Photo:
It’s the last weekend to see “The MiG-21 Project” at The Museum of Flight. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Flight
While I have been enjoying the dry, sunny days of late, it’s hard to deny that winter has arrived. I drove through a thick fog on the way to preschool drop-off (after scraping ice off my windshield!), and I see the rain clouds popping up in next week’s forecast. But I am embracing it with this fantastic list of weather-watching spots.
I’m also eyeing a fascinating food tour as a way to learn more about locally made treats and try something new (beyond the weekend samples at Costco). From dumplings to doughnuts, these destinations offer a behind-the-scenes look at how some of our favorite foods are made.
My top 10 events make the most of the weekend too, from welcoming the Lunar New Year to admiring a fighter jet that’s been transformed into a work of art.
1. Celebrate Lunar New Year at Kirkland Urban
Date: Friday, Jan. 23
Cost: Free
Location: Kirkland Urban, 425 Urban Plaza, Kirkland
Welcome the Year of the Horse with a lively celebration the whole family will love. There will be a Vietnamese fan dance and live calligraphy, along with fun traditional games. You can also sample Asian-inspired dishes at food tasting stations and snap some family pics in front of festive backdrops. Don’t forget to enter the raffle!
2. Seattle Children’s Theatre Presents ‘Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends’
Date: Friday–Sunday, Jan. 23–25
Cost: Starts at $27
Location: Seattle Children's Theatre – Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St., Seattle
My daughter recently added “Ada Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists” to her library, and I am thrilled to see all the ways it encourages curiosity and STEM learning. Ada Twist is just one of several innovative characters in Andrea Beaty’s books, and they all come to life on-stage this weekend! Watch as Ada and her classmates take on learning new things with a ton of heart.
3. Broadview Branch 50th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
Cost: Free
Location: Broadview Branch Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle
Arthur said it best when he sang, “Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card!” Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beloved Broadview library this weekend with storytelling, live music, art activities and history lessons. And, of course, check out a few books to read at home.
4. Family Nature Walk at Lister Uplands
Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
Cost: Free
Location: Swan Creek Park – Lister Uplands Entrance, 4738 East T St., Tacoma
Bundle up for this naturalist-led walk through the beautiful Swan Creek Park. On the mile-long walk, you’ll learn about the different plants and animals that call the park home. It’s a fascinating look at how they adapt for the season, and a great way to get the whole family outside.
5. Edible Books Festival
Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
Cost: Free
Location: Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park
Culinary arts and literature combine this weekend in an epic display of creativity. Admire edible displays modeled after favorite books, and stick around to see who wins the awards for Most Book-like, Most Punderful and Most Visually Appealing. Past entries have had clever culinary twists on classic titles, such as “The Snacker in the Rye.” Fun!
6. PNW Reptile and Exotic Animal Show
Date: Saturday–Sunday, Jan. 24–25
Cost: $15 adult; $7 child; ages 5 and younger are free
Location: MattressFirm Showplex, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup
Reptiles, amphibians and arachnids, oh my! As the largest and longest-running show of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, this expo shines a spotlight on all kinds of exotic animals, offering an up-close look that will fascinate the whole family. Kids can learn about their favorite reptiles and other animals from educational displays and interactive exhibits.
7. 2026 La Conner Birding Festival
Date: Saturday–Sunday, Jan. 24–25
Cost: Free
Location: Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Ave., La Connor
Believe me when I say that birdwatching in the Skagit Valley is something else. Grab your binoculars and head to this festival that celebrates the winter birds of the area, from snow geese to red-tailed hawks. Plus, there are plenty of cute shops and restaurants in La Conner you won’t want to miss (Calico Cupboard is a personal favorite).
8. ‘The MiG-21 Project’ Closing Weekend
Date: Saturday–Sunday, Jan. 24–25
Cost: Included with admission ($21–$29; ages 4 and younger free) or membership
Location: The Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila
If you have not yet been to The Museum of Flight to see “The MiG-21 Project,” this is your last chance! It’s an extraordinary exhibit with a 51-foot fighter jet covered in millions of glass beads. The cockpit will even be open for tours. It’s also a chance to learn about the South African and Zimbabwean artists who worked on the project, and it’s sure to spark conversations about history and social responsibility.
9. Harlem Globetrotters at Angel of the Winds Arena
Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
Cost: Starts at $43
Location: Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of showmanship and athleticism with an incredible tour. Splurge on tickets for the whole family — it’s sure to be an over-the-top game with epic dunks and incredible tricks. (And if you can’t make it this weekend, the centennial tour includes stops next weekend in Kent and Seattle!)
10. Seattle Kraken Pregame at the Armory
Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
Cost: Free
Location: Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle
The Seattle Kraken take to the ice on Sunday, and this is the best way to watch the game for free! The Armory will have pregame fun, including a DJ spinning tunes, kid-friendly games and activities, caricature artists, and photo ops. Plus, there are plenty of food vendors on-site, so you can grab a meal and catch the game on the big screen.
More weekend activities:
- Fold and launch a paper airplane at Imagine Children’s Museum’s new “Ready… Set… Launch!” exhibit.
- Play tourist with a day pass to a local destination, from hotel pools to climbing gyms.
- Stretch playtime past sunset at a well-lit playground.
Our family fun calendar features great community events — every day of the year!
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Editor’s note: Each week ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, updates The Weekender with her favorite weekend activities around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound. It was originally published years ago and was most recently updated on Jan. 21, 2026. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.
