Honor the dearly departed during the Latin America celebration “Día de los Muertos,” which often includes elaborate altars, performances, and even parades.
Short Run Comix & Arts Festival showcases makers of books, zines, comics, and animation in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Free.
Scottish ball
November 7, 2020
8.3 miles north
Heather Tartan Ball & Silent Auction is an evening of Scottish music, dancing, drinks, meat pies, and a silent auction at the Latvian Community Center for age 21+.
Veterans Day parade
November 7, 2020
26 miles south
The Veterans Day Parade & Observance in Auburn is one of America’s biggest, with veterans’ units, military vehicles, motorcycles, 25 marching bands, and floats. Also see related events on their web page. Free.
Snohomish beer tasting
November 7, 2020
28 miles NW
A ticket to Snohomish Brewfest includes seven tastes of beer (5 ounces each) and a $5 coupon for the food vendors at Thomas Family Farm. Bring age 21 ID.
Puyallup beer festival
November 7, 2020
36.4 miles south
Taste winter beers from 30 breweries, with food for sale at South Sound Winter Beer Festival at Washington State Fair Events Center for age 21+.
Chocolate festival
November 7 - 8, 2020
3 miles NW
Taste chocolate, attend workshops, and shop from 160 exhibitors at the Northwest Chocolate Festival at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.
Weird arts & crafts show
November 7 - 8, 2020
32.5 miles NE
See unusual creations by 100 artists and crafters at Oddmall Emporium of the Weird, and visit the food trucks at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Repeats in May. Free.
Antique and collectibles show
November 7 - 8, 2020
37 miles south
Billed as America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, this event has 400 vendors selling furniture, glassware, slot machines, movie memorabilia, estate jewelry, paintings, mechanical banks, and toys at the Washington State Fair Events Center. Repeats in Feb.
Seattle Restaurant Week
November 8 - 19, 2020
Seattle locations
Get a special deal on a three-course meal at 165 restaurants during Seattle Restaurant Week, which does not include Fridays and Saturdays. Restaurants all offer dinner and some offer lunch. Repeats in March.
See acrobatics, high-flying aerials, contortions, and juggling to live music when the School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts (SANCA) presents SANCA’s Annual Showcase Spectacular (SASS) for all ages at Broadway Performance Hall.
Films from Romania
November 13 - 15, 2020
1.6 miles NW
Watch films from an obscure country with a taste for dark humor at the Romanian Film Festival at SIFF Cinema Uptown. All films have English subtitles. Some films are followed by question-and-answer sessions.
Arts and crafts show
November 13 - 15, 2020
8 miles NE
Best of the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show, Fall has 120 artists displaying jewelry, clothing, paintings, glass art, and sculptures plus food trucks at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. Children age 12 and younger are free. No pets. Repeats in May.
Phinney beer tasting
November 14, 2020
(7 to 10 p.m.)
5 miles north
Enjoy local brews, pub snacks, and a silent auction of beer items at the Winter Beer Taste at Phinney Neighborhood Center.
Used snow gear
November 14 - 15, 2020
10 miles SE
Newport Ski Swap is a huge consignment sale that includes skis, snowboards, snowshoes, and winter clothing at Newport High School in Bellevue. Free.
Reindeer & model train
November 14 - Dec. 24, 2020
7 miles NW
Visit live reindeer and watch a model train circle a winter landscape during the Reindeer Festival at Swansons Nursery. See the web page for other scheduled activities. Free.
Hawaiian music festival
November 15, 2020
14 miles south
Hear Hawaiian master musicians, admire tropical flowers, and shop for food and crafts at the annual Seattle Slack Key Festival at Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. Doors open at noon.
Toilet day
November 19, 2020
22.4 miles NE
Yes, it’s real. Celebrate World Toilet Day with “fun activities for all ages including art projects, science experiments, and tours of the wastewater treatment plant” at Brightwater Environmental Education and Community Center in Woodinville. Free.
Quilt & craft show
November 19 - 21, 2020
36 miles south
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival offers workshops, seminars, and fabric & supply vendors at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.
French wine festival
November 20, 2020
0.7 miles south
Enjoy French food, music, a silent auction, and wine at Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival, with 75th-floor views at Columbia Tower Club for age 21+.
Kirkland wine tasting
November 20, 2020
11 miles NE
Drink local wine in shops during Kirkland Wine Walk, which begins at the Heathman Hotel for age 21+. This event repeats on multiple months.
Ideas conference
November 21, 2020
1.2 miles NW
Hear 11 interesting people deliver 18-minute speeches about a variety of subjects during TEDxSeattle at McCaw Hall. Students get discounts on rear seats.
Food fair
November 21, 2020
7.3 miles NE
Shop from “100+ local crafty food and beverage vendors” at Gobble Up, organized by Urban Craft Uprising in Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park. Free.
Kenmore bar crawl
November 21, 2020
12.4 miles NE
A ticket to Family Jewels Kenmore Ball Crawl gets you a tasting tray of beers at three Kenmore breweries and supports cancer charity. Bring age 21+ ID.
Empty Bowls fundraiser
November 21, 2020
(1 to 3 p.m.)
40 miles south
Buy a handmade bowl, and then get another bowl full of soup at Empty Bowls at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma.
Christmas tree festival
November 21 Dec. 2, 2020
0.5 mile south
View 20 designer trees in the lobby and driveway of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel during the annual free Festival of Trees Display. Also see the schedule for the ticketed gala, free family celebration, and free teddy bear suite & gingerbread house.
Thanksgiving dinner
November 26, 2020
Greater Seattle area
See recommended restaurants offering special menus for Thanksgiving Day.
Dozens of Seattle musicians play songs from the best rock & roll movie ever made at Seattle’s Tribute to The Last Waltz for all ages at the Neptune Theatre.
Native craft fair
November 27 - 29, 2020
4.9 miles SW
Shop for fine art, native crafts, cards, jewelry, and smoked salmon at the Native Holiday Gift Fair at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle in Nov. & Dec.
Nerdy holiday market
November 27 - 29, 2020
7.3 miles NE
GeekCraft Expo Seattle Holiday Market promises “gifts for the geeks on your holiday shopping list” handmade by 70 vendors in Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park. Free on Saturday & Sunday if you register online.
Christmas tree lighting
November 27 - Dec. 5, 2020
multiple locations
See a free tree-lighting ceremony, usually with music.
Enjoy a 20-minute show of lights, music, falling snow, young dancers, and drummers in uniform on Snowflake Lane (Bellevue Way between N.E. 4th & N.E. 8th). Arrive early for the best view. Free.
Nutcracker ballet
November 27 - Dec. 27, 2020
1 mile NW
Pacific Northwest Ballet performs The Nutcracker by George Balanchine, with a live orchestra, magnificent sets and costumes, and a huge cast in McCaw Hall.
Christmas lights - Seattle zoo
November 27, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021
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
November 27, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021
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.
Pike Place holiday
November 28, 2020
0.3 mile west
Magic in the Market includes music, Santa, live reindeer, and a 5 p.m. Christmas tree lighting at Pike Place Market. Free.
Santa Train
November 28 - Dec. 19, 2020
(weekends)
36 miles east
The Northwest Railway Museum runs a popular 20-minute Santa Train from North Bend to the Snoqualmie Depot for cookies and a visit with Santa.
Christmas lights - Bellevue
November 28 - Dec. 31, 2020
11 miles east
Enjoy zillions of colorful lights and displays at Garden d’Lights in Bellevue Botanical Garden from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every night. Children age 10 and younger free.
Seattle Marathon
November 29, 2020
1 mile north
Join 15,000 people burning off Thanksgiving calories at the morning Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon that begin and end near Seattle Center.
Free family Christmas show
November 30, 2020
0.1 mile north
See 15 decorated Christmas trees that will be auctioned off, watch live entertainment, make kid crafts, and meet Santa Claus during Providence O’Christmas Trees: Family Preview in the ballroom of The Westin Seattle. Free.
The TV show “America’s Test Kitchen” is holding two events during their Seattle Eats Festival for age 21+.
undated - Cheers to 20 Years is a party with chef-made food, signature drinks, and mingling with cast members at Block 41 for $132.
undated - Seattle Eats Festival features unlimited chef-made food, beverages, and cooking demonstrations at Bell Harbor & Pier 66 for $106.
Hip Nutcracker
November 2020
(undated)
Seattle & Tacoma
The Hip Hop Nutcracker gives Tchaikovsky’s score a modern twist with 12 hip-hop dancers (including “King of Rap” Kurtis Blow), an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist, and a digital background with an urban vibe.
Seattle Butoh Festival features dancers who paint themselves white and move their bodies in strange ways that range from playful to grotesque.
Gingerbread houses
November 2020
(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.
Geek girl convention
November 2020
(undated)
0.5 mile east
GeekGirlCon creates a community for women in science, technology, arts and literature, comics, and game design at the conference center near the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.
Whisky tasting
November 2020
(undated)
0.5 miles SW
Taste “some of the most prestigious single malt, premium Scotch whiskies and other unique whiskies from around the world” with culinary pairings at The Whisky Extravaganza at The Rainier Club for age 21+. Dress code.
Women’s show
November 2020
(undated)
0.5 miles SE
Seattle Women’s Show has 70 marketplace vendors, a bar with wine and champagne, and food for sale at Women’s University Club for age 21+.
Oyster fest
November 2020
(undated)
0.6 miles SW
Oyster New Year has 30 varieties of oysters, a seafood buffet, 60 wineries, microbrews, and live music at Elliott’s Oyster House on Pier 56 for age 21+.
Cuban party
November 2020
(undated)
1 mile south
Havana Nights is “an evening of cocktails, dancing, raffle prizes, and great music with fellow globally-minded young professionals” at The 101 for age 21+.
German film festival
November 2020
(undated)
1 mile east
Kinofest showcases feature films, documentaries, and short films made in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at Northwest Film Forum. All films are shown in German with English subtitles.
Winter at Seattle Center
November 2020
(undated)
1 mile NW
Enjoy holiday lights, skating at Fisher Pavilion (cost), folk dancers, carolers, dancers, ice sculptors, model trains, and professional entertainment during Winterfest at the Seattle Center. See schedule. No events on Dec. 25. Free.
Auto show
November 2020
(undated)
1.5 miles south
See 500 of the latest cars and trucks, plus rare classics at the Seattle International Auto Show at CenturyLink Field Event Center.
Italian film festival
November 2020
(undated)
1.6 miles NW
Cinema Italian Style screens 15 new films in Italian with English subtitles at SIFF Cinema Uptown. The first and last films have optional after-parties.
Tile festival
November 2020
(undated)
4 miles SE
See a juried show of Northwest tiles, meet the artists, attend workshops, get appraisals, and buy antique tiles and garden art at the Handmade Tile and Art Festival at Mount Baker Community Club. Free.
Cajun dance party
November 2020
(undated)
6 miles north
A $15 ticket to Louisianathon gets you eight live bands playing Cajun-Zydeco at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Lake City for all ages.
Native dinner + art + show
November 2020
(undated)
6.8 miles NW
A $20 to $50 ticket to Blue Jay Brings Back the Moon includes “a delicious organic and locally sourced dinner featuring traditional indigenous foods of the Americas,” stories and presentations, an art marketplace, and a kids’ lounge at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.
African charity party
November 2020
(undated)
16 miles NE
A $106 ticket to Songea’s Kids Soiree includes appetizers, wine, dinner, and a silent auction to support kids in Tanzania at Seattle Marriott Redmond.
Spirits tasting
November 2020
(undated)
20 miles NE
A ticket to Washington Distillers Festival includes 10 tasting tokens, 24 participating distilleries, and a silent auction at McMenamins Anderson School for age 21+.
Distillery tasting
November 2020
(undated)
34 miles south
Sample spirits, meet the makers, and drink cocktails at Tacoma Distillery Festival, which has food and bottles for sale at Tacoma Armory for age 21+.
Wine tasting at Lake Chelan
November 2020
(undated)
177 miles east
Taste new wine directly from the barrel at 20 wineries in Eastern Washington during the Fall Barrel Tasting.
Seattle haunted house
November 2020
(undated)
4 miles south
Georgetown Morgue is located at 5000 E. Marginal Way S. in the Georgetown area and is recommended for age 12+. Younger kids can visit with the lights on during Kids Day.
Haunted golf course
November 2020
(undated)
13 miles north
Nile Nightmares is an outdoor walk plus indoor mazes at Nile Shrine Golf Center in Mountlake Terrace, with a food court and a beer garden, recommended for age 13+. See the schedule for the date when younger kids are $10 each with the lights on. See schedule.
Ghost Conference
November 2020
(undated)
28 miles NW via Bainbridge ferry
The Port Gamble Ghost Conference features paranormal investigations, guest speakers, classes, and ghost tours in the historic town of Port Gamble. Pre-register.
Snohomish haunted farm
November 2020
(undated)
28 miles north
Stalker Farms has two walk-through haunts (Double Dare ticket), a zombie shooting gallery, a haunted corn maze, and a beer garden. See schedule.
Tacoma haunted house
November 2020
(undated)
33 miles south
Fright House Station [website has sound] is located near the Tacoma Dome. Recommended for age 12+. Less scary option for an additional $3. See schedule.
Halloween at Wild Waves
November 2020
(undated)
25 miles south
Wild Waves Fright Fest offers entertainment, rides in the dark, and haunted houses on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Family by Day activities, including Booville, are Saturday and Sunday (12 to 6 p.m.). Children must be with an adult for entry after 7 p.m.
Pre-Thanksgiving run/walk
November 2020
(undated)
5 miles north
Green Lake Gobble & Mashed Potato Munch Off is a 5K and 10K run/walk and free kids’ dash around Green Lake, with post-race beer and mimosa garden plus mashed-potato-eating contest.
Thanksgiving scavenger hunt
November 2020
(undated)
6.5 miles SW
Cranksgiving is a scavenger hunt on your bicycle for Thanksgiving food that you donate to a food bank, with prizes and an after party. Bring cash, a bag/pack, and a bike lock to West Seattle Food Bank.
Christmas ship parade
November 2020
(undated)
Lake Washington & Puget Sound
Ride on the main ship with the choir, or on a “follow boat” for adults, or listen from shore (unless the schedule says the shore event is private) during the Christmas Ship Festival with many departure points.
Christmas show in Tacoma
November 2020
(undated)
0.3 miles NE
Cirque Dreams Holidaze features flying reindeer, jumping gingerbread men, rousing music, amazing costumes, and Santa at Pantages Theater.
Christmas event in stadium
November 2020
(undated)
1.7 miles south
Enchant Christmas features a maze where you look for Santa’s reindeer, an ice-skating rink, Christmas shops, food vendors, music, and lots of photos opportunities at T-Mobile Park. You choose an entrance time when buying a ticket. Children age 3 and younger are free.
Nordic holiday
November 2020
(undated)
5.7 miles NW
Julefest brings Christmas to the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard, with Scandinavian food, craft booths, musicians, dancers, a beverage garden, and access to the museum. Kids 13 and younger are free.
