SEATTLE CENTER WINTERFEST
Tuesday, 29 November 2011 22:19
SEATTLE CENTER WINTERFEST
November 25–December 31
Hours and activities vary
305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA
Click Here For More Info
Most activities FREE
Seattle Center has always been our family meeting place before we began our annual holiday tour of the city. On a chosen December afternoon, the word would go out to all our Seattle area family to “come one, come all” for our traditional city outing. Gathering at the Seattle Center was a natural.
Then as now, there was always something going on for those who arrived early. Each year my personal favorite was the Winter Train and Village. Over the last twenty years or so, the train and village has more than tripled is size, each year it was fun to try to spot the new additions and changes in the village lay out. All the children, even the youngest was given money for dinner from their favorite vendor at the Food Court. With so many choices, it was often difficult for some of the children to make any decision at all.
Next, it was onto the Monorail, getting all our group into the Monorail car at the same time was a little like herding cats but we mostly managed, as parents mostly do. The rest of the evening was spent viewing shops, stores and hotels to admire their holiday decorations, then down to the waterfront to enjoy Seattle’s best night time view. We always ended the evening warming up at the Edgewater Hotel. In those days, they served appetizers, hot chocolate, mulled wine, etc. in their lobby. The Edgewater Hotel has a great lobby with, lots of seating areas, a board game area, blazing fireplace and chairs stationed in front of full length windows overlooking Puget Sound. Always a great way to end a perfect family holiday outing.
It has been several years since we have done our holiday tradition. The children have grown and are scattered around the world for one reason or another but we will always have the shared memory of Seattle at Christmas time. Micah, thank you for the holiday memories, we miss you.
WINTERFEST EVENTS, PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES:
Dicken's Carolers
Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, Varied
Seattle Center Campus, FREE
Click Here For Website
Adorned in elegant Victorian dress, each a cappella quartet consists of two ladies in luxurious velvet and two gentlemen wearing handsome tailcoats and top hats. Your holiday favorites, both traditional and contemporary, are sung in beautiful four-part harmony.
Winter Train and Village
Nov. 25 – Dec. 29, 10am – 6pm
Center House, FREE
A Winterfest crowd favorite, a turn-of- the-century village and train. Members of the public can take a turn at driving the miniature locomotive between 10:30am – 12 noon, 1pm – 2:30pm and 3:30pm – 5:30pm daily. Read the posted Centerville News to catch up on what's happening in town. Suggested donation $2. Cash only. Special hours: Dec. 24 closes 4pm, Dec. 25 closed.
Winterfest Ice Rink
Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, 2012
Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 8pm
Friday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm
Fisher Pavilion, Prices Vary
Glide into the season with the greatest of ease. For novice or Olympiad ice skaters, the Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 – 12, $2 children ages 5 and under. Admission fee includes skate rental. Cash only. Admission is free only to patrons wanting to watch and not ice skate. Special hours: Dec. 24 closes 4pm, Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 31 closes at 11:30pm.
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
& Winterfest Opening Ceremony
Friday, Nov. 25, 12:30pm
Center House, FREE
Click Here For Their Website
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the nation's largest and most noteworthy youth orchestras, performs for the traditional opening of Seattle Center Winterfest with a selection of seasonal works sure to engage and inspire!
Ice Sculpting
Saturdays, Nov. 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 12 noon – 2pm
Outside of Fisher Pavilion, FREE
Artistry and ice unite in a glorious and temporal expression of the season. Watch internationally acclaimed, award – winning artists at work as they create seasonal sculptures - or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday, an ice master carves a different design.
Black Nativity's Total
Experience Gospel Choir
Saturday, Nov. 26, 12:30pm
Center House, FREE
Click Here For More Info
Embracing a celebration of faith, generosity of spirit and infectious joy of a rousing gospel songfest, Black Nativity brings together diverse performers under the direction of the majestic Pastor Patrinell Wright. The ensemble sings, shouts, soars and stomps with the sounds of gospel, opera, jazz and blues.
Garfield High School Jazz Band
Sunday, Nov. 27, 12:30pm
Center House, FREE
Click Here For Their Website
A Winterfest sensation returns! Enjoy the seasonal sounds of the acclaimed and esteemed Garfield High School Jazz Band, led by the great Clarence Acox.
Student Showcase Series
Nov. 28 – Dec. 29, Varied
Center House, FREE
Seattle Center Student Showcases provide entertainment as part of our seasonal events, and they also offer public and private schools and youth performance groups the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public. Click Here for a complete schedule.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6pm – 7pm
Center House, FREE
A Menorah will be lit in observance of the second day of Chanukah in Center House.
Matt Baker Comedy Stunt Show
Saturday, Dec. 24, 12:30pm
Center House, FREE
Click Here For Website
After appearances on Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent, Matt Baker brings his award– winning show to Seattle Center. Voted Seattle’s Funniest Alternative Comic, Matt combines comedy with physical stunts, juggling and hilarity.
New Year's Eve Celebration
with The Rhythm Nation
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8pm – 11:45pm
Center House, FREE
Click Here For Their Website
Ring in the New Year and dance the night away with The Rhythm Nation, the Pacific Northwest’s premier party band featuring exceptional vocalists plus dynamic rhythm sections. Utilizing a diverse musical mix that includes current hits plus popular dance, R&B, rock and old school from the ‘70s through the ‘90s, The Rhythm Nation delivers high energy and the ultimate entertainment experience
Merry, Merry,
Belva & The Bearded One
