January 2026
Enjoy the best events, festivals, and fun things to do around Puget Sound—including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Bellevue.
January 1, 2026
multiple locations
Run or jump into cold water to celebrate the new year. Some have fees or limited parking.
January 1, 2026
Sand Point (6.6 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, 7400 Sand Point Way NE in Seattle.
January 1, 2026
Matthews Beach (8.5 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. Parking is limited at Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St. The Polar Bear Cub for kids is 11:45 a.m.
January 1, 2026
All state parks
New Year’s Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, so you can spend it exploring any of the 144 Washington State Parks.
January 1, 2026
Tacoma (40 miles SW)
Jump into the cold waters of Puget Sound at 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.).
January 1 - 4, 2026
Downtown (0.2 miles NE)
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.
January 1 - 4, 2026
Downtown (0.3 miles NE)
Based on the animated film, The Lion King is a Tony Award winning musical telling a story of love and redemption, and featuring the music, animals, and people of Africa at The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St. in Seattle.
January 1 - 4, 2026
Tacoma (40 miles SW)
Bundle up to admire a million holiday lights and displays at Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo, 5400 N Pearl St. in Tacoma. The kids’ area has goats. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
January 1 - 11, 2026
Tulalip (36 miles N)
Tulalip Lights & Ice has 7.8 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.
January 2 - 4, 2026
Puyallup (37 miles S)
Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup.
January 3 - 24, 2026
Puyallup (37 miles S)
Puyallup Flat Track features motorcycles and quads racing on an indoor track at the door of Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Enter at the green gate. Children age 5 and younger are free.
January 4, 2026 (4:30 p.m.)
Capitol Hill (2.1 miles NE)
Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir performs its monthly Choral Evensong service in the cathedral nave at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E in Seattle.
January 15 - 25, 2026
Lake Chelan (180 miles E)
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.
January 16 - 17, 2026
Chelan (172 miles E)
Your ticket to 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 Saturday dinner buffet.
January 17, 2026 (12 to 5 p.m.)
Ellensburg (108 miles E)
WinterHop BrewFest includes music, a souvenir glass, and five tastings from 20 microbreweries surrounding Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, 609 N Main St. in Ellensburg. Bring age 21+ ID.
January 19, 2026
Central District (2.4 miles SE)
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.
January 19, 2026
Beacon Hill (2.7 miles SE)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration features “two new exhibitions, a resource expo, community conversations, family activities, storytelling, book giveaways” and free admission to the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St. in Seattle.
January 19, 2026
All state parks
Martin Luther King Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, which allows you to visit any of the 144 Washington State Parks.
January 19, 2026
Tacoma (34 miles S)
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.
January 19, 2026
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.
January 22 - 25, 2026
Tacoma (33 miles S)
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. Repeats in Oct.
January 22 - Feb. 1, 2026
Downtown (0.3 miles S)
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+, or age 21+ for the show at 8:45 p.m. Closed Monday.
January 25 - 27, 2026
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
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. January is about monarch butterflies.
January 28, 2026 (6:30 p.m.)
Federal Way (23 miles S)
The gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists, and tumblers of Peking Acrobats perform amazing feats accompanied by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments at Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S in Federal Way.
January 28 - Feb. 1, 2026
Puyallup (37 miles S)
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.
January 29 - Feb. 1, 2026
Tacoma (33 miles S)
Tacoma Home + Garden Show features home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D Street in Tacoma. Children age 12 and younger are free.
January 30, 2026
Capitol Hill (0.9 miles E)
Dress up and wear a creative mask to dance to “swing, R&B, ‘50s rock ’n’ roll, Latin, pop, waltzes, and blues” played by a live orchestra during Masquerade XV: Rebels & Rock Stars at Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St. in Seattle for age 21+.
January 30 - 31, 2026
Port Townsend (57 miles NW via ferry)
Enjoy beer in odd flavors from dozens of breweries and watch live music and entertainment at $34 Strange Brewfest indoors and outdoors at the American Legion, 209 Monroe St. in Port Townsend. Bring age 21+ ID. A two-day ticket is $55. No pets.
January 30 - 31, 2026
Longview (128 miles S)
Shop for food and bigfoot gear; take a bigfoot workshop; hear live music; taste local beer, wine, and cider; visit the children’s arts & crafts area; see the film Sasqualogist; 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.
January 30 - Feb. 1, 2026
Olympia (62 miles S)
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.
January 30 - Feb. 7, 2026
Pioneer Square (1.3 miles S)
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.
January 30 - March 1, 2026
Redmond (16 miles NE)
A female heroine discovers that her choices can influence the world as she progresses through the stages of evolution in Echo, performed by Cirque du Soleil in a giant heated tent at Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE in Redmond.
January 31 - Feb. 1, 2026
Downtown (0.2 miles E)
Live and breathe weddings at the Seattle Wedding Show in the Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St. in Seattle. Expect fashion shows, discount gowns, and hundreds of vendors. Children age 12 and younger are free.
January 2026 (undated)
Downtown (0.2 miles SE)
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 every year.
January 2026 (undated)
Downtown (0.2 miles SE)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Downtown (0.3 miles S)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Downtown (0.4 miles S)
Drop off “gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories,” enjoy light refreshments with fellow swappers, and then at 5:30 p.m. find new-to-you items at Seattle Zero Waste Clothing Swap at 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, 1215 4th Ave. 15th Floor in Seattle.
January 2026 (undated)
Belltown (0.5 miles NW)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Belltown (0.7 miles NW)
Wet City Comedy Fest features a dozen performers in three rooms of The Crocodile, 2505 1st Ave. in Seattle. Bring age 21+ ID.
January 2026 (undated)
Seattle & Tacoma
Tết in Seattle offers live performances, hands-on activities, foods, crafts, games, fashion, martial arts, and a marketplace at Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St. in Seattle.
January 2026 (undated)
Capitol Hill (1.1 miles E)
Watch 110 minutes of short films selected from the 2025 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.
January 2026 (undated)
Seattle Center (1.2 miles NW)
Watch Seattle Kraken play a home game on the ice at Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave. N in Seattle.
January 2026 (undated)
First Hill (1.2 miles E)
SAAS Summit is “an all-ages, multi-modal experience with thought-provoking discussions, interactive breakout sessions, and networking activities” featuring dozens of local speakers at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1201 E Union St. in Seattle. Held in Jan. and Oct.
January 2026 (undated)
SoDo (3.2 miles S)
A ticket to Burns Night includes live Highland music, a reading of poems by Robert Burns, “Burns-inspired passed hors d'oeuvres,” and a curated tasting of rare single malts at Westland Distillery, 2931 1st Ave. S in Seattle for age 21+.
January 2026 (undated)
Fremont (3.5 miles N)
A ticket to Robert Burns Tasting includes a bagpipe band, the reading of poems by Robert Burns, Scottish appetizers, a welcome cocktail, and four tastes of whiskey at The Barrel Thief, 3417 Evanston Ave. N #102 in Seattle for age 21+.
January 2026 (undated)
Fremont (3 miles N)
Walk to a dozen restaurants serving a variety of soups (gumbo, ramen, pozole, chowder, chili, Jamaican curry) 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.
January 2026 (undated)
University District (3.9 miles NE)
Watch the Washington Huskies play an exciting game in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, 3870 Montlake Blvd. NE in Seattle.
January 2026 (undated)
Phinney Ridge (4.1 miles N)
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 closed dates.
January 2026 (undated)
Phinney Ridge (4.1 miles N)
See WildLanterns’ amazing luminary displays, have animal encounters, and visit themed lounges selling specialty cocktails and food during Night Owls at Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle for age 21+. Your ticket includes a Chinese show in the visitors’ center (5, 6, and 7 p.m.).
January 2026 (undated)
University District (4.6 miles NE)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Ravenna (5.9 miles NE)
Expect a long line of cars waiting to see the festive houses on Candy Cane Lane, located on Park Rd NE in Seattle. Or choose a night for walkers only. Open 4 to 9:30 p.m., extended to 11 p.m. Fri. & Sat.
January 2026 (undated)
Riverview (6 miles S)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Bellevue (10 miles E)
Lunar New Year promises live performances, crafts, and displays” in the Center Court at Bellevue Square, 575 Bellevue Square in Bellevue.
January 2026 (undated)
Bellevue (10 miles E)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Burien (12 miles S)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Redmond (17 miles NE)
Celebrate the year of the dragon at Microsoft Asian Spring Festival Celebration, which has a family-friendly afternoon festival (games, gifts, food court, afternoon performance, and photo booth with traditional Chinese outfits) plus an evening gala performance at Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Road NE in Redmond.
January 2026 (undated)
Edmonds (17 miles N)
Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with family activities and performances is held at Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds.
January 2026 (undated)
Edmonds (18 miles N)
Kidstock offers musical performances, theater, arts education workshops, games, dancing, and a carnival for kids at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N in Edmonds.
January 2026 (undated)
Auburn (29 miles S)
See a dozen Christmas trees decorated by local businesses during Festival of Trees at White River Valley Museum, 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1.
January 2026 (undated)
Monroe (33 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, 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Public days are Sat. & Sun. Children age 12 and younger are free.
January 2026 (undated)
Tacoma (33 miles S)
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 East D Street in Tacoma.
January 2026 (undated)
Tacoma (34 miles S)
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. No library passes.
January 2026 (undated) (4 p.m.)
Tacoma (36 miles S)
Kids meet the Snow Sisters, eat “tea sandwiches and desserts,” make a snowflake magic wand, get crowned with a rhinestone tiara, sing, dance, and watch snow fall at the Winter Royal Ball at Tea and Tiaras Party Parlor, 1809 99th St. E in Tacoma. Costumes welcome.
January 2026 (undated)
Puyallup (37 miles S)
The Great Train Show features model train layouts and hundreds of vendors at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Children age 2 and younger are free.
January 2026 (undated)
Puyallup (37 miles S)
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.
January 2026 (undated)
Spanaway (43 miles S)
Buy a ticket online, and then drive two miles past “300 illuminated holiday displays” while you hear holiday music on radio station 1700 AM at Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, 14905 Bresemann Blvd. S in Spanaway. Discounted after Dec. 25. Open every day.
January 2026 (undated)
Eatonville (54 miles S)
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.
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