Take a holiday stay-cation in downtown Seattle! Check out Holidays in Seattle with Mark Christopher, powered by 2DaysInSeattle.com.

Join Mark as he takes you along on some of his favorite Seattle activities. And then, take your own holiday stay-cation in downtown Seattle! Start building your holiday weekend at 2DaysInSeattle.com, and check out the many events that show how Seattle sparkles for the holidays at HolidaysInSeattle.com.

2 Days in Seattle… What Will You Do With Your 2? Click here to build your holiday stay-cation now. Plus, check out some ideas below to help build your itinerary:

Bring the kids, and don't forget grandma

There are tons of family activities, including Winterfest at Seattle Center, the Holiday Carousel at Westlake and the Seattle Great Wheel!

Everything old is new again at Seattle Center Winterfest, with six weeks of festive, FREE, fun-filled entertainment. Visit Seattle Center Armory, restored to its original grandeur and dressed for the season. Here you'll find the timeless Winter Train & Village, warm roasted nuts and other fine edibles. Outside, sparkling lights illuminate the center of Seattle Center in its 50th Anniversary year.

• Add Winterfest to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Bring the entire family to Westlake Park and experience the illuminated whirling and twirling tradition of the Holiday Carousel presented by KING 5.

• Add the Holiday Carousel to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

See a show

Don't miss holiday shows like ELF the Musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Stowell & Sendak's Nutcracker and more.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents ELF--The Musical, November 30th-December 31st.

Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole by elves, sets off to the big city in search of his father.  What he finds is an alarming lack of Christmas Spirit.  Even his little brother doesn't believe in Santa!  So Buddy sets out to help everyone remember the true meaning of Christmas, and (just like in the blockbuster film) eat as many things covered in syrup as possible.

• Add ELF--The Musical to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker is a one-of-a-kind holiday delight with over 200 dazzling dancers, colossal moving scenery, live orchestra, and a gorgeous snowfall every performance.

Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker
December 7 – 29 at McCaw Hall

• Add PNB's Nutcracker to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Black Nativity

CLAP YOUR HANDS to traditional gospel and holiday favorites (including "Joy to the World," "This Little Light of Mine" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain") and get on your feet to marvel at dance ranging from traditional to tap. Like nothing else on stage in Seattle, Black Nativity brings you the infectious joy of a rousing gospel songfest.

December 6 - 23, 2012 at The Moore Theatre

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Holiday traditions like nowhere else

Indulge in your favorite Seattle holiday traditions, or start new ones, like the Jingle Bell Run & Walk, Christmas Ship festival, or a visit to the Space Needle or Pike Place Market.

Kick-off the holiday season with the Arthritis Foundation at the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Westlake Center. Interested participants are encouraged to dress in a holiday-themed costume as past participants have tied jingle bells to their shoelaces.

Plus, be sure to check out all the other fabulous holiday dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences at Westlake Center.

• Add Westlake Center to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Decorated with thousands of white lights, the Spirit of Seattle – the Official Christmas Ship – leads a flotilla of brightly-lit boats during the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival. Each night, the Argosy Christmas Ship sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via a state-of-the-art speaker system.

• Add Argosy Cruises to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary
  

Shop for the holidays in the especially festive atmosphere of Pike Place Market. The afternoon features Dickens Carolers singing a cappella throughout the Market, photos with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. with a countdown led by Santa.

 

 

• Add Pike Place Market to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Santa and his elves can be found at the top of the Space Needle this holiday season.

After telling Santa what is on their wish list, kids are invited to visit the Space Needle arts and crafts station to make and take home a complimentary keepsake.

• Add the Space Needle to your 2 Days in Seattle Itinerary

Get started with your own 2 Days in Seattle:

For Seattle holiday happenings on Twitter, follow @VisitSeattle and @SeattleHolidays.

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