Spread the festive joy in Kent! Our guide has all the top events and activities that make this season special. Whether you're a familiar face or a new visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday charm in Kent.
Join in the fun at Kent Winterfest, where the city comes alive with lights, music, and seasonal activities. Enjoy a magical evening with family-friendly entertainment and community spirit at the Covington Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival. And the Auburn Santa Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring festive floats and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Kent
See these and even more events listed below!Kent Other Holiday Activities
Kent Winterfest
What to Expect:
Ice sculpture demonstrations
Description:
Kent Winterfest transforms downtown into a frosty celebration of winter arts. Ice sculptors wield chainsaws and chisels, creating intricate frozen masterpieces before your eyes. The event pays homage to Kent's agricultural roots with a farmers market featuring local winter produce. Visitors can try their hand at ice fishing in a specially constructed pond, a nod to the region's fishing traditions. The crisp air carries the aroma of roasted chestnuts, adding to the winter ambiance. Kent's Winterfest has been a community staple since 1982, bringing together residents and visitors for a unique cold-weather experience.
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Nearby Events
Auburn Santa Parade (Auburn)
What to Expect:
Vintage fire truck carrying Santa
Description:
Auburn's Santa Parade rolls through historic downtown, led by a gleaming vintage fire truck carrying jolly old St. Nick. This cherished tradition dates back to 1935, making it one of the oldest continuous holiday parades in Washington state. Spectators line the streets, bundled against the December chill, as floats adorned with twinkling lights glide past. Local marching bands fill the air with festive tunes, their brass instruments glinting in the winter sun. You'll spot unique touches like Auburn's famous "dancing traffic cop" directing parade traffic with flair. The parade culminates with a community sing-along in the town square.
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Covington Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival (Covington)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly LED tree lighting
Description:
Covington's Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival embraces sustainability with its eco-friendly LED-lit centerpiece. The event showcases local artisans and their handcrafted wares, supporting the town's thriving maker community. Visitors can participate in a gingerbread house competition, with creations displayed throughout the festival grounds. The aroma of mulled cider wafts through the air, warming attendees as they explore the festivities. Covington's celebration honors the area's logging heritage with a lumberjack demonstration and wood carving exhibition. This community gathering has evolved from a simple tree lighting in 1997 to a full-fledged festival celebrating local culture and environmental consciousness.
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Covington Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival
Federal Way Jingle Bell Brunch (Federal Way)
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday brunch menu
Description:
Federal Way's Jingle Bell Brunch serves up a unique multicultural feast, reflecting the city's diverse population. Diners savor holiday dishes from around the globe, from Swedish julbord to Filipino noche buena specialties. The event takes place in the historic Dumas Bay Centre, offering stunning views of Puget Sound. Live music fills the air with international holiday tunes, creating a global celebration. You can participate in a holiday cookie exchange, sharing your family's traditional recipes with others. This brunch tradition began in 2010 as a way to bring together Federal Way's various cultural communities during the holiday season.
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Federal Way Jingle Bell Brunch
Renton Holiday Lights Festival (Renton)
What to Expect:
Boeing-themed light display
Description:
Renton's Holiday Lights Festival illuminates the city with a special Boeing-themed light display, honoring the aerospace giant's local presence. The festival transforms Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park into a twinkling wonderland along Lake Washington's shores. Visitors can take a festive train ride through the park, marveling at the elaborate light installations. The event pays tribute to Renton's Native American heritage with a special Duwamish-inspired light sculpture. Carolers in Victorian attire serenade attendees, their voices carrying across the water. This beloved community tradition has brightened Renton's winters since 1987, growing more elaborate each year.
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Renton Holiday Lights Festival
Seattle Winterfest (Seattle)
What to Expect:
International winter sports demonstrations
Description:
Seattle Winterfest brings a global winter sports showcase to the heart of the city. Professional athletes demonstrate everything from Finnish wife-carrying to Japanese yukigassen (competitive snowball fighting). The event transforms Seattle Center into a winter playground, complete with an outdoor ice rink and toboggan run. Visitors can try their hand at curling, guided by local enthusiasts. The festival celebrates Seattle's diverse population with an international food village offering winter comfort foods from around the world. Launched in 1988, Seattle Winterfest has evolved into a unique celebration of global winter traditions and sports.
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Bothell Tree Lighting Festival (Bothell)
What to Expect:
Historic Main Street transformation
Description:
Bothell's Tree Lighting Festival transports visitors to a bygone era, transforming its historic Main Street into a Victorian-inspired holiday scene. Gas lampposts adorned with evergreen garlands line the streets, while costumed characters roam the festival grounds. The event honors Bothell's logging history with a lumberjack-themed tree lighting ceremony. Visitors can join in traditional caroling led by a barbershop quartet. The aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air, evoking nostalgic memories. This festival, which began in 1972, celebrates Bothell's rich heritage while creating new holiday traditions for the community.
Website:
Bothell Tree Lighting Festival
Enumclaw Christmas Parade (Enumclaw)
What to Expect:
Equestrian-themed parade entries
Description:
Enumclaw's Christmas Parade gallops into the holiday season with its unique equestrian focus. Beautifully adorned horses and riders prance down Cole Street, alongside traditional floats and marching bands. The parade pays homage to Enumclaw's strong ties to the equestrian community, dating back to its founding in 1879. Visitors can warm up with locally roasted coffee while watching the procession. The event features a special "horseless carriage" section, showcasing vintage automobiles decorated for the holidays. You'll hear the clip-clop of hooves mingling with jingle bells as the parade passes by. This beloved tradition has been bringing holiday cheer to Enumclaw since 1962.
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Des Moines Waterfront Christmas Tree Lighting (Des Moines)
What to Expect:
Lighted boat parade
Description:
Des Moines Waterfront Christmas Tree Lighting sparkles with a unique lighted boat parade along the Puget Sound. The event illuminates the city's maritime heritage, as decorated vessels cruise past the waterfront park. Visitors can warm their hands by fire pits while sipping hot cocoa and watching the aquatic display. The celebration includes a special tribute to the area's fishing industry, with a ceremonial lighting of a tree made from crab pots. You'll hear sea shanties performed by local musicians, adding to the coastal atmosphere. This waterfront festival has been brightening Des Moines' shoreline since 1995, growing into a beloved community tradition.
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Des Moines Waterfront Christmas Tree Lighting
Puyallup Christmastime Celebration (Puyallup)
What to Expect:
Daffodil Festival float preview
Description:
Puyallup's Christmastime Celebration offers a sneak peek at next year's Daffodil Festival floats, adorned with twinkling lights for the holiday season. The event transforms Pioneer Park into a winter playground, complete with an ice-skating rink and snow-making machines. Visitors can sample locally made holiday treats, showcasing Puyallup's rich agricultural heritage. The celebration features a unique "Parade of Trees," where local businesses and organizations display creatively decorated evergreens. You'll hear the merry tinkling of sleigh bells as horse-drawn carriages offer rides through downtown. This festive gathering has been uniting the Puyallup community since 1988, blending holiday cheer with local traditions.
Website:
Puyallup Christmastime Celebration