The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau realizes there’s only so much togetherness a body can stand this time of year. So they have gathered, all at one simple URL, a good bit of Seattle’s seasonal offerings: Visit Holidays in Seattle to plot your escape from home!
You think we’re kidding about that in-laws tinged desperation, aren’t you? Well, maybe. But it’s telling that you can sort your options by “soonest” (as well as by holiday-themed events and arts and entertainment offerings). You can also search on a specific date; the events and outings run from now through January 1, 2013, including New Year’s Eve parties.
A few things are going on all the time: the Holiday Carousel at Westlake Park (thanks, KING 5!) It’s snowing nightly at 6 p.m. at Pacific Place, where Santa hangs out. Santa is also ready for his close-up at Macy’s and Nordstrom. And of course there’s Winterfest at Seattle Center, with its real-ice ice-skating rink. Skate rentals ($7 adults, $5 6-12, $2 5-and-under) are cash only; skating begins at 11 a.m. each day and goes until 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.
The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival sails all around (but not every day). Check their schedule. Pacific Northwest Ballet is presenting The Nutcracker December 7 through the 29th (but not every day).
And much, much more, which is the point of creating a separate Holidays in Seattle site.
This seems a good time to mention that the Snow Train to Leavenworth, for their holiday celebrations, is almost sold out on all its runs this year. They say there’s a few seats left on the December 22 train. If you don’t mind motorcoaching it (which may in fact be faster), Clipper Vacations can also get you there.
