LIFESTYLE

Holiday fun in full swing: Boat parade, Jingle Jam, Christmas lights, and more!

Dec 12, 2025, 5:02 AM

christmas boat parade...

A boat decked out in Christmas lights passes by. (Photo: Emilio Labrador via Flickr Creative Commons)

(Photo: Emilio Labrador via Flickr Creative Commons)

We’ve hit the halfway point of the holiday season, and the fun is showing no signs of slowing down.

Free holiday events in Seattle

There are a couple of free holiday events to check out this weekend, including the Seattle Christmas Boat Parade. Decorated boats will be hitting the water at Fremont Tug Boats, east of the Aurora Bridge, and end at Morrison’s Fuel Dock. You’ll have a great view from Gas Works Park of the entire parade, which starts at 7 p.m., or you could check out the Official Onshore Viewing Party. It’s not just a parade — it is also a holiday toy and charity drive for Seattle Children’s Hospital. You can drop off toys at Fisheries Supply on Northlake Way.

At Freeway Park Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there’s a free holiday party called Twinkle Twinkle. Here you will find free hot cocoa and s’mores, fires to warm up by, seasonal crafts, and an opportunity to donate winter clothes. There will also be carols from The Dickens Carolers to enjoy as you spend a couple of hours with friends and family.

Luminaries will light the way in Green Lake during Pathway of Lights. Not only will there be thousands of lights to enjoy, but there will also be free treats to enjoy, live music from local schools and community groups, and if the weather holds, hot air balloons. Near the stages that will be providing the music, you will also find drop-off centers for the food drive for FamilyWorks.

Choirs, light displays, and art

Songs celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and even the winter solstice will be part of the set list during Holiday Jingle Jam in Ballard. There will be choirs and soloists, plus plenty of chances to sing along at this family-friendly event. The Holiday Jingle Jam is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living Ballard.

In Shoreline, the Shorelights continue to bring the free family fun near Shoreline City Hall. There are multiple displays of lights and trees that will light up your weekend. There are also food trucks and live music to keep the fun going. Shorelights runs through January.

A new art installation begins in Ballard this weekend at The Vestibule. It’s called The Game Show, and according to the event page, it aims to answer a couple of questions: when is a game art? Is art a game, and what can we learn through play? You will be able to find the answers to those questions as 30 artists have created a variety of pieces that include cards, role-playing, videos, and virtual reality.

Where to watch Seattle sports

The Seattle Kraken are taking on the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday at 5 p.m. Also on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks continue their quest for the top spot in the NFC West, taking on the Indianapolis Colts. Kickoff from Lumen Field is 1:25 p.m. Also happening on Sunday is the Jingle Bell Run at Gas Works Park.

There’s still so much more going on during a busy time of year. What’s something I missed? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

sign up for the 425 Magazine newsletter

Lifestyle

South Sound Business...

South Sound Business

Sound Credit Union to Demolish, Rebuild Parkland Location

Originally published on South Sound Business. Sound Credit Union has announced that starting today, it’s temporarily closing its Parkland branch to begin the demolition and construction of a new, modernized bank. The current building was originally constructed in 1977 and was a Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan branch. Sound Credit Union has operated out […]

2 hours ago

425 Magazine...

425

Visit Bellevue Launches New Bike Program, Highlights Regional Cycling Opportunities

Originally published on 425. Visit Bellevue has a new outdoor-recreation initiative. Ride Bellevue, a bike-access program, provides access to electric, gravel, and mountain bikes, plus local cycling expertise through partnerships with the electric micromobility company Ridy and locally owned cycling outfitter The Line Bike Experience. It also looks to connect the city’s visitors to its […]

2 hours ago

425 Magazine...

425

Feel Good Friday: A Local School’s 60-Year Legacy, a Children’s Business Fair, and the Pet of the Month

Originally published on 425. Bellevue College Celebrates 60 Years of Generational Growth For 60 years, the Eastside school has left a lasting impact on generations of families, community members, students, staff, and faculty. Learn more about its history and ongoing legacy in a new feature. The Bellevue Children’s Business Fair Was a Success Held earlier […]

3 hours ago

425 Magazine...

425

Stop and Smell the Lavender: Local Fields Worth the Trip

Originally published on 425. Come summer in the Northwest, lavender season is in full bloom — and with it comes a floral, tranquil fragrance that might make you want to dwell in the summer sun a little longer . The purple plant can be found on several farms across the region; to help you decide […]

3 hours ago

A tostada with bluefin tuna is prepared at Californios in San Francisco on Thursday, July 16, 2026....

Associated Press

With a historic 3 Michelin stars, a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco defies stereotypes

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — After an eight-year wait, the historic third Michelin star that chef and co-owner Val Cantú and his team at San Francisco’s Californios craved is theirs. It’s a first for any Mexican restaurant worldwide. So it’s understandable he and his 40-person staff have more swagger. “It’s been just really rewarding to see […]

11 hours ago

425 Business...

425 Business

Wells Fargo Names Commercial Banking Market Executive for Washington, Alaska

Originally published on 425 Business. Wells Fargo has named commercial banking veteran Jim Teichman its market executive for commercial banking in Washington and Alaska. Based in Seattle, he reports to Commercial Banking Northwest Division Executive Eric Houser. “Jim has a strong track record of helping clients grow and building high-performing teams across the Pacific Northwest,” […]

19 hours ago

Holiday fun in full swing: Boat parade, Jingle Jam, Christmas lights, and more!