See Top Holiday Events in the Pacific Northwest
The holidays are all about celebration, and the Pacific Northwest has no shortage of special events and activities to get into the spirit of the season. Here are some great ways to spend the time with friends and family during the holidays.
BOTANICAL FESTIVITIES
A spectacle itself in any season, Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia, takes on a whole new persona during the holidays with decorative lights, carolers and an outdoor ice skating rink (make sure to book your time when you arrive). The Oregon Garden in the heart of Silverton similarly has lights and ice skating, plus snowless tubing and a German market.
The 80-acre botanical garden is also home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House, one of the few Pacific Northwest residences designed by the architect — and rarer yet in that guided tours are available by reservation. On Seattle’s Eastside, the Bellevue Botanical Garden hosts its Garden d’Lights event through the end of the year, featuring whimsical light sculptures in the shapes of flora and fauna. In Spokane, 18 themed Christmas trees will be displayed at the Historic Davenport Hotel and River Park Square; take a look before or after ice skating at the nearby Riverfront Park.
Christmas Ships
Ships and skippers set sail on the Willamette and Columbia rivers decked out in bright lights and holiday garb. Operated by volunteers, the Christmas Ships Parade has been a tradition in the Rose City for decades. More than 60 privately owned vessels travel from Vancouver (Washington), Salem, Hood River and beyond for this festive waterfront spectacle. The ships usually make their rounds during the first three weeks of December, but check online for times and locations. Hayden Bay, the North Portland Harbor and the St. Johns Bridge are popular viewing points when ships cruise by.
Seattle’s Argosy Cruises puts on its Christmas Ship Festival with cruises around Puget Sound, a nautical parade on Lake Union and the Fremont Cut, and shore events with bonfires, tree lightings and choir performances broadcast from the water. Alki Beach, Golden Gardens and the Seattle waterfront are all great spots to watch, depending on the schedule.
Celebrate with Artisans
Monroe’s Artisans Holiday Fair is one of the largest and most diverse seasonal makers markets in the Northwest, with makers, food vendors, live entertainment and Santa Claus himself. Seattle’s “Magic in the Market” at Pike Place on November 30 offers festive activities such as a tree lighting and Santa meet-and-greets. Shoppers can look for gifts made by more than 200 local vendors, ranging from handmade stockings and holiday wreaths to cigar box guitars.
The Holiday Native Gift Fair and Art Market at the Duwamish Longhouse in Seattle showcases the work of more than 25 indigenous artists and craftspeople. The Westlake Holiday Market is another favorite to visit while you’re in the area.
Zoo Lights
Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium offers vintage carousel and camel rides in addition to its colorful 3D displays, including a 22-foot glowing crab with moving pincers. Back in Seattle, the Woodland Park Zoo features faux snowball fights, up-close animal encounters and more sparkling lights. The Oregon Zoo in Portland has a lighted steam train, winter walks and an assortment of food carts, while Zoo Idaho in Pocatello is decorated with lights and has a series of classes for kids.
Festive Train Rides
The Polar Express departs from the town of Elbe along the Mount Rainier Railroad from late November through the end of the year. On this theatrical, 90-minute train ride, passengers are served hot cocoa, entertained by pastry chefs and immersed in a reading of the train’s namesake book. Upon arrival to the North Pole – otherwise known as Mount Rainier National Park – each child receives a small gift from Santa.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Santa Train in North Bend, which runs most weekends throughout the season. The two-hour round trip to Snoqualmie includes a Santa visit at the 19th century Snoqualmie Depot. The 45-minute Holiday Express Train ride in Portland offers vintage rail cars, scenic Willamette River views and visits with Santa. In Vancouver, British Columbia, the Bright Nights Christmas Train features more than 3 million sparkling bulbs, beautiful displays and live performances.
Waterfront Spectacles
About 25 miles north of Everett, The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach and Conference Center rivals some of the largest festivals in the Northwest. This event in Stanwood boasts more than 1 million lights over 15 acres with pony rides, storytelling, a train and live entertainment. Overnight lodging is available for small to large groups. (AAA members save $2 off festival admission at the gate.) Cannon Beach has hosted its annual Haystack Holidays events for more than 45 years.
Get crafty with holiday wreath making, enjoy concerts, festive displays, photos with Santa and the Lamp Lighting Ceremony in Sandpiper Square. Shore Acres State Park in southern Oregon draws approximately 50,000 visitors each season to the scenic waterfront park’s light display of 325,000 LEDS and animated sculptures including pelicans, sea horses and a life-size gray whale. Coeur d’Alene Resort’s Holiday Light Show boasts 1.5 million lights, a “Journey to the North Pole” cruise across the lake to Santa’s Toy Workshop and a giant, floating Christmas tree.
Extend the Season
If you find yourself feeling blue on December 26, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performances of “The Nutcracker” at McCaw Hall run through December 28 (A 10 percent discount is available for members at pnb.org with code 20AAA). Seattle Winterfest at the Seattle Center, featuring an ice rink and The Dickens Carolers, runs through December 31, while the Sheraton Grand Seattle’s Gingerbread Village stays open through January 1. And you can always head to Leavenworth, which keeps its holiday lights on seven days a week at least through Valentine’s Day. The town also hosts a Bavarian Ice Festival in mid-January with plenty of sledding, snow sculptures and live ice carving (when weather allows) to tide you over until next year.
Sky-High New Year’s Celebrations
At an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet, there are few places as dramatic to view New Year’s Eve fireworks than the top of Grouse Mountain. The British Columbia resort’s Skyride and terrain parks are complemented by a family New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music, fire performances, a gingerbread village, an 8,000-square-foot skate pond and a 9 p.m. countdown for younger participants who can’t stay up too late. In Seattle, view the awe-inspiring Space Needle fireworks show from the top of the tower – complete with a converted dance floor and observation deck – or stake out viewpoints from the South Fountain Lawn, Gas Works Park or Volunteer Park.
–Written by Maggy Lehmicke, a Seattle-area native who has spent the past 20 years exploring the greater Pacific Northwest. Her favorite holiday activities are shopping in Ballard, visiting PortTownsend and skiing at Mission Ridge in Wenatchee.
