‘Tis the season for family-fun holiday activities, from theater performances to ice skating, Seattle’s Holidays in the City offers something for the whole family. The 2011 Holidays in the City seasonal campaign is brought to you by Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seattle Center and The Downtown Seattle Association/Metropolitan Improvement District. The annual campaign is geared toward helping promote downtown Seattle as an outstanding destination for holiday travel.


Seattle’s Performing Arts Sing and Dance with Holiday Cheer
Seattle’s reputation as a thriving theater town is upheld this season when touring and resident company productions of holiday classics hit stages all over the city.

A Seattle tradition for more than 35 years, A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) presents the classical Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, now through December 24. Visit www.acttheatre.org for tickets and more information.

The historic Moore Theatre presents Black Nativity, a holiday gospel celebration based on the works of Langston Hughes and accompanied by dance, December 8 through December 24. Visit www.stgpresents.org for tickets and more information.

Downtown Seattle’s Benaroya Hall hosts holiday-themed music performances throughout the month of December featuring the renowned Seattle Symphony Orchestra, visiting symphony orchestras, the Seattle Men’s Chorus performance of Cool Yule, and other holiday-themed productions. Visit www.seattlesymphony.org and www.flyinghouse.org for tickets and more information.

Few holiday show traditions boast the generational appeal of The Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s rendition dates back to 1983 and features the now-famous collaboration between the ballet’s founding artistic director and choreographer Kent Stowell and renowned
children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. The Nutcracker runs through December 27 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on the Seattle Center campus. Visit www.pnb.org for ticket and schedule information.


On the grounds of the Seattle Center, Seattle Children’s Theatre presents A Year with Frog and Toad, through January 15, 2012, based on the books by Arnold Lobel. Visit www.sct.org for tickets and more information.



Through January 29, 2012, Teatro ZinZanni, located across the street from the Seattle Center, presents Bonsoir Liliane!, a combination of cirque, comedy and cabaret with a full-course dinner. Visit www.dreams.zinzanni.org for more information.


Downtown Seattle Shines for the Holidays
Much of the holiday hustle and bustle happens at Westlake Center, where the city’s official Christmas tree stands. Across the street in Westlake Park is the KING 5 Wonderland featuring the holiday carousel. The carousel is fun for the whole family, its bright colors and lights add extra cheer to downtown streets. The carousel is the perfect viewing spot for the Macy’s star, atop the store’s southeast corner.

On Elliott Bay, Seattle’s Waterfront Park serves as host to the Toyland Village Lighted Holiday Displays, 50 unique illuminated eight-foot-tall sculptures, including ice skates, a giant snowflake, carousel horse, teddy bear, swing set, wagon, rocking horse and wind-up toys that celebrate the spirit of the holidays.


Seattle Center’s Winterfest Creates Holiday Family Magic
The sights and sounds of Seattle Center Winterfest fill the center’s 74-acre campus, brightly illuminated in thousands of twinkling white lights for the holiday season. Winterfest features mostly free seasonal exhibits and family activities through December 31. Fun-filled activities and entertainment include ice skating and ice sculpting and performances by more than 100 student groups. Highlights include the Winter Train and Village in the Center House and the Winterfest Ice Rink in Fisher Pavilion. For more information and scheduling for these and many other activities, visit www.seattlecenter.com.


Big City Holiday Lights Tour
In partnership with Ride the Ducks Seattle, Evergreen Escapes now offers a Wacky Quacky Holiday Lights and Wine Tour. This unique holiday light tour and urban wine tasting experience runs through the month of December. The all-inclusive tour includes a 40-minute holiday lights tour, a light dinner, dessert and wine tastings. Ticket information is available at evergreenescapes.com/holiday_2011.asp.


Holiday Hotel Specials and Packages
Indulge with a revitalizing stay at Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle and experience the exclusive Calm package.  The package includes luxury overnight deluxe accommodations, the choice of one 90-minute Swedana or Shirodhara  Ayurvedic massage, Pacific Rim breakfast for two and a Mystic Masala Tri-Dosha kit to invigorate the senses. The package starts at $499 and is available through December 31.

The Mayflower Park Hotel offers a special Holiday Traditions Package which includes classic guestrooms starting at $159 (plus tax) or deluxe guestroom $179 (plus tax), a holiday gift from the hotel, and complimentary valet parking (normally $29). Complimentary cocoa and cookies will be served from 2-4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The package is available through December 30; more information can be found at www.mayflowerpark.com.

The Kimpton Seattle hotels, which include Hotel Monaco, Hotel Vintage Park and the Alexis Hotel, are offering their SOS (Save Our Sanity) rate this holiday season. Whether for an in-town holiday weekend or as accommodations for visiting relatives, the rate includes 20 percent off the best available room rate, two complimentary glasses of champagne at the hotel bar and holiday discounts from Pacific Place mall. The offer is good through January 15, 2012. For more information and reservations, visit www.kimptonhotels.com Rate code: SOS.

Seattle’s Hotel Andra offers the Be Merry package, including overnight accommodations, two glasses of champagne upon arrival, a $40 dining credit to enjoy Tom Douglas’ iconic Lola restaurant, overnight valet parking and a late check-out of 1 p.m. This package is available through January 31; rates start at $249 (plus tax). For more information, visit www.hotelandra.com. Visit www.hotelandra.com/about-us/packages/index.cfm.

Located in the heart of Seattle, Hotel Max offers an Eat, Shop and Drop package. This is a fantastic option for those who want to get a head start on the holiday season with great local shopping. Guests who book the package will get a copy of the eat.shop.seattle guide to help them find Seattle’s best locally owned boutiques and restaurants, plus a $50 AMEX gift card they can spend however they like, two Hotel Max totes for hauling their loot and an umbrella to keep the rain at bay.  The package is priced from $229 plus tax, available now and runs through December 24, 2011. The package can be booked here: http://www.hotelmaxseattle.com/seattle-hotel-specials/.

Hotel 1000 offers a Comfort, Joy and Cheer package for the month of December. Guests who book the package will receive overnight accommodations, valet parking, town car service to area shopping (based on availability), gift wrapping for up to ten packages, spiced cider available upon check-in, a 12 percent discount in Hotel 1000’s Gift Shop and a 12 percent pre-tax donation to Art with Heart. Package rates start at $199. For additional information, please visit www.hotel1000seattle.com.

The Maxwell Hotel and Hotel FIVE invite guests to book a Shop, Stay and Save package. The package rate keeps dropping, so guests can keep shopping. Rates start at $219.00 (includes tax) for single or double occupancy and include a $100 gift card that can be used at Pacific Place. To book the package, call 1.866.866.7977 and ask for the Shop, Stay and Save or reserve the package on either hotel website and use promo code: PKGSSP.

The Holiday Shopping package at Hyatt at Olive 8 and Grand Hyatt Seattle is available through December 30. Starting at $179, the package perks include a $50 gift card to Pacific Place, a $25 credit to City Centre Gifts on 5th Avenue and a 10 percent off shopping pass to Macy’s. The package also includes daily breakfast for two at the hotel’s seasonally-inspired restaurant, Urbane, or one in-room movie and valet parking. To book the package, visit www.hyattatolive8.com or www.grandhyattseattle.com, and enter HOLSHP in the special offers code field.

The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers a Shoppers Holiday Package, which includes luxurious overnight accommodations, a $200 Nordstrom gift card and one holiday beverage per person in ART Lounge. This package is available through January 31, 2012; rates start at $505 (plus tax).  For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/seattle/.

Inn at the Market’s annual Perfect Present Wrapping Room will be open through the holidays.  Offering complimentary gift wrap and all the trimmings, guests of the Inn can stop in during their stay and wrap up their Seattle finds. Rates start at $185. For more information, visit http://innatthemarket.com/.

The Fairmont Olympic offers the Secret Shopper Package with exclusive savings and insider values designed with the discerning traveler in mind. The package includes overnight accommodations, a $50 Center Wide Gift Card, exclusive VIP Coupon book for Seattle Premium Outlets or North Bend Premium Outlets and complimentary overnight valet parking. The Secret Shopper Package is available year-round and rates start at $239 USD (plus tax) for two people.

The Sheraton Seattle Hotel offers a Holiday Shopping Package, which includes overnight accommodations, a $100 Macy’s gift card for each night of the stay and complimentary photos with Santa at the downtown Macy’s for stays before December 24. Rates start at $209 per night; the package is available until January 3 and must be booked 24 hours in advance. For more information, visit www.SheratonSeattle.com/Holiday.

Ring in the New Year with an overnight luxurious stay at The Inn at El Gaucho. Enjoy a one night stay in a Belltown Junior Suite, $100 towards dinner at El Gaucho Seattle, complimentary valet parking, and a bottle of bubbly for $399 from December 30 through January 1. Make it a weekend and add an extra night for just $100 more. For more information call 206.728.1133.

Additional travel deals can be found at www.seattlesupersaver.com/.




Holiday Events Mobile App
For a full list of festive holiday activities, visit www.downtownholidays.com and download the new and improved Holidays in the City iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch app. A one-stop shop for all of your Seattle holiday needs with a dynamic events calendar, visitor information section, and easy to navigate map.