7 festive things to do for Christmas in Seattle

Seattle sparkles during the holiday season. Whether you’re up for an action-packed day trip or a long weekend in the Emerald City, there are so many things to do for Christmas in Seattle, Washington, with kids or without. Seattle is just a 2+ hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia, and a 3+ hour drive from Portland, Oregon, and has great hotels, restaurants, spas, and holiday attractions. These 7 Seattle Christmas events are a great way to enjoy this lively west coast city during the holidays.

7 festive things to do for Christmas in Seattle

Marvel at the WildLanterns at Woodland Zoo

The popular WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo is north of downtown Seattle. The Zoo invites guests to enjoy an all-new, immersive “Mystical Forest” where illuminated creatures are found at every turn.

Experience the wild wonder of the holiday season as you traverse through the Mystical Forest where stunning creatures gleam brightly. Embark on a Journey on a Bright Desert Highway and see desert flora and fauna before discovering Marvelous Mammals where spectacular northwest animals are vividly portrayed in lantern form.

Family-favorite Interactive Lanterns are spread throughout the WildLanterns spaces. Let your imagination take flight in the Birds of Paradise zone, swan into this area where magnificent peacocks flaunt their flamboyant plumes and birds of a feather perch on enchanted branches.

And don’t miss the journey Under the Jungle Canopy and spot all the mischievous monkeys hiding in the foliage.

WildLanterns is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased online. Closed Mondays (with the exception of December 23rd and 30th and January 1, 2025), as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. WildLanterns will be open New Year’s Day.

Date: November 15 through January 19, 2025

Visit Pike Place Market

A day trip or three day visit to Seattle wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through Pike Place Market. The local artisan stalls are perfect places to purchase unique, handmade gifts and unique food items to bring home.

The 29th Annual Magic in the Market returns to Pike Place Market on November 30, decking out all nine acres with holiday spirit. Revel in the magic with cookie decorating, eggnog sipping, holiday shopping, and a chance to meet Santa – all before the famous Market lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

Even more family fun awaits at Pike Place Market with Crafty’s Handmade HoliDAYS, from December 16-20th. Now in its third year, Crafty’s Handmade HoliDAYS festival fills the market with one-of-a-kind products and artsy experiences.

Near the Market, just down some stairs to an exit alley, is the highly Instagrammable Seattle Gum Wall. City authorities do periodically steam-clean the wall of its 2,350 lbs of gum, but wads of newly masticated sticky goo quickly re-appear as if by some gum-chewing fairy magic.

Let’s just say it’s a unique attraction.

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Experience Enchant

Making its grand return to the destination after a four-year hiatus, Enchant returns to T-Mobile Park from November 22 to December 29th. Set in a magical world with an ice-skating trail, marketplace, and the “world’s largest Christmas light maze,” Enchant’s 2024 theme invites visitors to embark on a magical quest to save the holidays.

The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, ‘Santa’s Magic Timepiece’, takes guests into the heart of a magical tale in which you are charged with recovering lost star fragments in the maze in order to save Christmas. There’s also an ice-skating trail, new Ferris Wheel experience, festive photo-ops, visits with Santa, holiday party celebrations, seasonal food and drink, live entertainment and more.

Dates: November 22 through December 29th

Seattle Christmas Market

Following its successful debut in 2023, the Seattle Christmas Market returns November 21st to December 24th.

Throughout this five-week celebration, the Seattle Christmas Market will feature over 80 vendors. The village marketplace is at Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn. The Market offers an incredible curated selection of local and international artisan-crafted gifts, as well as delicious treats and hot drinks.

The Seattle Christmas Market will also host its first Lantern Festival Parade on December 1st at 5 p.m. Pre-sale tickets offering an early bird discount are available for purchase during the month of October.

Dates: November 21 through December 24th

Garden D’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden

Pack the sunglasses; your eyes may need a break from the explosion of LED lights at Garden D’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

Over half a million lights take over this eastside botanical garden, creating a sea of flowers, swans, trees and more. Watch the kids giggle with glee as Snap d’Dragon puffs a little smoke from his nose.

Be sure not to miss the aquarium in the visitor’s center. You may just want to give these larger than life jellyfish a squeeze.

Dates: November 30 through December 31

Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel celebrates the holidays with its Festival of Trees, a fabulous display of 20 festively decorated Christmas trees in its lobby.

The Hotel is also home to the Teddy Bear Suite, where the collection of plush teddy bears in every shape and size will have your kids in teddy heaven. There are plenty of photo opportunities and be sure to grab a candy cane on your way out.

Fairmont’s Teddy Bear Suite raises money for Seattle Children’s Hospital, so please consider making a donation to this worthy cause. The Teddy Bear Suite is open daily (including Christmas) during the holiday season. This is one of the must see Christmas activities in Seattle.

Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Grand Seattle

While you can’t eat these gingerbread houses, you will marvel at how architects and artists manage to create such amazing displays with baked cookie dough.

The village scenes are based on holiday carols, such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town and O Little Town of Bethlehem. The tasty tableau will be open and free to the public Nov. 21-January 1st, but donations are welcome, going to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

Looking for more family fun? Check out the Seattle Museum of Flight

Where to Stay in Seattle

There is no shortage of great boutique hotels in Seattle. We stayed at the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel, which is perfectly situated in the heart of downtown Seattle.

This grand hotel is fully decked out in holiday glory. Staff are welcoming and friendly despite the busyness of the season. Our hotel suite was spacious and cosy, with lots of room for our packages parcels after our visit to Nordstrom Rack!

We walked everywhere throughout downtown from the hotel, which is in easy distance to Pike Place Market and the shopping district. The Hotel employs a driver if you book fast enough (he’s in demand during the holidays). This is an excellent service if you want to eat anywhere in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.

While you’re in the Fairmont Olympic, take time to admire the 17 trees of all sizes found throughout the hotel.

The tree in the main Lobby is a massive fir that has been treated and fire-proofed to preserve it all season long. It’s the largest tree found in a Seattle hotel, and has been decorated with 3,000+ lights by Camden Gardens.

Where to eat in Seattle

Break your fast at Le Panier

Just next to Pike Place Market, a few doors down from the original Starbucks, Le Panier is a Very French Bakery (their words).

Having been to France, I would concur that Le Panier is indeed Very French. It offers genuine cafe au lait and sweet and savory baked goodies. Grab a few bags of special holiday cookies as gifts to take home to friends.

Enjoy holiday tea at the Georgian, Fairmont Olympic

Fortify yourself for a day of holiday sightseeing with a traditional high tea service at the Holiday Tea at the Fairmont Olympic. The Holiday Tea services is at lunch daily in the gorgeous and historic Georgian room. Choose from a selection of delicious loose leafed teas (tip: try the 1907 custom blend). Enjoy nibbling on exquisite tea sandwiches, sweets, and warm scones with jam and clotted cream.

Get fancy at The Carlile Room

Dress up and get festive to dine out at The Carlile Room, part of the restaurant dominion of Tom Douglas, one of America’s premier chefs. The Room features a menu heavy on American favorites, including grilled caesar salad, grilled steak, schnitzel, and swish cocktails perfect for celebrating the season. Save room for the triple coconut cream pie.

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Disclosure: Thank you to Fairmont Olympic Seattle and Seattle CityPass for hosting our holiday in the Emerald City. This post contains affiliate links.

Photo Credits: Keryn Means; Claudia Laroye; Instagram

Have you been to Seattle during the holidays? Share your comments below.