Tag Archives: David’s Picks

December 14-16, 2018

Christmas Lights Festival in Leavenworth
FRI-SUN Musical performances, strolling carolers, costumed Christmas characters, Bavarian themed dining and shopping. In Leavenworh. Map
(www.leavenworth.org)

Christmas Ship onshore viewing
See the lighted and decorated Christmas ship and listen to the live choir. Several shore viewing sites will have bonfires(*).
FRI: Parade of Boats night
o 7:20 Lake Union Parade of Boats Show (center of Lake Union)
o 8:10* Fremont Cut
SAT:
o 3:10 Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)
o 3:50* Golden Gardens Park
o 7:30* Carkeek Park
o 8:40 Shilshole Bay
SUN:
o 2:10* Kirkland Marina Park
o 7:50 Meydenbauer Bay
o 8:35* Madison Beach Park
(www.argosycruises.com)

Santa’s Landing Party at the Museum of Flight
SAT A day of holiday events lands at the Museum with the airplane arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus! The jolly couple will hear children’s’ wishes in the Museum, with music from The Boeing Concert Orchestra, the Boeing Band, and special guests Caspar Babypants. Map
(www.museumofflight.org)

Native American Art Market
SAT-SUN Native American clothing, jewelry, woodworking, drums, art, crafts and foods. At the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park Map
(www.unitedindians.org)

Renegade Holiday Craft Sale
SAT-SUN Browse local artists and finish up your holiday shopping at this one-stop crafts and vintage goods extravaganza. Workshops, food trucks and entertainment. At Magnuson Park. Map
(http://www.renegadecraft.com/)

Winter Feast
SUN Mobile Food Rodeo celebrating world cuisine throughout the Northwest. At the Fremont Sunday Market. Map
(http://www.mobilefoodrodeo.com/)

Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks
THU-FRI Strong annual meteor shower centered on the constellation Gemini. Look to the southwestern sky to the left and above Orion.

November 22-25, 2018

Thanksgiving Holiday
THU-FRI An American tradition of giving thanks.

Holiday Festivals Opening
FRI-SAT
Opening Friday
o Enchanted Christmas at Safeco Field [Map]
o Bellevue Magic Season [Map]
o Seattle Center Winterfest [Map]
o Woodland Park Zoo Wildlights [Map]
o Christmas Ship Festival
o Point Defiance Zoolights [Map]
Opening Saturday
o Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights [Map]

Macy’s Holiday Parade
FRI Come celebrate the holiday season with the annual Macy’s Holiday Parade and Star Lighting Ceremony. The parade includes festive floats, costumed characters and local community groups, all followed by Santa, who will arrive at Macy’s where he’ll officialy open Santaland for the season.

Black Friday Shopping
FRI Another American tradition of helping retail businesses get “in the black” before year’s end. (a reference to an even older accounting tradition of using black ink to record profits)

Greet the Season at Lake Union Park
SAT Festive music and family-friendly crafts and activities all day followed by the launch of the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival! – at Lake Union Park, the Center for Wooden Boats, and MOHAI. Map
(http://www.mohai.org/)

Small Business Saturday
SAT A day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

Magic in the Market
SAT Entertainment, food and a holiday concert & Santa followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at Pike Place Market. Map
(www.pikeplacemarket.org)

Seattle Children’s Festival of Trees
SAT-DEC 02 Decorated, themed trees on display at Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. Tree sales benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital. Map
(www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com)

November 9-11, 2018

Veteran’s Day
SUN Celebrated around the world as the end of WWI, and in the US in honor of veterans of all wars.

Glitter Sale at Seattle Goodwill
SAT-SUN An annual celebration of all that is glitzy and glamorous! Shop the Seattle store for formal dresses, fancy gowns, cocktail dresses and designer wear, and choose from our amazing selection of accessories and fabulous jewelry. At the Seattle Goodwill Store. Map
(www.seattlegoodwill.org)

Seattle International Auto Show
FRI-MON See and compare hundreds of new 2014’s including new electrics & hybrids, exotics and classic muscle cars. At Centurylink Field Events Center. Directions
(www.seattleautoshow.com)

Northwest Chocolate Festival
SAT-SUN The Northwest Chocolate Festival is proud to be the largest gathering of true Bean-To-Bar chocolate makers in the United States. We are delighted and tastefully surprised to be the largest dessert showcase in the city of Seattle.
Video At the Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. Map
(www.nwchocolate.com)

Auburn Veteran’s Day Parade
SAT One of the largest Veterans Day Parades west of the Mississippi with honor guards, veteran units and military fly-over starting at 9am in downtown Auburn. Map
(www.auburnwa.gov)

Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show
FRI-SUN Annual Art & Fine Craft show featuring local artisans at Magnuson Park. Map
(www.nwartalliance.com)

National Parks Free Entrance Days
SUN Free admission at Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and all other National parks. In celebration of Veterans Day. Find a Park
(http://www.nps.gov/index.htm)

November 2-4, 2018

Daylight Savings Ends
SUN Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night

Seattle Restaurant Week
SUN-NOV 08 Participating local restaurants are serving up three-course dinners for a bargain price, and many also offer two-course lunches as well. Map
(srw.seattletimes.com)

Fall Polish Bazaar
FRI-SUN Celebrating Polish cultural traditions with traditional food, crafts and more. At the Polish Cultural Center in Seattle. Map
(www.polishhome.org)

Kenmore Camera Digital Photo Expo
SAT-SUN Photography exhibit, seminars, manufacturers representatives. At the Lynnwood Convention Center. Map
(www.kenmorecamera.com)

Museum of Flight Space Expo
FRI-SAT Top names in the arts and sciences of space, Mars VR exploration. At the Museum of Flight. Map
(www.museumofflight.org)

Hmong New Year Celebration
SAT Live performances, visual arts, hands-on activities, foods, games, and a lively marketplace representing the people from the hilltops of China, Laos, and Thailand. At the Pacific Science Center. Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

North Pole at the Fair
SAT-SUN Opening weekend. Santa’s house with office, library full of children’s books, Mrs. Claus Candy Store, kids crafts, holiday movies and Santa photos through December at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup. Map
( www.northpoleatthefair.com)

Halloween 2018

Weds Oct 31 is Halloween. Here are some safe Trick or Treats.

 

October 26-28, 2018

Seattle Restaurant Week
THRU NOV 08 Participating local restaurants are serving up three-course dinners for a bargain price, and many also offer two-course lunches as well. Map
(srw.seattletimes.com)

Tacoma Bourbon & Bacon Fest
SAT Tasting event with Distilleries from all over the US, and treats from restaurants from the Puget Sound area and beyond. At the Tacoma Armory.
(bourbonandbaconfest.com/)

Mexican Dia de Muertos
SAT-SUN A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed featuring live performances, spectacular sand paintings, special hands-on activities, foods, face painting and exquisite rituals. Create sugar skulls and paper skeletons, explore community altars and march in a musical procession to remember the dead.
Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Remodeled Home Tour
SAT-SUN Homeowners throughout the greater Seattle area are opening their doors to showcase their professionally remodeled homes, including whole-house remodels, master bedroom suites, kitchen transformations and more!
(remodeltour.com)

Woodland Park Zoo Pumpkin Bash and Trick-or-Treating
SAT-SUN Pumpkins for the animals, trick-or-treating, and more are in store for little goblins and ghosts. Map
(www.zoo.org)

The Museum of Fright!
SUN Treats, spooky aviation-themed ghost stories, kids crafts and games at the Museum of Flight. Map
(http://www.museumofflight.org)

Kirkland Wine Walk
FRI A 21+ event of local wineries offered at downtown Kirkland businesses and commences at The Heathman Hotel, Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland. Map
(kirklandchamber.org)

October 19-21, 2018

Seattle Restaurant Week
SUN-NOV 08 Participating local restaurants are serving up three-course dinners for a bargain price, and many also offer two-course lunches as well. Map
(srw.seattletimes.com)

Orionid meteor shower peaks
SAT-SUN The annual Orionid meteor shower will be at it’s peak Wikipedia

Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival
THU-SUN Holiday shopping for decorations, gifts, arts & crafts plus Santa, entertainment and local chefs at the Tacoma Dome. Map
(www.holidaygiftshows.com)

Seattle Home Show
FRI-SUN The Seattle Home Show is the Northwest’s largest consumer home show with everything for the home – indoors and out – with hundreds of exhibits including builders, remodelers, the latest appliances and fixtures, seminars and wine tasting. At Centurylink Field Events Center. Map
(http://seattlehomeshow.com/)

October 12-14, 2014

Borealis Festival Of Lights
THU-SUN A kaleidoscope of light, color, and illusion transforms the exterior of MOHAI, and a self-guided walking tour throughout the South Lake Union neighborhood of two dozen light art installations. At South Lake Union in Seattle. Map
(borealisfestivaloflight.com)

MEHVA Fall Foliage Tour
SUN A scenic 4-hour trip through the Cascade foothills along the quiet back roads of east King County as the autumn leaves are turning color. Tour stops for photos and lunch. Buses depart at 11 a.m. from 2nd Ave. S. and S. Main St., across from the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters. Map
(www.mehva.org)

TurkFest
SAT-SUN Celebration of Turkish culture with a variety of traditional and contemporary food, music, dance, art, and kids activities. At the Seattle Center Armory..
Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Pt. Defiance Zoo Boo
SAT-SUN The popular event features indoor and outdoor activities, camel rides, as well as treats, photos and more. Everyone in costume will receive a $2 discount off the general zoo admission rate. At Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Map
(www.pdza.org)

October 5-7, 2018

Fall Festivites – through Oct 31
Haunted Houses
o Wild Waves Fright Fest – 2 Haunted Houses, rides, entertainment
o Georgetown Morgue Haunted House
o Nightmare on 9
o Nile Nightmares
o Nightmare at Beaver Lake – Proceeds benefit Des Moines Rotary
o Find More Haunted Houses

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
o Remlinger Farms
o Maris Farms
o Stocker Farms
o Carpinto Bros Farms
o Carleton Farm
o The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish
o Craven Farm
o Fosters Corn Maze
o Fairbank Farm
o Jubilee Farm
o Thomasson Family Farm

Fall Color
o Washington Park Arboretum
o University of Washington Campus
o Snoqualmie Falls
o Leavenworth
o More Fall Color

Issaquah Salmon Days Festival
SAT-SUN Arts & crafts, food, entertainment, salmon exhibits and more in downtown Issaquah. Kids love watching the salmon jumping in the stream near the hatchery. Map
(www.salmondays.org)

Leavenworth Oktoberfest 1st Weekend
FRI-SAT Free transportation in Leavenworth, live music, German food, arts and crafts, and activities for the whole family. Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is the next best thing to being in Munich!
Map
(www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com)

Oktoberfest Northwest
FRI-SUN The Annual Oktoberfest Northwest will serve up beer, brats, & authentic entertainment. At the Puyallup Fair and Events Center. Map
(www.oktoberfestnw.com)

Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival
FRI-SUN Crab, chowder cook-off, arts, crafts and more. In Port Angeles. Map
(www.crabfestival.org)

Robothon
SAT Free events including Combat Robots, Robo-Magellan, Line Following, Maze, and Minisumo at Seattle Center. Map
(www.robothon.org)

OysterFest
SAT-SUN Seafood cook-off and Iron Chef competitions, entertainment, wine tasting, oyster-shucking competition and more at the Port of Shelton. Map
(www.oysterfest.org)

Croatia Fest
SUN Continuous live music and dance performances, food demonstrations and vendors of Croatian merchandise.
At the Seattle Center Armory. Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Kelsey Creek Farm Fair
SAT Entertainment, heritage demonstrations and activities, farm animals, tractor-pulled wagon rides, pony rides, food vendors, Kid’s Corral activities, pumpkin patch and decorating at Kelsey Creek Farm Park. Map
(www.myparksandrecreation.com)

FHCAM Monster Bash
SAT Get scary close to a collection of mythical and marvelous machines at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum’s fourth annual MONSTER BASH event! Map
(flyingheritage.com)

September 28-30, 2018

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival
SAT-SUN Celebration of local maritime heritage with boat display, toy-boat building, sailing model boats, boat rides & races, food and live music at Lake Union Park and Center for Wooden Boats. Directions
(www.cwb.org)

Italian Festival
SAT-SUN Food Court & Vendor Market, Celebrity Chef cooking demos, Sicilian puppetry, and a Grape Stomping competition.
At the Seattle Center. Map More Festál
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Burlington Harvest Festival
SAT Pumpkin hurl, pie eating contest, bouncy house, food vendors and more at the Skagit River Park in Burlington. Map
(www.burlington-chamber.com)

Whidbey Island Cider Festival
SAT Cider tasting from various NW cideries, as well as food and fun. Family friendly. Free entrance, cider tasting tickets available for purchase at Brown Paper Ticket, tickets are limited. Map
(www.pacificriminstitute.org/website/)

The Bite of Broadview
FRI-SUN Carnival rides, live music and entertainment including Caspar Babypants, arts, crafts and food vendors, beer/wine garden, Kids’ Zone, car show. At Christ the King school in Seattle. Map
(www.biteofbroadview.com)

Everett Sausage Festival
FRI-SUN Food booths, children’s games, Family Entertainment Stage, bingo, carnival, and Bavarian Beer Garden, Map
(www.everettsausagefest.com)

Northwest Tea Festival
SAT-SUN Fun and educational event about the multifaceted world of tea with authors, experts, retailers, artists and enthusiasts at Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center. Map
(www.nwteafestival.com)