Holiday Spirit

Magic in the Market Courtesy Pike Place Market

Shop A Magical Market
Nov 25

Historic Pike Place Market turns on its holiday light displays at 5 p.m., but it’s Magic in the Market all day with eggnog, caroling, and hundreds of local vendors offering handmade and artisan gifts. 85 Pike St; pikeplacemarket.org/ event/28th-annual-magicin-the-market

Join a Boat Parade
Nov 24–Dec 23

Carolers and twinkling lights transform Argosy Cruises’ Spirit of Seattle boat into a 1.5-hour holiday cruise, with follow boats and planned onshore viewing events making it a true Christmas Ship™ Festival. Various locations; argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/christmas- ship-festival

Spot the Sugarplum Fairy
Nov 24–Dec 27

Dress in your ballet best for this annual Seattle tradition. Pacific Northwest Ballet performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, an elegant display of pirouettes, leaps, tutus, and just a pinch of fairy dust. 321 Mercer St; pnb.org/nutcracker

Find Wintry Fun
Nov 24–Dec 31

The Seattle Center campus hosts a bevy of free events for the public, including live music and dance performances, ice sculpting, a 19th-century miniature train display, and the Seattle Christmas Market. 305 Harrison St; seattlecenter.com/events/featuredevents/winterfest; seattlechristmasmarket.com

Embrace the Light
Nov 10–Jan 14

When the sun sets, Woodland Park Zoo gets glowing. Its annual WildLanterns holiday event stars dozens of larger-than-life lanterns. Stroll through the zoo grounds to admire them all, then let the kids loose in the interactive play area. 5500 Phinney Ave N; zoo.org/wildlanterns

Admire the Fireworks
Dec 31

Ring in the new year at one of Seattle’s most iconic attractions. Fireworks unfurl from the structure of the Space Needle while drones put on an aerial light show that dazzles the revelers gathered below and all across the city. 400 Broad St; spaceneedle.com/newyears