Free state park day
January 1, 2021
statewide
New Year’s Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, so you can spend it exploring any of the 140 Washington State Parks. Free.
Seattle events January 2021
New Year’s Day run/walk
January 1, 2021
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, 2021
8 miles NE
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. Matthews Beach Park has limited parking. Free.
Polar Bear Plunge - Tacoma
January 1, 2021
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 (11:30 a.m.). Free.
Christmas lights - Seattle zoo
January 1 - 3, 2021
(begins Nov. 27)
5 miles north
WildLights has 800,000 lights in animal shapes, plus animal encounters, fire pits, snowball fights, a lighted carousel, hot chocolate, and adult beverages at Woodland Park Zoo from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Closed Dec. 24 & 25. Free parking.
Christmas lights - Tacoma zoo
January 1 - 3, 2021
(begins Nov. 27)
40 miles south
Bundle up to admire 700,000 holiday lights and displays, plus the South Pacific Aquarium at Zoolights in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo from 5 to 9 p.m. Closed Dec. 24.
Art walk
January 7, 2021
1 mile south
Head to historic Pioneer Square for this month’s First Thursday Art Walk, when art galleries open their doors to introduce new exhibitions and artists. Free.
Free museums
January 7, 2021
Seattle locations
Visit these free on the first Thursday of every month.
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the U.W. You can reserve an entry time on the website.
- Museum of History & Industry at South Lake Union
- Seattle Art Museum downtown (and any special exhibition is discounted)
Puyallup Home and Garden Show
January 8 - 10, 2021
36 miles south
Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Wedding show
January 9 - 10, 2021
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.
Ellensburg beer festival
January 16, 2021
107 miles east
WinterHop BrewFest includes a souvenir glass, five tastings from 20 microbreweries, and music in downtown Ellensburg for age 21+. Usually sells out.
Leavenworth ice festival
January 16 - 17, 2021
119 miles east
Enjoy invigorating outdoor events like snow sculpture, ice-cube scramble, snowball tossing, and the famous smooshing contest at Bavarian Icefest in Leavenworth.
Model trains - Seattle
January 16 - 18, 2021
1 mile NW
See dozens of model-train displays and layouts, join hands-on demonstrations and activities, and ride a mini train around the courtyard at the Model Railroad Show at the Pacific Science Center. The Imax movie about a Canadian steam-train ride is optional.
Tacoma brass concert
January 17, 2021
39 miles south
The annual Sounds of Brass Concert is held at Tacoma Community College. Repeats in April. Donation.
Free state park day
January 18, 2021
statewide
Martin Luther King Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, which allows you to visit any of the 140 Washington State Parks. Free.
Free national park day
January 18, 2021
All national parks
Entry is free at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks. Expect more people and less parking than usual.
MLK Day rally & march
January 18, 2021
2 miles east
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day includes an 8:30 a.m. job fair and workshops at Garfield High School, a rally at 11 a.m., a march at 12:30 p.m. to city hall, and then a bus ride back to a community meal. Free.
MLK Day in Tacoma
January 18, 2021
34 miles south
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration features a keynote speaker plus music, dance, and poetry at Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The community outreach fair is earlier (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) Free.
Fishing, hunting, camping show
January 27 - 31, 2021
36 miles south
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Tacoma Home and Garden Show
January 28 - 31, 2021
33 miles south
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show fills the Tacoma Dome with home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants.
Masquerade ball
January 29, 2021
1 mile east
Dress up and dance to swing, blues, Latin, foxtrots, and waltzes at Masquerade, with live music at the Century Ballroom for age 21+. Mask required.
Strange beer festival
January 29 - 30, 2021
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.
Frog day
January 30, 2021
29.3 miles NE
Instead of celebrating Groundhog’s Day, meet a frog named Snohomish Slew at the annual GroundFrog Day Celebration, with kids’ games, crafts, music, mascots, family entertainment, and photo opportunities at the Riverfront Gazebo in Snohomish. Free.
Pajama pub crawl
January 2021
(undated)
Downtown Seattle
Dress for bedtime and join the Onesie Pub Crawl, following the posted route to visit 6 or more bars offering drink specials downtown, with live entertainment and a costume contest for age 21+.
Women’s march
January 2021
(undated)
multiple locations
Womxn’s March on Seattle includes a rally at Cal Anderson Park and a march downtown. Free.
Gingerbread houses
January 2021
(undated)
0.2 miles SE
See five elaborate houses made mostly of food at the Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Lines can be long at times. Open until 9 p.m., except 11 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays. Free.
Chamber music
January 2021
(undated)
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.
Guys singing
January 2021
(undated)
0.5 miles west
A hit around the world, The Choir of Man is “a pint-filled good time set in a working pub that combines hair-raising harmonies, high-energy dance, and live percussion with foot-stomping choreography” at The Moore Theatre.
Remodeling expo
January 2021
(undated)
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.
Artsy gala dinner
January 2021
(undated)
1 mile south
A $100 ticket to Keep It Surreal gets you a multi-course creative dinner with wine pairings, followed by a small auction to support the arts, and a dessert dash at Cafe Nordo for age 21+.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year
January 2021
(undated)
1 mile NW
Tết in Seattle offers live performances, hands-on activities, foods, crafts, games, fashion, martial arts, and a marketplace at Seattle Center Armory. Free.
Belgian beer festival
January 2021
(undated)
1.1 miles NW
Buy a ticket to Belgian Fest and you can choose 10 beers to taste from 100 available that are brewed in Washington using Belgian yeast, at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center for age 21+.
Boat show
January 2021
(undated)
1.5 miles south
Seattle Boat Show, which promises 1000 boats and watercraft on display plus 230 boating seminars, is at CenturyLink Field, with a free shuttle to boats in the water at South Lake Union. Children age 17 and younger are free. Dogs on Deck is Thursday.
Wine + films
January 2021
(undated)
2.8 miles south
Seattle Wine & Film Festival promises unlimited wine tasting, cheese, chocolate, a world-class guitarist, a winemaker talk, and 15 films in the art gallery at The Old Rainier Brewery. Schedule.
Seattle citizen meeting
January 2021
(undated)
3.3 miles SE
Connect with people who care about the community at Civic Saturday “to hear readings, sing together, share thoughts and ideas, and hear a civic sermon” about American liberty, equality, and self government at El Centro de la Raza. Free.
Alcohol-free party
January 2021
(undated)
5.3 miles NW
Sans Bar + Dry Experience promise “an upscale evening of festive vibes and alcohol-free fun” with unlimited drinks and hors d’oeuvres for ticket holders at Cathedral in Ballard.
Winter run
January 2021
(undated)
16.4 miles NE
Worst Day of the Year Run is a 5K/10K winter run with a costume contest and an indoor finish line party with food and a beer garden at McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell.
Medieval fair
January 2021
(undated)
32.5 miles NE
Watch tournaments and competitions, try your hand at archery and thrown weapons during open hours, play games, and shop from artisans at the quirky Ursulmas Medieval Faire at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Model Train Festival
January 2021
(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. Closed December 24 & 25.
Monster trucks
January 2021
(undated)
33 miles south
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.
Tacoma RV Show
January 2021
(undated)
33 miles south
Check out hundreds of recreational vehicles at the Tacoma RV Show in the Tacoma Dome. Children age 16 and younger are free. Repeats in Oct.
Model trains - Puyallup
January 2021
(undated)
36 miles south
The Great Train Show features model train layouts and hundreds of vendors at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Reptile show
January 2021
(undated)
36 miles south
See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at the Pacific Northwest Reptile and Exotic Animal Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup. Bring no pets. Held in January & July.
Leavenworth music concert
January 2021
(undated)
117 miles east
Hear 17 acts indoors over two days at Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival in Leavenworth, counterpart to the Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in July. Evening events are for age 21+. Schedule.
Festival at Lake Chelan
January 2021
(undated)
199 miles east
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 sunny side of the state. Closed Monday to Thursday.
MLK celebration
January 2021
(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.
MLK run
January 2021
(undated)
7.3 miles NE
Celebrate the holiday by running 5K, 10K, or 15K in the MLK Weekend Run at Magnuson Park.
Indoor Christmas lights
January 2021
(undated)
3.2 miles NW
Lumaze has half a million lights, interactive features, illuminated sculptures, an artisan marketplace, food trucks, breweries, and wineries at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on Pier 91. Closed Dec. 25.