Last updated: November 11, 2024
Create a memorable festive itinerary with our guide for Federal Way. Find all the best holiday events and activities. Whether you're a long-time resident or a new visitor, our guide highlights the best of Federal Way's holiday season.
One of the standout events this year is the enchanting Enchant Christmas, where you can stroll through an expansive light maze and enjoy breathtaking holiday displays. The Seattle Center Winterfest offers a cozy atmosphere complete with seasonal performances and ice skating opportunities. And the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring stunning choreography and timeless music. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Federal Way Holiday Light Displays
Enchant Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light maze with unique ice skating experiences.
- Description
- Enchant Christmas is an award-winning holiday light maze experience featuring stunning, custom-designed light sculptures, unique ice skating, and festive attractions. Explore the maze based on original holiday stories, savor seasonal food and drink, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of dazzling lights from the Ferris Wheel.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Enchant Christmas
Holiday Magic
- What to Expect
- Twinkling lights and festive activities.
- Description
- Holiday Magic at the Washington State Fairgrounds offers a holiday celebration with twinkling lights, festive food, and various activities like rides, axe throwing, and putt putt golf. The event features a Twinkle Light Tunnel, Let It Snow Experience, and a Holiday Selfie Studio.
- Where
- Puyallup | More Info : Holiday Magic
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium transforms into a colorful winter spectacle with over a million lights, featuring iconic displays like the giant Pacific octopus and Flame Tree. Visitors can explore the zoo's illuminated animal exhibits, enjoy festive treats, and interact with playful goats in their holiday coats.
- Where
- Tacoma | More Info : Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo
Fantasy Lights
- What to Expect
- Drive-through holiday light display with digital animations.
- Description
- Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park features over 300 elaborate holiday displays and thousands of sparkling lights along a 2-mile drive.
- Where
- Spanaway | More Info : Fantasy Lights
Tree-Lighting Celebration
- What to Expect
- Spectacular fireworks show following the tree lighting.
- Description
- Join the Downtown Seattle Association for the annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park on Friday, November 24. The festivities kick off at 3:30 p.m. with local live music, costumed characters, and giveaways. The main event at 5 p.m. features the lighting of a 45-foot holiday tree, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. The pre-show includes live music by Holiday Harmony POP and the Pike Street Drummer, emceed by Shellie Hart from WARM 106.9. The tree-lighting countdown is led by event emcees Ursula Reutin and Micki Gamez from KIRO Newsradio. The celebration continues with uplifting performances by the African American Cultural Ensemble and the Motown vocal trio Jewel Tones.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Tree-Lighting Celebration
Auburn Santa Parade
- What to Expect
- Lighted parade entries and community participation.
- Description
- The Auburn Santa Parade features lighted vehicles, floats, cars, and walking entries, filling Main Street with holiday joy. All community, families, non-profits, and businesses are welcome to participate. The event includes live music before and after the parade, followed by the annual tree lighting and a visit from Santa.
- Where
- Auburn | More Info : Auburn Santa Parade
Green Lake Pathway of Lights
- What to Expect
- Thousands of twinkling candles illuminate the lake's circuit and paths.
- Description
- Green Lake Pathway of Lights features thousands of twinkling candles lighting the lake's circuit, paths, and docks, accompanied by live music and complimentary refreshments.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Green Lake Pathway of Lights
Federal Way Holiday Markets and Shopping
Seattle Center Winterfest
- What to Expect
- Seasonal decor and live performances.
- Description
- Seattle Center Winterfest is a five-week celebration featuring seasonal decor, a Winter Train Village, live performances at the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve celebration. Enjoy festive decorations, daily live entertainment, and sweet and savory treats.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Seattle Center Winterfest
Victorian Country Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday shopping with Victorian-style exhibits and festive entertainment.
- Description
- The Victorian Country Christmas Festival offers a unique shopping experience with over 500 exhibits featuring Victorian-style shops, unique holiday gifts, and festive entertainment. Attendees can explore handmade arts and crafts, holiday decor, and specialty foods while enjoying musical acts and a visit with Santa.
- Where
- Puyallup | More Info : Victorian Country Christmas
Magic in the Market
- What to Expect
- Holiday shopping and festive activities at a historic marketplace.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season at Pike Place Market with a variety of exciting activities and festive attractions. Meet Santa, decorate cookies, sip eggnog, and shop for loved ones. The event culminates in the famous Market lighting ceremony.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Magic in the Market
Winter Festival & Crafts Fair
- What to Expect
- Diverse selection of artisan crafts and local goods.
- Description
- The PhinneyWood Winter Festival & Crafts Fair is a vibrant celebration of creativity, featuring over 140 local vendors showcasing artisan crafts, unique pottery, and home goods. The event includes a juried art show, wreath sale, festival passport, and print-your-own wrapping paper workshop. It supports local community projects and offers something for every taste.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Winter Festival & Crafts Fair
Federal Way Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pacific Northwest Ballet: The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Pacific Northwest Ballet presents George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, featuring Tchaikovsky's classic score, stunning costumes, and impressive performances. The event includes a picture-perfect lobby, gorgeous scenery, and a 25-minute intermission.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Pacific Northwest Ballet: The Nutcracker
Festival of the Nativity
- What to Expect
- Immersive, Christ-centered celebration with over 500 crèches and daily live musical performances.
- Description
- The Bellevue Festival of the Nativity is a free, Christ-centered celebration featuring over 500 crèches from around the world, live musical performances, and beautiful artwork. It offers a reflective, Christ-centered experience with various art displays and child-friendly activities.
- Where
- Bellevue | More Info : Festival of the Nativity
Holiday Favorites
- What to Expect
- Young soloist from Key to Change joins professional orchestra.
- Description
- A Community Christmas features a mix of holiday fare, festive songs, and carols, including classical and popular chestnuts. A young soloist from Key to Change will join the orchestra in their first performance with a professional orchestra.
- Where
- Federal Way | More Info : Holiday Favorites
Black Nativity
- What to Expect
- Soulful retelling of the Christmas story with gospel music and community sing-along.
- Description
- Langston Hughes' Gospel Song-Play, Black Nativity, returns to Intiman Theatre in a newly reimagined production. This holiday musical features a cast of over 30 actors, dancers, and vocalists, accompanied by a live band and a rousing city-wide gospel choir. The Christmas story gets a soulful retelling with gospel renditions of beloved carols, offering audiences the chance to raise their voices and sing along.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Black Nativity
The Lost Christmas Eve
- What to Expect
- Technologically enhanced holiday rock opera with pyrotechnics and lasers.
- Description
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents The Lost Christmas Eve, a holiday rock opera celebrating 20 years of their iconic album. This all-new show features pyrotechnics, lasers, and a high-energy second set with the band's greatest hits.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : The Lost Christmas Eve
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. On board, guests enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise, a community choir performance, and a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The event also includes a full-service bar with specialty cocktails and local beverages.
- Where
- Everett | More Info : Christmas Ship Festival
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming holiday music performance by local musicians.
- Description
- Celebrate the holidays with Tacoma Concert Band at the City of Tacoma's Annual Tree Lighting Celebration, featuring soprano Elizabeth Galafa Ylaya and select local student musicians performing as part of TCB's Side-by-Side Program.
- Where
- Tacoma | More Info : The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Tacoma Tree Lighting
- What to Expect
- Live entertainment and free refreshments at a historic theater.
- Description
- Join Tacoma City Theaters for the 79th Annual Tacoma Tree Lighting at Pantages Theater, featuring free refreshments, Santa photos, live music by the JBLM Brass Quartet, and a delightful performance by the Tacoma Concert Band.
- Where
- Tacoma | More Info : Tacoma Tree Lighting
Federal Way Other Holiday Activities
Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
- What to Expect
- Spirited holiday caroling competition raising funds for a local food bank.
- Description
- The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition is a heart-warming event that brings holiday joy to Pike Place Market. It attracts nearly 10,000 people each year and has become a spirited tradition for many Seattle locals. This fundraiser raises over $1 million for the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, a vital resource for the Market community and downtown Seattle.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Thanksgiving Day Cruise
- What to Expect
- Scenic cruise with a holiday feast.
- Description
- Celebrate Thanksgiving with a scenic cruise on Lake Union and Lake Washington, featuring a delicious buffet, champagne toast, and stunning views of Seattle's iconic landmarks.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Thanksgiving Day Cruise
Jingle Bell Run
- What to Expect
- A festive charity run supporting arthritis research and awareness.
- Description
- The Jingle Bell Run is a holiday fundraising event where participants wear their favorite holiday gear to raise funds and awareness for arthritis. The event supports critical research and treatments, as well as life-changing resources and programs.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Jingle Bell Run
Drawing Jam
- What to Expect
- Collaborative drawing event fostering creativity and community.
- Description
- Join us for the Drawing Jam at Gage Academy of Art, where artists of all levels come together to create and share their work in a supportive environment.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Drawing Jam
Astra Lumina
- What to Expect
- Immersive outdoor light and sound show in a botanical garden.
- Description
- Astra Lumina is a one-mile-long night walk through the Seattle Chinese Garden, featuring projections, lighting, and music that transform the garden into a celestial pathway, connecting visitors to the stars and the vast world around them.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Astra Lumina
Woodinville Winterfest
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with festive activities and a 5K run/walk.
- Description
- Woodinville Winterfest is a family-oriented event featuring a holiday fair, tree lighting, and a 5K run/walk. Enjoy festive activities and community spirit in DeYoung Park.
- Where
- Woodinville | More Info : Woodinville Winterfest
Holiday Cookie Crawl
- Collect sweet treats at various locations in Downtown Burien.
- Stroll through Downtown Burien and collect sweet holiday treats at participating locations. This family-friendly event is suitable for all ages and offers a leisurely way to shop, dine, and experience the holiday season.
- Burien | More Info : Holiday Cookie Crawl
St. Nick’s
- What to Expect
- Wine tastings and holiday activities in a festive setting.
- Description
- St. Nick's is a festive event featuring wine tastings and holiday activities in Woodinville, WA, offering a unique blend of seasonal enjoyment and local wine culture.
- Where
- Woodinville | More Info : St. Nick’s
Family Preview
- What to Expect
- Cultural celebration with Bhangra dance and live music.
- Description
- Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at the Seattle Asian Art Museum with Bhangra dance, live music, art-making activities, and Indian traditions.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Family Preview