Trekked up to Bothell for Evergreen Christmas Lights, 6-9 p.m. every night through Christmas Eve. Impressive light show, cookies, train, photo station, snowfall — all free.
Keener's Christmas is a beacon of Christmas joy you can spot from a mile away. Every square inch of this home, on the border between Bothell and Woodinville, is covered in lights. Loved driving through, but I'd hate to see their electric bill.
Wackiest Christmas experience this year: Mr. Kringle's Inventionasium, where Santa's workshop meets Pee Wee's playhouse.
The premise: Kids help Santa invent new toys. The toy you create is genius: pick a hand-puppet form, then the accessories velcro on.
You walk through a warren of small rooms, and encounter a fantastical character in each one. Blue eyelashes, gemstone freckles, I was impressed with the costuming. In the final room, you get a one-on-one with Mr. Kringle. Also genius: parents can fill in a questionnaire ahead of time and Santa magically knows all about the kid.
Who should go: I'd say it's best for ages 5-8. Paul is 9 and he loved the puppet-making. Preschoolers are ok if they're spunky, younger kids might find the characters scary. Good for people who love improv.
Cost: $40 per person, which seems fair for live theater.
It's in its first year in Seattle, 17th year in Cleveland. The owners of a new immersive theater company in Seattle licensed the production from Cleveland. The building is across from Lumen Field, and not well marked.
Verdict: I though it was weird. The kids thought it was great.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I happened to be loitering outside the Nutcracker house in Ballard when the owners stepped outside to take a picture.
I wrote about this house during the pandemic, and I'd only ever talked to John on the phone. John and Scott were even nicer and funnier in person. John is the principal harpist for the PNB orchestra, and Scott refinishes antique furniture. This year is the 10th year they've displayed the Sendak nutcrackers at their storybook cottage.
Where: 9016 Loyal Ave NW
When: Roughly Thanksgiving to New Year's each year
My Seattle Times story (from 2021): https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/ballard-nutcracker-house-returns-after-year-of-uncertainty/
'Twas the night before a Christmas, and a retired grandpa was blowing huge bubbles to make people smile. (He's on FB as Bubbles of Joy.) A fellow 8th grader and her mom handed out free cups of cocoa. On a dead-end street, we watched "Frosty the Snowman" projected on the side of a house, complete with audio. Olympic Manor is the best.
Merry Christmas!
Wait, the holiday light season isn't over yet! Tulalip lights runs through Jan. 12. I almost didn't go — it was an hour's drive, in the rain, in the dark. (Is it just me or are headlights way brighter now?) While the wet roads made the drive harrowing, they also made MAGICAL reflections.
Exit 200 off I-5, next to the Seattle Premium Outlets. Lights are FREE to look at, and parking is free too. You can go skating on a tiny rink with real ice ($15) and pick up dinner at the food trucks (fry bread, $8).
