Photo:
Bellevue's Snowflake Lane takes place nightly until Christmas Eve. Credit: Chance Merchant
Santa’s gift bag is overflowing with so many enticing free things to do around Seattle this month, I am offering up bonus events for you and your family to enjoy. It’s a good thing too, because there are no-school days to fill and gifts to buy. With so much going on, it won’t be hard to keep the kids active, engaged and immersed in all types of seasonal fun.
Just remember, some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly, so make plans soon.
1. Salmon Tours With Harbor WildWatch
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
The salmon journey isn’t over yet! Catch the end of the season by joining biologists on an all-ages, interactive walk at Donkey Creek in Gig Harbor. Learn about the salmon’s life cycle and its role in our ecosystem. Be sure to dress for the weather.
2. Study With Dogs and Homework Club at the Sammamish Library
Date and time: Monday, Dec. 2, 4–5:30 p.m.
For a productive and relaxing afternoon, teen and tween dog-lovers can chill with therapy dogs at the Sammamish Library and get help with their homework from tutors and librarians during this monthly program.
3. Family Fitness Hour
Date and time: Tuesdays, Dec. 3–17, 3–4:30 p.m.
Make fitness a family affair at weekly sessions on Tuesdays with activities geared toward toddlers and families. Get moving at AKIN on Lake City Way in Seattle.
4. Swansons Nursery Model Train and Holiday Décor
Date and time: Daily through Dec. 24
The holiday model train at Seattle’s Swansons Nursery had arrived! This year’s theme is “Delectably Delicious” and features irresistible sweets in a magical setting. While you’re there, take in thousands of twinkling lights all around the nursery, enjoy live music and check out Santa’s yurt.
5. Caroling at the Depot
Date and time: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6–7:30 p.m.
Nothing brings on holiday cheer quite like caroling with friends and neighbors. Join in an Issaquah tradition and sing along to a slew of holiday classics at the Depot Museum. Don your best Santa hat, bring a tambourine, ukulele (or just yourselves!) and get ready for a festive treat.
6. Third Annual Ballard Kids' Christmas Movie Night
Date and time: Friday, Dec. 6, 5:30–8 p.m.
For the third year, the Ballard Church is hosting a free Christmas movie night, complete with pizza, popcorn and goodies. This year’s title is “The Grinch.” Bonus: The PlaySpace will be open for even more fun. Preregister.
7. Hands On Hanukkah at Redmond Lights
Date and time: Saturday Dec. 7, 4:30–8 p.m.
Head to Redmond Downtown Park for the Redmond Lights kickoff event and enjoy Hands On Hanukkah activities as part of the festivities. Spin the dreidel and craft a toy menorah while you enjoy the enchanting lights, art installations and other exciting opening night happenings.
8. La Posada at the Highline Heritage Museum
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 8, 5–8 p.m.
Join the procession, sample sweet and savory treats, and play lotería at a free community fest celebrating La Posada at the Highline Heritage Museum in Burien. You can also expect craft-making and live performances so bring the whole fam!
9. Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
Date and time: Daily, Dec. 2– 15
Embark on an outdoor scavenger hunt at Chambers Regional Park in University Place to locate all nine of Santa’s reindeer before they head back to the North Pole. Complete the mission for a special prize!
10. Hometown Holiday Carousel
Date and Time: Daily, Dec. 6–15
Pick a horse and hop on for a spin on the holiday carousel set up in Arlington’s Legion Park as part of the city’s Hometown Holidays celebration. Sensory-friendly rides with no music are available from 11 a.m.–noon on Sundays.
11. Teen Crochet Workshop
Date and time: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 4–5:30 p.m.
No experience or supplies are needed to learn the basics of crocheting at this workshop for teens. Make a fidget toy, hat or other beginner-level creation in only one session. Head to the Old Fire House Teen Center in Redmond and get hooked. Preregister.
12. T.U.P.A.C Dance in the Museum
Date and time: Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Every second Thursday at the Tacoma Art Museum, join a master dancer from West Africa and his dance troupe, T.U.P.A.C., for moves and grooves that relate to art on view at the museum. All ages are welcome.
13. Parade of Boats Onshore Viewing Party
Date and time: Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
If you look forward to spotting a twinkling, fully decked out Christmas ship around the Sound at this time of year like I do, you and your family won’t want to miss the Parade of Boats official onshore viewing party at Evanston Plaza in the Fremont Lake Union Center where you’ll get to watch the whole fleet go by.
14. Family Concert: ‘The Snowman’ in Puyallup
Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2–3 p.m.
Experience some winter magic by treating your family to Northwest Sinfonietta’s live orchestral performance accompanying the award-winning animated seasonal short, “The Snowman” on the big screen at Puyallup United Methodist Church. Preregister.
15. Wintry Weekend Ice Skating Rink
Date and time: Friday–Sunday, Dec. 13–15, noon–6 p.m.
Occidental Square Park’s seasonal pop-up ice skating rink is back this year for sliding and gliding — skates are even available to borrow for free! On Sunday, the Seattle Kraken take over with giveaways and an appearance by mascot, Buoy the Troll.
16. Free Basketball Skills Training
Date and time: Mondays, Dec. 2–16, 6– 8 p.m.
Looking to keep the kids active during the Big Dark? Sign them up for free basketball skills training and games at Eastside Community Center in Tacoma. Sessions are for kids in kindergarten through second grade and take place weekly. Preregister.
17. Teddy Bear Suite
Date and time: Daily through Jan. 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Get out of the house and admire cute and cuddly stuffies at the beloved annual Teddy Bear Suite at Seattle’s Fairmont Hotel. Guaranteed to give you warm fuzzies.
18. Open Skate Sessions With RNTS Skate School
Date and time: Wednesdays, Dec. 4–18, 3–4:30 p.m.
Shredders and shredder wannabes can drop in for weekly skateboarding sessions at Seattle’s Virgil Flaim skatepark for guided lessons geared toward all levels. Equipment is provided.
19. Snowflake Lane
Date and time: Nightly, through Dec. 24, 7 p.m.
A holiday spectacle not to be missed, stake out your piece of sidewalk near Bellevue Square to watch “snow” falling, toy drummers, dazzling lights, decked-out dancers and a parade of festive floats.
20. Edmonds Holiday Trolley
Date and time: Saturdays, Dec. 7–21, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Get around and explore downtown Edmonds in style on the Holiday Trolley with your guide, Emily the Elf, who will not only spread cheer but share interesting tidbits about the historic seaside town.
21. Holiday Hooves
Date and time: Select dates through Dec. 22
It’s 12 days of reindeer at the Port of Everett’s Pacific Rim Plaza, so show up to snap some photos and cavort with Santa’s sleigh crew during their special appearances on select December dates.
22. Build With a Park Guide
Date and time: Mondays, Dec. 2–23, 3–5 p.m.
Book a session for your budding builder to complete a woodworking project with a park guide at a Tacoma community center. All tools, safety wear and materials will be provided, and finished projects are theirs to keep. For ages 10–18 years. Preregister.
23. Gingerbread Village
Date and time: Daily through Jan. 1, 2025
Stop by the lobby of the Sheraton Grand Seattle to feast your eyes on elaborate (and sweet) masterpieces of gingerbread and candy at the annual Gingerbread Village. Viewing is free, but donations to benefit juvenile diabetes research are appreciated.
24. Festive Family Artmaking at Schack
Date and time: Select dates Dec. 14–Jan 3, noon–5 p.m.
Part of Everett’s Wintertide Festival, join Schack Art Center for fun and festive family artmaking sessions on select dates in December, and a couple of dates in January, too.
25. Family Forest Adventure
Date and time: Saturdays, Dec. 14–28, 3–4:30 p.m.
Get the family outdoors and foster a love of nature at fun-filled Saturday afternoons creating art, going on a scavenger hunt, learning about the environment and more at Seattle’s Pritchard Beach.
Bonus: Winterfest Armory Stage Entertainment
Date and time: Friday–Sunday through Dec. 29, showtimes vary
Comedy, carols and circus acrobatics are just a few of the types of holiday entertainment you will find at Seattle Center’s Armory stage this season. The final performance is a Hanukkah treat from Klez Kids. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Winterfest train and village.
Bonus: Snoqualmie Point Park Stargaze
Date and time: Monday Dec. 30, 6–11 p.m.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle at the end of this busy month. Bundle up the crew and head to Snoqualmie Point Park where you can gaze at the stars with the help of experienced astronomer volunteers.
Bonus: Holiday Light Displays
Date and time: Varies by location
Our region is lit up! Meander outside and take in all the free holiday light displays before they are packed up and gone. You can find twinkly delights lighting up the night sky in Renton, Westlake Park, Everett and Tulalip to name a few.
More free activities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2024 and was most recently updated in December 2024 to include 25 new exciting free things to do in Seattle for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara.
