6 Holiday Things to Do This Weekend in Seattle: Dec 1 - 4

A strong dose of merriment 🤩

November 30, 2022

An orchestra plays against a giant screen playing The Nightmare Before Christmas.

It’s officially December which means ho ho ho and here we go in getting absolutely coo-coo for Christmas. All kinds ofĀ Christmas CarolsĀ are on the horizon, from theĀ fancyĀ to theĀ improvised. But there are alsoĀ Disney holiday concertsĀ andĀ cheery little markets—and don’t forget to make the Yuletide gay withĀ these very Seattle burlesque shows.

December is the darkest month of the year, so why not dig into the Christmas cheer this year? We’re going toĀ šŸŽ‰

1

The Nightmare Before Christmas @ Benaroya Hall — THURSDAY – SUNDAY

Jack Skellington dressed as Santa Claus gives a present to a small child
šŸ“ø: Nightmare Before Christmas

Runs December 1 – 4

The Nightmare Before ChristmasĀ has been a holiday staple since its release in 1993. What could be more enticing than a mash-up of two seemingly contradictory holidays,Ā HalloweenĀ andĀ Christmas? Although filmmakerĀ Tim BurtonĀ couldn’t direct the movie, his distinctive, quirky fingerprints are nonetheless all over it. In addition to serving as producer, the film’s story is based on a poem he’d written in 1982 and had been trying to bring to the screen ever since. He also brought in his longtime collaborator, composer Danny Elfman (the two first worked together onĀ Pee-wee’s Big Adventure) to write the film’s songs and score (Elfman’s also the singing voice of Jake Skellington, the Pumpkin King), making the movie as much of an audio treat as a visual one.

Which is whereĀ the Seattle SymphonyĀ comes in. Why settle for watching this magnificence on the small screen when you can experience it inĀ full-size format and accompaniedĀ by live symphonic accompaniment to boot? Then hasten down to the sonically superb setting of Benaroya Hall, where Susie Benchasil Seiter will conduct the Seattle Symphony through the delights of ā€œThis Is Halloween,ā€ ā€œKidnap the Sandy Claws,ā€ and ā€œOogie Boogie’s Song.ā€ (Tip: If the drinks line on the main floor is too long, try the stands on the upper levels. Bonus tip:Ā Cash-only linesĀ are always shorter.)Ā GILLIAN G. GAAR

2

Jingle All The Gay @ The Oddfellows Building — OPENS FRIDAY

The bright and energetic cast of Jingle All the Gay, including Kitten N' Lou * Cherdonna Shinatra * ilvs strauss * Markeith Wiley * Woody Shticks * Lola Van Ella * RedBone * Jeez Loueez * Tito Bonito * Montez Jenkins Copeland * Kylie Mooncakes
šŸ“ø: Jingle All The Gay

Runs December 2 – 18

If your holidays under those heavy Seattle clouds need a bit ofĀ cheering and queering up, Kitten LaRue and Lou Henry Hoover would love to invite you to their cozy home, nicely located onstage at the Oddfellows Building’s West Hall. The married pair, known collectively as Kitten N’ Lou, are ā€œThe World’s Show-Busiest Couple,ā€ members of the Atomic Bombshells, holders ofĀ multiple Burlesque Hall of Fame trophies, and have been producing this show in one version or another for over a decade. And this is your last chance to indulge in their heartwarming, heartweirding shenanigans, as this is advertised asĀ its final run.

JingleĀ is a sweet and funny night of burlesque, drag, dance, comedy, community, and whatever’s been in the news and on the radio over the past 12 months. Kitten N’ Lou are throwing a Christmas party in and around their wintry home and it’s high time to check in with aĀ Pee-wee’s Playhouse-esqueĀ gang of family and friends, including performers well-known to locals (Markeith Wiley, Woody Shticks), from out of town (Jeez Loueez, Tito Bonito), and seemingly from Mars (Cherdonna Shinatra, whose chaos version of ā€œWinter Wonderlandā€ is my absolute favorite). Plus, a few Christmas ghosts, the bisexual Angel We Have Heard Is High (RedBone), and a visit from one very chill and progressive Jesus (ilvs strauss).Ā MARCUS GORMAN

3

War on Christmas @ Theatre Off Jackson — OPENS FRIDAY

Five people in the cast of War on Christmas stare up at an object far away with joy in their faces. They all are wearing Christmas outfits.
šŸ“ø: War on Christmas

Runs December 2 – 24

Most local theatres have a holiday ritual, with shows geared explicitly toward audiences they’ve cultivated over years and evenĀ decades. The 140-seat Theatre Off Jackson in the Chinatown-International District? They have whatever Scott Shoemaker and Freddy Molitch of Shoe and Pants Productions have cooked up with Scott Shoemaker’sĀ War on Christmas, a raunchy andĀ gut-busting variety showĀ that caters to a rowdier, late-night crowd.

ā€œI love that we have a point of view that’s different than all the other shows inĀ Seattle’s Christmas Industrial Complex,ā€ Shoemaker told The Ticket. ā€œEven though the variety show format is something people have seen a lot, I think people are constantly surprised at the audacity of the things we’ll put on the stage. I can’t think of a show that’s as twisted as ours, and if there is one, it should beĀ shut down immediatelyĀ because it’s clearly gone too far.ā€

Previously staged at the Re-Bar (🪦),Ā War on ChristmasĀ is a mix of song, dance, ā€œpartial nudity,ā€ and holiday cheer co-starring other weirdos Mandy Price, Faggedy Randy, and AdĆ©. New to the cast this year isĀ Major Scales, known for his work with two-timeĀ Drag RaceĀ winner Jinkx Monsoon (The Vaudevillians, The Ginger Snapped) and in the BenDeLaCreme Halloween extravaganzaĀ Beware the Terror of Gaylord Manor.Ā MARCUS GORMAN

4

Georgetown Flea Holiday Market @ Airport Way + Nebraska St — SATURDAY

A collection of tufted holiday themed rugs featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Snoopy, and Gumby
šŸ“ø: Courtesy Koe-Zee, one of the 70+ vendors at the Georgetown Flea Holiday Market

Saturday, December 3 • 10 am – 4 pm
5805 Airport Way S

980 S Nebraska ST

The Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, open every weekend in a parking lot just off Airport Way, delivers aĀ weirdo Seattle experienceĀ that’s increasingly rare: unique art and wearables, both new and vintage, that you actually want to buy, from creators and collectors that don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a beautiful, slightly dirty pillow on which to rest your Etsy-weary head. The drawback is that it’s just a handful of vendors, which decreases your chances of findingĀ the exact right thing—but back in March, the Georgetown Flea Market started running a once-monthly market that extends into nearby venue The Stables, offering an expanded selection of offbeat goods.

Because it’s the gift-giving season, and local artisans are prepared to sell you so many things, December’s Georgetown Flea Market is an extra-special holiday spectacular. They’ll featureĀ more than 70 vendorsĀ of handmade and vintage stuff and, according to organizers, someĀ ā€œfun collaborations.ā€Ā Participants are on the market’sĀ Instagram highlights, and include painters, clothing designers,Ā dog accessory-makers, a vintage bookseller, illustrators, jewelers, ceramicists, candlemakers, and more. You’ll be able to check a few things off your list, even if the list is ā€œthings I would like to buy for myself, personally.ā€Ā SARAH ANNE LLOYD

5

Holiday Ice Skating @ The Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink — ONGOING

Two skaters in costumes pose at the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
šŸ“ø: The Bellevue Downtown Association

Runs until January 8

While I’m noĀ Grinch, it does take some coaxing to get me in the holiday mood. Baking, light displays, and ice skating seem to do the trick.Ā Bellevue’s Downtown Ice Rink, in particular, helps pave my way into the festivities. AĀ 25-year tradition, Bellevue’s rink boasts being theĀ region’s largest open-air rinkĀ (at 10,000 square feet). It runs until January 8, rain or shine, and ticket prices include skate rental. (For those too scared to skate, there’s a viewing area where you can sit and snack.)

Open almost every day of the week, with free parking nearby, the rink is the right place to hit for aĀ mid-week happy hour.Ā I recommend getting your hot chocolate at the on-site concession stand, then heading toĀ Snowflake LaneĀ for a free nightly holiday parade. (Held every night at 7 pm withĀ music, lights, dancers, drummers, and falling snow.)

While Bellevue isn’t the only rink around—you can skate at theĀ Kraken Iceplex,Ā Pacific Ice RinkĀ in Everett, and even aĀ 3-day pop-up rink in Occidental SquareĀ (December 9 to 11)—this seasonal rink is worth a trip to the Eastside. Get in on its fun events likeĀ Ugly Sweater SkatesĀ andĀ Free Skating Lessons. Film aĀ Blades of Glory-styleĀ TikTok. Go wild.

Tip:Ā Buy tickets online in advance, especially for busy weekends.Ā Hit the nearbyĀ Rouge Cocktail LoungeĀ for theirĀ Cutty Nog, a drink where orange creamsicle meets boozy eggnog—or splurge on aĀ Spiked Apple Cider.Ā PATHERESA WELLS

6

Garden d’Lights @ Bellevue Botanical Garden — ONGOING

A display of lights in the shape of a butterfly flying amongst flowers at Garden D'lights.
šŸ“ø: Bellevue Botanical Garden

Runs until December 31

Garden d’Lights want to remind you that you are always aĀ kid at heart. The Bellevue Botanical Gardens transform into a land of light and magic during the holiday times, and it’s a labor of love. It takes over 6,400 hours and 11 months to bring to life. There ain’tĀ nothing cookie-cutterĀ about it. Sure, there are reindeer, Santa, snowmen, and flakes of snow at those other places. Been there, done that. At the Garden, get ready for aĀ biologically correct sea animal display, a field of corn, a winery, and more—all made from lights. Folks, that’s special.

Mark your advent calendars forĀ November 26. Every day from then until December 31 (except Christmas Day), the place offers the chance to illuminate your little life and keep warm withĀ hot cocoaĀ sold onsite. Bring your best friends and film a TikTok. Spend time with your grandpa and ask him about his favorite Christmas memory. For the couples out there, stroll hand in hand and kiss near theĀ brand-new snail featureĀ (so romantic!). For $8 a ticket (free for kids 10 and under), it seems aĀ pretty good deal. Buy tickets ahead of time here and arrive a little early to avoid crowds. Keep theĀ jolly timesĀ going withĀ Snowflake Lane, just a 10-minute drive away.Ā HAYLEE JARRETT

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