Seattle Center Winterfest

About the Event

Connect to a world of sparkling lights, amusements and spirited entertainment at Seattle Center Winterfest. Throughout the five weeks of Winterfest, those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit or delightful diversion will find seasonal decor, our Winter Train & Village, weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve Celebration. 

Seattle Christmas Market

From November 21 to December 23 the Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn at Seattle Center will be transformed into a European-inspired outdoor Christmas village and community marketplace. A true feast for the senses with festive decorations, daily live entertainment, sweet and savory treats, hot chocolate and Glühwein (hot mulled wine), and beautifully handcrafted gifts at over 60 local and international vendors, the Seattle Christmas Market is the perfect place to celebrate the magic of the holiday season.

Winter Train and Village

Delight in viewing a late 19th-century model train and village display, installed inside the Armory Food & Event Hall. This annual tradition has been on display for over 40 years! The public is invited to take a turn operating the train, or interact by participating in our Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your entry sheet at the Train Station, and see how many clues you can spot. The train operates 10am to 6pm daily from November 29th through December 31st. Donations accepted to keep the train operating. Audio description and accessible transcripts for the display also available from the Yard Boss at the Train Station.

Winterfest World Bazaar

Shop for your holiday gifts at this special World Bazaar, offering goods created by our Festál community partners. Browse a rotating roster of vendors on weekends, Noon to 6pm between November 29th and December 22nd.

Symetra Ice Spectacle

Our Winterfest Opening Day celebration kicks off at noon at International Fountain with a special Ice Spectacle. Listen to roving carolers while you watch talented artists create original works of art in ice.

Winterfest Campus Lighting

We are keeping the annual tradition of decking out our campus alive with twinkling lights in the trees and other specialty light features across the grounds. Pop by Seattle Center after dark and delight in the wonderland of light! Sponsored by Climate Pledge Arena.

New Year's Eve Celebration

Our free New Year's Eve Celebration offers entertainment and festivities throughout our grounds. Pop by the Armory between 8pm and midnight and hear the soulful sounds of premier Northwest band The Blue Wave. At 10pm, head out to International Fountain for a Fountain of Light show, with DJ Baby VanBeezley. Just before midnight, find your spot outside to view New Year’s at the Needle, the Space Needle’s celebratory extravaganza. Plus, food merchants and other vendors. This is the city's place-to-be on New Year's Eve!

Armory Stage Entertainment

Each weekend from November 29-December 29, we'll feature live performances on the Armory Stage, providing visitors with fun, seasonal entertainment while they check out our Winterfest Train & Village or grab a bite to eat at an Armory food merchant.

Schedule Of Events:

12:30 p.m. - Arami Walker

Arami is a musician, author, and activist focused on uplifting the notion of community in our culture. Her music is a fusion of jazz, RNB, soul, and alternative songwriting, combining spoken word and rhythm to create music for the mind, body, and soul. As a woman of color, she is proud to continue the legacy of using music to advance our cultural narrative and educate the future. She graduated from UCLA in 2015 as a Distinguished Scholar and a Gates Millennium Scholar. As a musician and poet, Arami has performed at Langston Hughes Performance Art Institute, Seattle Art Museum, Northwest Folklife Festival, Waco Theatre in North Hollywood, and more. In 2022, she created a public art installation of poetry and visual art in collaboration with Seattle Restored.She’s served on two panels for Seattle Arts and Culture, as well as performing music as a City Artist and with Artists at the Center. As the Recipient of the City Artist Grant, Arami will be recording and performing music in 2024 with the support of Seattle Arts and Culture.

2:00 p.m. - Dancer and Prancer

Dancer and Prancer are a team of accomplished musicians whose wild combination of Christmas music and surf instros has delighted stomp-happy teens & ho-dads alike since 1963! Their reverb-drenched renditions of Christmas classics like "Frosty the Snowman" and "O Christmas Tree" are the sounds that whomp the dance floors every December and won them the "Battle of the Bands" at the famous Mistletoe Ballroom in the North Pole ten years running.

We want to hear from you if you have an event to share or updates to this event.