With festivities starting to get rolling here's a list of our yearly favorites and some new ones too. I’m sure there will be many more to come and will be making updates to this post from time to time. The WS Blog has there their awesome Holiday Guide.
Attend a festive event.
- Hometown Holidays
West Seattle Junction
Lots of events with the big one being the Holiday Night Market and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 4 from 3-7pm. More events are listed on their website too. - Saturday, November 27: Small Business Saturday
- Thursdays, December 2, 9, 16 and 23: Shop Late Thursdays
- Saturday, December 4 / 3-7pm: Holiday Night Market and Tree Lighting
Find local handmade goods from over 40 local artisans, get your picture with Santa between 4pm-7pm, make an ornament to hang on the tree to show holiday spirit the entire community can enjoy and see a full stage show this year hosted by Elvis! Tree lighting finale at 6pm. Junction Plaza Park (SW Alaska & 42nd Ave SW). - Sunday, December 5: Cocoa and Coat Drive at the Farmers Market
- Sunday, December 19 / 10am-2pm: Santa House at Farmer's Market
- Now-December 5: Purchase a Hometown Holiday Tote.
- Winter Wander—A West Seattle Scavenger Hunt
Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 12.
We did this fun event last year and are excited to see it's happening again. Starting at 5pm on 12/3 you can download a clue sheet and map and start solving. There are 25 spots around WS to find and you can then submit pics to qualify to win gift cards to local businesses. Visit the website for more details. - Cranksgiving—A food drive on two wheels
Sunday, November 21 / 11am
If you're a family that likes to bike and give back this event could be for you. It's just over the WS line in White Center but close enough and for a good cause so looping in. - Hands-On Hanukkah (Added 11/18/21)
Sunday, December 5 / 10am-2pm
West Seattle Farmer's Market (California Ave SW & SW Alaska Street) - High Point Fruit Tree Lighting (Added 11/19/21)
Friday, November 19 / 5:30-7pm
Commons Park—3201 SW Grahm Street
First-annual event with a community fair, fruit-tree lighting at 6 and live music with the West Seattle High School Band. Bring warm clothes for the donation drive. - 4th Annual 5K Turkey Trot (Added 11/22/21)
Thursday, November 25 / 8am
Meet at the Alki Beach Bathhouse (2701 Alki Ave SW) to walk, jog or run on Thanksgiving. Hosted by FIT4MOM West Seattle. Suggested donation to West Seattle Food Bank. - Pop-Up Hanukkah (Added 11/29/21)
Sunday, December 5 / 5pm
Junction Plaza Park (42nd Ave SW & SW Alaska Street)
Menorah lighting, music and donuts. - Christmas Light Run 2021 (Added 12/3/21)
December 12 / 4:30pm
Annual event hosted by West Seattle Runner. Wear your reflective gear, headlamps and festive attire! Leisurely 2-3 mile run to view the local Christmas lights. Bring your kids, your dogs, your friends and fam! Starts at the shop, route provided. Carolers welcomed and encouraged. Enjoy nog, cider, and treats afterwards. Please feel free to bring a donation for the West Seattle Food bank. Email questions to lori@westseattlerunner.com
- Argosy Christmas Ship
You can watch the ship offshore, listen to the music and see the lights. - Friday, November 26 / 5:35-5:55pm
Don Armeni Boat Ramp
1220 Harbor SW - Saturday, November 27 / 5:35-5:55pm
Salty’s on Alki
1936 Harbor SW - Saturday, November 27 / 8:35-8:55pm
Alki Beach Park
2665 Alki Ave SW
This stop includes a shore event: bonfire, tree lights, etc. - Houses/Neighborhoods
With it getting dark so early it became a nightly event to go see some lights. We would sometimes just walk around our neighborhood or pile in the car to drive to our favorites or a new spot we'd read about on the WS Blog. - Menasche House
5605 Beach Drive
Expected to start 12/2. Santa photos 12/11, 6-10pm (bring donations for WS Food Bank). - Fauntlee Hills "Candy Cane Lane"
Usually along SW Concord and 41st Ave SW - West Seattle Blog—Holiday Lights (Added 12/8/21)
Direct link to the WS Blog's page, updated daily, about lights on the peninsula. - Macaroni Kid West Seattle Guide & Map (Added 12/8/21)
Came across this website and it has an awesome map that is being updated regularly.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 21 when the days will slowly get longer. We've enjoyed celebrating in different ways over the years and were bummed to learn bonfires on Alki are not an option this winter since they removed the fire rings. Here are a couple of other ideas that as far as I know are still options. We've done the one at Lincoln Park and have always wanted to do the one with Alice.
- Rent Shelter #3 at Lincoln Park. It's the one along the beach with a fireplace
- Attend solstice event with Alice
Ring in the New Year
Waiting to hear if some of these events will be taking place.
Waiting to hear if some of these events will be taking place.
- TBD—December 31: Not-So-Silent Night Parade (Highland Park)
- TBD—January 1: Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge
- January 1 / 10am-2pm: Alki Beach Cleanup
Kick off the new year with a community cleanup. Pick sticks and buckets provided—RSVP to reserve one. Meet at 10 am outside, between Blue Moon Burgers and 56th on Alki Ave SW. To RSVP or ask a question, text Jessica at 206.769.6330.
- Native Art Market + Holiday Gift Fair
Duwamish Tribal Longhouse & Cultural Center
4705 West Marginal Way SW
November 26-28 / 10am-5pm
Bonus: Here are some other things to do nearby from one of my earlier posts called Exploring the Duwamish. - Hometown Holidays
West Seattle Junction - Saturday, November 27—Small Business Saturday
- Thursday, December 2—Shop Late Thursday
- Now-December 5—Purchase a Hometown Holiday Tote.
- Holiday Makers Mark
Highland Park Corner Store
7789 Highland Park Way SW
December 4th / 4-8pm
Outside in the parking lot, they will be hosting local vendors as well as fresh beignets from Jet City Beignets and mulled wine from the team at the Corner Store. - The Heron's Nest First Annual Holiday Market
4818 Puget Way SW
Saturday, December 11th / 10am-6pm.
$1 entry fee to support musicians and The Heron's Nest Project.
30+ local vendors, live music, food trucks, holiday photo booth, pet & family portraits, fire pits and activities for all. Dogs welcome. Bike, walk or roll there. There is limited on-site parking and carpooling is suggested. There is also overflow parking is located along Puget Way SW and West Marginal Way with shuttles available. - Adventuring Outside The Box Letterboxing Kits (Added 12/1/21)
If you're looking for a great family gift to get kids outside take a look at the post I did about these kits. This is my other creative adventure in addition to writing West Seattle Adventures. Last day to order is Wednesday, December 15th.
