December 2007
Going Places: Favorite Holiday Outings
When you read our December calendar of events, you’ll see a dizzying number of holiday happenings. We’ve corralled some of our favorites on these pages.
Christmas Ships Set Sail
For 58 years, Argosy has been thrilling local families with a flotilla of ships decorated for the season. Each night the Argosy Christmas Ship™ sails to a different Puget Sound waterfront community. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances while crowds onshore gather to sing along. Some communities sponsor a bonfire. Free. Board the lead ship, the Spirit of Seattle, for holiday activities ($34 adults, $19 ages 5 to 12, free ages 4 and younger) or follow in one of the parade ships ($24 adults, $12 ages 5 to 12, free for ages 4 and younger.) Through Dec. 23, see a daily schedule online. 800-642-7816. www.argosycruises.com.
It’s All at Winterfest
Welcome winter and its holidays with continuous entertainment and activities at Seattle Center through Dec. 31. Activities include ice-skating (through Jan. 6), carousel, holiday train exhibit, concerts, dances, cultural performances, storytelling, films, special events, exhibits and more. Train exhibit 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, ice rink and carousel 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays to Saturdays. Most events are free. Ice rink $5 adults, $3 ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and younger with paying adult, $2 skates, cash only. Carousel $1. Seattle Center House, Fisher Pavilion and grounds, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-684-7179. www.seattlecenter.com.
Fantasy Lights. Drive through 2.25 miles of animated displays at Spanaway Park. The lakeside drive includes thousands of sparkling lights in dozens of animated displays, from skiing penguins to rockets to pirate ships. 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. $13 per car or van. Spanaway Park, just west of 152nd Street and Pacific Avenue in Spanaway. 253-798-4176. www.co.pierce.wa.us.
Zoolights. Zoolights celebrates its 20th year. More than 500,000 holiday lights brighten Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium with depictions of animals, nursery rhyme characters, local landmarks and more. Some displays are animated. Warm up on the enclosed carousel or at the indoor aquarium. 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 3 to 5 and Dec. 24). $5 to $7, free ages 2 and younger. Tickets at zoo, online or Bartell Drugs. Parking is free. 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. 253-404-3822. www.pdza.org/zoolights.
The Lights of Christmas. This extravaganza includes jaw-dropping light displays, live music and drama, petting farm, wagon rides, Bruce the (talking) Spruce and more, on five acres. 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays, Dec. 2 through 29. $12, $8 seniors and active military, $7 ages 4 to 12, free ages 3 and younger. Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood. 800-228-6724. www.warmbeach.com.
Garden d’Lights. Bellevue Botanical Garden once again creates a winter garden with thousands of mini-lights in three-dimensional plant and critter shapes. 5 to 9:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Free, donations encouraged. $5 parking on site, free parking nearby. 12001 Main St., Bellevue. 425-451-3755. www.bellevuebotanical.org.
Clam Lights. Wander the paths bordering Lake Washington and marvel at the lighting on the buildings, trees, shrubbery and walkways that decorate Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. Sponsored by Ivar’s Restaurants and Seafood Bars. 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Free. Coulon Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton. 425-430-6729. www.rentonwa.gov.
Magic Season Ice Arena. Bellevue Magic Season includes a partially open-air ice arena, with an adjacent heated tent, in Bellevue’s Downtown Park. Various times daily through Jan. 6 (closed Dec. 25). $9 includes skates. 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue. 425-451-2455. www.magicseason.com.
Winterfest Ice Rink. Ice skate indoors at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays to Saturdays through Jan. 6. $5 adults, $3 ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and younger with a paying adult. Skate rental $2. Cash only. 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-684-7179. www.seattlecenter.com.
Santa Trains Leaving the Station
Camp 6 Santa Train. The Camp 6 Logging Museum offers train rides with Santa on its logging rails. Santa visits with each child during the trip and cheerfully accommodates parent-photographers. After the ride, enter the museum for hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies. Warm clothing recommended for the open-air cars. Tickets sold 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., rides every half hour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends Dec. 1 through 23. $1, free ages 2 and younger and ages 100 or older; no advance sales. Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma. 253-752-0047. www.camp-6-museum.org.
Mt. Rainier Snowball Express. Visit Santa
in his workshop and join him on a nostalgic trip in coaches pulled by
a steam engine. Departures 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekends Dec. 1 through
22, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 23. Call for cost; reservations recommended. Mount
Rainier Scenic Railroad, 349 Mineral Creek Road, Mineral. 360-492-5588
or 888-783-2611. www.mrsr.com.
Northwest Railway Museum’s Santa Train. Board a
train at the decorated depot in North Bend for a 20-minute ride to the
1890 Snoqualmie depot. There, children can visit with Santa and indulge
in refreshments served in the restored railway kitchen car. Visitors have
time to explore local shops before the ride back to North Bend. Hourly
departures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $14 ages 2 and older, pre-registration required,
trains usually sell out. Weekends through Dec. 15. North Bend Depot, 205
McClellan St., North Bend. 425-888-2206. www.trainmuseum.org.
Lake Whatcom Railway Santa Train. Ride with Santa in vintage passenger cars pulled by a diesel locomotive. While the train heads through the woods west of Wickersham, Santa listens to Christmas wishes, elves hand out candy canes and visitors join in singing carols. Departures for the 1.5-hour trip are 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays Dec. 1 through 22. $14, $7 ages 2 to 17, free ages 1 and younger. Advance reservations, by mail only. Specify date, time (include second and third choices of date and time) and number of adults and children, and include check and self-addressed, stamped envelope and telephone number. P.O. Box 91, Acme, WA 98220. 360-595-2218. www.lakewhatcomrailway.com.
Winter Animals are Afoot
Woodland Park Zoo. During the Winter Celebration, selected animals get special enrichment when they receive holiday-themed treats…wreaths with assorted fruit, evergreen trees with ornamental fruit, boughs and wrapped boxes. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 through 21 or Dec. 26 through 29 (normal zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily). $10.50 adults, $7.50 ages 3 to 12, free ages 2 and younger. 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle. 206-684-4800. www.zoo.org.
Issaquah Reindeer Festival. Cougar Mountain Zoo’s annual event features reindeer (both Siberian and South American), Santa in his house, zoo exhibits, face painting, hot cocoa, music and more. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Dec. 1 through 23. $10.50 adults, $9.50 seniors, $8 ages 2 to12, free ages 1 and younger. 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah. 425-391-5508. www.cougarmountainzoo.org.
On the Run
Diva Dash. This fun walk/run for women and girls Dec. 1 includes the 1K Little Diva Dash (9 a.m.) and an optional costume contest. The run benefits Girls on the Run, an after-school physical activity and life-skills program for ages 8 to 11. 8 a.m. check-in. $15 to $20. Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle. www.divadash.com.
K-9 Candy Cane Fun Run. A run/walk for all ages, with or without dogs. 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2. $20, $25 day of the race. Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Hwy., Renton. 425-430-6700. www.ci.renton.wa.us.
Street Scramble at the Market. At this urban orienteering event, search on foot for 30 mapped checkpoints. At each checkpoint, find the answer to a multiple-choice question. Find rules and tips online. 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 9. $5 to $15, $30 per family team, pre-registration advised. Pike Place Market, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle. 206-367-0839. www.streetscramble.com.
Jingle Bell Run. Proceeds from this annual run/walk help in the fight against arthritis. Run with Elves is a 1K fun run for ages 8 and younger. Dress in holiday-themed attire. No dogs allowed. 6:45 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. costume contest, 8:20 a.m. kids’ run, Dec. 9. $25 ($35 day of event), $10 ages 8 and younger. Westlake Center, 500 Pine St., Seattle. 206-547-2707, ext. 102. www.seattlejinglebellrun.org.
12K’s of Christmas. This 12K or 5K walk or run on Dec. 16 is hosted by the City of Kirkland and includes a free kids’ dash (ages 10 and younger, 11:15 a.m.), food, a holiday costume contest, music and more. 8 a.m. registration, races begin at 9:30 a.m. $25-$35 in advance for ages 11 and older ($30-$40 day of race). Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland. www.12ksofchristmas.com.
Chris Stay is calendar editor
for Seattle’s Child.
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