2009 Puget Sound Christmas Events

The 2009 Christmas season in the Seattle is going to be great this year. There are plenty of events to attend and get your Holiday Cheer going.

Argosy Cruises is one of the fine holiday traditions of the season that we have here in the Puget Sound. There are quite a few choices for your holiday cruise starting with the official lead ship which is the "Spirit of Seattle". This is the ship that leads the parade of brightly decorated ships and the lead ship has a live Choir broadcasted for all other boats to hear as well as the folks celebrating on shore.

Also added to the list of holiday ships is KWJZ's wonderful Jazz cruise. I have been on this one and I am going again this year. We saw Michael Powers about 2 years ago and it was wonderful. The boat was warm when I went, but let's face it, we are on the water in December and it is rather cold-ish, so dress warmly and take an umbrella when you are walking to and from the boat. We left from the dock in Kirkland for our trip and didn't have a problem finding a parking place at 6:30 in the evening on a Tuesday night, weekend evenings might be quite different. I would remember to inquire about parking, especially if you are leaving from the dock in Seattle.

The Argosy dinner ships have full meals offered and the Argosy Jazz ships offer pre-ordered, gourmet, boxed meals. There are also snacks offered for purchase on board and mixed drinks for the adult crowd. On some ships there are Craft Corners offered for the kids and Santa is in attendance on most trips. Since I am going this year I will have pictures for my 2010 event report. Here is their website: http://www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/xmasSchedule.com so check it out for dates and prices. There are boats departing every night during the holiday starting Nov. 28^th until December 23^rd.

Winterfest in Seattle Center has also become a holiday classic in the Puget Sound. This event kicks off the season of 5 weeks with a 3 day special opening weekend that starts with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra hosted by Mayor Greg Nichols. The rest of the weekend has a wonderfully diverse schedule with music and dance from every corner of the world. Of course there are the Winterfest standards; the skating rink, miniature train, and Carousel. Here is a link for schedules http://seattle.broadwayworld.com/article/Seattle_Center_Winterfest_Runs_112729_20091109 . Many of Winterfest's events are free or reasonably priced in an effort to offer the community quality family entertainment.

The Northwest Sound Men's choir is having their 30^th anniversary at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts center. This is a full stage theatrical choir with 2 high school choirs. There will be opportunities for a few sing-alongs and the music will be a blend of traditional and modern favorites. This concert is scheduled for Saturday December 12^th, from 2PM - 7PM. Check out their information at this link: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4766539 .

In Tacoma there are spectacular light shows with Zoolights in the north end at Point Defiance, and Fantasy Lights in Spanaway at the south end of town. Zoolights is a light show to be seen while strolling through the Zoo and Aquarium. If it is too cold for you, then can see the light display at Fantasy Lights while taking the 2 mile drive around Lake Spanaway in the comfort of your warm cozy car. The price for this is $13 per car and it is very busy on the weekend with up to 1 hour wait time to see the lights. The best time to see Fantasy lights is Sunday through Thursday and is open from November 26^th until January 3^rd.

The Puget Sound Christmas Revels is a great tradition of entertainment in Tacoma at the Broadway Performing Arts Center's Rialto theater. This is a seasonal celebratory event that celebrates that time of year when the days grow short and cold. Each year there is a different time in history represented as well as a different culture. This year we honor the three fools that come from the mysterious east. They will each represent their gift of the sun, the moon, and the stars. The emphasis here will be on the Moorish and Sephardic periods of history. The cast will be comprised of varied ages and there will be a wonderful connection with the audience through the song and dance of this period. Please visit their website to learn more about this tradition at: http://www.pugetsoundrevels.org/ .

Snow shoe Cut-your-own tree farm is located on the Orting Highway and they are but one of the tree farms open this holiday for families to choose and cut their own Christmas trees. Snow shoe has a place where the kiddies can write letters to Santa. Up the road a bit in the middle of downtown Orting is the Orting Bakery. The have been in business for only 2 months but are going gangbusters. Starting November 28^th the Orting Bakery will be having pictures with Santa so stop by and have a cookie with Santa and get your picture taken. OH, and bring the kids too!