Seattle Center Winterfest

Seattle Center Winterfest, presented by Symetra, runs from November 27 through December 31 across the Seattle Center campus. It's five weeks of holiday decor and activities, with the Winter Train & Village in the Armory Food & Event Hall as one of the main draws. The train is a long-running tradition that's been on display for 50 years, and you can operate it yourself and take part in a Scavenger Hunt.

Beyond the train, there's a steady stream of things to do throughout the season. Every Saturday at 12 PM, carvers Chan Kitburi and James Royal do live ice sculpting at the Mural Amphitheatre. On Friday nights, the Armory hosts free holiday film screenings starting at 6:30 PM. The Armory Stage also has weekend entertainment running from November 27 through December 27.

Running alongside Winterfest is the Seattle Christmas Market, a European-style market modeled on old-world German markets. It's based at the Fisher Pavilion Block with more than 70 stalls, mostly Pacific Northwest artisans selling handmade gifts, local art, and German-inspired goods. They serve Glühwein in a collectible mug that changes design every year. The whole thing sits within the Center's year-round programming, which includes Festál, celebrating the cultural richness of the Pacific Northwest, and the Seattle/King County Clinic.

New Year's Eve brings a few different celebrations to the campus. The band Copastetic plays the Armory from 8 PM to midnight, and the International Fountain hosts a Fountain of Light show starting at 9 PM with DJ Arson Nicki and video artists Collide-O-Scope. There's also Alaska Airlines New Year's at the Needle. Winterfest runs from November 27 to December 31 at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.