Holidays in the City is a collaboration between the downtown Seattle Association/Metropolitan Improvement District, Seattle Center and Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, created for the purpose of providing information to travelers about the unique and enriching holiday experience of downtown Seattle, from Seattle Center to Pioneer Square. For more information on events, city maps, hotel packages and deals, travel tips and more, visit www.downtownholidays.com.

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND EXHIBITS, UPTOWN TO DOWNTOWN

THEATRE

Sylvia
Seattle Repertory Theatre
Nov. 11 – Dec. 11
www.seattlerep.org

Cinderella
5th Avenue Theatre
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31
www.5thavenue.org

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
A Contemporary Theatre (ACT)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
www.acttheatre.org

Black Nativity
Moore Theatre
Dec. 8 – 24
www.stgpresents.org

A Year with Frog and Toad
Seattle Children’s Theatre
Nov. 17 – Jan. 15
www.sct.org

Bonsoir Liliane!
Teatro ZinZanni
Now through Jan. 29
www.dreams.zinzanni.org

Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant
Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Center
Nov. 29 – Dec. 23
http://www.book-it.org


MUSIC

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
KeyArena at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street
Nov. 26
www.trans-siberian.com

Seattle Men’s Chorus’ Cool Yule
Benaroya Hall
Nov. 26 – 27, Dec. 3, 11, 18, 19, 22 and 23
www.flyinghouse.org

The Snowman
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 3
www.seattlesymphony.org

Holiday Pops with Marvin Hamlisch
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 8 – 11
www.seattlesymphony.org

Holiday Symphony Serenade
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
www.seattlesymphony.org

Canadian Brass
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 12 – 13
www.seattlesymphony.org

Handel’s Messiah
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 16 – 18
www.seattlesymphony.org

Go Tell It on the Mountain
The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 20
www.seattlesymphony.org

A Festival of Lessons & Carols
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 21
www.seattlesymphony.org

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 28 – 30
www.seattlesymphony.org

New Year’s Eve: Concert & Celebration
Seattle Symphony
Benaroya Hall
Dec. 31
www.seattlesymphony.org


BALLET

Stowell & Sendak Nutcracker
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center
Nov. 25 – Dec. 27
www.pnb.org


SEASON-LONG FESTIVITIES

Holiday Carousel presented by KING 5
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1
www.downtownholidays.com
Bring the entire family to Westlake Park for the fun of the illuminated Holiday Carousel presented by KING 5 – a holiday tradition for all ages. Net proceeds benefit the work of the downtown Seattle Association and Treehouse, a local nonprofit organization offering kids in foster care what all children so desperately need – a safe place to dream.

Holiday Carousel Hours of Operation*
Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Special Hours
Nov. 25** 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec. 11 8 a.m. – p.m.
Dec. 24 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dec. 25 Closed
Dec. 31 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Jan.1 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

*Dates and times subject to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions.
**Carousel will open after the Macy’s Holiday Parade, close at dusk for the lighting of the Westlake Center Holiday Tree and Macy’s Star, and reopen after the event.

Toyland Village Lighted Holiday Display
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, open daily until 10 p.m.
Piers 57-59, 1301 Alaskan Way
www.downtownholidays.com
Put the sparkle in your season with the dazzling Toyland Village Lighted Holiday Display at Seattle’s Waterfront Park. Stroll through more than 50 unique illuminated eight-foot-tall sculptures of your favorite childhood toys including 20 brand-new sculptures for this year’s display.

Ride the Ducks Holiday Lights Tour
Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, weekdays 6 p.m., weekends 5 p.m.
Westlake Park
www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/holidaylightstour.htm
Grab some holiday bells and hop on board a sleigh ride tour of the holiday lights in downtown Seattle with a wacky captain. This 40-minute adventure tour is a party on wheels.

Seattle Center Winterfest
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31
Seattle Center
www.seattlecenter.com
The 74-acre Seattle Center campus, illuminated in twinkling lights, sets the scene for five weeks of free and affordable, fun-filled activities and entertainment. Winter Train and Village and Winterfest Ice Rink return, along with Saturday afternoon ice sculpting and performances by more than 100 student groups.

Winter Train and Village
Nov. 25 – Dec. 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Special Hours: Dec. 24, closes at 4 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed
Center House/free
The Winter Train and Village takes you back in time. This Winterfest favorite is a turn-of-the-century miniature village and train, complete with buildings, lights, snow and a towering train depot.

Winterfest Ice Rink
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1; Sun – Thurs., 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Special Hours: Dec. 24, closes at 4 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Dec. 31, closes at 11:30 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion
The light-filled, 12,600-square-foot Fisher Pavilion is transformed into the Winterfest Ice Rink. The Ice Rink accommodates all levels of expertise. Admission and skate fee: $7 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 – 12; $2 for children 5 under. Cash only.

Ice Sculpting
Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; noon – 2 p.m.
Outside Fisher Pavilion/ free
Artistry and ice unite to express the season. Watch internationally acclaimed, award-winning artists at work as their ice creations unfold or stop by to see the glistening results. Each Saturday an ice master will carve a different design.


DATE-SPECIFIC HOLIDAY EVENTS

Festival of Trees Ceremony
Nov. 20, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com
Come see a display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each with its own unique theme and style. Each tree is dedicated to a courageous Seattle Children’s Hospital patient and is available for pre-purchase or bid. Trees will be on display for two weeks.

Nordstrom Santa Lane
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
6th Avenue and Pine Street
Santa finds his stylish side and makes a comfortable little home at Nordstrom in downtown Seattle. Families are invited to visit him and take photos that will last a lifetime.

Macy’s Santaland®
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
3rd Avenue and Pine Street
Straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus will take his holiday post at Santaland following Macy’s Holiday Parade. Family potraits with Santa are available this holiday season at Santaland.
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Pacific Place Winter Wonderland
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Pacific Place, 600 Pine St
www.pacificplaceseattle.com
Winter wonderland at Pacific Place offers a full schedule of free musical performances and snow shows in the atrium nightly at 6 p.m. New this year, photos with Santa are available.

Macy’s Holiday Parade
Nov. 25, 9 a.m.
Begins at 7th Avenue and Pine Street; loops through downtown streets ending at 4th Avenue and Pine Street.
www.downtownholidays.com
The annual parade features more than 25 floats, marching bands and drill teams and culminates with Santa’s arrival.

Westlake Center Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 25, 5 p.m.
4th Avenue and Pine Street
www.westlakecenter.com
Celebrate at Westlake Center as downtown Seattle lights up with bright holiday lights. The Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 4:45 p.m. with a special guest appearance from Santa. Seattle’s official holiday tree will remain illuminated through Dec. 31.

Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Nov. 20, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 21 – Dec. 26, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
411 University Street
During the holidays at the Fairmont, Teddy Bears get the royal treatment with two extravagantly decorated suites. The Teddy Bear Suite welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the holiday season. Take holiday photographs or read one of the teddy bear-themed children’s books.

Gingerbread Village
Nov. 22 – Jan. 2
Sheraton Seattle Hotel lobby
http://gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com/index.php
The Sheraton Seattle hosts the 19th Annual Gingerbread Village, “Home for the Holidays.” Each year the Sheraton’s culinary team partners with top local architecture firms to design, bake and delight guests and visitors with larger-than-life gingerbread creations. The event is free, with donations benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Northwest Chapter.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk – 5k & 1k
Dec. 11, 8 a.m.
Westlake Center
www.seattlejinglebellrun.org
Kick-off the holiday season with the Arthritis Foundation at the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Interested participants are encouraged to dress in a holiday themed costume as past participants have tied jingle bells to their shoelaces.

Seattle’s Traditional Santa Breakfasts
Dec. 11, 17 and 18, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Sheraton Seattle Hotel
The beloved holiday tradition of breakfast with Santa features traditional entertainment including original strolling minstrels, Leo the Clown, Magic Bob and Olympic Ballet Dancers.

Magic in the Market
Nov. 26, 1 – 5 p.m.
Pike Place Market
www.pikeplacemarket.org
Magic in the Market includes photo opportunities with Santa near the famous clock and sign, live entertainment and holiday lighting of the market’s buildings and trees.

Nutcracker Brunch
Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m. – noon
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
www.pnb.org
Pacific Northwest Ballet presents a fun-filled holiday event for children and families. Meet real Nutcracker characters and enjoy crafts, prizes, a delicious brunch, and a mini-performance of the Nutcracker to delight both the young and young-at-heart alike.
Seattle’s Coolest Santa and His Out-Of-This-World Workshop/ Children’s Arts and Crafts Station
Nov. 25 – 27, Dec. 3 – 4, 10 – 11, and 17 – 24, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Space Needle Observation Deck
www.spaceneedle.com
Santa and his elves can be found at the top of the Space Needle this holiday season. Eager to show off his new, super-sleek workshop and flashy new threads, Jolly St. Nick will be on the Observation Deck to meet and greet guests and to take pictures with them in his shiny new ride. After telling Santa what is on their wish list, kids are invited to visit the Space Needle arts and crafts station to make and take home a complimentary keepsake.

Christmas Carnival (formerly known as A Family Affair TreeView)
Nov. 28, noon – 8 p.m.
Westin Seattle Hotel
www.westinseattle.com
Usher in the yuletide spirit with family and friends at a Christmas Carnival, hosted by Providence O’Christmas Trees. This fun-for-all community event will showcase 15 elaborately designed Christmas trees for viewing. Families are invited to enjoy entertainment by magicians and balloon artist and participate in craft stations and photos with Santa.

Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Dec. 2, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Westlake Center (Pine Street between 3rd Avenue and 7th Avenue)
www.pikemarketseniorcenter.org
The Great Figgy Pudding celebrates the holiday season by filling downtown streets with caroling teams singing their hearts out to raise money for the Pike Market Senior Center and Downtown Food Bank. Proceeds benefit low income and homeless seniors and families living in downtown Seattle.

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
Nov. 26 – Dec. 23
Times and departure locations vary
www.argosycruises.com
Decorated with thousands of white lights, the Spirit of Seattle – the Official Christmas Ship – leads a flotilla of brightly-lit boats during the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival. Each night, the Argosy Christmas Ship sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via a state-of-the-art speaker system.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks at the Needle
Fri., Dec. 31, midnight
Space Needle, 400 Broad Street
www.spaceneedle.com
Join more than 50,000 people ringing in 2012 at the base of the world-famous Seattle Space Needle. The fireworks display boasts more than 2,000 pyrotechnic effects. Watch free from the ground or splurge for a more lofty view from the observation deck.


EXHIBITS

Luminous: The Art of Asia
Seattle Art Museum
Now – Jan. 8, 2012
www.seattleartmuseum.org

About the Holidays in the City Campaign:
Holidays in the City, a marketing collaboration of the downtown Seattle Association/Metropolitan Improvement District, Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Seattle Center, highlights the unique and enriching holiday experience of Seattle’s city center, from Seattle Center to Pioneer Square. The goal of the campaign is to enhance the economic impact of the 2011 holiday season by promoting the diversity and wealth of holiday attractions, events and promotions that make Seattle’s center city the premier holiday destination in the Northwest. Campaign organizers hope to expand the campaign in future years to leverage greater seasonal growth in retail, restaurant, hotel, arts and entertainment and other Seattle business. For more information, including event calendars, hot deals and more, visit www.downtownholidays.com.


Media contact: Kauilani Robinson, krobinson@visitseattle.org, (206) 461-5839