As winter brings snow and shorter days, nothing stokes the holiday spirit like attending one of the many holiday events in Washington. Marvel at interactive displays with over a million lights, cruise along the shore during a lighted boat parade, ride a scenic Polar Express train, or peruse a Christmas market full of artisan vendors–all with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in hand. Here are just a few annual winter festivals and events to get you into the holiday spirit.
Please note this is not a complete list. Many communities host parades, light displays, and more during winter. Check out the events calendar for other upcoming events.
Winter Experiences & Holiday Events in Washington
Explore the Seattle Christmas Market
Come late November, the Seattle Christmas Market takes over the Seattle Center, situated in the shadow of the Space Needle. As one of the most popular holiday events in Washington State, you can expect live music, a scavenger hunt, and decadent food stalls (think giant cream puffs, soft pretzels, and goulash in bread bowls). Don’t miss strolling through Lovers Lane or the walk-through Christmas tree. After taking a spin on the double-decker carousel, consider doing some holiday shopping at the rows upon rows of artisan shops.
Also See: Indoor Fun for Families in Seattle
Discover a Magical Winterfest
From late November through December, the Seattle Center Winterfest illuminates downtown with twinkling lights, a holiday bazaar, ice sculptures, caroling, and live entertainment. During that same period, Fairhaven Winterfest is in full swing up in Bellingham. Enjoy block parties and carriage rides in this historic neighborhood about 90 minutes north of Seattle. Highlights include the Fairhaven Firelight Stroll, a wooded path lined with flickering luminaria, and a lighted bicycle parade.
Come January, winterfests help jolt folks out of post-holiday hibernation. One of the most active winter festivals in Washington is the Spokane Nordic Winterfest, a cross-country ski extravaganza on Mount Spokane with clinics, demos, and a treasure hunt.
At the Lake Chelan Winterfest, join other brave souls for a Polar Bear Plunge in the lake before warming up with a hot toddy at the Ice Bar, a bar sculpted entirely of ice. Stick around after dark for the grand fireworks show.
Also See: Where to Buy Locally Made Gifts
Visit Bavarian Leavenworth’s Village of Lights
From December through January, Leavenworth comes alive with back-to-back winter festivals. Village of Lights: Christmastown takes place during December and is one of the most iconic holiday events in Washington. This Bavarian-themed town nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains bedazzles itself with lights and hosts a slew of events. Visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, take in live music including carolers, or check out a gingerbread house exhibition.
In January, the Village of Lights: Winter Karneval celebration harkens back to a German tradition first recorded in the 13th century when people had a rollicking good time before the fasting and restrictions of Lent. Leavenworth’s interpretation of the holiday means half a million holiday lights, fire dancers, live ice carving, fireworks, and a masquerade pub crawl. While many events happen over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the party lasts all month.
Travel tip: Due to popularity, aim to visit during the week. If traveling from the west side of the state, be sure to check weather and pass conditions before heading over the mountains. Passes can close due to snow, and vehicles are often required to use tire chains. Brush up on how to install chains before you depart; it’s never fun trying to figure it out on the side of a snowy road.
View Lighted Boat Parades and Christmas Ships
Since 1949, Argosy Cruises’ Christmas Ship Festival has infused magic into the holiday season. From late November through December, The Spirit of Seattle glimmers with hundreds of white holiday lights and sails to 40 different Puget Sound waterfront communities (see full schedule). On board, listen to a choir perform and enjoy a dramatic reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. A full-service bar is also available. In Seattle, the one-night Seattle Boat Parade convenes brightly decorated boats in Lake Union for a journey west through the Fremont Cut. Be a part of the action on the water or gather at the official onshore viewing party.
Further south, catch the lighted Christmas Ships Parade on the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA. Take a stroll along the georgous Vancouver Waterfront Renaissance Trail or make reservations at one of the many restaurants with great views of the river. Sailings take place throughout December.
In the Tri-Cities, vessels illuminate the waters with elaborate light displays and decorations during the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade. Boaters gather at Clover Island for a festive promenade up and down the Columbia River. Don’t have a boat? Join Water2wine Cruises, where champagne and cocktails are served on deck.
With so many waterways, it’s no surprise lighted boat parades are one of the most popular holiday events in Washington State. Other boat parades include the Tacoma Lighted Boat Parade, Poulsbo Yacht Club Lighted Ships Parade, Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, Bremerton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade, and the Bellingham Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade.
Ride The Polar Express
Every holiday season, a couple of scenic railways bring the classic book The Polar Express to life. East of Centralia, catch a ride on the Chehalis Polar Express, which cruises by the pastures, riverbanks, and forests of the Chehalis River Valley. On board, watch live performances, listen to a reading of the famous book, sip on hot chocolate, and snack on a fresh peppermint cookie and hot chocolate.
Another option departs from the lakeside town of Elbe near Mount Rainier. The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad operates its Polar Express train ride as an immersive theatrical experience. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas during the 12-mile round-trip journey through towering forests on a vintage 100-year-old steam engine. Tip: Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to book early.
Enjoy Immersive Light Displays
Washington has no shortage of stunning holiday light displays. Enchant Christmas at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park boasts the world’s largest Christmas maze centered around the story of Santa’s Magic Timepiece. Visitors will navigate gigantic light sculptures, a dazzling ice skating rink, and a scavenger hunt for Santa’s missing watch fragments. Also in Seattle is WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. Fantastical light displays bring unicorns, mystical forests, and your favorite Northwest animals to life. In the evenings, adults can sip specialty cocktails among lanterns and meet animal ambassadors.
North of Seattle, Stanwood puts on The Lights of Christmas, a drive-thru display with over a million lights. The route includes two stops where visitors can get out and experience an interactive light maze. After touring through a light tunnel past Santa and his reindeer, snack on fresh mini donuts and hot drinks. In Tulalip at Quil Ceda Village, visitors can enjoy Tulalip Lights and Ice, a free event featuring an ice-skating rink, treats from local vendors, and a dazzling display of 7.8 million lights.
To the south, Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma creates a colorful winter wonderland with over a million lights. Over-the-top displays include a giant Pacific octopus and a rendition of the iconic Narrows Bridge. Don’t miss the herd goats dressed in their holiday coats. If the scavenger hunt for Sasquatch builds up an appetite, feast on the famous apple fries topped with cinnamon, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle.
On the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles holds the one-day Wintertide Festival of Lights. Stroll a forest path decorated with illuminated art, tinker with interactive glow-in-the-dark art stations, enjoy performances and music in the meadow, and peruse the artisan Markers Market.
For more holiday events in Washington, head east of the Cascades to the Tri-Cities. Kennewick’s Senske Holiday Light Show dazzles attendees during December with 500,000 lights synced to a holiday soundtrack. From mid-November through Jan. 1, Liberty Lake outside of Spokane holds the Winter Glow Spectacular, an impressive light display in Orchard Park.
Catch the Parade on Snowflake Lane
For the ultimate holiday parade, head east from Seattle across Lake Washington to Bellevue’s Snowflake Lane. From the end of November through Christmas Eve, Bellevue Way between Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square becomes an all-out holiday celebration at 7 p.m. with a rollicking parade. People come from all over the region to enjoy elaborate floats, holiday lights, music, and dancers. Tip: Go mid-week earlier in the season for a better chance at finding a good viewing spot. Parking is free at the Bellevue Collection parking garages.
About the Author
Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks, Alaska Airlines Magazine, and Adventure Cyclist Magazine. When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.
Featured image: Courtesy of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce