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TUESDAY
COMEDY1. The Cannabis Alliance Presents: The Gong Show
This comedy show inspired by That '70s Show invites stoned comics—Michael Claude, JoeyQ, the Blistering Pigeon, and Bad Mother Blunter—to show their most prized talents in front of a panel of judges. The winner earns a bong.
2. The 12 Randalls Of X-MAS
Taste 12 beers infused with all the flavors of the season, including Backwoods Brewing Company's "Spruce Springsteen" with clementine, cinnamon, and ginger; Boundary Bay Brewery's "Cabin Fever" with brandy-soaked raisins; Diamond Knot's "Ho Ho Ho" with oak chips and vanilla; and Georgetown Brewing's "West Side Santa" with cacao and chili.
3. 10 Year Anniversary Party
The charming, light-filled Capitol Hill eatery Oddfellows will celebrate 10 years of serving up really good sandwiches, salads, and other stuff with Babe Night DJs Waxwitch, Glitter Lizard, and G$MUNNIE. If you're thirsty, grab a glass of sparkling rosé or House Punch, a Jell-O shot, or a signature cocktail for just five bucks. If you can't make it to the party, stop by any time during the day to grab a free mini cookie.
4. Brat Pack: A Night of John Hughes Movie Trivia
Betty Wetter will ask questions only true John Hughes movie buffs will know, with some video and audio rounds thrown in.
5. Holiday Sing-A-Long with Shenandoah Davis & Friends
Local chamber-pop artist Shenandoah Davis will lead you through a holiday songbook filled with all your favorite Christmas classics. Grab a festive cocktail while you sing along.
6. Edward S. Curtis in Hollywood: Historical Presentation
You know Edward Curtis for the 40,000-plus photographs he took of members of more than 80 indigenous North American tribes in the late 19th and early 20th century. But did you know that he also shot movie stills and photographed Hollywood stars in the 1920s? Local historian Dan Kerlee will give a presentation on this lesser-known part of Curtis's career through photographs, paper ephemera, and film clips.
7. Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth
In Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth, astrophysicist, NPR commentator, and New York Times contributor Adam Frank tells the story of "humanity’s coming of age as we awaken to the possibilities of life on other worlds and their sudden relevance to our fate on a climate-changed Earth." Join him tonight as he traces the question of alien life and intelligence from the ancient Greeks to present-day thinkers.
8. Yoga for Writers
Writing is hard when your body and brain are wound up tight like a little ball. This all-levels yoga class invites writers to get re-energized with some relaxing stretching and posing.
9. Out of the Box
Past gallery exhibitors Cathy McClure, Casey Curran, and Markel Uriu have been invited to display artworks in shadow boxes. Attend the silent auction tonight to pick up some lovely art and raise money for the gallery.
Closing Tuesday
10. Light Up Card Making Workshop
Craft master Jen Powers will show you how to make a fun light-up holiday card using paper circuits. Your ticket includes a complimentary cocktail.
11. Santa Pictures at Norm's
Want to immortalize your visit with Santa Claus and his Sugar Plum elves and support the work of PAWS in the process? Norm's has your ticket. You can also sip housemade eggnog and buy a treat from the Seattle Barkery truck for your dog (whom you're welcome to bring along).
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
PERFORMANCE12. The Christmas Revels
The chorale group Puget Sound Revels are back with a holiday set steeped in English countryside flavors, with music, magic, and mythology. Performers will include actor Tony Curry, the Twimble Tunesters, the Revels choristers, Seattle Brass Ensemble, and more.
TUESDAY-SATURDAY
MUSIC13. It's a Wrap Winter Wonderland + DJ Experience
Gaze at a flurry of snow created by digital video mapping while you cozy up by a fire, sip cocktails, and enjoy live DJs.
TUESDAY-SUNDAY
VISUAL ART14. Holiday Celebration
Party with comics collectors and enthusiasts and see works by Kristol Jones and selections from the Kevin Collection, including Donald Duck comics from the '40s to the '80s.
Opening reception Thursday
15. Christmas Ship Festival
Every holiday season, the Spirit of Seattle (Argosy Cruises's "Official Christmas Ship") sails to 65 Washington waterfronts, bringing Christmas choirs and sparkling light displays to onlookers.
16. Issaquah Reindeer Festival
Celebrate the holiday season's most iconic mammal, the reindeer, at Issaquah's annual family festival. Visitors can visit Santa in his house, meet his reindeer team (and his kittens), hear a story from an elf, and much more.
17. North Pole at the Fair
Kids and families can immerse themselves in a North Pole wonderland, featuring photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas stories, projects in Santa's Workshop, and more.
WEDNESDAY
COMEDY18. Justin Rupple
You may have seen Rupple in Fate of the Furious, Operation Chromite, or the TV series First Impressions. See him live.
19. REEL ROCK 13 plus PRAY FOR SNOW: THE MOVIE & Low Pressure
Drink a beer and watch two winter sports films back to back: 10 Barrel Brewing's snow-sport film Pray for Snow and the North Face's Reel Rock 13.
20. Doughnites: Sweet & Savory Edition
Snap up some sweet (caramel apple pie, cranberry gingerbread, chocolate turtle) and savory (everything bagel-style, ham and scallop, garlic parmesan and pesto) doughnuts made with spent grain from Lowercase Brewing.
21. Daybreaker SEA // Happy Holi(beach)days!
Pretend you're on a tropical island as opposed to a cold and rainy seaport by wearing your beach gear to an early-morning rave and yoga session.
22. Roaring 1920s Speakeasy
Step back in time to when alcohol was illegal to all in the U.S. at this 1920s-themed party with a live electro-swing performance from Good Co. The password for entry is "Old Sport."
23. VIBES 2 Year Anniversary
Celebrate the fact that glam local queens Betty Wetter, Kaleena Markos, Arson Nicki, Killer Bunny, Rylee Raww, and Kylie Mooncakes continue to gather every Wednesday for VIBES at this special anniversary show.
24. Escape the Carols Beer with Yoga
If the holidays are stressing you out, take a break from your Yuletide obligations by simultaneously drinking beer and doing yoga.
25. A Central Area Story: A Nighttime Projection Event
See how the Central District's public artwork has evolved over the years by seeing a video project by local artists Jill Freidberg, Rachel Kessler, and Inye Wokoma. Hot cocoa and food will be provided.
26. Drunk Santa Party
Join Drunk Santa, his naughty elf, and the Nutcracker for an evening of booze specials, photo booths, and more Yuletide gaiety.
WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
COMEDY27. Gary Owen
Gary Owen (Think Like A Man Too, Think Like A Man, Daddy Day Care) has been called "Funniest Serviceman in America" and "Black America's Favorite White Comic." Hear him tell jokes in the flesh.
28. Holiday RAWk
Artists, musicians, fashion show designers, and performers will showcase their talents at this holiday extravaganza.
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY
PERFORMANCE29. 99 Tropes
An artist takes over the writers' room in a network television station and airs a show that shocks America in this comedy about "race, gender, culture and money in today's entertainment business."
THURSDAY
COMEDY30. Stand-up Comedy Class Graduation Show
The graduating students of comedians-about-town Wilfred Padua and Dave Dennison's class will put on a show, to the pleasure of your funny bone and wallet.
31. Love Actually Movie Night & Blanket Drive
Watch the lengthiest (and cutest) British Christmas movie of modern times for free in a heated beer garden. Don't forget to bring a warm blanket to donate to those in need.
32. Traditional Festivus Celebration
In observation of the Seinfeld-coined holiday, Obec Brewing will feature all four elements of Festivus—an unadorned metal pole, airing of grievances, snacks, and feats of strength. Food truck Wich Wagon will provide the snacks, and Festivus revelers who complete all the elements will receive a token good for $2 off any beer or flight rack.
33. Sit Ubu Sit, Dancer and Prancer
Festive surf rockers Dancer and Prancer will headline this holiday show, where you can also play trivia in pursuit of prizes, knowing that all proceeds will benefit Seattle Dogs Homeless Program.
34. Snuff Redux, MONSTERWATCH, Beverly Crusher, Rat Queen, Actionesse, Coach Phillips
Raise money and donate toys to families in need by dancing to live sets from local rockers Snuff Redux, MONSTERWATCH, Beverly Crusher, Actionesse, Rat Queen, and Coach Phillips.
35. Queen4Queen: Ho! Ho! Hoe!
Get slutty for the holidays with drag divas Baby Guuurl, Bosco, Canolli, and Indika Haze. Come early to revel before the performances start.
36. The Bitter Single Guy’s Holiday Survival Guide: A Reading
Greg Brisendine will read from his compilation of advice given to bitter single guys through a website founded in 1999. There will be apple cider, cookies, and other festive fare, and copies of the book will be given out.
37. Everett Makers Market Ugly Sweater Party Last Minute Gifts
Guzzle two-dollar pints of Scuttlebutt in your ugly sweater while you do some last-minute gift shopping from local vendors such as Knits Fiber Co., the Art of Rosemary, and Vertical Gardens.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
COMEDY38. A Holiday Romance
Jet City Improv will offer another way to celebrate the season with a spontaneously invented story of a "schmaltzy romance" of the type that tends to proliferate this time of year.
39. Teddy Bear Toss with University of Washington Basketball
If you're going to UW men's or women's basketball games this week, bring a new or gently used teddy bear to donate to Salvation Army. You can also get your photo taken with "Harry-Claus" on the main concourse and make holiday-themed crafts.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
PERFORMANCE40. Jane Eyre
This is a Tony-winning 10-person "chamber musical version" of the Gothic literature classic with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon and book and additional lyrics by John Caird.
41. Jeremy Bell: Utopian Blackness
Jeremy Bell's mixed-media portraits of his family in ink, encaustic, graphite, spray paint, charcoal, wax, and wood celebrate the beauty of blackness.
Opening Thursday
42. You Got the Look
Nancy Worden, Andy Cooperman, and Emiko Oye are just three of 26 American jewelry artists showing unusual and experimental pieces.
Closing Saturday
43. Solstice Stroll
Brighten up the darkest days of the year by walking through an illuminated garden, which will be open each day until the winter solstice passes.
FRIDAY
COMEDY44. Vultures?!
A special guest will join the players of Jet City Improv for some on-the-spot shenanigans.
45. Film & Discussion: The Black Candle
Watch the "first feature film on Kwanzaa," narrated by Maya Angelou and directed by M.K. Ashante, then discuss it afterwards with Africatown members.
46. Naked City Brewery Goodbye Party
The beloved Greenwood brewery and taphouse Naked City will bid adieu with live music and "lots of laughs." Come to pay your respects and pick up discounted merch, bottled beer, wine, and $6 crowlers to go.
47. 1999 Retro House & Techno with Kadeejah Streets, David Lowe, DJ Trinitron, Guests
Brush up on your favorite pre-1999 dance moves for a vinyl dance party with Kadeejah Streets, David Lowe, DJ Trinitron, and a secret guest DJ.
48. 4th Annual Kristin Chambers Snow Globe
Now in its fourth year, the Snow Globe will bring a flurry of holiday spirit with a live soundtrack provided by Kristin Chambers's dulcet tones, and the Mack Grout Trio playing Vince Guaraldi's score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Get into the rhythm of season's givings by bringing some non-perishable food items for Northwest Harvest.
49. Electronic Blankets for Winter Solstice
Enjoy work by Pacific Northwest experimental sound and visual artists, and welcome the chilly winter with a bowl of borscht.
50. Judas Rising, Live Evil, Disposable Zeros
Judas Rising will play the thrashiest covers by English heavy metal band Judas Priest. Also on the bill are Black Sabbath cover band Live Evil and Metallica tribute band Disposable Zeros.
51. Total Request Live Night: Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition
TRL will join in on the ugly sweater phenomenon with a very '90s, very holiday edition of their storied "Total Request Live" night, with sets from Seattle's only tribute boy band All4Doras, and DJs Indica Jones and Pryme. Ugly sweaters are, obviously, encouraged.
52. A Very Kremwerk Christmas
Deck the halls with queen SHE and a hot bunch of rollicking queers, including Americano, Londyn Bradshaw, Bosco, Indika Haze, Thadayus, BABYGUUURL, and Irene Dubois.
53. Beneath the Mistletoe: The Lesser-known Botany of Christmas
How did, holly, pine, and other fauna come to be associated with the holidays? Christmas foliage expert Orlando de Lange will let you in on everything you've ever wanted to know on the subject while you sip wintery cocktails.
54. Richard Hugo Night
Celebrate the late Seattle poet Richard Hugo (namesake of literary haven Hugo House) with a group reading. Bring your favorite Hugo poem or something you've written.
55. Eat, Drink & Be Ugly
Celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day with bites, cocktails—liked aged eggnog and hot buttered scotch—and live Vinyl Church DJs. If your sweater is really, really hideous, you could win two free tickets to the Sparkle 2019 NYE Celebration.
56. Evening Beach Walk
Spend the winter solstice exploring a West Seattle beach during low tide with Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists.
57. Kinkmas
Earn yourself a spot on the naughty list by slipping on your holiday fetish gear (not required) and stopping by various "tasting stations" dedicated to different kinks, from flogging to shibari. There will be door prizes from Santa's "naughty bag of treats." All proceeds will benefit Orchid Counseling Services, who provide sex-positive counseling to sex workers and other marginalized groups.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY58. Andy Haynes
LA-based, PNW-raised Andy Haynes has appeared on Conan and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and in Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival.
59. Laser Mars Volta: De-loused in the Comatorium
Experience the entirety of prog-rock band the Mars Volta's 2003 album Deloused in the Comatorium synchronized with laser beams.
SATURDAY
COMEDY60. Living Room / Lynn & Andrew: The Couple Next Door
"The couple next door," Lynn and Andrew, will explore characters and relationships inspired by audience suggestions.
61. Slam Dunk Improv Competition
This is the improv equivalent of "HORSE," a competition format wherein a team "throws a shot and challenges the opposing team to beat them for the point." We're not exactly sure how that translates from basketball, so you'll have to see for yourself.
62. Monster Planet: 9.xmas That Kringling Feeling
Make the season weird with Monster Planet's live-mixed soundtrack to a montage of cheesy B-movies provided by Scarecrow Video and Killing Frenzy Visuals. Gel-Sol, Leave Trace, Brian Oblivion, and Don Keyoner will be your musical hosts.
63. Anniversary + Festivus = Festiversary Party
In celebration both of one year of business since re-opening and the Seinfeldian holiday, the Georgetown specialty beer and wine warehouse Full Throttle Bottles will release a new beer brewed in collaboration with Michael of Mirage Brewing, along with the traditional Festivus pole, airing of grievances, and feats of strength.
64. Boba Street x Nordstrom Pop-Up
While you do your Christmas shopping, grab a pick-me-up in the form of boba tea, in flavors like jasmine, matcha, or peppermint milk tea. Twenty percent of all proceeds will go to Food Lifeline.
65. Latkepalooza
Hanukkah may be over, but latke season never ends. This potato pancake fest will have live DJs, drinks, "'90s vibes," and lots and lots of greasy fried goodness.
66. 2018 Afro-Beat Festival
Enjoy an evening of live Afrobeat performances, including an opening set by ZNi.
67. Christmas Festivus
Spend this Festivus for the rest of us dancing to covers of hits from the 1970s to the present, across genres.
68. The Emo G's Presents: Emo Dance Party
This isn’t a phase, Mom—it’s a whole party! The Emo Gs are back at it for another night of emo classics by the likes of My Chemical Romance, the Used, Dashboard Confessional, Fall Out Boy, and more. My hair might be too short now to iron into flattened, fried perfection for a scene-queen-worthy MySpace profile pic (pc4pc, anyone?), but I’m looking forward to the sea of jet-black manicures at this shindig. For less than a tub of your favorite Manic Panic hair dye, come and dance (or cry, if you want to) the night away with all the other kids that your mom warned you about. SOPHIA STEPHENS
69. A Festival of Lessons & Carols
Northwest Boychoir join with Vocalpoint! Seattle to present the story of the Nativity told through reading, choral arrangements, and audience-participation carols.
70. The Golden Road Plays The Dead
Grateful Dead community musician tribute act the Golden Road will headline this evening with a performance of some fan-voted Grateful Dead favorites, as well as a set by Cosmic Shuffle with Adam Williams.
71. A House Music Holiday Party
Welcome hometown boy Terry Jasinto back to Seattle for an evening of electronic mixes with support from Pappa T and Tokita.
72. Paw Print: A Benefit Concert for Animals in Association with Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Help raise money for the homeless pets of Homeward Pet Adoption Center by dancing to live sets by Grieves, Mouse Powell, and DJ Fundo.
73. Captive Christmas
Twisted Seattle drag performer Heavy Scene Macaque will host a night of Christmas malevolence with special guests One, Duella Couture, Bosco, and Miss Texas 1988.
74. The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show
Tackle mysterious crimes while you while you feast on chicken piccata, seared salmon, or ricotta-stuffed eggplant.
75. Paul Dorpat and Jean Sherrard: Seattle Now and Then
Local historian Paul Dorpat and photographer Jean Sherrard will share their book Seattle Now and Then: The Historic Hundred, which features local photo-history columns from throughout their careers.
76. Winter Craft Fair at ALTSpace
Enjoy food and drinks (boozy and non-boozy), a live glassblowing display, a giant pirate ship filled with live DJs, caroling by the Jerk Church, and art shopping.
77. Feast of the Winter Solstice
Join the Fremont Arts Council on the longest night of the year to celebrate the season into the wee hours with shared dishes, colorful costumes (the suggestions span from "dance floor royalty" to "high animal spirits," so don't be shy), art, a ritual, and live music.
78. Holiday Hoot
Learn about owls, the Puget Sound's most wise nocturnal raptors, over cookies and hot cocoa before venturing into the old growth forest to spot them in the trees.
79. Seattle Secular Solstice 2018
Regardless of your religion or lack thereof, celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with community members over songs and food at the annual Seattle Secular Solstice.
80. Ugly Sweater Holiday Party Cruise
Take your ugly sweater for a night on the water at this holiday boat party. There'll be festive spirits and appetizers and a live DJ.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
PERFORMANCE81. Gingerbread Boy
At this confectionary musical theater show, kids can watch as Bill the Chill makes ice cream, Sweetie (a copper kettle) cooks up candy and chocolate confections, and Pepper Mint chases after the mischievous Gingerbread Boy through Candyland.
82. The Snow Queen
The circus artists of the Cabiri will recreate Hans Christian Anderson's classic fairy tale "The Snow Queen" through aerial acrobatics and dancing.
83. IllustrAFest
Northwest artists—primarily of the illustrative variety, but also featuring comic, anime, craft, and gaming artists—will show and sell their wares.
84. Photos with Krampus - The Holiday Devil!
If you've already got enough photos with Santa for one year, take the opportunity to snap a selfie with Krampus, the demonic goat-like Christmas demon who haunts people during the Yuletide season.
SUNDAY
FILM85. MoPOP Matinee: Home Alone
Watch the classic holiday movie about a kid whose many-membered family accidentally forgets to bring him on their Parisian vacation, leaving him to fend for himself against two dopey home burglars.
86. Dark Yule
Make Christmas a scary (and sexy) time of year with this cabaret show celebrating the Krampus, the Yule Cat (a wonderful Icelandic monster kitty, also known as Jólakötturinn—look it up, or better yet, attend), and other demonic creatures. These apparitions will be acted out by Candy Apples, Kali Von Wunderkammer, Mx.Pucks Aplenty, Scarlett O'Hairdye, and Whisper De Corvo.
87. Teen Art Program Book Release and Show
See nine-panel comics created by artsy teens who were coached by the Push/Pull art collective. You can buy an anthology of the finished works in zine form.
88. oh so UGLY Sweater Paint & Sip
Enjoy wine and cheese while you make a painting with the help of an instructor in the ugliest sweater you own.
89. Holiday Queens: Lights on the Lake
Board the Hiyu cruise ship to take in drag performances by local queens La Saveona Hunt, Aria Kane, Kaleena Markos, and Karmen Korbel, then join them in witnessing the glittering vessels on the water during the Christmas Ship Festival.
