Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to plan your weekend—but if you haven’t thought that far ahead yet, don’t worry. Below, we’ve compiled all of the biggest events you need to know about all in one place.
There are several major holiday kickoff events this weekend, including the 28th Annual Macy’s Holiday Parade, Macy’s 62nd Annual Star Lighting and Fireworks Show, and Westlake Holiday Tree Lighting downtown on Friday; the 23rd Annual Magic in the Market (Sat at Pike Place Market); Greet the Season (Sat at Lake Union Park); C-ID Holiday Cheer (Sat in Chinatown-International District); and Tacoma’s 73rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting (Sat at Pantages Theater). It’s also the first weekend of the Christmas Ship Festival, Winterfest (at Seattle Center), and Winter Wonderland at Redmond Town Center.
Major holiday light displays are also starting up this weekend, including Enchant Christmas at Safeco Field, WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo, Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden, Snowflake Lane at Bellevue Collection, Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park.
The holiday pop-up market season also hits full swing this weekend—find local gifts at events including the GeekCraft Expo Seattle 2018 (Sat-Sun at Magnuson Park), the Shop Seattle Gems Pop-Up Festival (Sat at Plaza Roberto Maestas), the Native Gift Fair and Art Market (Fri-Sun at Duwamish Longhouse), the BadWill Market – The Shop Small Edition (Sun at the Rhino Room), Seattle Made’s Holiday Pop-Up Market (Sat at Broadway Market Second Floor Gallery), the Unique Markets Holiday Pop-Up (Sun at Showbox Sodo), and the Ballard Elks Holiday Craft Market (Sat at Ballard Elks). It’s also the first weekend of the Holiday Market at Westlake Park.
A variety of holiday shows are also on offer this weekend: Check out A Christmas Carol (Fri-Sun at ACT Theatre), George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (Fri-Sun at McCaw Hall), Christmastown: A Holiday Noir (Fri-Sun at Seattle Public Theater), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Fri-Sat at Taproot Theatre), or Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas (Fri-Sun at Jet City Improv). Festive concert options include Jane Lynch: “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” (Sat at Edmonds Center for the Arts), the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Sun at Tacoma Dome), and Seattle’s Tribute to the Last Waltz (Fri at Neptune Theatre).
This weekend might also be a good time to check out other ongoing holiday installations, like Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Hotel, Seattle Festival of Trees at Fairmont Olympic Hotel, or the Swansons Reindeer Festival.
If you want to drown your holiday anxiety in booze, check out the Sun Liquor Eggnog Pop-Up (Fri at Sol Liquor Lounge) and Coffee Beer & Donuts – Black Friday Edition (Fri at Reuben’s Brews). You might also like to know that the festive Miracle on 2nd cocktail pop-up starts this Sunday at Rob Roy. If you want something tasty to munch on while you sip cocktails, check out the Trove and YWE Bake Sale and Brunch Pop-Up on Saturday.
Looking for a post-Thanksgiving show for the whole family? Our film critics have picked Creed II, Green Book, Enter the Dragon (at Central Cinema), and SIFF’s Holidays on Ice series.
There’s also plenty of other entertainment that doesn’t have to do with the holidays. Our music critics have picked Band Crush: Pierre Kwenders & Chimurenga Renaissance (Sat at Columbia City Theater), You Say You Want a Revolution? Seattle Musicians Honor the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles’ White Album (Fri at the Royal Room), and the Contemporary Native American Music Showcase with Khu.éex’, Indian Agent, and Savage Family (Sun at Columbia City Theater). Our arts critics have also picked the first weekend of In the Heights (at Seattle Repertory Theatre) and Annie (at the 5th Avenue Theatre), the Best American Comics Birthday Bash! (Sat at Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery), and Lose One Thing Every Day: Poetry by Wryly Tender McCutchen (Sun at Crown Hill Center).
