Seattle Weather in December
10 Things To Do in Seattle in December
1. Hiking at Discovery Park
Overlooking Puget Sound Lake from Magnolia Bluff's shores, Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest urban park with a scenic coastline, heritage sites, and 9 miles of meandering walking trails. This bluff-top nature park is a winter abode of 534 acres perched so high that it pierces Seattle's fog. Discovery Park houses hiking trails through protected forested meadows, dramatic cliffs, dunes, floral thickets, valleys and streams. You can enjoy birdwatching, sunrises in the wee hours of dawn and picnics at the breathtaking Olympic Mountain Range and Daybreak Marine Center within this reserve park. Seattle’s oldest lighthouse, built-in 1881, is also open for sightseeing here.
Location: 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard, Seattle, Washington 98199Timings: 4am - 8pmEntry Tickets: USD 16.95 (adults). Free entry for children under 17.Points of Interest:
2. Shopping at The Bellevue Collection
The Bellevue Collection is the best Christmas special event to enjoy at a shopping centre in Seattle in December. Housing over 120 stores like Burberry and Disney Store, the mall drive-in features a rental drive-through with traditional snowflake lane decor, parties, local vendors selling tasty treats and music events. Driving along Lincoln Square and Bellevue Avenue, enjoy lip-smacking American snacks, hot dogs, coffee at Starbucks and candies. You can take a fun photo of your kids with welcoming Santa mascots. There are a plethora of global brands, boutiques and clothing stores here to complete your Christmas shopping. Be sure to drop by at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, which throws a massive lounge party with a towering Christmas tree and gingerbread displays.
Location: 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, Seattle, Washington 98004Open hours: 10am - 9pm, Monday - SundayBest Stores for Shopping:
3. Join the Winterfest at Seattle Center
If you wish your holiday mood in Seattle in December never ends, Seattle Center Winterfest is going to be your favourite outdoor event. The seasonal, family-friendly fair lasting for 5 weeks each year features music and dance performances, uplifting holiday workshops and child-centric events that are fun for all. You can participate in cooking, craft and light display at Cornish Playhouse. There is holiday-themed, spirited entertainment at the ice-skating rink, a snowy village and a central platform flanked with neon-lit sculptures of ice. You can tour the entire campus on a toy train and enjoy 360-degree views of the Seattle skyline.
Location: 305 Harrison, Seattle, Washington 98109Dates: November 27, 2021 - December 31, 2021Event Price: USD 50Timings: 10am - 6pm
4. Museum Visits in Seattle in December
Owing to the city’s long history, Seattle is a chest of 40 large and rich museums. Seattle’s museums offer hands-on guided tours instead of letting you stare at displays. While the Museum of Pop Culture hosts interactive music-making events that highlight the city’s eminence in Hollywood, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is a world-famous centre collecting Dave Chihuly’s lifelong artworks. They have a beautifully landscaped garden in front, boasting shady picnic areas, manicured plants and birdwatching spots. During winter, history buffs gather at The Museum of Flight to watch the open-air aviation artefacts and hanging arrays of vintage planes covered in glistening snow.
Timings: Most museums in Seattle open at 11am and close before 5pm.Must-Visit Museums in Seattle:
5. Taking Coffee Tours
Nothing charges us up like the fresh aroma of home-brewed coffee in infamously cold cities like Seattle. At the end of the year, Washington brings in yearly coffee harvests. While visiting Seattle in December, embark on an adventure trip starting with Downtown Coffee Shop Tours on sunny mornings. Sip on espressos, American cappuccinos, and custom made brews and enjoy walking tours of Seattle’s best spots for grabbing a latte on a winter day. You can join artists, entrepreneurs, and ardent influencers at trendy tasting rooms, even at the chic street-side cafes. Many coffee shops like Lighthouse Roasters and Starbucks also serve mouth-watering pancakes, burgers, truffles and crepes.
Best Coffee Shops in Seattle:
6. Enjoy Aerial Views of Seattle at Space Needle
Treasured as an icon of the city, Space Needle is Seattle’s largest observation tower with the world’s first-ever rotating glass floor and picturesque skyline views. The spectacular, saucer-shaped “Top House” lounge at a startling elevation of 605 feet at this grand spire attracts visitors and tourists worldwide. You can enjoy one of the finest aerial views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and snow-laden peaks of the Olympic Mountains during winter. After their recent 100 million dollar makeover and introduction of a rustic basement cafe, Space Needle has become an abode for any weather.
Location: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, Washington 98109Open Hours: 12pm - 5pmTickets: USD 24.50 - USD 37.50
7. Holiday Shopping - Renegade Craft Fair
Instead of the traditional last-minute holiday shopping, finish it all in one go at the Renegade Craft Fair in Seattle’s 350-acre large Magnuson Park in December. This winter fair presents budget-friendly boutiques, upscale clothing, handcrafted jewellery, accessories and home decor items unique to the Pacific Northwest culture. Numerous talented artisans also sell their original artworks having quirky modern themes at this yearly fair. You can bring a picnic with your kids while exploring the 150 national and local vendors at Renegade Craft Fair, embellished with festive lights and Christmas decor.
Location: Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way, Northeast Seattle, Washington 98115Dates: December 14 and 15, 2021Timings: 11am - 5pm
8. Watch the Nutcracker at McCaw Hall
For those who would like to watch a holiday show in Seattle in December, The Nutcracker is definitely the best of its kind, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Premiering in 1954, this holiday classic held at the opulent McCaw Hall is one of the fanciest performances delivered by stellar ballet groups. Bespoke, glamorous costuming and innovative lighting accompanied by the vintage PNB orchestra playing the score Tchaikovsky creates a magical winter evening in Seattle. This event is more than just a show - it is almost customary for couples and families in Seattle to attend the staged ballet and enjoy an elaborate pre-show dinner at the balcony restaurant.
Location: 321 Mercer Street, Seattle, Washington 98109Date: December 28, 2021Run time: 2 hours, single intermission
9. Sightseeing at Seattle Waterfront
Seattle Waterfront refers to the city's central part, marked with the iconic entrance at Pike Place Market. This vast alfresco market is packed with crafts, freshly-caught fish and groceries in Seattle in December, hot and sumptuous pizzas, chicken bites, pancakes and full course meals. In the mellow afternoon sun, head out for a cruise or climb aboard the Great Seattle Ferris Wheel to feast your eyes on panoramic cityscapes. Seattle Waterfront is also home to the Seattle Aquarium, a non-profit organization housing exotic marine animals from different parts of the world. Every December, Magic in the Market is celebrated with live music, light shows and playful reindeer.
Parking Fees: USD 3 per hourPoints of Attraction:
10. Skiing at Stevens Pass
If the light and the thin layer of city snow in Seattle in December does not evoke the winter lover in you, plan a trip to the ski area at Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains, two hours east of Seattle. This quaint village has been a winter wonderland in the suburbs since Stevens Pass Nordic Center's establishment. Apart from a massive inventory of ten chairlifts and 1,000 acres of snow-covered hills, this day and night skiing centre and the resort also have tubing, snowboarding facilities for beginners and pros. Accredited professionals guide you throughout, while bright Christmas lights at Stevens Pass show how downhill five nights each week.
Location: US-2, Skykomish, Washington 98288Tickets: USD 45 (adults)Open Hours: 9am - 10pm, open dailyNumber of trails: 49 (designated)
Tips For Visiting Seattle in December
In case you are not familiar with the city, here are a few tips to enhance your experience of Seattle in December: -
- Since temperatures often dip to freezing points and it rains unpredictably, dress up warmly and carry umbrellas.
- Enjoy winter-special activities in Seattle like boating, wine tasting, skiing, hiking and trekking.
- Indulge in Pacific Northwest style food, Seattle’s signature comfort cuisine.
- Seattle’s public transportation is convenient to get around and cheaper compared to guided tours.