Free state park day
January 1, 2019
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 2019
Gingerbread art
January 1, 2019
(also Dec.)
0.2 miles SE
See elaborate displays made mostly of food at the Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Seattle Hotel, where it returns after being at City Centre last year. See hours. Closed Dec. 25. Free.
New Year’s Day run/walk
January 1, 2019
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, 2019
(11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
8 miles NE
Join 1000 people running into Lake Washington at noon celebrate the new year at the Polar Bear Plunge, or just watch from shore. Costumes are encouraged. Matthews Beach Park has limited parking. Free.
Model Train Festival
January 1, 2019
(begins Dec. 21)
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.
Polar Bear Plunge - Tacoma
January 1, 2019
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 - 5, 2019
(begins Nov. 23)
5 miles north
WildLights has 600,000 lights in animal shapes, real reindeer, night animals, carolers, and Santa some nights at Woodland Park Zoo. Closed Dec. 12, 24, 25.
Winter at Seattle Center
January 1 - 6, 2019
(begins Nov. 23)
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.
Christmas lights - Tacoma zoo
January 1 - 6, 2019
(begins Nov. 23)
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.
Art walk
January 3, 2019
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 3, 2019
Seattle locations
Visit these free on the first Thursday of every 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 any special exhibition is half price)
Puyallup Home and Garden Show
January 4 - 6, 2019
36 miles south
Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Puppet show for adults
January 4 - Feb. 16, 2019
0.4 miles SW
Puppets sing bawdy songs and crack dirty jokes in Cotton Gin, set in a bar at Unexpected Productions near the Pike Place Market.
Winter run
January 5, 2019
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.
Monster trucks
January 11 - 13, 2019
33 miles south
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.
Wedding show
January 12 - 13, 2019
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.
Tacoma RV Show
January 17 - 20, 2019
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.
Remodeling expo
January 18 - 20, 2019
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.
Chamber music
January 18 - 27, 2019
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.
Festival at Lake Chelan
January 18 - 27, 2019
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 sunnier side of the state.
Ellensburg beer festival
January 19, 2019
107 miles east
WinterHop BrewFest includes a souvenir glass, five tastings from 20 microbreweries, and music in downtown Ellensburg for age 21+. Buy tickets Dec. 1.
Model train show
January 19 - 20, 2019
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 19 - 20, 2019
36 miles south
See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at the Seattle Reptile Expo at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup. Held in January & July.
Leavenworth ice festival
January 19 - 20, 2019
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 19 - 21, 2019
1 mile NW
See dozens of model-train displays and layouts, and join hands-on demonstrations and activities at On The Move, which also covers “the history and future of transportation” at the Pacific Science Center.
Cabaret set in 1890s Hungary
January 19 - 26, 2019
0.3 miles south
Bohemia is a “macabre and mystical dream cabaret” combining classical music, art nouveau, green fairies, aerial numbers, dance, burlesque, classical piano battles, comedy, and original songs at The Triple Door.
Tacoma brass concert
January 20, 2019
39 miles south
The annual Sounds of Brass Concert is held at Tacoma Community College. Repeats in April. Donation.
Free state park day
January 21, 2019
statewide
Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Sunday and Monday, which are State Parks Free Days, at any of the 140 Washington State Parks. Free.
Free national park day
January 21, 2019
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 21, 2019
2 miles east
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration includes affirmative-action activities at Garfield High School, a rally at 11 a.m., and a march at 12:30 p.m. Free.
MLK Day in Tacoma
January 21, 2019
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 23 - 27, 2019
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 24 - 27, 2019
33 miles south
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show fills the Tacoma Dome with home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants.
Children’s Film Festival
January 24 - Feb. 9, 2019
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.
Free classical concert
January 25, 2019
(7:30 p.m.)
0.5 miles south
The Seattle Symphony plays side by side with the University of Washington Orchestra in a Community Concert at Benaroya Hall. Free.
Masquerade ball
January 25, 2019
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. Video.
Strange beer festival
January 25 - 26, 2019
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 25 - 26, 2019
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 are age 21+.
Boat show
January 25 - Feb. 2, 2019
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 Bell Harbor Marina & South Lake Union.
Underground art show
January 26, 2019
(8 p.m.)
0.8 miles NE
The Seattle Pancakes & Booze Art Show is a traveling exhibition by 70 artists, with free pancakes, DJ music, live body painting, and a bar at El Corazon for age 21+. Pay cash at the door or buy a line-jumper ticket online.
Music of Asia
January 27, 2019
(4 p.m.)
0.5 mile south
Celebrate Asia focuses on music and musicians of South Korea in 2019 at Benaroya Hall.
Free trapeze show
January 2019
(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.
Chili & beer
January 2019
(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.
Family festival in Kent
January 2019
(undated)
20.3 miles south
You Me We features live music, hands-on activities, games, sport competitions, bounce houses, $2 hot dogs, and exhibitors at the ShoWare Center. Free.
MLK celebration
January 2019
(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.