The tradition of Groundhog Day dates to the 1800s when German immigrants in America continued their tradition of a weather-predicting hedgehog on Candlemas Day (February 2). Since there were no hedgehogs in North America, the similarly inclined burrowing groundhog (aka woodchuck) was drafted into service. The reason … [Read more...] about All about Groundhog Day
Here’s why, how, and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras translates from French as "Fat Tuesday". The holiday has roots in the Christian liturgical calendar. The Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6, the day when the Magi or Wise Men from the East followed a bright star to the Christ child in Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, … [Read more...] about Here’s why, how, and where you can celebrate Mardi Gras
Lunar New Year events around Puget Sound
Seattle is home to a diverse community of Asian cultures who celebrate the Lunar New Year. These celebrations welcome the return of spring and chase out the dark days of winter (and the evil spirits who lurk there) with the lion dance, firecrackers, special foods, and other traditions. Although the Lunar New … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year events around Puget Sound
Martin Luther King Jr federal holiday
The Birthday of Martin Luther King is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor. Born January 15, 1929, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. In 2024, … [Read more...] about Martin Luther King Jr federal holiday
Great Blue Herons in the Puget Sound region
In the Puget Sound region, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) represents the natural heritage, interconnectedness, and ecological richness of the greater Salish Sea (which includes Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca). Our heron population is part of an intricate ecosystem that includes the … [Read more...] about Great Blue Herons in the Puget Sound region
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in Madison Valley within the Washington Park Arboretum. Over 100,000 people visit every year, including locals as well as visitors from around the world. It is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America. About Japanese Gardens Gardens in Japan are … [Read more...] about Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound
Got broken stuff? Are you favorite jeans torn? Lamp no longer works? Table leg broken? At "repair cafes", you can bring broken household items or torn clothing for repair, such as small furniture, small appliances, and electronics. These are DIY-events, not drop-off and return events. During the event, an … [Read more...] about Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound
Seattle snow day sledding tips
Snow parks in the Cascade Mountains are a great choice during winter. But on the rare occasion the Seattle area gets enough flurries for a snow day, local kids take to any of the hundreds of parks and green spaces around the region for some sledding fun. Tips for sledding safely These are some good rules to ensure … [Read more...] about Seattle snow day sledding tips
Lunar New Year celebration at the Bellevue Collection
Lunar New Year at The Bellevue Collection is presented in partnership with Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association (SCCAA), The Overseas Community Affairs Council, and Republic of China (Taiwan). Festivities include a virtual presentation of a lion dance, performances, crafts and more. The Chinese calendar … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year celebration at the Bellevue Collection
Chinatown-International District festivals
The Seattle Chinatown-International District (aka the “ID”, pronounced eye-dee), located south of downtown is a cultural hub of the Asian American community. Historically, it is the only area in the continental United States where several cultures—Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, African Americans, and Vietnamese—settled … [Read more...] about Chinatown-International District festivals
75+ best value places for happy hour food and drinks
Here are our suggestions for some of the best happy hours in Seattle. These are some of the most popular venues and hidden hideaways in neighborhoods throughout the Emerald City. Note that this list of bars and lounges focus on establishments with popular happy hour drink and food specials. If you're looking to … [Read more...] about 75+ best value places for happy hour food and drinks
Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
The seed companies listed below are those most often recommended by gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. They offer seed varieties suitable to the cool, wet, marine climate in the Puget Sound region where the growing season is later and shorter than other areas of the country. All these seed companies can ship your … [Read more...] about Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
JBF consignment sales of children’s & maternity
Just Between Friends (JBF) consignment sales are a savvy consumer's dream. No wonder, JBF are North America's leading children's and maternity consignment sales events. At a JBF event, you can buy or sell clothing, toys, baby equipment, strollers, high chairs, cribs, joggers, nursery gear, maternity wear, baby … [Read more...] about JBF consignment sales of children’s & maternity
Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
The following planetariums and observatories in the Puget Sound region and around Washington State have regularly scheduled public astronomy shows that have free or cheap admission of $15 or less. Planetariums feature digital videos displayed on a dome-shaped screen with breathtaking images of the universe or … [Read more...] about Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Vegetable gardening is a great family activity or for anyone. It's one of the most rewarding home projects you can do. You can grow a little or a lot, from a few salad greens or cherry tomatoes to a large plot for a variety of vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Whether you own or rent a house, or live in a … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Our big list of film festivals
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
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
