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
Thanksgiving & Christmas season
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
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
Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
Check our list of locally owned Seattle restaurants and franchises offering Thanksgiving Day dinners. Our selection of restaurants ranges from casual eateries to dinner houses. Some offer a special Thanksgiving dinner menu, some offer their regular menu, and some have both options. Some offer dine-in, others have … [Read more...] about Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
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
Christmas light displays around the Puget Sound region
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Here's our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are drive-thru or walk-thru commercial displays with an … [Read more...] about Christmas light displays around the Puget Sound region
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
Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
Here's a list of Santa photo opportunities. They include free and paid Santa pictures all around the Puget Sound region. All that, and toys, too! We're indubitably impressed! Some of the free Santa photo ops are at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. Most of these free … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
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
What is the meaning of Thanksgiving Day?
Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a day for gathering with friends and family, giving thanks, traditional roast turkey dinners, and professional football games on television. Thanksgiving Day background The national holiday is inspired by a gathering in … [Read more...] about What is the meaning of Thanksgiving Day?
Our top 10 picks for Seattle shopping on Cyber Monday
Here are our suggestions for Cyber Monday, which always happens right after Thanksgiving Weekend. It's a big prelude to the holiday shopping season with a focus on online shopping deals.If you live in the Seattle metropolitan region and want to add Pacific Northwest flair to your gift giving, check our list of locally … [Read more...] about Our top 10 picks for Seattle shopping on Cyber Monday
Our guide to Black Friday shopping in the Puget Sound region
Thanksgiving Weekend is the one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, from the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) through the following Monday (known as Cyber Monday--famous for online shopping). Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy extended hours at shopping malls, sales on gifts, and décor for the … [Read more...] about Our guide to Black Friday shopping in the Puget Sound region
November events and entertainment
Our November 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 November events and entertainment
Something to think about in this season of wanting
Winter is upon us. Amidst the ordinary routines of everyday life, against the backdrop of media blasts reporting violence in large cities and small towns, the political rhetoric and infighting, and the latest technological toys...the holiday season is once again here, heralded by darkening days and wind chilling … [Read more...] about Something to think about in this season of wanting
Free printable coloring and activity pages for kids and adults
Here's a list of printable coloring pages for your kids or the kid in you! Download and print these free coloring pages for a rainy day activity, to support Seattle sports teams, during the Christmas holiday, or any time you or kids are looking for something fun and cheap to pass the time. We love it because anyone can … [Read more...] about Free printable coloring and activity pages for kids and adults
