MO - December 2008 - (Page 18) cover story Click here to comment on the cover story. The Best Holiday Traditions & Treasures in the Northwest By Vincent Kovar This season, don’t forget to deck your calendar with some of the best holiday events in the Northwest. From concerts and chorales to comedy and cookie parties, Seattle is closing out 2008 with dozens of ring-a-ding celebrations. There are plenty of special programs for families and kids as well as a goodly garland for those over 21. *Though most of the events listed in our guide are family-friendly, there are some that are specially made just for kids. Gingerbread Village at Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 6th Avenue, Seattle Seattle architecture firms team up with Sheraton Seattle Hotel’s culinary staff to design, bake and build life-size gingerbread holiday creations in this year’s theme: “A Superhero Holiday” benefiting the NW Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. November 25–January 4 For more information: 206-621-9000 Macy’s Holiday Parade in Downtown Seattle It’s not the holidays without the traditional Macy’s Holiday Parade! Watch as the cast of colorful characters takes over the streets for a fun-filled march to Macy’s. The celebraPHOTO BY ANGELA STERLING tion begins on 7th Avenue, heads west down Pine Street, turns south onto Fifth Avenue to University Street, west to 4th Avenue and then north on 4th to Macy’s doorstep! Gather at Westlake Park for the traditional lighting of the Macy’s Holiday Star at 5:00 PM followed by a spectacular fireworks display. It’s the ultimate way to begin the season. Cost: Free November 28, 8:45 AM www.macys.com Westlake Center’s 20th Annual TreeLighting Celebration at Westlake Plaza, 400 Pine St, Seattle Enjoy music from local choirs as Westlake Center lights up downtown Seattle for the holidays. Santa is scheduled to attend. Cost: Free November 28, 4:30 PM www.westlakecenter.com A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle First performed in 1985, A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol brings Charles Dickens’ classic to the stage with a twist! The audience gives suggestions up front, and the Unexpected Productions’ improvisers use these suggestions to tell an all-new tale of how Christmas can (or can’t) change Scrooge’s life. Cost: $12 at the door November 28–December 21. (Thursdays– Sundays only.) Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 8:30 PM, Sundays at 7:00 PM. Special shows at 7:00 PM on December 19th & 20th. www.unexpectedproductions.org Santa’s Castle at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, 6th Avenue and Pine Street Christmas is almost upon us and Santa will be here soon. Stop by and share your holiday wish list with the big guy himself. Cost: Free. Photo packages range from $19–$75. November 28–December 24 www.nordstrom.com 18 Nutcracker at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street, Seattle Center, Seattle PNB’s cherished Stowell/Sendak Nutcracker returns for its 25th Anniversary. Special guests, surprise appearances and McCaw Hall shimmering with magic and merriment promise that this year’s Nutcracker will be the most enchanting event of the season. Cost: $24 and up November 28–December 30, times vary. www.pnb.org/season/nutcracker/ Dina Martina Christmas Show at the Re-Bar, 1114 Howell Street, Seattle The ever-iconic Dina Martina returns for yet another installment of the outrageous holiday tradition, combining drag, earnest mispronunciations and fantasmagoric music. Cost: $20 November 28–30, 8:00 PM; December 5–7, 8:00 PM; December 11–31 (except 12/16 & 12/25), 8:00 PM www.rebarseattle.com Plaid Tidings: The Holiday Edition Of Forever Plaid at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery, 4711 California Avenue SW, Seattle Dreaming of a Plaid Christmas? You’re in luck: The hilarious, heavenly quartet is at ArtsWest, singing swingin’, jingle-bell-ringin’ holiday favorites! Plaid Tidings, a holiday follow-up to the international sensation Forever Plaid. Cost: $10–$32 November 28–December 23 www.artswest.org Zoolights ’08 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl Street, Tacoma Now in its 21st year, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium comes aglow. Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and stroll the zoo or visit the steamy South Pacific Aquarium. Cost: $7 November 28–January 4, 5:00–9:00 PM www.pdza.org celebrating seattle’s gay community Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Benjamin Griffiths with Company dancers and PNB School students in Nutcracker, November 28–December 30. http://www.pnb.org/season/nutcracker/ http://www.macys.com http://www.westlakecenter.com http://www.rebarseattle.com http://www.unexpectedproductions.org http://www.artswest.org http://www.nordstrom.com http://www.pdza.org
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