January 2025
Enjoy the best events, festivals, and fun things to do around Puget Sound—including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Bellevue.
January 1, 2025
multiple locations
Run or jump into cold water to celebrate the new year. Some have fees or limited parking.
January 1, 2025
Downtown (0.2 miles SE)
See displays made mostly of food at Gingerbread Village in Sheraton Grand Seattle, 1400 6th Ave. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., extended to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Donation box.
January 1, 2025
Sand Point (6.6 miles NE)
Resolution Run 5K and Polar Bear Dive includes an optional dip in the cold waters of Lake Washington, awards, snacks, and a beer garden at Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE in Seattle.
January 1, 2025
Matthews Beach (8.5 miles NE)
Join 1000 people running into Lake Washington at noon to celebrate the new year at the Polar Bear Plunge, or just watch from shore. Costumes are encouraged. Parking is limited at Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St.
January 1, 2025
All state parks
New Year’s Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, so you can spend it exploring any of the 144 Washington State Parks.
January 1, 2025
Tacoma (34 miles S)
Watch model trains run through detailed scenes of the Pacific Northwest, and see railroad-history exhibits at the Model Train Festival at Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. Free for children age 5 and younger. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
January 1, 2025 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Tacoma (40 miles SW)
Jump into the cold waters of Puget Sound at Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance Marina, 5912 Waterfront Dr. in Tacoma. Afterward, warm up at heating tents with hot drinks. Separate kids’ plunge (11:30 a.m.).
January 1 - 5, 2025 (5:30 to 9 p.m.)
Spanaway (43 miles S)
Buy a ticket online, and then drive two miles past “300 elaborate displays” of holiday lights while you hear holiday music on radio station 1700 AM at Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park, 14905 Bresemann Blvd. S in Spanaway. Higher price Dec. 6 to 25. Open every day.
January 1 - 5, 2025
Tacoma (40 miles SW)
Bundle up to admire 800,000 holiday lights and displays at Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo, 5400 N Pearl St. in Tacoma. The kids’ area has goats. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
January 1 - 12, 2025
Tulalip (36 miles N)
Tulalip Lights & Ice has 7.8 million lights on plants surrounding the casino entrance ponds and the Tulalip Amphitheater at 10400 34th Ave. NE in Tulalip. Ice skating, food for sale, and a beer garden.
January 1 - 19, 2025 (4 to 9 p.m.)
Phinney Ridge (4.1 miles N)
WildLanterns features “large-scale animal and nature scape lanterns representing wild places from around the globe” including bugs, lions, pandas, parrots, and dragons, with snacks for sale and a performance in the entrance building at Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle. See schedule.
January 2, 2025 (4 to 9 p.m.)
Phinney Ridge (4.1 miles N)
See WildLanterns’ amazing luminary displays, have animal encounters, and visit themed lounges selling specialty cocktails and food during $36 Night Owls at Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N in Seattle for age 21+.
January 2 - 5, 2025
Downtown (0.2 miles NE)
Enjoy furry costumes, art vendors, games, panel discussions, and a masquerade dance at Anthro Northwest at Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St. in Seattle. See minors policy if younger than age 18.
January 2 - 5, 2025
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
Wonderland is a whimsical winter cabaret and burlesque show that promises “a glittering parade of nostalgia, exploding with dance, laughter, and all the cheer of yesteryear” at Can Can Culinary Cabaret, 95 Pine St. in Seattle for age 21+. Food and drinks for sale.
January 2 - 5, 2025
Auburn (2.2 miles S)
See a dozen Christmas trees decorated by local businesses during Festival of Trees at White River Valley Museum, 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
January 2 - March 9, 2025
University District (3.9 miles NE)
Watch the Washington Huskies play an exciting game in Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, 3870 Montlake Blvd. NE in Seattle.
January 2 - April 15, 2025
Seattle Center (1.2 miles NW)
Watch Seattle Kraken play a home game on the ice at Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave. N in Seattle.
January 3 - 5, 2025
Belltown (0.7 miles NW)
Wet City Comedy Fest features a dozen performers in three rooms of The Crocodile, 2505 1st Ave. in Seattle. Bring age 21+ ID.
January 3 - 5, 2025
Puyallup (37 miles S)
Get help for your home and garden at Puyallup Home & Garden Show at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Coupon saves $1.
January 3 - 31, 2025
Riverview (6 miles S)
“Discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song” at Astra Lumina, a pricey walk with special-effects lighting and sound in Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW in Seattle.
January 4 - 25, 2025 (4:45 to 10 p.m.)
Puyallup (37 miles S)
Puyallup Flat Track features motorcycles and quads racing on an indoor track for $10 at the door of Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Enter at the green gate. Children age 5 and younger are free.
January 4 - 26, 2025
Everett & Issaquah
Legally Blonde: The Musical is an upbeat song-and-dance tale about a sweet sorority sister named Elle, known for her all-pink wardrobe and her chihuahua Bruiser, who goes to Harvard Law to win back her boyfriend, at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N in Issaquah.
January 5, 2025 (4:30 p.m.)
Capitol Hill (2.1 miles NE)
Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir performs its monthly Choral Evensong service in the cathedral nave at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E in Seattle.
January 9 - 30, 2025
Seattle
Candlelight Concert features a string quartet playing familiar songs for an hour in the warm glow of simulated candles.
January 10, 2025 (7 p.m.)
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
Start your weekend with a one-hour concert of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and a piece by Francis Poulenc during Beethoven Untuxed at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle.
January 10 - 12, 2025
Bellevue (10 miles E)
Play board games, card games, role playing games, and miniatures games during OrcaCon, which includes panel discussions, workshop, and vendors in Hilton Bellevue, 300 112th Ave. SE in Bellevue.
January 11, 2025 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Belltown (0.5 miles NW)
La Galette des Rois features galettes accompanied by a French cider tasting and soft drinks in a room above the French bakery at Centennial Tower, 2515 4th Ave. in Seattle.
January 11 - 12, 2025
Downtown (0.2 miles SE)
A ticket to The Sound of Music film starring Julie Andrews includes “a tote bag filled with interactive surprises,” attendees in costume, and subtitles on screen so you can sing along at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Ave. in Seattle. Tickets on sale Oct. 31.
January 12 - 14, 2025
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
National Geographic Live presents scientists, photographers, filmmakers, and adventurers live on stage with amazing photos and video at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle. January is about the Great Barrier Reef.
January 16, 2025 (7 to 10 p.m.)
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
Banff Mountain Film Festival promises “an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world” when it screens films that are award-winners and audience favorites at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. in Seattle.
January 17 - 18, 2025
Chelan (172 miles E)
Your ticket to Taste of the Northwest includes six oysters plus 12 tasting tickets for wine, beer, and whiskey, with live music and food for sale at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, 104 W Woodin Ave. in Chelan. Optional dinner buffet included or $109.
January 17 - 19, 2025 (7:30 p.m.)
University District (4.6 miles NE)
UW Dance Presents “showcases original choreography by internationally recognized faculty and visiting artists” to live music in Meany Hall for the Performing Arts at 4040 George Washington Lane NE in Seattle.
January 17 - 19, 2025
Tacoma (33 miles S)
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E D Street in Tacoma.
January 17 - 26, 2025
Downtown (0.3 miles S)
Bohemia is a “macabre and mystical dream cabaret” that combines classical music, art nouveau, green fairies, aerial numbers, dance, burlesque, classical piano battles, comedy, and original songs at The Triple Door, 216 Union St. in Seattle. Must be age 17+, or age 21+ for the show at 8:45 p.m. Closed Monday.
January 17 - 26, 2025
Lake Chelan (180 miles E)
Dress warmly for Lake Chelan Winterfest, which features ice sculptures, live music, wine & ale tasting, kids’ activities, a polar bear splash, a giant beach bonfire, and fireworks on the sunnier side of the state. Schedule.
January 18, 2025
Lynnwood (16 miles N)
Watch the women of Jet City Roller Derby play an exciting game at Edmonds Community College in Seaview Gym, 200th St. SW in Lynnwood. Doors open 4 p.m.
January 18, 2025 (9:30 a.m.)
Edmonds (18 miles N)
Kidstock offers musical performances, theater, arts education workshops, and activities for kids at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 4th Ave. N in Edmonds. Free.
January 18 - 19, 2025
Puyallup (37 miles S)
The Great Train Show features model train layouts and hundreds of vendors at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Children age 2 and younger are free.
January 19 - March 2, 2025
Redmond (16 miles NE)
An endearing but naïve clown takes a self-discovery journey to a bizarre, exotic world in Kooza, performed by Cirque du Soleil in a giant heated tent at Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE in Redmond.
January 20, 2025
Central District (2.4 miles SE)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day includes a job fair at Garfield High School (8:30 to 11:30 a.m.), a workshop (9:15 to 10:30 a.m.), a rally (11 a.m.), a march to city hall (12:30 p.m.), and then a bus ride back.
January 20, 2025
Beacon Hill (2.7 miles SE)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration has an interactive exhibit plus “music, movies, motivational speakers, activities for the entire family” and free admission to the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St. in Seattle.
January 20, 2025
All state parks
Martin Luther King Day is one of the State Parks Free Days, which allows you to visit any of the 144 Washington State Parks.
January 20, 2025
Tacoma (34 miles S)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration features special theater performances (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.) and includes free admission to the Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.
January 20, 2025
Tacoma (34 miles S)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration features a keynote speaker plus music, dance, and poetry at Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Doors open at 10 a.m. so you can meet community organizations before the show. Free parking.
January 20, 2025
All national parks
Entry is free at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks. Expect more people and less parking than usual.
January 21 - March 23, 2025
Everett & Issaquah
Made famous by the Alfred Hitchcock film, Dial M for Murder is a bone-chilling thriller about a marriage gone wrong, performed live at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N in Issaquah.
January 23 - 26, 2025
Tacoma (33 miles S)
Check out hundreds of recreational vehicles at the Tacoma RV Show in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E D Street in Tacoma. Children age 16 and younger are free. Repeats in Oct.
January 24, 2025
Capitol Hill (0.9 miles E)
Dress up and dance to “swing, R & B, Latin, waltzes, ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll, foxtrots, quicksteps, and blues” played by a live orchestra at Masquerade in Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St. in Seattle for age 21+. Singles welcome.
January 24 - 26, 2025
Belltown (0.2 miles W)
STOMP has high-energy dance, acrobatics, comedy, and nonstop rhythm from unusual instruments at The Moore Theatre, 1932 2nd Ave. in Seattle.
January 24 - Feb. 2, 2025
Downtown (0.3 miles S)
Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Winter Festival at Nordstrom Recital Hall in Benaroya Hall has a free recital before each performance. Repeats in July.
January 25, 2025
Redmond (17 miles NE)
Celebrate the year of the dragon at Microsoft Asian Spring Festival Celebration, which has a family-friendly afternoon festival (games, gifts, food court, afternoon performance, and photo booth with traditional Chinese outfits) plus an evening gala performance at Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Road NE in Redmond.
January 25 - 26, 2025
Seattle & Tacoma
Tết in Seattle offers live performances, hands-on activities, foods, crafts, games, fashion, martial arts, and a marketplace at Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St. in Seattle.
January 25 - 26, 2025
Monroe (33 miles NE)
Watch tournaments and competitions, try your hand at archery and thrown weapons during open hours, play games, and shop from artisans at the quirky Ursulmas Medieval Faire at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE in Monroe. Public days are Sat. & Sun. Children age 12 and younger are free.
January 25 - 26, 2025
Puyallup (37 miles S)
See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at the Pacific Northwest Reptile and Exotic Animal Show at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Bring no pets. Held in January & July.
January 26 - Feb. 2, 2025
multiple locations
Harlem Globetrotters perform ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, and comedy bits in an entertaining show.
January 29 - Feb. 2, 2025
Puyallup (37 miles S)
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW in Puyallup. Children age 5 and younger are free.
January 30 - Feb. 2, 2025
Tacoma (33 miles S)
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show features home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants in the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E D Street in Tacoma. Children age 12 and younger are free.
January 31 - Feb. 1, 2025
Arlington (47 miles N)
Celebrate the eagles that return in winter to the Stillaguamish River at the Eagle Festival, which offers guided tours, speakers, demonstrations, live music, an art and photography show, and horse-drawn wagon rides in Arlington.
January 31 - Feb. 1, 2025
Port Townsend (57 miles NW via ferry)
Enjoy beer in odd flavors from dozens of breweries and watch live music and entertainment at Strange Brewfest indoors and outdoors at the American Legion, 209 Monroe St. in Port Townsend. Bring age 21+ ID. No pets. Your ticket is valid both days.
January 31 - Feb. 2, 2025
Olympia (62 miles S)
Olympia Funk Festival promises “three days of electrifying funk music, non-stop dancing, and pure celebration” in the Olympia Ballroom and at Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave. SE in Olympia.
January 31 - Feb. 8, 2025
Pioneer Square (1.3 miles S)
Seattle Boat Show has 800 boats and watercraft on display plus 126 boating seminars at Lumen Field, with a free shuttle to boats in the water at Bell Harbor Marina (until 5 p.m.). Children age 17 and younger are free.
January 31 - Feb. 9, 2025
Seattle Center (1.2 miles NW)
The Sleeping Beauty is a “historically-informed re-imagining” of the classic fairy tale about a princess under a spell to sleep for 100 years until awakened by the kiss of a prince. It’s set in a a Pacific Northwest-inspired fairyland at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. in Seattle.
January 2025 (undated)
Downtown (0.3 miles SW)
Celebrate Asia “honors Seattle’s Asian American community through exploring the rich musical traditions of Asian countries” at Benaroya Hall. Watch international entertainment in the lobby before (3 p.m.) and after the concert.
January 2025 (undated)
Capitol Hill (1.1 miles E)
Watch 95 minutes of short films selected from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival program, including “fiction, documentary, and animation from around the world” during Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. in Seattle.
January 2025 (undated)
SoDo (2.8 miles S)
Up with a Twist is a fundraiser for the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA), which includes a dinner, a dessert buffet, two drink tickets, and a “flying trapeze, aerial, and circus show” at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, 2702 6th Ave. S in Seattle.
January 2025 (undated)
Fremont (3 miles N)
Walk to a dozen restaurants serving a variety of soups (gumbo, ramen, pozole, chowder, chili, Jamaican curry) during Fremont Soupocalypse, which requires no ticket and offers a prize after you collect eight soup stamps. The restaurants include Fremont Mischief Distillery, 132 N Canal St. in Seattle.
January 2025 (undated)
Riverview (6 miles S)
The annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a breakfast, a social hour, a keynote speaker, live music, and a community conversation at South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW in Seattle. [Website says Jan. 4 is the last day to register for this event.]
January 2025 (undated)
Edmonds (17 miles N)
Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. includes two events at Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds.
January 2025 (undated)
Tacoma (36 miles S)
Kids meet the Snow Sisters, eat “tea sandwiches and desserts,” make a snowflake magic wand, get crowned with a rhinestone tiara, sing, dance, and watch snow fall at the Winter Royal Ball at Tea and Tiaras Party Parlor, 1809 99th St. E in Tacoma. Costumes welcome.
January 2025 (undated)
Tacoma (38 miles SW)
The Sounds of Brass concert features “a 15-member brass and percussion ensemble” playing classical music in Building 2 at Tacoma Community College, 6501 S 19th St. in Tacoma.
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