12 holiday events to lock in before prices go up. Get these in the calendar before it’s too late!

The big ones sell out and timed-entry slots fill fast. Book these before they’re gone.

🏮 WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo (Phinney Ridge)
📅 Opens Nov 13
Hundreds of glowing animal lanterns light up the zoo nightly Nov 13–Jan 17. Low-sensory nights Nov 15, Dec 1, Jan 10. Timed entry sells out—grab weekend slots early.
From $35 adults, $29 kids 3–12, under 3 free
https://zoo.org/wildlanterns/events/

🦓 Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma)
📅 Opens Nov 27
A million-plus lights across the zoo, Nov 27–Jan 3. Weeknights before Dec 14 are cheapest at $16. Online timed tickets required and popular dates fill fast.
$16–$22 adults, kids 2 & under free; $30 flex ticket any night
https://www.parkstacoma.gov/event/zoolights-2/

🎄 Garden d’Lights at Bellevue Botanical (Bellevue)
📅 Opens Nov 28
Half a million lights sculpt flowers, waterfalls and wildlife across Bellevue Botanical Garden, Nov 28–Jan 3 (closed Christmas). Easy, stroller-friendly loop and one of the best values going.
$10 adults, kids 10 & under free; $5 Mon–Thu first two weeks
https://bellevuebotanical.org/garden-dlights/

🩰 PNB’s The Nutcracker at McCaw Hall (Seattle Center)
📅 Opens Nov 27
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s beloved Nutcracker returns to McCaw Hall Nov 27–Dec 27 with Balanchine choreography and Maurice Sendak sets. A classic first-ballet outing; weekend matinees book up first.
From $39; discounts for kids 14 & under
https://www.pnb.org/nutcracker/

❄️ Snowflake Lane (Bellevue)
📅 Opens Nov 27
Nightly 7pm holiday parade with toy drummers, dancers, lights and falling snow down Bellevue Way, Nov 27–Dec 24. No tickets needed—just show up; free garage parking at The Bellevue Collection.
FREE
https://bellevuecollection.com/snowflakelane/

🎄 Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park (Spanaway)
📅 Opens Nov 27
Pierce County’s classic drive-through light show at Spanaway Park—two miles of animated displays you watch from your warm car, nightly 5:30–9pm Nov 27–Jan 3. Stay in pajamas; no reservation needed.
$10–$20 per car
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/fantasylights

🦌 Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo (Issaquah)
📅 Opens Nov 27
Meet Santa’s reindeer up close plus the zoo’s cougars, lemurs and wallaroos. Festival runs Nov 27–Dec 30 (closed Dec 24–25). A cozy, low-crowd Eastside outing for little kids.
$18 adults, $16 seniors 62+, $15 kids 3–12, under 3 free
https://www.cougarmountainzoo.org/issaquah-reindeer-festival-offseason/

🚢 Argosy Christmas Ship Festival (Seattle + regional shorelines)
📅 Opens Nov 27
Watch the lighted Christmas ships parade past 45+ shoreline spots free, or book a cruise to ride alongside with carolers aboard. Sailings nightly Nov 27–Dec 23 from Seattle and beyond.
Free from shore; cruise rides from about $25 adults, $12 kids 5–12
https://www.argosycruises.com/christmas-ship-festival/

🎭 A Christmas Carol at ACT (Downtown Seattle)
📅 Opens Nov 28 (confirming)
ACT’s beloved staging of Dickens’ ghost story returns to downtown Seattle for the holidays—a Seattle tradition since 1976 and a great first live-theater outing for grade-schoolers.
$63+
https://order.unionartscenter.org/13107/13239

🎵 Seattle Symphony Holiday Pops at Benaroya Hall (Downtown Seattle)
📅 Opens Dec 4
Seattle Symphony’s Holiday Pops fills Benaroya Hall with carols, sing-alongs and festive favorites, Dec 4–6. Megan Hilty guests this year. A dressed-up night out that still works for kids.
$53+
https://benaroyahall.org/buy/?performanceId=28479

⛸️ Downtown Bellevue Ice Rink (Bellevue)
📅 Opens Nov 13
Outdoor rink in the heart of downtown Bellevue, Nov 13–Jan 18. Covered and open nightly; skate rental included and non-skaters watch free. Easy park-and-skate with shopping and food steps away.
$12 Cheap Skate Mondays, $16 weekdays, $22 weekends, $24 winter break (Dec 18–Jan 3); skate rental included
https://www.bellevueicerink.com/admission

⛸️ Ice Skating at Holiday Magic (Puyallup)
📅 Opens Dec 4
Outdoor skating under the lights at the Washington State Fair’s Holiday Magic in Puyallup, select dates Dec 4–23. Pair it with rides, light displays and visits with Santa.
Skating $10 online / $12 on-site (includes rental); Holiday Magic admission required separately
https://www.thefair.com/holiday-magic/activities/ice-skating/

Find out which snacks will be in the lineup 👀

p.s this is already 25% sold out with 40 days left 😳 also a superhero might make an appearance 🕷️ 🤷‍♂️

p.s you can always reply to these emails with ideas, feedback, events or anything. We read and reply to every email!