling experts at the Northwest Remodeling Expo at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

Puyallup Home and Garden Show

January 5 - 7, 2018

36 miles south

Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show in the Showplex at Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup.

Nordic films

January 11 - 14, 2018

1.2 miles NW

See contemporary films, both short and long, from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden at Nordic Lights Film Festival at the SIFF Film Center.

Science-fiction convention

January 12 - 14, 2018

13.8 miles south

Rustycon is a science-fiction and fantasy convention that focuses on literature, science, art, costumes, and gaming at Seattle Airport Marriott.

Wedding show

January 13 - 14, 2018

0.5 mile east

Live and breathe weddings at the Seattle Wedding Show in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Expect fashion shows, discount gowns, and 400 vendors.

Leavenworth ice festival

January 13 - 14, 2018

119 miles east

Enjoy invigorating outdoor events like snow sculpture, tug ‘o war, ice-cube scramble, snowshoe racing, dog sledding, and the famous Smooshing Contest at the Bavarian Icefest in Leavenworth.

Free state parks

January 15, 2018

statewide

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Sunday and Monday, which are State Parks Free Days, at any of these 140 Washington State Parks. Free.

Free national parks

January 15, 2018

All national parks

Entry is free at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

MLK Day breakfast

January 15, 2018

0.2 miles SE

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast includes food, a speaker, and a gospel choir at the Sheraton Hotel.

MLK Day march & rally

January 15, 2018

2 miles east

Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March includes speeches and workshops at Garfield High School, a rally in the gym at 11 a.m., and a march at 12:30 p.m. to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building for a second rally. Free.

MLK Day in Tacoma

January 15, 2018

34 miles south

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration features a keynote speaker plus music, dance, and poetry at Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Free.

Tacoma RV Show

January 18 - 21, 2018

33 miles south

Check out hundreds of recreational vehicles at the Tacoma RV Show in the Tacoma Dome. Repeats Oct.

Chamber music

January 19 - 21 and 26 - 28, 2018

0.5 mile south

Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Winter Festival at Nordstrom Recital Hall in Benaroya Hall has a free recital before each performance. Repeats in July.

Ellensburg beer festival

January 20, 2018

107 miles east

WinterHop BrewFest includes a souvenir glass, five tastings from 20 microbreweries, and music in downtown Ellensburg.

Model train show

January 20 - 21, 2018

37 miles south

The Great Train Show features model train layouts and hundreds of vendors at the Washington State Fair Showplex in Puyallup. Repeats in November.

Tacoma Home and Garden Show

January 25 - 28, 2018

33 miles south

The Tacoma Home & Garden Show fills the Tacoma Dome with home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants.

Strange beer festival

January 26 - 27, 2018

54 miles NW via Bainbridge ferry

Enjoy beer in odd flavors from dozens of breweries and watch live music and entertainment at Strange Brewfest at American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.

Leavenworth music concert

January 26 - 27, 2018

117 miles east

Hear 14 acts indoors over two days at Timbrrr! Winter Festival in Leavenworth, counterpart to the Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in July. Most events age 21+.

Boat show

January 26 - Feb. 3, 2018

1.5 miles south

Seattle Boat Show, which promises 1000 boats and watercraft on display plus 200 boating seminars, is at CenturyLink Field, with a free shuttle to boats in the water at South Lake Union.

Frog day

January 27, 2018

35 miles north

Enjoy kids’ activities, see Princess Amphibiana and the mayor introduce a frog named Snohomish Slew, dance to music, play games, and meet firefighters at the GroundFrog Day Celebration in Snohomish. Free.

Gingerbread houses

January 2018 (undated)

0.2 miles SE

See elaborate displays made mostly of food at the Gingerbread Village in the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel. Free and open 24 hours.

Film festival

January 2018 (undated)

0.4 miles north

Watch juried selections at Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival on the giant Cinerama screen.

Children’s Film Festival

January 2018 (undated)

1 mile east

See the best and brightest in international cinema for children ages 3 to 12 at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle at Northwest Film Forum.

Coffee festival

January 2018 (undated)

1 mile NW

Taste coffee, see exhibits, and attend classes at the consumer CoffeeCon at the Seattle Center Armory.

Model trains - Seattle

January 2018 (undated)

1 mile NW

See dozens of model-train displays and layouts, try hands-on activities, and ride the kid-sized train at the Model Railroad Show at the Pacific Science Center.

Belgian beer festival

January 2018 (undated)

1.1 miles NW

Buy a ticket to Belgian Fest and you can choose 10 beers to taste out of 100 brewed in Washington using Belgian yeast at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center for age 21+.

Willy Wonka with candy

January 2018 (undated)

1.3 miles NW

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in Smell-O-Vision includes a bag of “fragrant and tasty treats” to eat as you watch Gene Wilder at SIFF Film Center.

Light & sound art in the greenhouse

January 2018 (undated)

2 miles NE

Orphic is a family-friendly “exploration of light and sound” made by local artists and musicians at the Volunteer Park Conservatory. Tickets at the door.

Free trapeze show

January 2018 (undated)

2.5 miles south

The Student Show at Emerald City Trapeze features students performing a diverse array of aerial arts, high flying trapeze, and circus acts. Free.

Free concert

January 2018 (undated)

4.5 miles NE

Side by Side features the Seattle Symphony Orchestra playing Gershwin and more with Roosevelt High School Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Hall (50 minutes). Free.

Local film festival

January 2018 (undated)

6.3 miles north

See locally made short films, vote for your favorites, and buy bites and brews at Cine-City: Community Film Exposé at Naked City Brewery & Taphouse in Greenwood.

Chili & beer

January 2018 (undated)

13.4 miles NE

Sample dark beers from 16 local breweries plus specialty chilies at Dark Beer & Chili Competition at 192 Brewing in Kenmore to support charity.

Winter run

January 2018 (undated)

16.4 miles NE

Worst Day of the Year Run is a 5K winter run that begins at McMenamins Bothell and has a costume contest, plus an indoor finish line party with food and a beer garden. (Run twice to make it a 10K.)

Ice Racing

January 2018 (undated)

28.3 miles north

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 Xfinity Arena in Everett.

Model Train Festival

January 2018 (undated)

33 miles south

Watch model trains run through detailed scenes of the Pacific Northwest, and see railroad-history exhibits at the Model Train Festival at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. See Santa some days.

Monster trucks

January 2018 (undated)

33 miles south

Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.

Fishing, hunting, camping

January 2018 (undated)

36 miles south

Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at the state fair center in Puyallup.

Tacoma brass concert

January 2018 (undated)

39 miles south

The annual Sounds of Brass Concert is held at Tacoma Community College. Repeats in April. Donation.

MLK celebration

January 2018 (undated)

0.4 miles NE

You’re welcome to attend the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Paramount Theatre. Free.

MLK celebration

January 2018 (undated)

1.5 miles east

The annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a keynote speaker and live gospel music at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Free.