It is only ten days to Christmas, but do not despair! The Seattle Christmas Market is still there (to satisfy all of your holiday needs)!
Founded in 2023, the Seattle Christmas Market is located at the Seattle Center, right by the Seattle Space Needle. Offering German food and drink, entertainment, seasonal decorations, and handmade crafts and gifts, there is something for everyone at this modern twist on a traditional German market.
What Can You Do At The Seattle Christmas Market?
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Although there is entertainment like a lighted Tunnel of Love, a walk in the forest with some familiar fairy tales, and a carousel, there is also plenty of food and drink to sample. Glühwein at the Christmas Pyramid has hot-spiced mulled wine and Kinderpunsch for the kids! There are also stalls for beer, coffee, and apple cider!
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There are also plenty of food options. Their website provides a detailed list of vendors, which have tags for gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, dairy-free, and sustainable options. Casa de Paella provides different paella bowls depending on the day as a delicious gluten-free option. Tin Can Cakes also offers traditional cakes with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, all with a festive holiday design!
Can You Buy Christmas Presents At The Seattle Christmas Market?
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You sure can! In addition to sweet treats like boxes of chocolate and decorated candy apples, there are plenty of gifts for people of all ages. There are several different booths that sell handmade stuffed animals as well as handcrafted hats and luxury leather items.
A Polish pottery stall uses handmade techniques, including sponge stamps and freehand decorations, to make each piece unique. All of the pieces are oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe! For the kids, a gourmet licorice stand might provide the perfect stocking stuffer. These ropes are two feet long and come in over thirty unique flavors, from a sweet rainbow to a classic red twist!
Business Is Booming At The Seattle Christmas Market
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Although traditional Christmas markets are free, this one does charge an admission fee. While most German Christmas markets rely on public funding, this event operates independently and the admission fee is used to secure venue rentals and setting up decorations. While the market does have some five dollar days, where select time slots are only five dollars, most single-entry admission tickets cost $19.99 per person. Fortunately, children under six are free.
Despite the cost of admission, one vendor told The Blast that business was “very good” this year and is expecting an even greater turnout while heading into the week before Christmas. The event, which started last year, caused some complaints about long lines, overcrowding, and a bit of confusion around the timed ticket entrances. Fortunately, the Christmas Market, which runs until December 24 this year, seems to be running much more smoothly this year.
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Don’t Forget To Take A Photo With Santa!
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Fans who swing by the igloo on the Winter Deck right by the entrance will be able to take photos with Santa Claus himself, St. Nikolaus. The photograph is free and guests are provided with a free printout to take home with them. Santa is there on different times each day, so make sure to check the schedule before heading out to make sure you’ll get a chance for the perfect photo opportunity!
In addition to taking photos with Santa, there is also a “family favorite” scavenger hunt designed to keep children busy. The scavenger hunt is available for no charge at the Market info hut, located just outside of the restaurant. The scavenger hunt features a maze, a word search, and more! It will be available during the full duration of the market, from November 21 to December 24.
What Else Can I Do In Seattle?
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The Seattle Christmas Market is open rain or shine, but if the inclement weather gets to be too much for you and your family, there are many popular attractions nearby to visit, including the popular Space Needle. The Museum of Pop Culture will also provide an entertaining afternoon, with attractions that include costumes from real-life celebrities like Beyonce and Michael Jackson.
For the kids, there are also exhibits from the “Harry Potter” movie franchise and even Harry’s own glasses! There is a filming miniature of the Death Star II filming miniature, which was designed by Bevel Lemelisk and used in the film “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” in 1983. There are also costumes and props used in movies and shows like “The Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and more!
And, if you happen to be hungry, here’s our list of some of the best gluten-free and allergy-friendly restaurants in Seattle!
The Seattle Seahawks lost a key member of the front office to the Minnesota Vikings, as the NFC North team named Nolan Teasley its new general manager. The hire could change the fortunes of both teams in the immediate future.
Teasley will be taking over a Vikings team that isn’t far away from contending. One of the key reasons the team fired former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t that he couldn’t build a collection of talent, but that he didn’t seem to understand how to get the best possible answer at the most important position in sports: Quarterback.
Vikings fans watched as former QB1 in Minnesota, Sam Darnold, signed with the Seahawks last offseason, and then followed that by helping lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. That was Seattle’s second title. Minnesota has never won a Super Bowl.
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Minnesota Vikings hire Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks
Teasley, though, has the experience and, clearly, the ability to create an environment in which a team will thrive. He has been working with general manager John Schneider in Seattle since 2013, and has worked in scouting and been the director of pro personnel. He has most recently served as Schneider’s assistant GM.
Schneider could very well be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day after leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowl wins. Still, with teams with two completely different rosters and coaching staffs (Schneider is the only GM to ever do that), Teasley would have learned at the knee of one of the best to ever perform general manager duties.
Nolan Teasley could also be entering a situation where his new team is already poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. Minnesota finished 9-8 last season despite the fact that its quarterback play was among the worst in the NFL. This offseason, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray.
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Murray underwhelmed or was injured throughout his career with the Arizona Cardinals, as Seattle Seahawks fans know well due to their favorite team counting on two wins every season against the NFC West brethren, but under the wise direction of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Murray could be coaxed into playing a much better form of football.
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As the Minnesota Vikings play in the NFC, and could potentially be a difficult obstacle for the Seahawks to repeat as Super Bowl champions, Teasley is already in a good spot. The issue for Seattle is that Teasley is smart enough to make moves to get Minnesota even better well into the future. A great rivalry between Seattle and the Vikings might be about to start.
How big an apartment can you rent in a city’s most walkable neighborhood without a car, for the same cost as a 1000 square-foot rental in its most typical suburb with a car? Ray Delahanty answers that for the 26 largest metro areas in the US. Seattle is at 6:23. (CityNerd)
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SEATTLE – After waking up to a smattering of clouds this morning, skies gradually cleared through the afternoon as sunshine increased around Western Washington. Temperatures climbed into the low 60s for many communities, making for a pleasant and quiet start to the weekend.
What’s next:
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Sunday will remain mild and dry with a little more warmth expected across the region. Winds will shift to a more northerly direction, helping temperatures inch upward compared to Saturday.
Sunny weather helps Seattle reach the low to mid 80s Tuesday during the warmest day of the week. (FOX 13 Seattle)
The warming trend will continue Monday as highs climb into the 70s under mostly sunny skies.
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By Tuesday, a developing thermal trough along the Cascades will help usher in the warmest air of the week. Sunshine is expected throughout the day with temperatures soaring into the low to mid 80s for many communities.
Some of the traditionally warmer locations could climb even higher. The warmer, drier air will also raise fire danger across parts of the region.
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This weather pattern helps Seattle experience sinking air, abundant sunshine, and significantly warmer temperatures. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Water safety on hot days
If you’re planning to cool off at area lakes, rivers, creeks, or streams, remember that water temperatures remain dangerously cold despite the warmer air. Wearing a life vest is strongly encouraged.
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Stay heat aware on Tuesday as Seattle weather warms quickly while rivers and lakes remain dangerously cold. (FOX 13 Seattle)
The heat will begin easing Wednesday as temperatures fall back into the low 70s. A cooler onshore flow pattern will continue Thursday and Friday, bringing highs back into the 60s. An isolated shower or two may develop Friday as a weak weather system approaches the Pacific Northwest.
Cooler weather returns to Seattle later in the week with highs back in the 60s and a slight shower chance Friday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
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Take good care,
Meteorologist Abby Acone and the FOX 13 Weather Team
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