Seattle is one of the top cities worldwide (easily in the top 100) for "cinemability", which is a measure of our ability to support movie goers. Cinemability includes issues such as ticket price, available movie titles, and the number of movie screens, cinema multiplexes, independent movie houses, and film … [Read more...] about Our big list of film festivals
2024 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 2024 free park entrance days in Washington State
Free things to do in January
Listed below are the free things to do in January. For all events on our calendar, free and paid, visit our January events calendar. January 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 advertisers … [Read more...] about Free things to do in January
Best things to buy in January
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 January in Seattle-Tacoma area stores. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in January include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday, … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in January
10 best free outdoor activities year-round
The following outdoor activities feature popular year-round sport and recreation pursuits around Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. Our list focuses on activities that are relatively easy to learn and pursue. Newcomers to these recreational pursuits can quickly get introduced to the basics without a lot of time or … [Read more...] about 10 best free outdoor activities year-round
List of Holidays (by month) for 2024
Besides Federal government and Washington State employee holidays there are many other holidays, observances, and special events that occur throughout the year. Popular holidays are often recognized in communities by celebrations such as festivals, parades, shopping discounts, and other revelry. In the lists below, we … [Read more...] about List of Holidays (by month) for 2024
Federal holidays 2024: What’s closed and open
United States laws currently establish eleven public holidays for Federal employees. Since most Federal employees work a Monday through Friday schedule, when a holiday falls on the weekend, the holiday usually is observed on Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday) or Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday). List of … [Read more...] about Federal holidays 2024: What’s closed and open
10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Fitness exercise is a popular reality in Seattle. The city consistently ranks as one of the healthiest places in the country, as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index. The ACSM report finds that we like fitness and exercise, evidenced by our overall health, walkable city, … [Read more...] about 10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
January events and entertainment
Our January 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. For more expensive events, we look for popular events with available ticket discounts that can help bring the price down. … [Read more...] about January events and entertainment
Museums with always free admission in the Puget Sound region
The following list of museums in the greater Seattle-Tacoma metro area offer free general admission during regular museum hours. Before you head out, check their website for holiday closures. Most museums with free admission will gratefully accept donations. Some of these free museums also offer gift shops or … [Read more...] about Museums with always free admission in the Puget Sound region
National Nordic Museum free and discount admission
National Nordic Museum in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood presents history, art, and culture from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and their immigrants to America. Their vast collection of artifacts displayed in permanent and rotating exhibits provide insights about Nordic history, culture, and values to … [Read more...] about National Nordic Museum free and discount admission
Northwest African American Museum discounts on admission
Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in Seattle preserves the history, art, and culture of people of African descent, including roots in American slavery as well as African immigrants from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and other countries. NAAM especially highlights Pacific Northwest connections and the Black … [Read more...] about Northwest African American Museum discounts on admission
2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties and more
The worldwide soccer tournament known as the “World Cup” takes place every four years. Football teams from around the globe compete for the coveted trophy. Not surprisingly, it is estimated that 10 times as many people watch the World Cup as watch the NFL Super Bowl football championship in the United … [Read more...] about 2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties and more
Bank of America “Museums on Us” free monthly museum admission
For 25 years, Bank of America has offered their cardholders free general admission to museums in cities across the United States through their “Museums on Us” program. On the first full weekend of every month, Bank of America customers can receive a free ticket for Saturday or Sunday to more than 200 museums and … [Read more...] about Bank of America “Museums on Us” free monthly museum admission
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
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 2023 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
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
New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations
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. Read more about Seattle fireworks and other New Year traditions … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve fireworks and other celebrations
Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine
If you are looking for some bubblies to celebrate the New Year, there are many deliciously frugal alternatives. Local Seattle wine shops offer a great selection of sparkling wine offering good value and quality at very affordable prices. The selection includes local and domestic wines, as well as sparkling wines from … [Read more...] about Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine
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
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