Seattle, WA

Last shopping weekend before Christmas but that’s not all there is to do!

Santacon
When: Saturday, December 20th, 2008, 12PM
Where: Start at Noon in the International District, Uwajimaya
$$$: Free, but you must dress like Santa Claus. Santacon begins at International District, various locations.

Dress up in your best rendition of jolly old Saint Nick and rampage through the streets of Seattle with a bunch of people dressed just like you! The Seattle Cacophony Society’s annual Santacon is upon us, and it might be best to simply join in the revelry lest you be trampled by a pack of Father Christmas wannabes.

Winter Solstice Fire Festival
When: 12/20/08 - 12/21/08; 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Seattle Center
$$$: Free

A dynamic outdoor performing art installation combines words, movement, music, fire performances, and luminaries to honor the return of the sun from the dark days of winter. The procession begins outside Fisher Pavilion and moves to the International Fountain. The event is part of Seattle Center’s Winterfest celebration.

Handel’s Messiah
When: 7:30 p.m. 12/20 and 3 p.m. 12/21
Where: Great Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. (enter on 8th Avenue),; 206.652.4255
$$$: Advance tickets are $22/$19, Children 6-16 admitted free with paying adult. Children under 6 not admitted. $25/$22 at the door.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra led by Ingrid Matthews and the Tudor Choir under the direction of Doug Fullington return for two performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Their much lauded period version of Handel’s most famous creation filled Town Hall—a warm and intimate setting in which the rich complexity of the score can be heard perfectly.

Winter Solstice Fire Festival
When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 4pm – 9pm
Sunday, Dec. 21, 4pm – 9pm
Where: Seattle Center, International Fountain and South Fountain Lawn,
$$$: Free

The Winter Solstice Fire Festival, a spectacular Winterfest premiere, radiates flames and fiery drama. Towering steel infernos will illuminate the darkness, along with dynamic movement and music – all to celebrate the Solstice return to light.

Wright Spirit
When: Saturday, Dec 20, 2008: 10:00am-2:00pm (All-Day)
Where: Museum of Flight

Celebrate the Wright brothers’ first flight, along with the spirit of the season! Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m., and then he and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Great Gallery until 2 p.m. Performances include the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir, which will play traditional and contemporary holiday melodies at 11 a.m., and the Boeing Employees’ Orchestra of Flight at noon.

>>>>>>>Page 2: Last weekend for these great events! Don’t miss out.