Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate the holidays with the Bothell community! Explore our guide for all the events that unite us in festive spirit. From Bothell aficionados to first-time guests, our guide is your gateway to holiday wonder.
One beloved tradition is the Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker, where enchanting performances bring this classic tale to life. For a unique twist, the Christmas Ship Festival features stunning decorated boats sailing through the waters, illuminating the season with festive cheer. And the Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a local take on this cherished holiday performance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Bothell Holiday Light Displays
Bothell Christmas Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Historic tree lighting with local merchant activities.
- Description
- The Bothell Christmas Tree Lighting features a grand fir tree, Lucky, which has been a central part of Bothell's holiday celebrations since the early 1930s. The event includes a holiday market, Santa visits, and free activities for kids. It culminates with a tree lighting ceremony and selfies with Santa at First and Main Design Market.
- Where
- Bothell | More Info : Bothell Christmas Tree Lighting
Lights of Christmas
- What to Expect
- Over a million lights in a drive-thru setting.
- Description
- Lights of Christmas is a drive-thru holiday light display in Stanwood, WA, featuring over a million lights, creative displays, and two activity stops. Enjoy fun Christmas music while driving through the event route, and stop for yummy snacks and exciting activities.
- Where
- Stanwood | More Info : Lights of Christmas
Bothell Holiday Markets and Shopping
Giving Marketplace
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts supporting various causes with family-friendly activities.
- Description
- The Giving Marketplace at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center offers unique gifts from dozens of vendors, with proceeds supporting immigrants and refugees, women and girls, global health, education, and the environment. Enjoy family-friendly holiday activities and performances while discovering ways to take action on issues you care about.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Giving Marketplace
A Victorian Country Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping experience with local artisans.
- Description
- A Victorian Country Christmas Festival offers a holiday shopping experience with unique gifts, handmade crafts, and local vendors. Enjoy musical acts and festive presentations, and bring your children to meet Santa Claus.
- Where
- Puyallup | More Info : A Victorian Country Christmas Festival
Bothell Holiday Craft Fair
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday market with student vendors.
- Description
- The Bothell Holiday Craft Fair at St. Brendan Catholic School features over 100 small business vendors, a large home baked goods bake sale, and Santa photos. It is a community event where students also showcase their entrepreneurial skills.
- Where
- Bothell | More Info : Bothell Holiday Craft Fair
Bothell Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre is a captivating ballet performance featuring elegant choreography, intricate costumes, and a timeless story of love and transformation.
- Where
- Bothell | More Info : The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre
Breakfast with Santa at McMenamin’s Anderson School
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a historic school setting.
- Description
- Join Santa at McMenamin’s Anderson School for a delightful breakfast filled with holiday cheer and delicious treats in a charming 1930s school-turned-playground.
- Where
- Bothell | More Info : Breakfast with Santa at McMenamin’s Anderson School
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winter Wine Land
- What to Expect
- Live music and wine tastings in a historic winery setting.
- Description
- Chateau Ste. Michelle offers a variety of events, including live music, themed dinners, and wine tastings. The winery is open seven days a week, providing ample opportunities to enjoy its picturesque grounds and diverse activities.
- Where
- Woodinville | More Info : Chateau Ste. Michelle Winter Wine Land
Christmas Ship Festival
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday experience with live choir performances and festive decorations.
- Description
- The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a long-standing Northwest tradition where the Spirit of Seattle, decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights, sails to various Puget Sound waterfront communities. Onboard choirs perform for guests, follow boats, and communities gathered on shore. The event includes a 1.5-hour cruise, community choir performances, and a full-service bar with specialty cocktails and local beverages.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Christmas Ship Festival
Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker is a classic ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, stunning costumes, and impressive performances. The production includes a picture-perfect lobby and intricate lighting design, making it a standout holiday event.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker
Black Nativity
- What to Expect
- Soulful retelling of the Christmas story with a city-wide gospel choir.
- Description
- Langston Hughes' Gospel Song-Play, Black Nativity, features a cast of over 30 actors, dancers, and vocalists, along with a live band and city-wide gospel choir. The production combines poetry and vision with gospel renditions of beloved carols, offering a stirring experience for families of all backgrounds and beliefs.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Black Nativity
Holiday Pops by Seattle Symphony
- What to Expect
- Dazzling holiday concert with Chloe Flower.
- Description
- Join the Seattle Symphony for a dazzling holiday concert featuring powerhouse pianist Chloe Flower at Benaroya Hall.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Holiday Pops by Seattle Symphony
Snowflake Lane
- What to Expect
- Complimentary nightly parade with toy drummers and falling snow.
- Description
- Snowflake Lane is a complimentary nightly holiday parade featuring toy drummers, dancers, and festive music, accompanied by dazzling lights and falling snow. The event takes place on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square every night at 7 pm.
- Where
- Bellevue | More Info : Snowflake Lane
Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
- What to Expect
- Large-scale holiday caroling competition benefiting a local food bank.
- Description
- The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition is a heart-warming event at Pike Place Market where nearly 10,000 people gather to enjoy holiday music and support the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank. This fundraiser raises over $1 million annually, benefiting the vital resource for the Market community and downtown Seattle.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Bothell Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Wine & Spirits Walk
- What to Expect
- 10 tastings with a tote bag included.
- Description
- Join us for the Holiday Wine, Beer & Spirits Walk in downtown Bothell, where you can socialize, listen to music, and enjoy tastings of delicious wines, beers, ciders, and spirits at local shops and restaurants.
- Where
- Bothell | More Info : Holiday Wine & Spirits Walk
Festival of Trees
- What to Expect
- Community-decorated trees with a "Once Upon a Time" theme.
- Description
- The Festival of Trees at the White River Valley Museum is a community-based holiday exhibit featuring beautifully decorated trees by local businesses. Each tree creatively incorporates the theme "Once Upon a Time," showcasing the creativity and spirit of the season.
- Where
- Auburn | More Info : Festival of Trees
Gingerbread Village
- What to Expect
- Large-scale gingerbread creations by local architects and chefs.
- Description
- The Sheraton Grand Seattle's Gingerbread Village features 6ft tall gingerbread structures crafted by local architecture firms and Sheraton chefs, benefiting type 1 diabetes research.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Gingerbread Village