There are plenty of opportunities in the next few weeks to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus in your neighborhood before his Christmas Eve trek across the globe. You can also celebrate the arrival of the holiday season at one of the many tree lighting events in local communities. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming up:
Bothell
Bothell Winterfest — 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Children’s hay rides, holiday carolers and lighting of the holiday tree at 6:30 p.m., plus the arrival of Santa, at Bothell Landing, 9919 NE 180th St. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. Info: 425-486-7430.
Tree Lighting &Santa’s Arrival — 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2: Caroling, train and pony rides, a traditional Christmas tree lighting and Santa’s grand arrival from the sky, at Country Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Hwy. Info: 425-483-2250 or www.countryvillagebothell.com.
Brier
Timberline Park lights — 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 5-11 p.m. Saturdays &Sundays, Nov. 27-Dec. 31: Brier’s Timberline Park neighborhood, at 228th Place SW, is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with holiday lights and decorations. Toy, cash or nonperishable food donations accepted for the Lynnwood Food Bank. Checks may be made out to the Lynnwood Food Bank. Info: www.brierlights.org.
Tree Lighting — 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2: Santa arrives to help light the tree while coffee, cocoa, cookies and candy canes are served along with caroling, featuring the Brier Elementary Bel Cantos Singers, at Brier Park, 2903 228th St. SW. Canned food donations accepted to benefit Concern for Neighbors Food Bank. Info: 425-775-5440.
Edmonds
Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony — 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25: Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via fire truck at 5:20 p.m. for the lighting at Centennial Plaza in front of City Hall, 5th &Bell. Free hot cider, cookies, candy canes, popcorn, coffee; storytelling and sing-a-longs, plus photos with Santa at Old Milltown. Info: 425-670-1496.
Christmas Ships — 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6: Depart from the Edmonds Marina on the Argosy Christmas ships for a tour of Edmonds and Richmond Beach waterfronts (Tickets: $22 adults, $11.50 children, ages 5-12); or gather on shore at the Edmonds Waterfront Fishing Pier to view the boats and participate in a sing-a-long. Windjammers Choir performs aboard the lead Christmas ship as they visit Edmonds from 7:10-7:30 p.m., then continue on to Richmond Beach from 8:20-8:40 p.m. Info: 206-623-1445 or argosycruises.com.
Lynnwood
Civic Lights Winter Celebration — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30: 11th annual holiday season opener features decorations, choral and musical performances by local students and the Brian Waite Band, karaoke family sing-along, hands-on arts workshop and storytime, Penguin Hill snow play area, a Polar Bear Swim, photos with Santa, and refreshments, at the Lynnwood Civic Center campus, 18900 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Non-perishable food donations collected for a food drive benefiting the Lynnwood Food Bank. Free. Info: 425-771-4030, www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us.
Kwanzaa celebration — 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Join in this African harvest celebration featuring storytelling, a performance by West African musician Naby Camara, a children’s activity table and food, and speaker Eddie Moore, Jr. At Triton Union Building 202, Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Ave. W. Free. Info: 425-640-1538.
Olympic Ballet Theatre Santa Breakfast — 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23: OBT combines a “Mini-Nutcracker” performance with a visit from Santa Claus and his elves at the Embassy Suites, 20610 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Breakfast, holiday music, visits with Santa, plus a mini-performance of “The Nutcracker” by the Olympic Ballet School dancers. Tickets: $24 adults, $20 children 10 &under, available through OBT at 425-774-7570 or through Ticketmaster at 206-292-ARTS.
Santa Photos at Alderwood — 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 24: Have your photo taken with the real Santa, in the Center Court at Alderwood mall, 3000 184th Street SW, Suite 145, Lynnwood. Cost: Prices vary. Info: 425-771-1121.
Mill Creek
“Deck the (City) Halls!” — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29: Music and special entertainment from local schools begins at 6:45 p.m., with Santa’s arrival and tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m., followed by picture opportunities with Santa (bring a camera), at Mill Creek City Hall, 15728 Mill Creek Blvd. Refreshments provided. Info: 425-745-1891.
Mountlake Terrace
Mountlake Terrace Tree Lighting Ceremony— 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Lighting at the city’s water tower includes caroling, cocoa and a visit from Santa, at Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace, presented by Terrace-Brier Lions Club. Info: 425-776-9173.
Richmond Beach
Christmas Ships — 7:30-8:50 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6: Welcome the Christmas Ships as they stop near Richmond Beach. Gather around the bonfires, enjoy refreshments and vocal performances by Syre Elementary and Einstein Middle School students, at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 NW 190th St., or depart from the Edmonds Marina and see Richmond Beach from the water. Reservations: 206-623-1445 or argosycruises.com; beach event info, Shoreline Parks &Rec, 206-418-3383.
Shoreline
North City Holiday Tree Lighting — 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2: The North City business district in Shoreline gets a visit from Santa for the annual lighting of the tree (at 7:30 p.m.), plus music and a sing along by the Around the Sound Community Band. Santa will be available for children to place their wishes and have a picture taken. Refreshments supplied by the businesses. Donations accepted for the Shoreline Food Bank. At Les Schwab, 15th Ave. NE and NE 180th St. Info: 206-362-1131.
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