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Fun & Frugal Family Events 12/7 – 12/13

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Here is this week’s list of family-friendly free or frugal events for around the Northwest, as well as some events going on around  the country. Don’t forget to check out Goldstar for Discount Tickets on many local activities and events, if you are looking for a specific event and want to save some money!

Be sure to check out Thrifty NW Mom’s Big List of Christmas Festivals, Bazaars and Tree Farms too, for frugal Christmas fun ideas, or our round up of FREE Santa Photos in the Puget Sound.

If you see a fun, frugal event that’s not listed, feel free to leave a comment so we can add that event to our list.

PUGET SOUND AREA:: 

Goldstar currently has a number of holiday events, including Nutcracker shows, Elf The Musical and more, on sale for discounted prices if you are looking for any of those.

Friday December 7th:  

*SAMBICA Christmas Carnival – Bellevue; Fridays: December 7, 14 and 21, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays: December 8 and 15, 2 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays: December 9 and 16, 2 to 5:30 p.m. Join us for the first-ever SAMBICA Christmas Carnival. This FREE event includes carnival games and prizes, a free picture with Santa (one 5” x 7” and electronic file), a complimentary espresso bar (latte, espresso, apple cider and hot cocoa), and an inflatable joust – fun for kids and parents

*Gingerbread Village Open – Seattle; through Jan. 1, 2012;  This is a free annual Christmas favorite exhibit held in the lobby of the Sheraton. Seattle architectural firms, trade associations and Sheraton Seattle culinary staff team up to design, bake and build fantastic gingerbread creations. 24 hours daily. FREE, donations accepted for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

*Ivars Clam Lights – Seattle; through Jan. 1; 6:30pm to 9:00pm; 11/30 is the kick off event, where you can ride in Santas covered wagon, watch the parade of boats and more. Winkle, twinkle little clam…Ivar’s hosts the 19th annual Clam Lights lighting ceremony at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park! As one of the largest lighted public displays on the Eastside, park greenery, holiday scenes and, of course, Ivar’s famous Dancing Clams, will be covered in thousands of twinkling lights to kick-off the holiday season.

*Fantasy Lights – Spanaway; Ongoing;  Drive through 2.5 miles of animated displays at Spanaway Park. 5:30 to 9 p.m. thru through Jan. 1. $13 per car or van.

*Candlelight Christmas – Gig Harbor; 12/7-12/9; Hayrides with Santa, holiday entertainment, extended shopping hours and more. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition – Seattle; 12/7; 5:00pm tp 8:30pm; Zany annual event involves more than 40 teams of carolers competing in various categories, in and around Westlake Center. (entertainment 5 to 6 p.m. features The Board of Education and cast members from 5th Avenue Theatre’s ELF – The Musical; 7:15 p.m. Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline ). FREE, $10 donation encouraged.

Christmas Tree Lighting - Lakewood; 12/7;  4pm to 7pm; Free activities; kiddie parade; Santa visits Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*Mercer Island Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch - Mercer Island; 12/7; 6pm to 8:30pm; Gather with your family, friends and neighbors for an evening of holiday merriment at the community tree lighting ceremony and caroling. Disney Radio will also be there with a fun holiday music performance. Santa photos, treats and children’s entertainment will follow at the North Fire Station, 3030 S.E. 78th. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots drive.

*Free Entrance to the Hands-on Children’s Museum – Olympia; 12/7; 5pm to 9pm; First Friday has free entrance in the evenings. They’re anticipating a crowd because it’s the first free night at their new location, so you’re asked to register for a timed entry. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

* Half Off Admission To KidsQuest Children’s Musuem – Factoria; 12/7; 5:00pm to 8:00pm; First Friday evening of the month offers free admission.

*Free Entrance To Bellevue Art Museum – Bellevue; 12/7; 11:00am to 8:00pm. First Friday of the month Bellevue Art Museum offers free admission.

*Columbia City BeatWalk – Columbia City /Seattle; 12/7; 7:00pm to 10:00pm; BeatWalk always features a diverse line-up of first-rate, local musicians hosted by neighborhood businesses for audiences of all ages. $7 for adults. Free ages 14 and under.

*First Friday Bellevue Artwalk – Bellevue; 12/7; 4pm to 8pm; First Friday in Bellevue, a complimentary art walk event located in Bellevue Place Fountain Court. Enjoy a preview of five, juried local artists, live entertainment and specials from the participating Bellevue Place stores and restaurants.

*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; 12/7; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Frye Museum entrance and parking are free all the time. You can check their events page here, for a list of weekly events.

On the first Friday of the month Children’s stories are brought to life with movement and play in the Frye Art Museum galleries by Frye educators or librarians from The Seattle Public Library. Visit the galleries after story time. Ages 3 to 5 with adult. Both museum entrance and story time are free

*Free Entrance to Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 12/7; 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Soundbridge is a music discovery center and is free each Friday after 12 pm; Ages 2-5, 30 minute interactive storytelling with song & rhythm, dance & musical instruments.

Saturday December 8th:

*Reindeer Festival Seattle; 9:00am to 6:00pm; From November 10th until Christmas Eve, Swansons will feature Santa’s Live Reindeer every day! Dasher and Blitzen will be here every day for your viewing pleasure until Christmas. Join them for feeding times for more activity. Bring the family for a magical moment they’ll remember forever! Music, holiday train display, refreshments and face painting are all part of the festivities. Reindeer Photo Opportunities (bring your camera).

*Historic Christmas at Fort Steilacoom  – 12/8; Reenactors will present a period candle-light Christmas in the four remaining officers’ quarters. There will also be children’s craft activities, and the gift shop will be open for Christmas shopping. Tickets will be available at the Fort Steilacoom Interpretive Center in Quarters 4 during the event, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Adults $5, children $3, family $10. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*Christmas At The Old Cannery – Sumner; 11:00am to 4:00pm;  Enjoy FREE Santa pictures, free carriage rides.  They do accept cash donations for local food bank.  Santa available on the weekends.

Holiday Family Event at Freighthouse Square -Tacoma; 12/8;  11am to 5pmcrafts, Lego displays, 5.00 photos with Santa Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*Winter Wonderland Family Saturdays – Seward Park; Saturdays through December; 12pm to 8pm;  Bundle up and join us for Winter Wonderland Holiday Parties on Saturdays throughout December. Come in and warm up with hot chocolate and cider, enjoy the decorations, make nature inspired holiday arts, crafts, and gifts, learn about plants, animals, and birds in winter, or snuggle up with your little in our family reading corner. You can even shop for stocking stuffers in our Nature Gift Store.

*Titus Will Santa Event – Olympia; 12/8; 10am; They will be hosting Santa and some surprise Star Wars characters. Guests are asked to bring canned food donations for the food bank. Photo ops free (I believe it’s a bring your own camera thing). First 50 kids get a gift from Santa.  Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*2.00 movies at Galaxy Uptown – Gig Harbor; 12/7; Rudolph and Santa play this week.

*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 12/7; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday.$2 material fee or free with admission.

Sunday December 9th:

Let it Snow! Free Community FestivalTacoma Art Museum; 12/9; 10am to 4pm; Start your winter festivities off right with a free community festival at Tacoma Art Museum! Enjoy dance performances by Metro Parks, musical performances from Grant Elementary, and other great performances. Try your hand at print making and create a holiday card for family and friends. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

*Holiday Bazaar at the STAR Center-  South Tacoma; 12/9; 10am to 3:30pm; Free admission, free 1 hour of playground play for kids, and Santa photos for $5! Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!

Monday December 10th:

*Garden d’Lights Free Admission – Bellevue; 5:00 to 10:00pm through Dec.31st. Bellevue Botanical Garden creates a winter garden with hundreds of thousands of mini-lights in three-dimensional plant and critter shapes.  Cost is $5 but FREE nights are 12/3-6.

Thursday December 13th:

*Warm Beach Lights Of Christmas Pay What You Can - Includes jaw-dropping light displays, live music and drama, pony rides, nativity, Bruce the (talking) Spruce and more. 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, pay-what-you-can days are: Dec. 13 and 29 (Reg price is $15, $10 seniors and military, $9 ages 4 to 12, free ages 3 and younger).

*Capital Hill Art Walk Blitz – Seattle; 11/8; 5pm – 8pm; On the second Thursday of every month in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, 5pm – 8pm and later. Events include visual arts, musical performances, food and beverage specials, and more. Pick up a printed map at a participating venue and explore Capitol Hill. Art is everywhere! Get FREE admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum during this time too.

*Free Admission To NAAM - Seattle; 11/8; 11:00am to 7:00pm; The Northwest African American Museum is free on the second Thursday of each month.

*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 11/8 ; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)

PORTLAND AREA:

Here’s our list of weekly events for the Portland area.

Friday December 7th:

*“Princess and the Pea” Performance - Portland; Each weekend through December 23; See website for times. Its a live performance of “Princess and the Pea” at Theater!Theatre! Reserve your free tickets in advance on their website.

Reindeer Magic - 12/7- 12/9; Check website for location and times, its different each day; Bring the whole family to visit Santa’s reindeer and create magical holiday memories. Kids will enjoy festive make-n-take activities, cookies, hot cocoa & cider while enjoying the magical company of Santa’s Reindeer and listening to holiday tunes. Don’t forget to bring your camera for a festive photo opportunity with Santa and his reindeer!

*Christmas Ships Parade -  7:00pm, the fleet of boats, each one decorated with holiday lights, each one decorated with holiday lights, sets sail almost every evening through December 21 on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Check website for schedule.

Fremont Festival of Lights - Portland; 12/7; 5-9pm;  The event will include Santa arriving by our local PDX fire engine at 5:00pm.  He will ride down Fremont Street from 52nd to 42nd with lights and sirens blaring to announce his arrival and then be delivered to Santa’s Village (at The Arrangement).

*Free Admission To The Children’s Museum - Portland; 12/7; 4:00pm to 8:00pm; The first Friday of the month you Target sponsors free admission to the Childrens Museum. This month you can make a book.

*$2 First Fridays at Art ala Carte PDX sponsored by PDX Kids Calendar – Portland; 12/7; Every First Friday of the month you pay only $2 per child for unlimited art!  PDX Kids Calendar picked up the bill for the rest!  Better yet…if you bring in a bag of recycled goods, toys and trinkets…you get in FREE!

*First Friday Art Walk  - SE Portland; 12/7;  6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Hosted by Portland’s Eastside art galleries and alternative art venues, First Friday provides arts enthusiasts the opportunity to wander from gallery to gallery for artist receptions and openings during extended hours on the First Friday of every month

* Camas First Friday - Portland; 12/7; 5:00pm to 8:00pm; Come and join us for January’s First Friday- Game, Craft & Cocoa Night! Enjoy family friendly games and crafts throughout participating downtown merchants. Have fun and the chance to win prizes!

*Vancouver First Friday Art Walk - Vancouver; 12/7; 5:00pm – 7:00pm; Join us for a fresh spring evening with refreshments, stimulating conversation and inspiring art! Walking maps will be provided to all attendees. This event is free to attend, but an RSVP is requested by replying to this email at firstfriday.artwalk@yahoo.com.

*Family Movie Night at Café Sip-n-Play - Portland; 12/7; 5:00pm; Free Movie Night. Grab a bite to eat, relax, and unwind while you enjoy a movie with the little atmosphere.

*Music From Mr. Hoo from The Alphabeticians – Portland; 12/7;  11:00am to 12:00pm; Mr. Hoo will be singing songs with and for kids. He’ll play his guitar and sing some original songs, some Alphabeticians songs, some classic kid songs and Hoo knows what else? $3 suggested donation pp.

Saturday December 8th:

*Safety Saturday and Santa – Historic Belmont Firehouse - Portland; 12/8; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Drop in during open hours to see the exhibits and learn about safety for you and your family.  No appointment is necessary. Santa will be there this Saturday.

* West Linn Holiday Parade- Portland;  12/8; 10am; The annual Holiday Parade through the Historic Willamette District is a beloved tradition for family and friends to celebrate all the joy and generosity of the season. New unwrapped toys will be accepted at the Willamette Fire Station for distribution to local families in need. After the parade visit with Santa and sip hot beverages at the Fire Station

Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 12/8; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.

* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park Portland ; 12/8; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $6 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.

*Free Guided Nature Walk –  Portland – 12/8; 10:00am to 11:30am; Enjoy free guided walks with park ranger.

Monday December 10th:

*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 12/10; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.

*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 12/10; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.

Tuesday December 11th: 

* $4 Admission For Second Tuesday At The Zoo - Portland; 12/11; Enjoy all of the fun wildlife and adventure at the Oregon Zoo for a fraction of the cost with $4 admission per person. Children 2 and under are, as always, admitted free of charge. Ride transit and receive an additional $1.50 off with proof of ridership. (Parking is $4 per car.)

Wednesday December 12th:

*Family Day at the Washington County Museum - Portland; 12/12; 10am  to 1:00pm; Make a solar themed ornament for the holidays, sample astronaut ice cream, add to our model solar system, and at 11 a.m. join special guest Dick Pugh of the Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory & PSU for an interactive talk on asteroids and meteorites in Oregon. Touch $10,000 worth of meteorites. Think your family has a meteorite? Bring it along and let Dick make an assessment. Stay to check out the Museum’s Hubble Exhibit. This event is free.

NATIONAL EVENTS:

*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores– Sat. 12/8; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time each week for a new craft (plus print a $5 off $25 coupon).

Bass Pro – National - Now through December 24th Bass Pro is offering free 4×6 studio quality photos with Santa in store.

*Lowes Build And Grow Clinic - Saturday 12/8; 10:00am; Come join Lowes Build and Grow Clinic. This week they will be making a gingerbread house. Register here.

*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime - 12/8;  Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.

Fun & Frugal Family Events 12/7 – 12/13 is a post from: Thrifty NW Mom


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