Your options for cheap entertainment this weekend are many—from a free screening of Scrooged to Chop Suey’s ArtAche market to Phil Kline’s free Unsilent Night. See all 28 $10-and-under events here, and find even more things to do this weekend on our Things To Do calendar.
ALL WEEKEND
1. Holiday Renegade Craft Fair
Over 175 makers will be at this fair, a traveling series of events that’s making a stop in Seattle this weekend. There will be giveaways, an interactive “adult-sized playhouse installation” by Danielle O’Malley, food vendors (don’t miss the boozy lollipops!), Martha Stewart craft workshops, and more. (Free)
FRIDAY
2. Squall
Kremwerk’s monthly noise/experimental night gets especially freaky, with sets from Microscopic Suffering, Blowupnihilist, and other sadomasochist noise-mongers. (Free)
3. 1st Annual Ground Zero Toy Drive
Bring a newish toy to Ground Zero for access to an evening of excellent local rock. (Donation)
4. Chimurenga Renaissance
“The duo translates this fire (ballots or the bullets) into a music that’s richly and thickly innovative. Chimurenga Renaissance’s contribution to the trans-African Black Constellation (Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, Erik Blood) is very bright indeed.” CHARLES MUDEDE ($5/$10)
5. Jack Straw Artists: Songs and Stories
This very cool event featuring Stephen Cohen, Sharon Nyree Williams, Anna Balint, and writers from Recovery Café will showcase work created in Jack Straw’s Artist Support Program, an innovative collaboration between the two organizations. (Free)
6. Electro Swing Circus
Circus, burlesque, and the wild, raucous tunes of Bucharest Drinking Team. ($10)
7. XMAS Maximus Holiday Variety Show
This “little bit naughty and whole lot of fun” holiday variety show will feature burlesque, songs, and comedy. ($10)
8. Seattle StorySLAM at St. Mark’s Cathedral
A live amateur storytelling competition much like The Moth, hosted by Lindy West, in which audience members who put their names in a hat are randomly chosen to tell stories on a theme. ($8)
9. Hemp Jewelry Making at HempFest Central
Give handmade gifts from the heart and the hemp. The workshop, company, and twine is free, but they do ask for donations for the beads. (Free)
10. Punch & Judy
Punch & Judy, the classic British slapstick puppet team, puts on their (potentially violent and not-so-kid-friendly) performance for one night only at Northwest Puppet Center, featuring Professor Peter Allen of Parasol Puppets. ($10)
SATURDAY
11. Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night
“Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night is like a bell-heavy, mobile version of Zaireeka by the Flaming Lips. Everybody shows up at On the Boards with a smartphone or some music-playing device, downloads one of four tracks from Kline’s song, and then slowly marches around Lower Queen Anne. The different tracks ring out from each participant’s speaker, creating a kind of holiday symphonic orchestra in the streets.” RICH SMITH (Free)
12. Destroy My Sweater
Destroy all your ugly holiday sweaters with Weezer cover group extraordinaire Weezus. ($6)
13. Kremwerk’s 2nd Annual Holiday Party
With another year already fading into the rearview, Kremwerk brings it back to their roots with a night of deep techno, heady house, and ugly holiday sweaters. ($10/$8 with sweater)
14. Dim Sum Dialogues
Arts and intersectionality come together at this free all-ages multimedia event, featuring Aleksa Manila with “sass & social justice,” music by JK Pop!, DJ Reverend Dollars and DJ Moist Towelette, and finally, interactive performances by Amaya, Kince, Nic Masangkay, UTOPIA and more. Queer people of color (and allies, of course) are encouraged to unite at this event focused on Asian & Pacific Islander communities. (Free)
15. Free Cooking Demo: Handmade Chocolate Truffles with Laurie Pfalzer
Pastry chef Laurie Pfalzer will demonstrate how to make chocolate truffles—a perfect holiday gift for anybody capable of ingesting chocolate. (Free)
16. Libros y Más
This bilingual multimedia event—in conjunction with the Henry’s Librería Donceles exhibit—features songs and storytelling. (Free)
17. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Marathon
The EMP presents three back-to-back screenings of “one of the worst films ever made.” (Free)
18. Sasquatch Saturdays
Get ready for the holidays with this Northwest take on the season, featuring cooking demos, live music, and a chance to take your photo with the elusive Sasquatch. (Free)
19. Lightsaber Battle
It’s Jedi vs Sith in this gigantic all-ages lightsaber showdown. Celebrate the release of the new Star Wars movie by getting in on the action and running around with glowing weapons. ($10 for lightsaber)
SUNDAY
20. ArtAche Holiday Market
Chop Suey’s ArtAche Market is a reliable treasure trove of hand-crafted art, clothing, and other bits and bobbles, and this “holiday edition” promises to be extra-special, with DJ sets by Explorateur and One Eye, plus a live performance from electronically inclined singer-songwriter Briana Marela. (Free)
21. Magnificat
The Seattle First Baptist Sanctuary Choir leads a performance of Bach’s storied “Magnificat.” (Free)
22. Tribute to Phil Ochs
Baby Gramps, Alice Stuart, Eric Apoe, Ramona Freeborn, Caleb and Walter and more pay tribute to protest singer Phil Ochs. ($8/$10)
23. Sarah Galvin Book Launch Party
Sarah Galvin will read from her latest book, The Best Party of Our Lives, in which she interviews and tells the stories of 23 couples who got married after the legalization of same-sex marriage. After the reading, she’ll be joined by David Schmader for a Q&A, and there is a very, very vague promise of wedding cake. (Free)
24. Visit Santa’s House
You’ll cherish your children’s Santa photos forever, whether they’re smiling gleefully or bawling like they’re sitting on a giant, hairy stranger’s lap. Make those irreplaceable memories at West Seattle Junction, with live music. (Free)
25. Scrooged
King’s Hardware screens free movies every Sunday on their heated patio, around sundown. They say: “Much like thick-cut bacon, Bill Murray makes everything better. This includes a cheeky 1988-modern day adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Bonus points go to any viewer who recognizes that the Ghost of Christmas Past is played by the lead singer of the New York Dolls!!” (Free)
26. A Bonsai Solstice
Right before the darkest day of the year, explore a collection of beautiful and mystical bonsais illuminated by candlelight. Bring a flashlight; Trader Joe’s will provide hot cocoa, and you can purchase crepes from the Crisp Creperie food truck. (Free)
27. Star Wars Holiday Photos with Darth Vader
In honor of the premiere of The Force Awakens, Garrison Titan 501st Legion (“the world’s definitive Star Wars costuming organization”) presents this fundraiser for Toys for Tots at the Fremont Sunday Market. Bring a donation, then grab a photo with Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers.
28. Seahawks Sunday
Enjoy beer and brunch while you watch the Seahawks face off against the Browns on Central Cinema’s giant screen. (Free entry)
