Christmas is
right around the corner. Some of you have probably been counting down since packing the Halloween costume. Others of you might not have had enough time to get excited as the head's been burrowed down just trying to get through end-of-the-year tasks at work. In any event, whether you're jumping at the bit or dragging your feet, we've got a whole list of activities and events for you all to go out and get in the spirit.
Each of the campuses compiled activities from around their communities, with a little something for everyone.
So grab your kids, grab your wife, grab your roommates, grab the gal you've been meaning to ask out all year, and go enjoy our community, our city, our families, our church, and our God.
[Skip ahead:
Downtown,
Bellevue & the Eastside,
Federal Way,
Olympia,
Shoreline,
U-District,
Ballard]
Albuquerque
The River of Lights at the Bio Park
When: Dec. 16 | 6 – 9 p.m.
Dec. 17 – Dec. 30 | 6 – 10 p.m.
(Closed Dec. 24 & 25)
The Luminaria Tour around Old Town
When: Saturday, December 24, 2010 – starts at 5:45p.m.
Downtown Seattle
(
more)
Bellevue & the Eastside
Bellevue Botanical Garden Lights
The botanical garden might appear a bit bare by day, but by night is singing with color and creativity. About 150,000 people enjoy the half a million lights each year. Garden d’Lights is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with last entry at 9:30 p.m. Free parking is available at Wilburton Hill Park.
When: Nov.27 – Jan. 1
Where: 12001 Main St. at Bellevue Botanical Garden
Contact: 425-452-6844, www.gardendlights.org
Cost: $5 per person; children 10 and under free
Snowflake Lane
What: The Bellevue Collection sends snow down on Bellevue Way near the mall at 7 p.m. The holiday tradition also includes live drummers (mainly high school marching bands) winter characters dancing in the crowd and music. On a Friday or Saturday it’s probably the liveliest time of the year for downtown Bellevue, as shoppers flood the mall for gifts.
A parade with the mayor and Santa Claus kicks off the month-long tradition.
When: Nov. 26 – Dec. 24
Where: Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th St.
Cost: Free
Celebration Lane
Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th St.
What: After Christmas The Bellevue Collection hosts Celebration Lane through the new year with nightly performances at 7 p.m.
When: December 26 – December 31
Contact: 425.454.8096, www.bellevuecollection.com
Cost: Free
Downtown Park Ice Skating
What: Every year the city drains the Downtown Park’s reflecting pool and allows the Downtown Association to build an ice skating rink. It makes either a great end to a date night or a fun time with the kids. It’s sponsored by the Bank of America, so if you show one of their credit or debit cards you can get two free admissions on Mondays.
When: Nov. 26-Jan. 9
Where: N.E. 1st St. & 102nd Ave. N.E.
Contact: 425-453ñ1223, www.magicseason.com
Cost: $10 includes a $3 skate rental fee, advance group tickets are $75 for 10 tickets.
The Bravern
What: Although the tree-lighting event already kicked off their festivities, events continue through Christmas, including light show and live entertainment.
Nightly Light Shows at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the N.E. 8th St. arrival court.
Cool Winter Nights Every Thursday in December, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live music, drinks and bites near the covered and heated 110th fireplace. The $5 entry fee benefits Childhaven. 21 and over.
When: Nov. 19-Dec. 31
Where: N.E. 8th St. and 112th Ave. N.E.
Contact: www.thebravern.com/holiday
Cost: Free
Federal Way
-
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Zoolights Nov. 26, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011 (closed Dec 24th) $7.50, discounted tickets at pdza.org and participating Bartell Drugs (kids 2 and under free).
-
44th Annual Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth, Wa Dec. 17-19. The event starts at 1pm, lighting countdown starts at 4:30. FREE http://www.leavenworth.org
-
Christmas Light Tour- There are neighborhoods all over with wonderful Christmas Light displays, and best of all they are FREE.
-
Grab a thermos of hot chocolate or cider and head on over to View Pointe at Redondo Beach , Candy Cane Lane in Seattle, or any other of the numerous ‘hoods that get in the spirit. FREE
-
Donate to the Christmas House – Christmas House is a community-wide effort led by Steel Lake Presbyterian, Marine View Presbyterian and Browns Point United Methodist churches, along with the Multi-Service Center and The Commons Mall. Last year they served 832 families including over 2,000 children, and this year they expect to reach more. Gifts can be dropped off at The Giving Tree at The Commons Mall or delivered to the Multi-Service Center’s warehouse in Federal Way (1200 S. 336th St.). The deadline is Dec 17.
-
Ride the Morford Family Carousel in Kent -open Fri, Sat, Sun suggested donation of $1/ride.
- Stock up on holiday treats, pick out a new favorite ornament, and get a family photo snapped atMolbak’s Festival of Poinsettias through Dec 24th – Woodinville.
(
more from Federal Way)
Olympia
(
more from Olympia)
Shoreline
From Shoreline members:
- "Checking out the famous lights of Candy Cane lane is a family tradition."
- "We like walking around the Green Lake luminaries and getting hot cocoa at Chocolati…"
- "My family likes going to the Edmonds pier for the Christmas ships."
- "We like to go to Snowflake Lane (and don’t worry if you’re broke, it’s free!)"
- "Fun/cheap things to do would also to be to drive around and look at christmas lights and then get a burger at Dick’s."
- "We enjoy feeding the reindeer at Swanson’s Nursery."
- "Go on a nature walk and enjoy winter’s beauty (The Arboretum’s winter garden is beautiful)."
- "One of our favorite things to volunteer for is the Snohomish County Toy Shop."
- "Cut out snowflakes and hang in windows (to join in with neighborhood decorating)."
- "Make and decorate Christmas cookies for neighbors."
- "We open our home to anyone who wants to come over, every Christmas eve for a traditional Christmas dinner and to attend church with us, and every Christmas day all day."
(more from
Shoreline)
U-District
(more from the
U-District)
Ballard
Ballard High School Winter Music Concert #2
Dec. 16, 7pm – 9pm
Come to a Ballard High School Choir and Orchestra Concert. The performance will feature selections from Handel’s "Messiah." The event is at Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center at Ballard High School. For more info go
HERE.
Gifts of Music at Christmastime
Dec 18, 2 – 4pm
"Come hear and sing holiday songs and Christmas carols on Saturday afternoon, December 18, 2pm, when the Seattle SeaChordsmen Barbershop Chorus and their special guests, The Seattle Shores Chorus of the Sweet Adelines Women’s Barbershop Society, present their annual holiday songfest." This is held at Philadelphia Church 7704 – 24th Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98117. For more info go
HERE.
(more from
Ballard)
Christmas is right around the corner. Some of you have probably been counting down since packing the Halloween costume. Others of you might not have had enough time to get excited as the head's been burrowed down just trying to get through end-of-the-year tasks at work. In any event, whether you're jumping at the bit or dragging your feet, we've got a whole list of activities and events for you all to go out and get in the spirit.
Each of the campuses compiled activities from around their communities, with a little something for everyone.
So grab your kids, grab your wife, grab your roommates, grab the gal you've been meaning to ask out all year, and go enjoy our community, our city, our families, our church, and our God.
[Skip ahead: Downtown, Bellevue & the Eastside, Federal Way, Olympia, Shoreline, U-District, Ballard]
