Holiday Festivities in Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington, is a wonderfully diverse metropolitan city on the inland saltwater sound called Puget (pyoo-jit) Sound. The holidays in Seattle include culturally and historically unique themes and celebrations, so get ready to explore and enjoy Seattle's holiday excitement!

Getting There: SeaTac Airport (SEA) is the regional and international airline hub serving Seattle. Taxis and shuttles are readily available, for a nominal charge, to the downtown core. Shuttle Express offers huge savings for multiple passengers on their web site, http://www.shuttleexpress.com

Where to Stay: I would highly recommend staying in the downtown core! So many of the holiday activities and events are right downtown and strolling through the glittering city night is just an added value to your holiday plans! My favorite lodgings in Seattle are a mix of elegant, inexpensive, and unusual:

• Edgewater Hotel - Where better to stay in Seattle than overlooking Elliott Bay. Heck, not just overlooking, but OVER the water! These attractive guest rooms are all furnished with hand-crafted pine furniture, funky 'bear' footrests that lend an ambience of the Northwest, river rock fireplaces (very nice in the winter!) and overstuffed comfortable chairs. http://www.edgewaterhotel.com
  
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• The Alexis Hotel - a small luxury, boutique hotel, is located in the heart of downtown Seattle, just a few steps from the Pike Place Market (be sure to watch the fish tossing show), historic Pioneer Square and all the wonderful art galleries surrounding that district, and many of the luxury rooms have a view of the waterfront. The downtown Alexis Hotel is very much a part of the Seattle arts community and displays original pieces throughout both its guestrooms and public spaces..
  
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• Mayflower Park Hotel - This hotel is centrally-located in the heart of Seattle and opens directly into Westlake Center, from which you can ride the Monorail to the Seattle Center for Winterfest (see below), the Space Needle and Experience Music Project. The Pike Place Market, Waterfront and Seattle Art Museum are just a short walk away, and the concierge at the Mayflower Park Hotel are fantastic about getting you where you want to be, when you want to be there! http://www.mayflowerpark.com.
  
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Winterfest 2006
November 24, 2006 - January 1, 2007 - Seattle Center - Downtown Seattle Washington

Celebrating its 19th year, Seattle Winterfest is truly an eclectic celebration of Holiday Season traditions from cultures around the world, offering classic holiday and seasonal foods, family activities, free concerts, dances, and beautifully designed holiday décor all through this fantastic and affordable five week extravaganza! You can ride a carousel, try out your skating legs on the Winter Ice Rink, or just cozy up and listen to the musical talents. Be sure to check out the awesome holiday train display and miniature villages!

A festival in a festival! That is what I would call Winter Worldfest! Winter Worldfest is a hands on showcase of cultural holiday traditions from around the world, and you can experience foods, games, and cultures without ever leaving the Seattle Center, all on the grounds of Winterfest 2006.

Winterfest 2006 starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends with an amazing New Year's Eve celebration, with a spectacular fireworks display at the Space Needle. http://www.seattlecenter.com.

Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade
November 24, 2006 - Westlake Center - Downtown Seattle Washington

What a fun way to start your holidays! This holiday tradition is held in downtown Seattle every year and features a full-day of holiday fun. There is the elaborate and magnificent Downtown Holiday Parade, filled with floats, music and frolickers, beginning at 8:45 AM, then the official lighting of Westlake Center's Giant Tree and Macy's Star at 5 PM, and in between, enjoy strolling carolers, magical light displays, scrumptious holiday foods and shopping for that special gift, and a climactic, professional fireworks display.

Community Hanukkah Celebration
December 5, 2004 - Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 Mercer Way

Come celebrate the Festival of Lights at one of the largest community Hanukkah Celebrations in Seattle. Everyone is invited to join in the fun and remembrance, which include a wide array of arts and crafts, for sale and display. Try your hand at crafting your own art, or buy a special piece from one of the many vendors showing their wares. There is plenty of food to choose from, why not try something different? Hours are Sunday, Noon - 3 p.m..

New Year's Eve 2007
December 31, 2006 - Seattle Center, Space Needle - Downtown Seattle Washington

The world famous Space Needle displays 'the world's tallest structure-launched Fireworks Show', with more than 2,000 pyrotechnic effects every New Year's Eve. Down at the base of the Space Needle, is the rollicking West Coast's version of New York's Time Square. More than 50,000 people gather below to watch the fireworks spread across the dark clear skies with an estimated 400,000 viewing the show from surrounding neighborhoods, and over a million enjoying the show from the livingrooms, on television.

The restaurant, known as SkyCity, revolves (very slowly, you won't get motion sickness) and every seat in the house looks out through the floor to ceiling windows onto the city lights and gorgeous fireworks. http://seattle.citysearch.com .

Whether you are traveling from Rangoon or Rochester, Seattle has something to offer every one during the holiday season and beyond! Welcome to Seattle and Happy Holidays!