Free state park day
January 1, 2020
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 2020
Gingerbread houses
January 1, 2020
(begins Nov. 23)
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.
New Year’s Day run/walk
January 1, 2020
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, 2020
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.
Model Train Festival
January 1, 2020
(begins Dec. 20)
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, 2020
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.
Indoor Christmas lights
January 1 - 4, 2020
(begins Nov. 29)
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.
Christmas lights - Seattle zoo
January 1 - 5, 2020
(begins Nov. 29)
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. 2, 3, 9, 10, 24, 25. Free parking.
Christmas lights - Tacoma zoo
January 1 - 5, 2020
(begins Nov. 29)
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.
Seattle attractions
January 1 - Feb. 1, 2020
(also Dec.)
multiple locations
These discount prices include all taxes and fees.
- Space Needle + aquarium + harbor cruise + more
- Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent
- Kayak/paddleboard rental in Ballard (2 hours)
- Seattle Children’s Museum at Seattle Center
- SkyView Observatory atop Columbia Center
Free museums
January 2, 2020
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)
Meet Chopin
January 2 - 19, 2020
1.4 miles NW
Become immersed in the music and mystery of the famous composer when Hershey Felder brings Frederick Chopin to life and performs his greatest works on the piano at Seattle Repertory Theatre.
Puyallup Home and Garden Show
January 3 - 5, 2020
36 miles south
Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Winter run
January 4, 2020
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.
Afternoon holiday cabaret
January 4 - 5, 2020
(also Dec.)
0.3 miles SW
Wonderland is a whimsical holiday cabaret and burlesque show that promises “a glittering parade of nostalgia, exploding with dance, laughter, and all the cheer of yesteryear” at small Can Can theater in Pike Place Market. Brunch food and drinks are for sale.
Wedding show
January 4 - 5, 2020
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.
Art walk
January 9, 2020
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.
Monster trucks
January 10 - 12, 2020
33 miles south
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.
Magic show in Renton
January 11, 2020
(7 p.m.)
13.1 miles SE
That’s Impossible Presents is an all-ages magic and comedy show in a cabaret setting, with table-side magic (8 to 9 p.m.) and a stand-up show (9 to 10:30 p.m.) at DeLancey’s on 3rd. Optional food and drink.
Passionate opera
January 12 - 25, 2020
1.3 miles NW
Set in 1800s Russia, Eugene Onegin tells a tragic tale of unrequited love, with grand sets, elaborate period costumes, elegant ballroom dances, and dramatic music by Tchaikovsky, at McCaw Hall.
Tacoma RV Show
January 16 - 19, 2020
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.
MLK celebration
January 17, 2020
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.
Chamber music
January 17 - 19 and 24 - 26, 2020
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 17 - 26, 2020
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.
Ellensburg beer festival
January 18, 2020
107 miles east
WinterHop BrewFest includes a souvenir glass, five tastings from 20 microbreweries, and music in downtown Ellensburg for age 21+.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year
January 18 - 19, 2020
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.
Model train show
January 18 - 19, 2020
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 18 - 19, 2020
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 ice festival
January 18 - 19, 2020
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 18 - 20, 2020
1 mile NW
See dozens of model-train displays and layouts, and join hands-on demonstrations and activities at the Model Railroad Show, which also covers “the history and future of transportation” at the Pacific Science Center.
Tacoma brass concert
January 19, 2020
39 miles south
The annual Sounds of Brass Concert is held at Tacoma Community College. Repeats in April. Donation.
Free state park day
January 20, 2020
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 20, 2020
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 20, 2020
2 miles east
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration includes a job fair and workshops at Garfield High School, a rally at 11 a.m., and a march at 12:30 p.m. that goes two miles to a rally at 1:30 p.m. in Westlake Park. Free.
MLK Day in Tacoma
January 20, 2020
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 22 - 26, 2020
36 miles south
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
Free classical concert in Tukwila
January 23, 2020
(7 p.m.)
0.5 miles south
Watch the Seattle Symphony play a Community Concert at Foster Performing Arts Center in Tukwila. Free.
Tacoma Home and Garden Show
January 23 - 26, 2020
33 miles south
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show fills the Tacoma Dome with home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants.
Artsy gala dinner
January 24 - 25, 2020
(7 to 10 p.m.)
1 mile south
A $100 ticket to Keep It Surreal gets you a four-course creative dinner with wine pairings, followed by a small auction to support the arts, in a decadent “feathered world” at Cafe Nordo for age 21+.
Strange beer festival
January 24 - 25, 2020
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 24 - 25, 2020
117 miles east
Hear 17 acts indoors over two days at Timbrrr! Winter Festival in Leavenworth, counterpart to the Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in July. Evening events are for age 21+. Schedule.
Remodeling expo
January 24 - 26, 2020
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.
Boat show
January 24 - Feb. 1, 2020
(uncertain)
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. Children age 17 and younger are free.
Belgian beer festival
January 25, 2020
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+.
Medieval fair
January 25 - 26, 2020
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.
Masquerade ball
January 31, 2020
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 (4 minutes).