The following list of community egg hunts throughout the Puget Sound region are open to the public. Most are free, a few have nominal fees. We focus on free secular community Easter egg hunts. Most are hosted by cities and businesses throughout the Puget Sound region. Tips for enjoying Egg Hunts Some require … [Read more...] about Easter egg hunts in the Puget Sound region
Holidays & Observances
Where to get Easter bunny photos
Here's our list of Easter bunny photo opportunities in shopping malls and other locations throughout the Puget Sound region. We'll continue to update this information leading up to Easter Sunday. 2024 Easter Bunny Photos (Listed by starting date) March 6-30, 2024. Pet friendly dates: March 11, 18, 25. VIP Photos … [Read more...] about Where to get Easter bunny photos
Where to buy pie on National Pi Day (3/14) in the Puget Sound region
Pi Day is celebrated worldwide on March 14, which is a perfect excuse (if you need one) to eat pie. Any kind of pie will do: fruit pie, cream pie, quiche, pizza, calzone, hand pies, piroshki, or any other kind of pie. What is Pi? Pi is the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (π) used in mathematics to define the … [Read more...] about Where to buy pie on National Pi Day (3/14) in the Puget Sound region
Recommended restaurants and bars for St. Patrick’s Day
Here are our suggestions for restaurants and pubs in the Seattle area who offer Irish-inspired menus and drinks, appropriate for celebrating St. Patrick's Day (March 17). (Listed restaurants roughly north to south throughout the Puget Sound region.) Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill & Irish Pub 4 Puget Sound … [Read more...] about Recommended restaurants and bars for St. Patrick’s Day
Our guide to St. Patrick’s Day free and cheap events
St. Patrick's Day happens every March 17. Parades are usually held on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day (unless the holiday falls on Saturday, of course). Find a summary of the festivities around the Puget Sound region below, followed by a calendar list of St. Patrick's Day events for the current … [Read more...] about Our guide to St. Patrick’s Day free and cheap events
Free and cheap Passover resources and ideas
Passover or Pesach is the first of the three major festivals in the Jewish calendar. Passover occurs in spring and is followed seven weeks later by Shavu'ot. Sukkot occurs in autumn. About Passover Passover commemorates the biblical story of Exodus. As the story goes, Moses pleaded with the Egyptian Pharaoh to … [Read more...] about Free and cheap Passover resources and ideas
President’s Day: history and things to do
George Washington’s birthday is the official federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Many of us know it as President's Day, Presidents Day, or Presidents' Day. All are correct. Well, all of them are wrong. The official Federal name for the holiday is Washington's Birthday, which is actually … [Read more...] about President’s Day: history and things to do
Valentine’s Day 2024: Gifts, Dinner, and Things to do
Valentine's Day is celebrated every February 14 in the U.S. (and many other countries). Gifts are often exchanged between loved ones. Couples often share a romantic dinner at home or at a special restaurant. Some families like to celebrate together, adults and children. About Valentine's Day The history of the … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day 2024: Gifts, Dinner, and Things to do
Easter traditions, services, crafts, and more
These mostly free Easter events suggest some Christian worship services, Easter crafts to do at home, plus options for other Easter revelry including egg hunts, East bunny photo ops, and celebratory Easter brunch or dinner. But first, we'll dive into the traditions and history around this spring celebration. Easter … [Read more...] about Easter traditions, services, crafts, and more
Black history month around Puget Sound
February is Black History Month, making it the perfect time to highlight African American culture and the black experience in Seattle. A calendar of local events celebrating black history is listed below. This is also the perfect occasion to learn more about the civil rights movement in Seattle. Civil rights movement … [Read more...] about Black history month around Puget Sound
All about Groundhog Day
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
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
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
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
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?
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
Thanksgiving weekend things to do
We've found many things to do over Thanksgiving Weekend sure to put you in a holiday mood. They include many holiday celebrations that may inspire you, and some that may help you reflect on what's right and good, and how to see the world through the eyes of a child once again. If holiday shopping is your thing, … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving weekend things to do
