Boats follow alongside and bundled-up spectators gather on shore to watch the glow pass by, but whether you’re on board or waving from land, this tradition serves up some seriously unmistakable local magic. For 76 years, Argosy Cruises’ Christmas Ship Festival has sent off the Spirit of Seattle, decked in hundreds of sparkling white lights, to nearly 40 waterfront communities. Plus, it's a festive activity to tack onto the standard "let's get drinks" date.
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Fresh off winning a Juno Award and wrapping her stint as head monologue writer for After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson, Buddle—who’s appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show, and CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes—now brings her whip-smart standup to Seattle. Centered around a Christmas tea party that goes disastrously wrong and floods the world with tea, this British comedy follows London duo James and Jamesy as they set sail on a hilarious, imaginative adventure of wordplay, whimsy, and interactive fun. While National Lampoon had Americans in a chokehold for decades, O Christmas Tea proves that the Brits get a chuckle out of ridiculousness, too. Since then, he’s toured packed arenas, had starring roles across film and TV, and earned a reputation as one of Hollywood’s funniest performers. The prolific comedian brings his brutally honest style from Houston, Texas to the Pacific Northwest with hilarious material from his In the Shadows tour. But there’s something about someone shining—so brightly—their filthy light upon the world that gets at the holiday spirit.
Live Music in Seattle
And for those who live in Seattle proper, it doesn’t get much better than Pike Place Market’s Holiday Night Market. It’s the station's biggest event of the year and your chance to revisit 2025 with the people who helped make sense winorio of it. Hear stories from his career and insights from his new book, Wisdom Takes Work, followed by an audience Q&A and a curated pop-up from The Painted Porch Bookshop.
The Best Things To Do in Seattle This Month: December 2025
The Game Show is a two-weekend exhibition exploring this concept and the space between where games become art and art becomes play. The Game ShowRemindLikeListWhat happens when art plays by its own rules? Shot over five seasons in the mountains near Hakuba and Myoko, these black-and-white works distill the landscape to line, texture, and negative space, revealing the quiet geometry carved by storms. Running through early 2026, Porous Body invites viewers into an ancestral and earthly dialogue where grief meets growth, and the boundaries between body, land, and spirit dissolve into something tender and grounded. And of course, jolly old Saint Nick himself will make an appearance with a little help from Old Stove Brewing, which will pour seasonal brews for the grown-ups. For one night only, the Seattle landmark lights up in full holiday cheer, complete with twinkling light displays, handmade goods, unique gifts, and stocking stuffers from some of PNW's favorite makers.
- Described by fans as “The best holiday tradition since eggnog,” The Holiday Hootenanny and Sing-a-Long is a boot …
- Our event marketing plans will help you sell out events
- Explore our list of annual festivals and events.
- Ukrainian folk quartet DakhaBrakha infuses avant garde theatrics into their concert shows with captivating stage effects and costumes.
- Catch a show at Ballard’s Tractor Tavern and see other event listings below.
- Lead singer Tema Siegel generally doesn’t perform with an instrument, but she came up playing saxophone in jazz ensembles; instead, her bandmate Eric Tarlin takes up sax duties within the band.
- But while her mixes are… weird, she’s actually an incredibly talented DJ who finally began releasing her own original music this year.
Guide: The Best Dance Studios in Seattle
- The mind behind The Daily Stoic, The Obstacle Is the Way, and Stillness Is the Key (books read by everyone from CEOs to Super Bowl coaches to my father-in-law) brings his signature blend of ancient philosophy and practical wisdom to this special Seattle live event.
- Jens Lekman – Songs For Other People’s Weddings Tour Past EventLikeListJens Lekman has always made quirky, romantic indie pop, but his narrative concept album Songs for Other People’s Weddings, released in September, takes it to the next level.
- For one night only, the Seattle landmark lights up in full holiday cheer, complete with twinkling light displays, handmade goods, unique gifts, and stocking stuffers from some of PNW’s favorite makers.
- Don’t miss your chance to see two of the founding fathers of modern emo and post-hardcore music in one night.
- It’s the station’s biggest event of the year and your chance to revisit 2025 with the people who helped make sense of it.
- And when it comes to festive flicks, few are more essential than It’s a Wonderful Life; Frank Capra’s timeless tale of a man who gives everything to others, only to forget his own worth.
The annual Jingle Bell Run is back for its 41st year to ring in Seattle’s festive season. As you wander, spot Dickens' Carolers drifting through the aisles, catch live performances at the Holiday Jubilee Theater, and warm up with seasonal treats from local vendors. United Indians Native Art MarketRemindLikeListPut your money where your land acknowledgment is and support the Indigenous community at this curated market and exhibition featuring goods from local Native artists.
Explore our list of annual festivals and events. Seattle is alive with events every day of the year. Immerse yourself in over 9.7 million dazzling lights illuminating Quil Ceda Village this holiday season! The one and only John Legend returns to Seattle this holiday season. There will be more than 300 vendor booths (decor, art, crafts, clothing, wellness) at this year's Victorian Christmas Festival, as well as appearances by Santa, the Holiday Jubilee Theater and more. Your one-stop shop for handmade gifts, food, music and holiday spirit returns for four days this weekend.
It’s free Santa photos and some live music from KEXP’s own Lace Cadence. Holiday Night Market with SantaRemindLikeListFor many families (mine included), photos with Santa are a must during the festive season. But don’t fret, it’s not all fear-mongering, KUOW promises smart insights, memorable moments, and maybe even a surprise or two.
Jens Lekman – Songs For Other People’s Weddings Tour Past EventLikeListJens Lekman has always made quirky, romantic indie pop, but his narrative concept album Songs for Other People's Weddings, released in September, takes it to the next level. This summer, Tweedy's band Wilco performed two exceptional shows at Woodland Park Zoo, playing songs from across their three-decade career. KEXP Yule Benefit with Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples Past EventLikeListKEXP returns with its annual holiday fundraiser featuring performances from soul icon Mavis Staples and folk-rocker Jeff Tweedy.
Plus, arrive early to meet live birds in the lobby before the program begins. She’ll join KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick and BirdNote executive director Nick Bayard for a lively conversation about conservation, creativity, and the joy of paying attention to the natural world. Well, it’s not a canon work yet; it changes every year. Imagine if that lay on the shoulders of a junior high drama department. In this theatrical tradition, the pair interview sentient snacks before being kidnapped and held for ransom by holiday traditions.
Jay SomRemindLikeListMelina Duterte, who records music under the name Jay Som, has been busy. Pianist and composer Wayne Horvitz, who co-founded the Columbia City music venue the Royal Room, opens the show. Early in his career, his self-styled “future bounce” sound fused DC soul with house energy and pop/rap polish, defining an entire generation alongside the likes of Anderson .Paak and KAYTRANADA. GoldLinkRemindLikeListGoldLink has never really fit into neat boxes like “rapper,” “producer,” or “singer.” Before Spotify playlists dictated what's popular and niche SoundCloud rappers were breaking into the mainstream, he went out and created his own lane. I recommend checking out this Chappell Roan cover or their tropical take on the Eagles' "Hotel California" (I particularly love when the horn players play parts originally performed on electric guitar) for a crash course. Catch him on the 3L World Tour if you're into leaving preconceived notions at the door and experiencing an artist who never stops experimenting.
The music is charged with emotion, from rage to numbness and frustration to perseverance, which is an emotional journey I bet quite a few of us can relate to. Both bands have played Vegas' When We Were Young fest and can be classified as post-hardcore with occasional screaming, heavy instrumentation, and punk-inspired vocals. They're off on their first-ever tour in support of their debut EP, Beautiful Chaos, gracing Seattle with one of only four West Coast stops. KATSEYERemindLikeListIf you want to get technical, KATSEYE isn't K-pop, they're a global girl group. Some may recognize their tunes from when they dominated daytime commercial breaks in the 2010s with ad placements for IBM and Expedia.
Fusing jazz with noise on what are perhaps best described as rap-adjacent confessionals, Earl’s knack for creating beautifully strange music has solidified him as an important part of hip-hop culture. Accolades aside, this is your chance to confirm just how musically gifted this man is and peep a true childhood glow-up at the same time. SMooCHRemindLikeListThe Seattle music community comes together once again to raise money for the Seattle Children’s Hospital at this annual fundraiser. The most important thing to their fanbase is that KATSEYE makes catchy pop music and has impeccable choreography. Other times, it’s nonsensical soundbites of the Chainsmokers laced with memes.
It's the least "holiday" of all the light shows this month. SIFF closes out the year and rings in the next with a trio of seasonal classics. Tucked in Columbia City, The Beacon wards off The Big Dark with screenings of the entire 2017 season in their cozy, oh-so-cute independent theater. A decade ago, Seattle Rep premiered a show that would become a beacon of hope, joy, and connection.