Last updated: November 11, 2024
Enjoy the festive season in Issaquah with our ultimate holiday guide. From those who wake up to Issaquah views to those just dreaming of them, our guide brings holiday wishes to life.
One highlight of the holiday season is the enchanting Zoolights, where the Woodland Park Zoo transforms into a stunning display of twinkling lights and festive decorations. Another beloved attraction is Winterfest, showcasing local artisans and seasonal treats amidst a vibrant community atmosphere. And the timeless classic, Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker, is something you definitely don't want to miss with its whimsical performance capturing the magic of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Issaquah Holiday Light Displays
Zoolights
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with over a million lights.
- Description
- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium transforms into a colorful display of over a million lights, featuring classic holiday favorites and new displays. Enjoy festive treats, hot chocolate, and a private animal encounter with playful goats.
- Where
- Tacoma | More Info : Zoolights
Enchant Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday light maze with a story-driven mission to save Christmas.
- Description
- Enchant Christmas is an award-winning holiday light maze experience featuring stunning, custom-designed light sculptures and unique ice skating experiences. Explore the maze, glide along the ice skating trail, savor seasonal food and drink, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and take in a bird’s-eye view of the dazzling lights from the Ferris Wheel.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Enchant Christmas
Fantasy Lights
- What to Expect
- Drive-through holiday light display with digital animations and festive atmosphere.
- Description
- Fantasy Lights is a drive-through holiday display featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights along a 2-mile route at Spanaway Park. The event is open daily from 5:30-9:00 PM, with special discount nights available.
- Where
- Spanaway | More Info : Fantasy Lights
Issaquah Holiday Markets and Shopping
Winterfest
- What to Expect
- Late 19th-century model train and village display.
- Description
- Seattle Center's Winterfest is a five-week celebration featuring a late 19th-century model train and village, a European-inspired outdoor Christmas market, live performances, and festive light displays.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Winterfest
Magic in the Market
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with Santa, cookie decorating, and festive shopping.
- 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
Gilman Village Annual Winter Fest
- What to Expect
- Wine tasting with 12 one-ounce drink tokens and Santa visits.
- Description
- Gilman Village Annual Winter Fest is a festive evening where you can sip, shop, and stroll through the village while visiting local wineries and enjoying snacks and live music.
- Where
- Issaquah | More Info : Gilman Village Annual Winter Fest
Native Art Market and Gift Fair
- What to Expect
- Showcase of local Indigenous arts and jewelry.
- Description
- The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center hosts the Native Art Market and Gift Fair, featuring local Indigenous arts, jewelry, and more, perfect for the holiday season.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Native Art Market and Gift Fair
GeekCraft Expo SEATTLE 2024 Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Curated market with 120+ local crafters and makers.
- Description
- GeekCraft Expo SEATTLE 2024 Holiday Market is a curated market featuring handmade geek goods by local crafters and makers. The event showcases a variety of unique, geek-themed items, providing a platform for local artisans to display their specialized crafts.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : GeekCraft Expo SEATTLE 2024 Holiday Market
Julefest: A Nordic Holiday Celebration
- What to Expect
- Authentic Nordic holiday experience with local artisan vendors.
- Description
- Julefest at the National Nordic Museum is a traditional Nordic holiday celebration featuring live music, unique treats, and community spirit. Wander through stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, traditional foods, and cozy Scandinavian apparel.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Julefest: A Nordic Holiday Celebration
Issaquah Holiday Shows and Entertainment
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 timeless ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's classic score, stunning costumes, and impressive performances. The event includes a picture-perfect lobby and a 25-minute intermission.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker
Legally Blonde: The Musical
- What to Expect
- Upbeat comedy that humorously skewers stereotypes and features an infectious score and dazzling dances.
- Description
- Legally Blonde: The Musical follows Elle Woods as she charms her way into Harvard Law, proving the power of being legally blonde. With an infectious score, dazzling dances, and a hilarious script, this musical humorously skewers stereotypes and takes you on a fun-filled journey from the sorority house to the halls of justice.
- Where
- Issaquah | More Info : Legally Blonde: The Musical
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
- What to Expect
- Technologically enhanced holiday rock opera with pyrotechnics and lasers.
- Description
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings their all-new "The Lost Christmas Eve" tour to Climate Pledge Arena, featuring powerful rock music, classical elements, stunning visuals, and a heartwarming story.
- Where
- Seattle | More Info : Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
Camelot
- What to Expect
- Intimate adaptation focusing on the legendary love triangle.
- Description
- Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot is a timeless musical about King Arthur, Queen Guenevere, and Sir Lancelot, featuring iconic songs like "If Ever I Would Leave You" and "The Lusty Month of May."
- Where
- Issaquah | More Info : Camelot
Issaquah Other Holiday Activities
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- The Issaquah Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo offers a unique holiday celebration with Santa visits, reindeer encounters, and festive activities for all ages.
- Where
- Issaquah | More Info : Issaquah Reindeer Festival
Astra Lumina
- What to Expect
- Immersive night walk with astral energy and celestial visions.
- 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