Now that the lights are lit in Sammamish, the holiday season is officially here. Here are some great ways to celebrate from now until Christmas in and around Sammamish and Issaquah. Browse our list below--you're sure to find something to warm your cockles!
Monthlong Holiday Events
artEAST Small Works Holiday Show
Member artists have created works of diminutive dimension ( 8” by 8” or smaller) but big impact. This is your chance to find a perfect piece priced for gifting. Buy and take the art on the spot! The exhibition will run through Dec. 29.
From Dec. 1-Dec. 30, the Cougar Mountain Zoo will host its annual Reindeer Festival. Santa will be on hand until Dec. 23 for pictures, and there are lots of great activities throughout each day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. after Christmas). You can bring an unwrapped toy to donate for the toy drive as well. Admission is $10.50 to $12.50, kids 2 and under are free.
2012 Garden d'Lights
In Bellevue, Inspired by plants found in Northwest gardens, hundreds of volunteers work year round to bundle strings of lights into three dimensional flowers, shrubs, and vines. In addition to artistic interpretation of plants, the volunteer team has created charming animal characters. Charlotte the spider remains a favorite and will be back in her web near the Ground Cover Garden.
The Trillium shop will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Mondays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
“Rocket to the Top of the Space Needle”
While supplies last, Bartell Drugs is offering vouchers for one free adult or up to two free youth tickets (vouchers valid with purchase of one adult observation deck ticket). The vouchers will be available at all 58 Bartell Drugs locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.
Visitors with vouchers can take in the sky-high views from Observation Deck through December 30. Holiday festivities begin November 23, including appearances by “Seattle’s Coolest Santa.” For information, visit www.spaceneedle.com.
Holiday Events & Performances
Holiday Open House at Fivash Cellars
Sammamish's own winery has newly bottled wines ready to sample and purchase, including 2009 C-Star, 2009 Walla Walla Syrah, and more, at its annual open house. Holiday Open House Hours: Friday, Nov. 30: Noon - 8pm; Saturday, Dec. 1: Noon - 8pm; Sunday, Dec. 2: Noon - 6pm
Holidays at the Hospital
Saturday, Dec. 1 beginning at 9 a.m., bring the family and get into the holiday spirit at the Swedish/Issaquah Holidays at the Hospital. There's something for everyone: A pancake breakfast, free pictures with Santa, and lots of kids' activities. Holiday cheer awaits you at the hospital.
Issaquah History Museums' Holiday Open House & Craft Fair
Saturday Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate the season at the Issaquah History Museums' annual Holiday Open House & Craft Fair! The event will run from 10 AM to 4 PM and is open to the public. Museum admission will be waived on the day of the event.
Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There's sure to be a lot of fun along with the light stringing with the Downtown Issaquah Association as they get Front Street dressed up for the holidays. Put up lights until noon then break for free pizza and refreshments generously donated by Flying Pie Pizza.
Redmond Lights
Dec. 1 from 12 -8 p.m., Redmond will be filled with festivity, including food and activities and starting at 4 p.m. special activities to light the holiday.
Happy Valley Craft Show
Join more than 20 local artists in Redmond, at 19720 NE 50th St, Redmond, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1, as they present works of pottery, photography, jewelry, prints, paintings, clothing, chocolate, seasonal items and more.
Holiday Open House, at Birthday Dreams
Dec. 1, at 2:00 pm, 1101 Bronson Way N, Renton, WA, join Birthday Dreams for FREE pictures with Santa, fun holiday crafts, cool door prizes, yummy treats and warm drinks! All donations are welcome to help support the children in need. Party Supplies, unwrapped gifts for all ages and cash donations are all appreciated.
My Dancing Day: A Renaissance Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, 7:30 pm at Eastlake Senior High School,
Revel with Master Chorus Eastside in the much loved folk carols that flowered in the Renaissance, such as Ding! Dong! Merrily on High, The Boar’s Head Carol, Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming, and jolly wassail songs. Tickets are $15.
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Eastridge Church
Re-live George Bailey's life stories! A broadway style musical production starring Eastside residents from our community. A play that will warm your heart and bring meaning to the word Holidays!
"It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play," is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience (you!). Dozens of actors perform the multitude of characters in the play, while lighting and sound effects and video projections set this production apart from others in the Seattle area.
Admission is free but a ticket is required to enter for all performances. The Saturday matinee is family-friendly with free childcare offered for birth through 5 years old. (Limited space available. Children are welcome to sit with parents during the production.)
Holiday Pops
Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, 7:30 pm at Meydenbauer Center; Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m., at Eastlake High School
Join the Sammamish Symphony for its family-friendly holiday program. It will perform in its first appearance in the Meydenbauer Theater in Bellevue, and at Eastlake High School in Sammamish in a matinee performance
Program
Arnold - The Holly and The Ivy
Grainger - The Shepherds' Hey
Anderson - Sleigh Ride
Arr. by Goeller - Silent Night
Arr. by Goeller - Coventry Carol
...and more of your favorite Holiday music!
Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the concert or online from TicketWeb. Cost is $16
Breakfast With Santa
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, 8:45 a.m. at the Sammamish EX3 Teen & Recreation Center,
Join the Sammamish Kiwanis and enjoy time with Santa, pancakes, Douglas the Talking Fir, music and crafts for kids. Saturday December 8 at the Boys and Girls Club EX3 Teen Center in Sammamish.
There will be two seatings, at 8:45 and 10:00am. Registration must be received to ensure seating.
Benefit Concert at the Teen Center
Saturday, Dec. 8, 7pm-9pm at the Sammamish EX3 Teen & Recreation Center,.
Benefit Concert featuring SCINITE and opening acts Dylan and Mark & Mixed Company. Cost is $3, or $2 w/can food donation to support the Issaquah Food Bank.
Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, Dec. 9, 4:00 pm at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church,
Based on a service held each Christmas Eve in the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, you will hear the traditional carols within 9 scriptural lessons, blending the voices of choir and congregation to tell the Christmas story.
The Sound of Music IHS musical
Come and watch "the hills come alive" as Issaquah High School presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's The "Sound of Music". Upcoming performances are December 6th, 7th and 8th starting at 7:00 PM. Tickets are avaiable at the Issaquah High School bookkeeper's office, online with seatyourself.biz or at the door. Please keep in mind that online ticket purhase close 24 hours prior to performance, but of course tickers are always available at the door. Prices are as follows: Online - Students and Seniors - $8.00 Adults - $12.00
CANDLELIGHT You won't want to miss "Candlelight" on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 PM. Music of the holiday season and candlelight processional presented by Issaquah High School's Concert Chorale, Mix It Up, Hi Tones, and In Harmony will surely put a smile on your face. Tickets are $8.00, students and children are free. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Eastside Baby Corner Holiday Open House
On Thursday, Dec. 13 between 9 am and noon, at its Issaquah based warehouse located at 1510 NW Maple St. Community members are encouraged to stop by for hot cider, cookies, and a behind-the-scenes look at EBC’s warehouse and distribution center.
DRAMA FOR THE LITTL'UNS! Parents, do you need some time to get ready for the holidays? The Issaquah High School Drama Club will facilitate a theatre workshop on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Issaquah High School for grades K - 8. The price of $30.00 includes a snack, lunch, and an afternoon of theatrical activities - acting, dancing, and singing - which will culminate in an afternoon performance. To register or obtain more information, contact the drama director, Holly Whiting at whitingh@issaquah.wednet.edu.
"HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS"
Evergreen Philharmonic is proud to present its annual show, "Home for the Holidays" on Tueday night, December 18, at Issaquah High School. This show features a sing-a-long with the orchestra of everyone's favorite carols, plus gueat appearance of some of our famous local muscians. That list of musicians includes Matt Drumm (percussion, Seattle Symphony), Jennifer Thomas (pianist, songwriter, Grammy nominee) and Jen Mahaffey (flute, Tacoma and Cascades Symphony). This is the kind of holiday event that everyone can enjoy, from the youngest to the oldest - bring a neighbor!
Giftmaking Workshops
Winter Warmwear Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2:00 pm
21047 NE 42nd St, Sammamish, WA | Get Directions »
$35.00 Learn how to finger knit a scarf or how to crochet a beanie. It’s cold outside!
Make Your Own Bookmarks & Bookplates
Saturday, Dec. 8, 10:00 am at the Sammamish Library,
Free for Ages 11-18.
Make a set of bookmarks and ex libris (“from the library of”) bookplates, which can be given as gifts. The history of bookmarks and bookplates will be presented and then participants will carve images in Soft-Kut Printing Blocks to print sets of bookmarks and ex libris bookplates.
*Registration is required, at www.kcls.org/sammamish
Create and Decorate Holiday Ornaments!
Saturday, Dec. 15, 1:00 pm at 21047 NE 42nd St, Sammamish, WA |
At Studio H, This workshop is fun for the whole family! Attendees can make and decorate 6 different types of holiday ornaments to take home with them! Workshop hours are drop-in between 1-5PM. To complete all the ornament projects make sure to give yourself an hour +. Ages 5-adult. Cost is $25
Is your group or organization holding an event for the holiday? Add your event or announcement on Patch and email the link to jeanne.gustafson@patch.com for inclusion in our list here (if you've already done so and we missed it, let us know!) We'll be posting a list of religious services separately before Christmas Eve, so be sure yours is on the calendar.
