A wonderland of sparkling lights, child-sized diversions and spirited entertainment brightens the twilight of the year at Seattle Center Winterfest, Nov. 29 – Dec. 31. A wonderland of sparkling lights, child-sized diversions and spirited entertainment brightens the twilight of the year at Seattle Center Winterfest, Nov. 29 – Dec. 31. Visit Seattle Center Armory, all dressed for the season, and you’ll discover new viewing points for Winter Train & Village, fresh food and drink offered at local Armory merchants and inspiring student showcases. The Winterfest Ice Rink returns, along with Saturday ice sculpting and lively weekend performances.
Following is a full list of Winterfest activities:
Winterfest Student Showcases, Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, varied times, Seattle Center Armory, free. Student Showcases provide public and private schools and youth performance groups the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public.
Winter Train & Village, Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. A Winterfest favorite, a magnificent, turn-of-the-century village in miniature size and moving model train. Visit and take a turn controlling the model train between 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, Special hours: closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25.
Coca-Cola Winter Wish Wall, Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, Seattle Center Armory, free. We invite you to share your wish on this interactive winter wall installation
Winterfest Ice Rink, Nov. 29 – Jan. 5, 2014, Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fisher Pavilion. For novice or Olympiad, Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission includes skate rental: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and $2 children ages 5 and under. Cash only. free admission to watch. Special hours: closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed on Dec. 25; closes at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
The Dickens Carolers, Friday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, Seattle Center Armory, free. A quartet of Victorian costumed carolers sings out the spirit of the season, sharing beloved carols in perfect four-part harmony. Since 1978, The Dickens Carolers have offered traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. www.dickenscarolers.com
The Most Awesome Variety Show Ever, Friday, Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Matt Baker’s comedy and variety shows offer a mix of the very best professional stand–up comedy and memorable entertainment. Matt conjers up the whimsy of Cirque du Soleil, with outstanding impressions, slapstick humour and world class magic. mattbakercomedy.com
Keith Highlanders Pipe Band, Friday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. The Keith Highlanders Pipe Band seeks to broaden the popularity of traditional Scottish piping, drumming and dancing. As the official pipe band of the Clan Keith, a rare designation outside Scotland, the band has performed internationally since its beginning in 1952. www.khpb.org
Winterfest Ice Sculpting, Saturdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 12 p.m.– 2 p.m., Outside Fisher Pavilion, free. Artistry and ice unite in a glorious and temporal expression of the season. Watch 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.
Hot Dog USA, Saturday, Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Dedicated to inspiring, motivating and educating people of all ages, the Hot Dog jump rope team, consisting of 50 boys and girls, has performed, competed in and taught jump rope workshops around the country and the world since 1980. www.hotdogusa.org
Pacific Cascade Big Band, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Created in June 2008, this big band is devoted to performing the great jazz music that became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s to the late 1950s. www.woodinvilleband.org
Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, Saturday, Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Celebrate the music and culture of Croatia as this vibrantly costumed troupe shares holiday traditions through exuberant dance and song. http:// www.velaluka.org
Klez Kidz, Sunday, Dec. 1, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. This intergenerational group of musicians, singers and dancers presents interactive concerts of world Jewish music and mirth. The wail of clarinets and the rousing sounds of Israeli rhythms and harmony accompany inspiring dancers. www.templebetham.org/music–and–arts/klezkids
Taiko Drumming, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. One World Taiko’s own creative rhythms, arrangements and choreography span the genres of jazz and world music to add a modern spirit to the ancient tradition of taiko. oneworldtaiko.com
Menorah Lighting Ceremony, Sunday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Chabad of Seattle celebrates Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, with a candle lighting ceremony. www.chabadofseattle.org
Seattle Girls’ Choir, Saturday, Dec. 7, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. If you haven’t heard this amazing ensemble of girls, ages 6–18, then you’re missing out on some mighty musicmaking that combines serious musical skills with serious fun. The Winterfest performance features the DolcineChoir, the Allegra Choir (grades 5 and 6) and the Vivissimi Choir (grades 3 and 4). www.SeattleGirlsChoir.org
Cornish Jazz Ensembles, Sunday, Dec. 8, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Jazz forms the foundation of a reputation at Cornish College of the Arts as one of the most respected collegiate improvised music progr ams in the nation. The wealth of student talent and skill spills out into two of the school’s most popular groups, Cornish Jazz Ensemble III and Latin Ensemble, performing live on the Seattle Center Armory. www.cornish.edu
Garfield High School Jazz Band, Saturday, Dec. 14, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Enjoy the seasonal sounds of the nationally acclaimed Garfield High School Jazz Band under the direction of Seattle’s own jazz great, Clarence Acox. www.garfieldjazz.org
Bailadores de Bronce, Sunday, Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Portraying the most positive aspects of the Mexican culture, the Bailadores break down cultural barriers and build bridges as they teach and perform Mexican folkloric dances throughout the Pacific Northwest. www.bailadoresdebronce.org
SANCA Youth Performance Company, Saturday, Dec. 21, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. SANCA Youth Company creates and performs original acts in aerial arts, juggling, tightwire, clowning, unicycle and acrobatics. www.sancaseattle.org
Winterfest Free Skate Day brought to you by Coca-Cola, Dec. 22, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fisher Pavilion and International Fountain, free. Coca-Cola hosts a day of free skating, pictures with Santa, samples of Honest Tea, Zico and Illy Issimo and more family-friendly activities.
Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes, Sunday, Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. The energetic and hilarious Smartypants, a vocal comedy group from Seattle Men’s Chorus, has thrilled, delighted and alarmed audiences from Washington, DC to San Francisco. Sensible Shoes, part of Seattle Women’s Chorus, performs pop and vocal jazz, balancing great delivery with fun, innovative staging. www.flyinghouse.org
Hot Club Sandwich, Saturday, Dec. 28, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. This ensemble began 10 years ago out of a deep reverence for Gypsy jazz of the 1930s and 1940s, growing to incorporate classic jazz and folkloric influences from around the world into clever arrangements and adventurous improvisations. www.hotclubsandwich.com
Massive Monkees, Sunday, Dec. 29, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. This unsurpassed crew of energetic b–boys/b–girls break dancers, described as percussively–gifted, hip–hop dervishes, has shared the stage with the likes of Alicia Keys, Jay–Z, Nas, Public Enemy, Ludacris and 50 Cent among others. www.massivemonkees.com
New Year’s Eve Celebration with THE NINES, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. – 11:45 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, free. Winterfest rings in the New Year to the sounds of THE NINES. With world class male and female lead vocals, the five-piece band gets dancers on their feet with its high energy and pure professionalism, sharing hits from the 1970s to today. www.lovethenines.com/9/The_Nines.html
Seattle Center Winterfest, produced by Seattle Center, presents spirited programming for children, families and friends in search of entertaining and enriching activities during this festive time of year. For more information, visit www.seattecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.
