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Must List

Must List: Six Things to Do in Seattle This Week

Lunar New Year, soulful grooves, and epic opera

By Sarah Stackhouse January 16, 2025

A vibrant Chinese lion dance performance with a red and gold costume dazzles the crowd, making it a must-list event on 01-16-2025.
Photo by Mick Haupt / Unsplash

How’s everyone holding up? Watching the L.A. fires is heartbreaking. It has me thinking about growing up in California when we had to evacuate during the 49er Fire. It came close to our house, but we were lucky — some of our friends weren’t. Fires like this are more common now, and even here, summer has become fire season. If you want to help, California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund directly supports victims of wildfires.

Have you been reading our Most Influential profiles? Keep checking back as we spotlight the incredible people shaping Seattle. This week, we’re featuring Matika Wilbur, David Baker, and Microsoft.

FareStart just earned a $10,000 Jacques Pépin Foundation grant to support its culinary training. Downtown Seattle is buzzing. Seila, a Cambodian-inspired pop-up, is serving up incredible haute cuisine. And Pierce County is tackling youth homelessness

 


Illustration of various luggage items on a yellow background. Text includes "Where is Here?" with event details for a must-list solo play from January 17th - February 2nd, 2025, at Seattle Public Theater.

Where is Here? / اینجا کجاست؟

Jan. 15-Feb. 2
Seattle Public Theater
$10+

This solo show by playwright Naghmeh Samini introduces us to a recent immigrant reflecting on her life in Iran while waiting at an airport baggage carousel. It looks like a thoughtful, moving exploration of what we carry with us and what we leave behind. Performed in both English and Farsi — catch the English shows earlier in the day and Farsi in the evening.


Poster for Thee Sacred Souls' 'Live For You' tour at Seattle's Paramount Theatre on 01-16-2025, featuring three band members and decorative designs. Don't miss this Must List concert!.

Thee Sacred Souls

Friday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m.
Paramount Theatre
$34.50+

This San Diego trio knows how to set a mood. The slow-dance grooves and juicy harmonies feel effortless, and tracks like “Easier Said Than Done will have you dancing. Bring a date. 


Discover the Seattle Opera's "Les Troyens In Concert" with a must-list performance on January 17 and 19, 2025, showcasing two outstanding performers.

Les Troyens in Concert

Jan. 17, 19
McCaw Hall
$73+

The drama. The voices that seem to defy the need for air. Berlioz doesn’t mess around — this opera is packed with love, war, and features a full orchestra and chorus to bring it all to life. Tacoma native J’Nai Bridges is Queen Dido, with The Seattle Times praising her “rich, opulent voice (that) illuminated every line of her role.” Joining her is Russell Thomas as Aeneas, described by The New York Times as “a tenor of gorgeously burnished power.”


Lion dancers in colorful costumes perform in a street parade under confetti-filled skies, captivating spectators on the must-list event of 01-16-2025 in an urban setting.

2025 Lunar New Year Fair

Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wing Luke Museum
$7.50+

Year of the Snake celebrations are here, and the lion dance alone is worth the trip — it’s the absolute best! Add a bustling craft fair, calligraphy lessons, and snake-themed activities for the fam, and you’ve got the perfect afternoon.


A historical figure delivers a powerful speech at a podium, framed by the American flag, symbolizing unity. Text: "King Day 2025: Forward Together" accompanied by the Northwest African American Museum logo, highlighting must-list events for those interested in African American history.

King Day 2025: Forward Together

Monday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Northwest African American Museum

NAAM’s MLK Day celebration is always a standout. This year, expect art by Myron Curry and AshaAung Helmstetter, storytelling, book giveaways, and a community expo featuring local organizations. It’s a full day of honoring Dr. King and thinking about what progress means.

Black and white portrait of a man with a textured, curly hairstyle and a beard, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression—perfect for your January 2025 must-list collection.

A Conversation with Percival Everett

Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Seattle
$30+ (sold out in person; streaming tickets available)

Ever since I read his short story The Appropriation of Cultures in college, I’ve been hooked on Percival Everett. His novel James, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn, is at the top of every best reads list for last year. In-person tickets for his talk are gone, but you can still catch it online. Don’t miss this. 

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

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