Life feels like one big, glittery marathon right now. There’s something happening every day — concerts, markets, school performances, parties, the works. But honestly, I don’t mind. I like staying busy as the days grow shorter. 

If you’re ready to dive into the holiday spirit, there’s a lot going on this week. The Gates Foundation Discovery Center is hosting its holiday market, where every purchase supports a good cause. And tonight, our local baker Janet Tan is competing on Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge. I’ll definitely be tuning in to cheer her on.

It’s also a big week for Atoma, the year-old Wallingford restaurant that just picked up a few best new restaurant awards. I haven’t been yet — have you?

And our editor’s father-in-law is visiting this week, so he’s shared all the places they’re planning to take him. It’s a great little guide if you’ve got holiday visitors in town.

This weekend, I’ll be heading to the holiday card show at Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds, which has become a yearly tradition for my family. If you’ve never been, it’s a great exhibit full of handcrafted vintage cards by Northwest artists, plus a craft table where you can make your own.

 

Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Thursday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall
$7+

Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s new book Bite by Bite explores the connections between food, memory, and nature, with essays on everything from mangoes to lumpia. She’ll be in conversation with local poet and memoirist Jane Wong. The evening promises warmth, humor, and a fresh perspective on how what we eat shapes who we are.

A Victorian Country Christmas Festival

Dec. 5-8, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Washington State Fair
$12 and under

Growing up, my small hometown in Northern California had a Victorian Christmas at night, under twinkling lights. People in bonnets and top hats sold handmade gifts. There was mulled wine and soup in bread bowls. It was the best. This festival feels like a bigger version of that, with The Singing Nativity, all kinds of entertainment, a Christmas carousel, and a wine garden to keep the good times rolling. It’s a little slice of Christmas past and a great way to celebrate the present.

 

 

Urban Craft Uprising 20th Anniversary Winter Show

Dec. 7-8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Seattle Center
Free

If you’re tired of the same old mall gifts, Urban Craft Uprising’s Winter Show is where you need to be. Packed with more than 150 curated vendors selling everything from geeky art prints to handmade furniture, this show has been a Seattle favorite for 20 years. If you leave empty-handed, it’s only because there’s too much to choose from.

 

A John Legend Christmas

Sunday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Climate Pledge Arena
$39+

John Legend brings a little extra magic to Christmas songs, turning them into a big, glamorous holiday show. If you’re up for it, this is the kind of concert that calls for putting on something sparkly.

Black Nativity

Now-Dec. 29
Broadway Performance Hall
$25+

Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity is back, and Intiman’s production fills the stage with voices and movement that feel bigger than life. With a gospel choir that reaches the rafters, a live band, and a cast of more than 30, this reimagined show invites everyone to join in. It’ll have you clapping, singing, and maybe even crying before it’s over.

Seattle Christmas Market

Now-Dec. 24
Seattle Center
$13+

This isn’t just another holiday market. My friends went last year and couldn’t stop talking about the walk-through Christmas tree and the glühwein that hits just right in the crisp Northwest air. There’s bratwurst, cider, and plenty of gifts to browse.

 

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.