Enjoy the best events, festivals, and things to do in Seattle with this calendar of events.
Miles are from Westlake Center downtown.
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 the 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.Monster trucks
January 12 - 14, 2018
33 miles south
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.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 14 - 15, 2018
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 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 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.Fishing, hunting, camping show
January 24 - 28, 2018
36 miles south
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at the state fair center in Puyallup.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.Children’s Film Festival
January 25 - Feb. 10, 2018
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.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.Belgian beer festival
January 27, 2018
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+.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.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.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.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.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.