Seattle Center Winterfest kicks off Nov. 25

Seattle Center is excited to present Winterfest, a five-week festival on the grounds of Seattle Center offering live performances, music and activities for those seeking holiday cheer and seasonal celebrations. It kicks off from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 25.

Visitors can enjoy free and affordable entertainment, such as ice carving, stage performances, holiday-themed movies, festive food vendors and more. Close out the day with the campus lighting countdown beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a Fountain of Light dance party, featuring a live DJ and digital video artist projecting imagery onto fountain waters.

The schedule:

• World Cup Watch Party: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• Winter Train & Village (Armory): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Bill Anschell Trio (Armory Stage): 2 p.m.

• Ice Carving (International Fountain Plaza: 2-4 p.m.

• Holiday Movies (Armory): 3-8 p.m.

• Illuminate Winterfest Ceremony (International Fountain: 5:15 p.m.

• Fountain of Light (International Fountain): 5:15-8:00 p.m. 

From Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, visitors can stop by the turn-of-the-century Winterfest Train and Village, snap photos of the bright lights across campus, witness weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage or partake in a 6 p.m. nightly Illuminate Winterfest campus light show.

In the weeks leading up to New Year's Eve, Seattle Center invites the community for a variety of seasonal offerings across the campus — from attending world-class arts performances like George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” by Pacific Northwest Ballet and snapping a digital photo with Santa at the Space Needle to seasonal plays at the Seattle Rep and Seattle Children’s Theater. Catch last year’s sold-out Seattle Opera performance of “A Very Drunken Christmas Carol,” Winter Brilliance at Chihuly Garden and Glass or take children to Seattle Children’s Museum for the New Year’s noon countdown and dance party. And don’t forget to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks show under the Space Needle.

The New Year’s Eve celebration also features live music by premier cover band Groove Nation and another Fountain of Light dance party.  

Visit seattlecenter.com/winterfest or Facebook for a list of events, attractions and performances.