Our event calendar features fun, free, and cheap things to do around the Puget Sound region. For the looong Christmas weekend of December 20-25, 2024, you'll find all kinds of in-person and virtual events (live stream, on-demand, etc.). Greater Seattle on the Cheap serves primarily six counties on Puget Sound: Skagit, … [Read more...] about Free and cheap things to do Christmas weekend
2025 free park entrance days in Washington State
Take advantage of free entrance days in National Parks and Washington State Parks throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days. Plan an outing with family or friends at the nearest park. It's also a great time to discover a new favorite park around Washington State. Short History of Our National … [Read more...] about 2025 free park entrance days in Washington State
Affordable Christmas dinner to go in the Puget Sound region
Make your holidays more relaxing when you order a Christmas meal for takeout. Puget Sound area grocery stores and restaurants offer prepared Christmas dinners to go featuring a variety of options, including meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, plus side dishes and desserts. Many are surprisingly affordable, … [Read more...] about Affordable Christmas dinner to go in the Puget Sound region
Food deals and discounts on coffee, fast food, and fine dining
Listed below are food deals (and drink deals) and restaurant dining discounts available throughout the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. You'll find offers from local eateries, national chains, and fast-food restaurants. As always, we focus on those with "cheap" or modest prices. We may occasionally feature more expensive … [Read more...] about Food deals and discounts on coffee, fast food, and fine dining
40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. You begin a labyrinth walk at the only entrance (and exit) and proceed along the path. At the … [Read more...] about 40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Free things to do in December
Listed below are the free things to do in December. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our December events calendar. December 2024 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a photo. Featured events are unique or annual events that we or our … [Read more...] about Free things to do in December
Best things to buy in December
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for December in Seattle stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in December include the week before Christmas Day and the day after … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in December
What is the meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is both a religious holiday as well as a secular and federal holiday celebrated every December 25. Secular traditions include decorated Christmas trees, colorful light displays, Santa Claus (aka St. Nicolas or St. Nick), gift exchanges, family gatherings, sumptuous feasts and cookies, Christmas movies, Winter … [Read more...] about What is the meaning of Christmas?
Affordable December entertainment
Our December events calendar features a wide variety of entertainment in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. As always, we focus on events with a regular adult admission price of $15 or less, or virtual admission of $30. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts … [Read more...] about Affordable December entertainment
Restaurants open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Check our list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area restaurants offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. As usual, we focus on locally owned (or Northwest originated) restaurants with modest prices. We also include popular national chain restaurants. If you are looking for something different, you’ll find a list of … [Read more...] about Restaurants open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
U-cut, pre-cut fresh Christmas trees around the Sound
Here’s our list of Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree, plus some of the best local stores for fresh cut trees and other holiday greenery, as well as holiday lights, ornaments, and other seasonal décor. Choosing a Northwest Christmas Tree The Pacific Northwest is home to many species of … [Read more...] about U-cut, pre-cut fresh Christmas trees around the Sound
Free Snowflake Lane Christmas parade in Bellevue
Since 2005, Snowflake Lane has strived to be the region's most festive free holiday show. Presented by The Bellevue Collection, it has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s favorite holiday traditions. The Snowflake Lane parade runs nightly from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Join the festivities every … [Read more...] about Free Snowflake Lane Christmas parade in Bellevue
HBO Max Black Friday Deal ends 12/2
HBO Max best deal of the year Get Max for just $2.99/month for 6 months. Stream acclaimed series and movies for a great price. Limited time only. Offer ends Monday, 12/2/24 at 11:59 PM PST. Get the deal: HBO Max Black Friday Deal ends 12/2 You might also like: Our guide to Black Friday … [Read more...] about HBO Max Black Friday Deal ends 12/2
Get Hulu for 99¢ per month for a year! (new subscribers only)
Been wanting to try another streaming service? Hulu has a great deal—for six days only from 11/27/24 through 12/2/24. Here are the details: Offer: Get Hulu (With Ads) $0.99/mo for 12 months, then current pricing begins at month 13. Deadline: Begins 12:01AM PST on Wednesday, 11/27/24 and runs through … [Read more...] about Get Hulu for 99¢ per month for a year! (new subscribers only)
Free Christmas tree lighting events around Puget Sound
Listed below we keep a list of Christmas tree lighting celebrations in cities and communities around the Puget Sound region. In case you are wondering where we got the custom of lighting trees in winter, we dug up some interesting history. A short history of Christmas tree traditions The tradition of the … [Read more...] about Free Christmas tree lighting events around Puget Sound
Woodland Park Zoo: discount tickets & special exhibits
Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre urban oasis located on Phinney Ridge. The Zoo presents exhibits featuring animals in their natural habitat, is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and certified by the American Humane Conservation program. The zoo is dedicated to wildlife … [Read more...] about Woodland Park Zoo: discount tickets & special exhibits
Free family-friendly Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza, and other buildings are closed only on … [Read more...] about Free family-friendly Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Drive or walk the free Tacoma Light Trail
The Tacoma Light Trail is a free winter festival of light art in downtown Tacoma that features outdoor performances, dragon parades, lumens concerts, a lighted bike ride, illuminated art throughout downtown, and much more. New Year's Eve, December 31, from 6 PM to 10 PM. Kickoff event at Tollefson Plaza. … [Read more...] about Drive or walk the free Tacoma Light Trail
Free and cheap holiday events (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa)
Any day of the week during the long holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, you can find FREE and cheap things to do that put you in a festive mood. Some events are short-lived. Some begin on Thanksgiving Weekend (or before) and continue through New Year's Eve. The calendar list below will include all kinds … [Read more...] about Free and cheap holiday events (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa)
“Where is Santa” photo experiences in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
This is a sponsored post. When you support our advertisers, you help to keep our site in business, bringing you the best deals and free events in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. Sponsored by: Cherry Hill Programs (whereissanta.com). Read full disclosure: Privacy Policy - Affiliate Program Participation … [Read more...] about “Where is Santa” photo experiences in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations in the Puget Sound region
Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. New Year's Eve traditions include fireworks shows, parties, drinking champagne, counting down to midnight, and kissing someone at midnight. The New York City "ball drop" in Times Square typically hosts … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations in the Puget Sound region
New Years celebrations and traditions
Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. The date January 1 comes from traditions in the Roman empire. The solar calendar first month (January) honored Janus, the god of beginnings. As the saying goes, every day is essentially the start of a new … [Read more...] about New Years celebrations and traditions
Chanukah “festival of lights” commemorates a miracle
Chanukah, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Because it occurs close to Christmas, many non-Jews think of this holiday as the "Jewish Christmas". However, as you must know, the holiday has nothing to do with Jesus or Santa. In fact, … [Read more...] about Chanukah “festival of lights” commemorates a miracle
Get updates on Santa from NORAD
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the mission of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defense of North America. NORAD also tracks Santa’s progress around the world every December 24 through their … [Read more...] about Get updates on Santa from NORAD
25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. All of the books are available at local libraries, some in several formats including audio books and eBooks. Many would also make wonderful gifts. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season