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TUESDAY
COMMUNITY1. A Johnny Cash Night Out: Singing, Trivia, Games, and Beer!
The Prison Scholar Fund, an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people make easier transitions into society, will host a Johnny Cash-themed night out (in honor of the country singer's famous performance at Folsom Prison in 1968) with a Johnny Cash look-alike contest, trivia, singing, dancing, and beer.
2. HP Trivia: Chapter 7 (Yule Ball Edition)
Dress fancy and gather up to five of your nerdiest buddies for this holiday Yule Ball edition of Harry Potter trivia.
3. A Country (Baroque) Christmas
Rustle up some rustic holiday cheer with a program of old-fashioned country tunes from Renaissance and Baroque Italy, France, Spain, and Latin America performed by Henry Lebedinsky and the Underground House Choir.
4. Light Delay
Jessica Andrewartha's brand-new play takes place as 1,000 thousand climate refugees race against time to flee the environmentally devastated Earth. This is a workshop production.
5. Dissent: Patriotism or Treason?
During World War I, local anti-war activist Louise Olivereau encouraged men in the United States to refuse to fight after they'd been drafted. After a program of World War I-era music from Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers, join Scott Winn, civil liberties expert Bryan Adamson, and historian Lorraine McConaghy as they explore patriotism, pacifism, and the limits of free speech.
6. Octavio Solis: Retablos
Basing his conceptual style on the southwest and Mexican tradition of the folk art retablo, a religious folk art icon "usually painted on repurposed metal" depicting crisis and salvation, the playwright Octavio Solis revisits the traumas and revelations from his childhood in El Paso, Texas. He'll read some excerpts from the memoir, subtitled "Stories from a Life Lived Along the Border," at this Town Hall event.
7. Orcas and Pesticides: Making the Connection
Lisa Hayward and Clement Furlong of the University of Washington Superfund Research Program will share their research on just how vulnerable Puget Sound marine mammals are to organophosphates (widely used insecticides).
8. Light the Night
Celebrate Hanukkah in a queer-friendly space with a candle lighting and blessings, music, games of dreidel, and sufganiyot (Israeli jelly doughnuts).
9. Public Menorah Lighting in Green Lake
Ring in the third night of Hanukkah with a giant menorah lighting, a performance from the "dreidel man," hot latkes and jelly doughnuts, and balloon activities for kids. You can also grab a free menorah kit to take home.
TUESDAY-SATURDAY
VISUAL ART10. Annie Morris
Morris, who graduated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 2002, sculpts towers out of plaster and decorates them with cheerfully colored paint and sand.
Closing Saturday
TUESDAY-SUNDAY
VISUAL ART11. Night of the Outsiders (NOTO) Pop Up Art Group Show and Exhibition
Acquaint yourself with the artistic wild side with this brief showing of works by outsider artists Candace Behuniak (known for kitties painted in well-known, distinctive styles like Picasso's), Tom Davis, Georgann Gibson, and Jacquie Theilen.
Closing Sunday
12. Stone Images IX
This exhibition honors that Japanese suiseki and Chinese scholar stone tradition of prizing naturally formed sculptural rocks that evoke landscapes, animals, or other pleasing forms. The organizers write, "The practice of collecting and viewing stones originated in China about 2,000 years ago; it was introduced to Japan in the sixth century CE, and is now practiced worldwide." This free show is organized by the Puget Sound Bonsai Association's Viewing Stone Study Group.
Closing Sunday
WEDNESDAY
COMEDY13. The Dope Show
Tyler Smith presents the Dope Show, which offers two performances by a lineup of comedians: one delivered sober, then another delivered several (smoky) minutes later, totally baked. Jubal Flagg, Jose Bolanos, and Cory Michaelis will feature this time.
14. Urban Canopy Cocktails
Learn about protecting urban wildlife habitats and drink cocktails and local brews with Seattle Audubon.
15. CatVideoFest 2018 in Tacoma
Why watch cat videos alone on your couch when you could revel in over 70 minutes of feline cuteness in a theater full of people?Â
16. Star Wars Trivia Night!
Do you know the difference between a tauntaun and a wampa? Let it be known at this Star Wars trivia night, and wear your best costume.
17. CarolFest
Join the Chamber Singers, University Chorale, University Singers, Women’s Choir, Gospel Choir, and UW Men’s Glee Club for a program of holiday carols of every style, featuring seven conductors, 500 singers, four graduate conductors, three choral faculty, and two hours of music.
18. Madonna vs Lady Gaga Pride Skate
Sing your heart out to "Like a Prayer" or "Paparazzi" at this Madonna/Lady Gaga baby ketten karaoke skate party.
19. Catherine H. Murray: Now You See the Sky
Catherine Murray will read from her literary debut, a heartbreaking memoir about coping with the loss of a child. Former Washington State Poet Laureate Elizabeth Austen will share work as well.
20. Christopher Sandford: The Man Who Would Be Sherlock
You may have read the tales and watched the BBC adaptations, but how much do you know about the author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes? Sandford draws parallels between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's life and the biography of his most famous fictional creation, with whom he had a peculiar and not always loving relationship.
21. Jewish Folktales of the Mediterranean: Ladino Day 2018
Paris-based author François Azar will discuss his two new collections of Sephardic folktales, The Jewish Parrot and Bewitched by Solika—written in both Ladino and English—and the significance of storytelling and art in Sephardic culture in honor of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) Day.
22. Not Your Company's Holiday Party
If you're a creative or tech professional, whether you work in-house or as a freelancer, head to this gathering to sip drinks, dance to tunes by DJÂ Nostalgia B, and support Arts Corps.
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY
VISUAL ART23. Human Rights 70 Years On: A Poster Show
Visiting Zimbabwean artist and graphic designer Saki Mafundikwa and Elisabeth Patterson co-taught a Design for Social Activism class to the senior BFA graphic design class at Cornish this past semester, wherein the students designed posters to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights. See some of the work at this gallery exhibition.
Closing Saturday
THURSDAY
COMEDY24. Bawdy Storytelling's 'The Naughty Bits'
Storytellers, porn stars, sex educators, and others will gush over their sexual escapades live. Think The Moth but dirtier.
25. Hanukkah Comedy Program
Local comedy group the Michaels will tell jokes in the spirit of Hanukkah while you feast on fried potatoes from a latke bar.
26. Laughs Comedy Showcase
Locally born, New York-residing comic Hans Kim, the winner of the 2017 Laughs Comedy Club Laugh-Off, will return home to Seattle to make you chuckle.Â
27. Drawing Lab: Botanicals and Animals
Learn to draw things that live and breathe—or did at one point in time—with Seattle-based illustrator Kai Carpenter. Participants will work with a curated collection of skulls and furs from the Woodland Park Zoo, as well as selected plants from Volunteer Park Conservatory’s head gardener, David Helgeson.
28. Gender Justice Awards 2018
The Gender Justice League will award trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and gender diverse activists in Seattle whose community organizing skills and other work has helped Seattle move toward gender equality and inclusivity.
29. History After Hours: CRAFT + BREW
Get inspired by the 180 unusual crafts featured in the exhibition Make/Do: A History of Creative Reuse, then drink beer while you make crafts of your own (including wrapping paper).
30. Seattle Human Rights Day 2018
On Seattle Human Rights Day, enjoy a performance by the young talents of Totem Star and a panel discussion with Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network's Monserrat Padilla and Organization for Prostitution Survivors' Alisa Bernard.
31. Elf Movie Night & Blanket Drive
Watch the delightful holiday classic Elf while you sip beer in a heated garden. Don't forget to bring warm blankets and clothes to donate to those in need.
32. Hedrick Smith's "The People vs The Politicians"
Hedrick Smith's documentary The People vs. the Politicians shows the efforts of grassroots reformers to counteract the flaws in our political system, from voter suppression to gerrymandering. Watch it for free at this Meaningful Movies screening.
33. IPA Cask-O-Rama!
Sample 18 Washington-brewed IPAs served from casks, and find out the winner of HOPvemberfest.
34. An Evening of Tea Duelling with the Grand Arbiter
Settle your squabbles the steampunk way—by submerging a biscuit (cookie) into some tea, and trying to eat it without it falling apart. Learn how at this event hosted by the Grand Arbiter.
35. GeekWire Gala 2018
GeekWire will celebrate the region's tech community with treats, festive cocktails, photo booths, and geeky mingling opportunities.
36. Octomalien Holiday Masquerade Ball
Put on your holiday finest for this fancy masquerade show with music provided by "Seattle's premier live-looping band,"Â Octomalien.
37. Seattle Hard Bop Collective: Hard Bop Christmas
Hear hard bop renditions of your favorite holiday standards from Jory Tindall.
38. Irish-American Relations: What's Next?
Daniel Mulhall, ambassador of Ireland to the United States, will discuss foreign relations between the US and Ireland, the broader Trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and the EU, international trade, and the implications of Brexit on Northern Ireland.
39. Ralina L. Joseph: Postracial Resistance
Ralina L. Joseph's Postracial Resistance examines how influential black women like Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Shonda Rhimes respond to and fight against racism in politics, culture, and the media. Hear her read tonight.
40. Drag Bingo at the Bush!
Local queen Atasha Manila will host a night of bingo and shell out fun prizes from her own drag closet.
41. Make Space. We Will Not Be Erased.
QTPOC musicians, artists, and poets like Gypsy Temple, Claudine Magbag, the Smiley Experience, Nathan Nyzanga, HopSol, Vy Nguyen, Dani Tirrell, Ananya Garg, and others will showcase their work.
42. Light Up the Night - Burger Fest
Spend the fifth night of Hanukkah witnessing Westlake Park's giant menorah lighting, eating gourmet burgers, latkes, and doughnuts, sipping hot beverages, and learning about Judaism from a Mitzvah tank.
43. The Night of Magical Creatures
For one night only, WildLights will transform into a dreamy Harry Potter-inspired world filled with creatures from the series. Guests are invited to dress as their favorite character, take an Herbology class, and throw faux snowballs in a Snowmazium.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
VISUAL ART44. Dan Paz: the sun never knew how great it was until it struck the side of a building
Paz uses a variety of media, including high-resolution video, sculpture, photogram, and dance, to explore the spaces of youth detention centers and sports and recreation areas.
Opening Thursday
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
PERFORMANCE45. Occurrence #5 and #6
See a compilation of Spectrum's complete dances, excerpts of dances from the repertory, and new sequences in a series modeled on Merce Cunningham's EVENT.
46. Out in the Open
A young queer woman confronts unexpected complications when a friendship turns into something else in this play by James Schilling.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
COMEDY47. Steven Gillespie
Steve Gillespie will share his self-flagellating humor and social commentary live in Seattle.
48. Weekend of Wizardry
Immerse yourself fully in the world of Harry Potter at this four-day convention for passionate fans. Witches, wizards, muggles, and mudbloods can look forward to workshops, celebrity guests (including Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in the movies, James Fouhey, who played Cedric, and Hermione cosplayer Kari Lewis), a Wizard's Feast, a holiday ball, a magical tea party, a vendor's alley, and more spellbinding programming.
49. Cabaret
Stranger print editor Christopher Frizzelle once wrote: "Cabaret is the best musical of all time, because Kander and Ebb were geniuses and because it neatly solves the problem inherent in musicals (why are these people breaking into song?). Its bawdy, funny, hedonistic songs aren't indulgent for indulgence's sake. What goes on inside the Kit Kat Klub, in Berlin in 1931, is ignorant bliss on amphetamines, a carnival of humanity not aware what's coming their way." This production by Pullman.vs.Paxton will benefit the Lavender Rights Project.
50. Eli Steffen: War Belly
In this multimedia performance directed by Nico Swenson, drag performer Victory Medus will explore the violence at the core of male socialization from a trans-feminine perspective. Victory will lead the audience in a faux-ritual to stalk "the Man" and "bring him to heal," and audience members will also participate in a series of "warped childhood games" that aim to prove the thesis of the piece.
FRIDAY
COMMUNITY51. Art & Activism
Washington Wild will share tips on protecting your local public lands while local artist Nikki Frumkin presents her art and Anastasia Allison and Rose Freeman of the Musical Mountaineers play the violin and piano. All proceeds from Frumkin's art will benefit Washington Wild.
52. The 32nd Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Dozens of caroling teams will once again gather downtown to sing holiday ditties in support of the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank, which offers free meals, free groceries, one-on-one counseling, and other services to low-income and homeless people in Seattle. The top caroling teams will compete in a very festive "sing-off" on the Figgy Pudding main stage at the end of the night.
53. Angry Snowmans, Lucky Boys, Arch Enemies
Hey-ho—HO-HO… hey-ho—HO-HO! What if there was a cover of the Ramones’ punk classic “Blitzkrieg Bop” called “BLITZEN Bop” and the lyrics were all about being disgruntled Santa’s elves, who are trying to overthrow the oppressive North Pole regime? What if these Canadian elves took a whole bunch of classic punk tunes by Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Social Distortion, the Rezillos, and others, and rewrote them all as fist-banger Christmas carols? What if this same band of rebel elves wanted to wear some crappy, half-assed Santa garb, and play all these songs for you live, right around the holidays? It’s a win-win with Angry Snowmans. Standout songs include “Someone’s Gonna Get Their Halls Decked In,” “Santa Is a Fatso,” and “Children Are Mean.” KELLY O
54. Art and Music from the Psychè
Columbia City Theater will experience an abstract art and music takeover thanks to Andrey Psychè, Bronson Bragg, and 1st Saint Street.Â
55. Patitude, New Sensation
Locals Patitude will pay tribute to their favorite '80s gal, Pat Benatar. They'll be joined by INXS tribute band New Sensation.
56. Professor Sweater EP Release Party
Local indie-rock trio Professor Sweater will fete the release of their self-titled debut EP with a holiday party (featuring an ugly sweater contest, natch) and musical support from five-piece rock outfit the Salmonberries and funky groove-rockers Speak Easy.
57. The Road Goes On Forever
Allman Brothers tribute band Wasted Words will play all your favorites by the Floridian Southern rock jam band.
58. The Loungettes Cabaret
View queer weirdness in all its vitality at this cabaret hosted by the Loungettes band and featuring scary queen Jackie Hell, Britt Brutality, Mr. Dr. Professor M.D., Manica, and Pleiades.
59. ReBel's Drag Race: A Queer Holi-Slay Spectacular
Eight queens from RuPaul's Drag Race seasons past (including Eureka O’Hara, Jasmine Masters, Shangela, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Sonique, and Trixie Mattel) will return for the RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular to vie for the title of “Drag Race Xmas Queen.” Feast your eyes on the action with local queens Mercury Divine and Arrhythmio at this non-binary/trans/queer/female-inclusive Drag Race viewing party, and wear your best wintery costume to win prizes.Â
60. Erika Brumett Chapbook Release
Join Erika Brumett for the launch of her new poetry chapbook, bonehouse, where she'll read alongside fellow poets Joannie Stangeland, Molly Tenenbaum, Sari Krosinky, and Holly Boone.Â
61. Gillian Gaar Book Reading & Signing
Gillian Gaar will read from her book World Domination: The Sub Pop Records Story—about how a humble Seattle record company grew to boast so many great artists—and will stick around afterward for a Q&A and signing.Â
62. Tesoro In Seattle
Join Salvadorian poet Yesika Salgado as she reads from her latest book, Tesoro, which grapples with "family, love, heartache, and growth."
63. 15-Year Anniversary Party and Reception
The jewelry and small-scale metalworking studio Danaca Design is turning 15 years old. Celebrate with them by seeing work by students and teachers and shopping from the gallery. Plus, get ready to dance to groovy tunes by DJ Noah "the Mind Bloah."
64. Annual Ugly Sweater Party
Dress yourself and your dog in an ugly sweater to take an adorable photo for your holiday cards. Humans can enjoy Chavoya's Hot Dogs and dogs can revel in treats from the Seattle Barkery.
65. Google Lights
The Google Kirkland campus will turn on their 25,000-light display for a holiday light show synchronized to music. There will also be free hot chocolate and cookies, and appearances by Blitz the Seattle Seahawks mascot and Keiko the llama.
66. Twinkle Twinkle Freeway Park
Forget the chestnuts—instead, roast some marshmallows on an open fire to make s'mores and sip on a cup of hot cocoa, while enjoying the beautifully illuminated park and the sweet sounds of the Dickens Carolers.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
MUSIC67. 17th Annual All Star Porn Jam
There isn't any actual porn at this event, but the evening does promise to be "more fun than a tequila-fueled tractor pull" and to provide plenty of thrilling tunes performed by Seattle rockers. All proceeds benefit NW Harvest and PAWS.
68. Stripped Screw Burlesque Presents: The Best Burlesque Pageant Ever!!
Kutie LaBootie and other members of Stripped Screw crash an innocent Christmas pageant and cause much shock, horror, and arousal.
69. Krampus Nacht
If you think the Grinch is scary, wait until you encounter Krampus Nacht, the ghoulish demon of Christmas who haunts people throughout the Yuletide season, and who will be lurking around this haunted house in the company of evil elves and other creepy creatures. When he's not haunting, he'll be snapping photos with attendees.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
GEEK70. Jurassic Quest
Dino fanatics can enter a pre-historic realm filled with true-to-life dinosaur replicas, from the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Iguanodon. Some of them even walk around and make noises.
71. A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play
Get in the holiday spirit with Twelfth Night Productions' "live radio" production of the Christmas classic, complete with Foley sound effects and a live antique pipe organ soundtrack.
72. X-Mas: A Merry Mutant Holiday Spectacular
Celebrate X-mas with Nightcrawler, Jean, Magneto, and all your favorite freaks at this merry mutant holiday show in which robots attack the X-Mansion.
73. Let There Be Light
Light projection art by SIGNALS (the team of Nicholas Sassoon and Rick Silva) will spread across a huge panorama on the waterfront—namely, the working grain terminal on Pier 86—222 feet long and visible from many parts of Seattle during the first weekend of Let There Be Light.
Opening Friday
74. Fremont Festivus
Enjoy a weekend of non-denominational holiday events in Fremont, including the lighting of the Lenin statue, First Friday Art Walk, the Roamin' Holiday Bazaar, the Fremont Music Festival, an Artist Reception, the Sunday Market, where you'll find gifts for the holidays, and the The Alterna-Steam Steamcrawl.
SATURDAY
COMEDY75. Boom Bap: Hip Hop and Improv Comedy
Hiphop and improv comedy collide as local free-styling lyricists perform their "hiphop acrobatics" on the spot based on audience suggestions.Â
76. First Date!
Comedian Haley Beglau will go on a genuine first date with a brave soul, inspiring an improv group to feats of spontaneity.
77. Anchors: A Movement Workshop
Seattle dancer and choreographer Alyza DelPan-Monley and performance artist Syniva Whitney will lead an all-levels movement-based workshop inspired by Martha Friedman's current exhibit at the Henry, Castoffs.Â
78. Tasveer Fundraiser Gala: Lights, Camera, (take)Action
Celebrate the South Asian arts nonprofit Tasveer at this party featuring Hollywood producer Aditya Sood (The Martian, Deadpool, Deadpool 2).
79. Walking Tour of Comet Lodge Cemetery
Explore an abandoned cemetery with Atlas Obscura Society field agent Jared Steed, who will talk about its history as a Duwamish Indian burial site and a pioneer cemetery.
80. A Branchy Brunchy Brunch- Holiday Botanical Pop Up Shop
Feast on brunchy bites and shop for wreaths and other holiday botanicals.
81. ABRAHAM INC. with David Krakauer, Fred Wesley, and Socalled
If Hanukkah has got you in the mood for some klezmer jams (and clarinet stylings), David Krakauer will deliver the goods. He'll be joined by funk trombonist Fred Wesley, who has allegedly played with James Brown, and hiphop "beat architect" Socalled.
82. Blink-180True, Operation Timebomb
Give in to your love for Blink-182 and dance through the night to all the pop-punk band's hits with tribute band Blind-180TRUE.
83. Communist Eyes, Stuntmen, Cheap Cassettes
Join up with trash rockers Communist Eyes, Stuntmen, and Cheap Cassettes for a wild night out that doubles as a holiday toy drive for local kids.
84. The Fresh Prince of Capitol Hill: A '90s HipHop Dance Party
Get inspired by Will Smith's outfits from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and head to Capitol Hill to dance freely to '90s hiphop all night long.
85. The Handsome Ladies Showcase Series
Dance to bluegrass music from women musicians all fall and winter long, starting with fiddle experts Piney Gals and "mostly-bluegrass trio" Darlin Do.
86. A Holiday Celebration of Music, Dance, and Visual Art
Songwriting trio the Silo Three (comprised of Camille Bloom, Gaelen Billingsley, and Logan Billingsley) will celebrate the release of their first album, The Promise Green, with a special performance paired with seven original dance pieces by choreographer Laura Peterson, featuring 12-year-old theater prodigies Maylie Gardner and Jacob Livingston, among others.
87. Nghtmre Before Xmas
Dance out all your holiday anxieties with a bunch of arena-style EDM from artists like Nghtmre, Bro Safari, Midnight T, Ducky, and Swage.
88. Spekulation & Friends
Local hiphop artist Spekulation invites you to bring your favorite instrument and join him in an all-night jam session.
89. Tom Waits Tribute Night
Local artists Vicious Petals, Annie Ford, Casey Ruff, and many others will pay tribute to the gravelly voiced angel Tom Waits. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to kids in need.
90. HEAT! Underwear Party
DJs Bret Law and BenTraxx will lay down some sexy tracks for you to dance to in the company of hot go-go boys.
91. Sinful Sisters presents Star Wars: The Last Rhinestone Part Deux
Calling all horny rebels: Watch belly dance, burlesque, bachata, drag, and acrobatics inspired by the neverending space opera.
92. Barbara Kinney: #StillWithHer
Former Seattle Times photographer Barbara Kinney has taken many photos of the Clintons over the years—including during Bill Clinton's time in the White House. She'll present her new book, #StillWithHer, which includes written contributions from celebs like Sybrina Fulton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Kwan, Cecile Richards, and others.
93. Kazu Kibuishi Signing
Kazu Kibuishi, the creator of the children's graphic novel series Amulet, will sign copies of the premature installment of the series' Vol. 8: Supernova.
94. Craftsman Christmas - Seattle Flagship
Drink free hot cocoa and cider and check out work for sale by local woodworker Laura Burkhart, metal fabricator Chelsea Gaddy of Force/Collide, and chain-stitching/patchwork artists Lindsey and Dusty Diamond. Pike Street Press Letterpress Print + Design Studio will also be onsite selling their vintage cards.
95. The Dance Non-Stop Party with Erica Dixon
ZJ Erica Dixon will bring a high-energy night of soca and hiphop to get your blood pumping. Put your dance endurance to the test.
96. Street Scramble at the Market
Stay warm (and hone your crowd-weaving skills) by trying to reach as many checkpoints around Pike Place Market as you can in two hours or less in this festive street scramble.
97. Destiny City Comics & Arts Festival Holiday Edition
Meet local comics artists and writers like Peter Bagge (Fire!: The Zora Neale Hurston Story, Rebel Woman: The Margaret Sanger Story, Buddy Does Seattle), Tatiana Gill, and others.
98. Bubbe's Old-Fashioned Hanukkah Shindig
Dance the seventh night of Hanukkah away to Good Co.'s electro-swing tunes, the Debaucherauntes' "cabaret punk klezmer fusion," and Austin Bertak's King Cardboard & the Couch Orphans' manouche and klezmer music. There will also be burlesque performances by Manny Schevitz and Celia Lipshutz, circus acrobatics by Josie & Kindra, a menorah lighting, and more.
99. The Chanukah Party
Get a taste of Jewish and Chinese culture in one night with a spread of tasty treats, stand-up comedy, musical performances, and a dance party with KEXP's DJ Atticus.
100. Christmas Market 2018
Shop for artisan goods and make arts and crafts at this French- and German-inspired market, complete with a visit from Santa and a performance from a French-language choir.
101. Deck the Darkroom: Holiday Open House & Bazaar
Get your photo taken in a professional photo booth, meet artists and buy their books, and enjoy festive music at this holiday fundraiser for Photographic Center Northwest.
102. Dickens Festival
Hark back to the era of Charles Dickens, a man who knew a thing or two about Christmas ghosts, by enjoying Victorian activities like a "Best Victorian Dog" contest, caroling, a tree lighting with Santa, a horse-drawn carriage ride to the decked-out Wright Park Conservatory, and more.
103. Green Lake Pathway of Lights
Every year, the Green Lake Park circuit illuminates its pathway with thousands of candles. You can walk through it, gaze up at hot air balloons, hear holiday music, and warm up with treats.
104. Handmade Holiday Market
Purchase handmade gifts from over 50 local makers and enjoy a food truck, dessert vendors, and a beer garden to keep you fueled while you shop.
105. Holiday Craftapalooza 2018
Make gift tags, wrapping paper, snowflakes, and more for holiday gifts using cool found materials. Kids can hang out in a painting corner.Â
106. Holiday Sip & Shop in The Nest
Enjoy the Nest's fall-winter menu and sip cocktails while browsing a selection of goods from local stores like Moorea Seal and Scotch & Soda.
107. Santa at the Conservatory
Take photos with the jolly man of Christmas with a backdrop of the Volunteer Park Conservatory's festive Poinsettias and rare tropical plants.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS108. SeaJam Festival
Celebrate Hanukkah at the SeaJam Festival, which promises food, games, arts and crafts, food trucks, a candle lighting, and a concert full of "rocking and rolling Hanukkah songs" with indie-pop band the LeeVees. After that, there will be a multi-media dance performance by Rebecca Margolick and Maxx Berkowitz and a stand-up set with Cathy Ladman.
109. The Alterna-Steam Steamcrawl - A Steampunk Holiday Affair
Starting with tea and treats at Friday Afternoon, this crawl invites steampunks to buckle up in their leather- and metal-heavy outfits and go around to various Seattle businesses in pursuit of vendors, fashion shows, a steampunk book fair, and more holiday fun.
110. 30-Minute Nutcracker
Kids and families can get a condensed version of the holiday classic The Nutcracker from DASSdance while hanging out with Santa, eating a continental breakfast, and making balloon animals.
111. Puss in Boots, a British Panto
Get a taste of the boisterous tradition of family-friendly British panto, a theater production that encourages audience participation (read: applauding Puss, booing the ogre, and singing along) and features broad humor and outsize characters. The Fremont Philharmonic Orchestra will back the original songs.
112. Omakase Images
Get prints to match your "secular saint" candles like Saint Prince, His Purpleness; Saint Christine Blasey Ford the Brave; and Saint Bob, Painter of Happy Little Trees.
Opening Saturday
SUNDAY
COMEDY113. Winter Wonderprov
Jet City Improv's stars will put their powers of goofiness to good use at this benefit show for the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, which in turn helps fund Childhaven, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, and other socially active nonprofits.
114. 'I Am Evidence' Documentary Watch Party
In October of 2015, after a legislative tour revealed that evidence rooms across the country were filled with untested rape kits, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs polled their members on the number of unprocessed and unsubmitted rape kits in their custody, which came in just over 6,000. This information sparked a statewide effort that advocated for the creation and implementation of a "victim-centered, trauma-informed reform program." Learn more at this screening of the documentary I Am Evidence, followed by a discussion with Washington State Representative Tina Orwall, Washington State Attorney General’s Office Senior Investigator Lindsay Wade, and Leah Griffin of the Washington State Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Task Force.
115. Hecklevision: Krampus
Send your heckling texts straight to the big screen while you watch the 2015 holiday fantasy/horror Krampus.Â
116. Return to Mt. Kennedy
In 1965, Jim Whittaker led Senator Robert Kennedy to the first ascent of a remote mountain in the Yukon named after the late president, John F. Kennedy. Fifty years later, the sons of the original climbing team decided to tackle the ascent themselves, and they made it into a film. Watch it in the company of the stars (Jim Whittaker, Leif Whittaker, and Bobby Whittaker) and the director (Eric Becker) at this special screening.Â
117. MOX Geeky Hostess Cookie Decorating
Decorate holiday cookies in nerdy shapes with "Geeky Hostess" Tara.
118. Santa & Wine
Enjoy pizza and wine (kids can have hot cocoa) while you wait to take pictures with Santa.
119. Band It Holiday Show 2018
Pay tribute to the holidays while Devil is 6 pays tribute to the music of the Pixies, the Breakdown pays tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Motormouth - A Motorhead Experience pay tribute to (you guessed it) Motorhead.Â
120. Halloween in December: A Benefit for Urban Rest Stop
Halloween will get a December encore at this art show benefit for Urban Rest Stop, a nonprofit that provides clean, safe facilities where homeless individuals and families can shower and do laundry for free. The lineup includes witchy performances by three live bands, two live painters, and one ballet dancer.Â
121. Happy Hula-Days with the Ukadelics
Local nine-piece tropical music band the Ukadelics will strum holiday songs from the south seas like "Christmas Island" and "Santa in a Red Canoe."
122. Seattle Celebrates the Life of Mac Miller
Honor the late hiphop artist Mac Miller on the night he was scheduled to perform in Seattle with a DJ tribute night. All proceeds will benefit MusiCares, a Grammy-funded organization that helps artists in need.
123. Seattle Jewish Chorale - Spice & Light: A Sephardic Chanukah Celebration
The Seattle Jewish Chorale will put on a festive concert of Sephardic music, featuring Abe Kaplan's "Eight Days of Chanukah," as well as other classic pieces in Ladino.
124. birds sing a pretty song
This collaboration between dancer and choreographer Rebecca Margolick and composer/graphic artist Maxx Berkowitz explores "solitude, beauty, and chaos" and "the way in which technology and surveillance amplifies and minimized connection and those states of being."
125. The Cabaret That Stole Xmas
Bring your sinister Grinchy friends to this holiday cabaret to cheer them up with "who-snacks and who-drinks" and all manner of Christmastime stories told through song and dance. Get there a little early for some pre-show fun, and stay on to bid on cool stuff in an auction.Â
126. MJ Kaufman: Sagittarius Ponderosa
Albatross Theatre Lab presents a staged reading of MJ Kaufman's Sagittarius Ponderosa, directed by Xandria Nirvana Barber, about a trans man who moves back home to rural Oregon when his father falls ill.
127. Sing It! Seattle
Are you a layperson who also enjoys singing? Here's your chance to be part of a choir and perform in front of an audience. You'll even get to vote on which song to learn.
128. Strike Anywhere!
This seems like a dystopian, sci-fi take on both A Christmas Carol and The Little Match Girl, in which the latter character ventures into the wastes of Christmas Future and Christmas Past to find a way to challenge a dictator.
129. Adib Khorram: Darius the Great Is Not Okay
Adib Khorram will read from his debut novel, Darius the Great Is Not Okay, which follows a half-Persian boy with clinical depression whose life changes when he moves to Iran and befriends a boy named Sohrab.
130. Short Stories Live: A Rogue's Christmas 2018
This is the holiday edition of "Short Stories Live," a performance featuring short stories, poems, and music.
131. Black Owl Market - Winter Moon
Get some holiday shopping done at this local vendor market, which comes complete with tattoo artists, a coffee and pastry cart, and a (21+) beer garden.
132. Jingle Bell Run
The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run claims the title of "the longest-running holiday-themed 5K race series anywhere." Tie bells to your shoelaces and your hat and run a 5 or 12K for a good cause.
133. Star Wars Holiday 5K
Run or walk with fellow storm troopers, ewoks, Kylo Rens, and your other favorite characters from a galaxy far, far away in the second annual Star Wars Holiday 5K.
134. Winter Putterland
Enter a winter-themed putt-putt tournament to win gift cards and other prizes.
135. Black Santa Visit
Every year, Black Santa pays a visit to the Northwest African American Museum to take photos with kids and hear their holiday wishes. While kids are in line, they can enjoy a host of activities like arts and crafts and a holiday movie screening.
136. Julestue: A Danish Christmas Celebration
Celebrate the holiday season like a Dane by crafting flettede julehjerter og stjerner (woven hearts and stars), eating appelsiner med nelliker (oranges with cloves), hearing stories, and meeting Julemanden (Santa). All kids will get goodie bags, and adults can sip a glass of gløgg (hot spiced wine).
137. Pioneer Square Howlidays
Your canine companion can run around in a pop-up dog park, enter a doggie costume contest, and enjoy holiday treats (there will be some human treats, too).
138. Santa at the Mansion
Santa will stop by the historic Stimson-Green Mansion for one day only to take photos with kids and families, who can enjoy free cider and holiday cookies while they wait.
139. Victorian Holiday Festival
Frolic among the poinsettias in Tacoma's conservatory, where the staff will be decked out in Victorian-era garb and old-timey Christmas music will be playing.