As the nights get longer, and the days get wetter, there’s plenty of fun family fare to be had in Seattle’s theaters and concert venues. Here’s a selection of music, dance and theater to be enjoyed around town as 2019 winds to a close.
KEXP Deck the Dock
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Olympic Room, Pier 66 at Bell Harbor
Eli Rosenblatt and Mikey Mike the Rad Scientist headline and KEXP DJ Abbie spins for this free dance kids dance party.
Corduroy
Seattle Children’s Theatre
201 Thomas St
Nov. 21 through Dec. 29
The classic story of a stuffed bear who loses his button and a little girl who longs to bring him home as her new companion, Don Freeman’s beloved picture book comes to life onstage.
The Nutcracker
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
321 Mercer St
Nov. 29 through Dec. 28
Every detail of this production is beautifully done. The dancing involves the whole Pacific Northwest Ballet company and almost 200 students from its school. The company’s own live orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s music. The costumes and sets are designed by Ian Falconer, creator of the “Olivia” books, and they are suitably eyepopping and fanciful. Between the action, the music and the beautiful sets, clothes and the general swankiness of McCaw Hall, it’s a spectacle from start to finish. Wear your fancy clothes and get your picture taken in the lobby. Read more about the experience here.
Christmas Carol
ACT Theatre
Washington State Convention Center
700 Union St
Nov. 29 through Dec. 28
ACT Theatre (ACT stands for “A Contemporary Theatre”) stages this powerful Dickens tale every holiday season. Kids must be at least 5 years old to attend. Learn about young actors who have been part of the production.
Shout, Sister, Shout!
Nov. 9 through Dec. 22
Seattle Repertory Theater
155 Mercer Street
This rousing new musical tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a brilliant, singer, songwriter and guitarist of the 1930s and 1940s, who changed music forever with her Gospel recordings.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Nov. 26 through Dec. 29
The Fifth Ave Theatre
1308 5th Ave
The heartwarming story of how far a parent will go when it comes to the love for their children. Based on the 1993 film starring Robin Williams, this musical adaptation for the stage premieres for the first time at the Fifth.
The Flight Before Xmas
Dec. 6 through Dec. 29
West of Lenin
203 N 36th St
A family-friendly comedy about a group of strangers stranded in an airport on Christmas Eve.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)
Dec. 13 through Dec. 22
Taproot Theatre Isaac Studio
212 N 85th St
Three actors attempt to perform every Christmas story known to theatre in a show that comes with this parental advisory: "this show contains discussion of Santa’s existence (but comes down solidly in the “yes he exists” camp)"
Seattle Symphony Family Concert: The Snowman
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.
Benaroya Hall
200 University St
This symphony concert for children aged six to 12 includes a screening of the film of Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman.” Activities in the lobby, including an instrument “petting zoo,” start an hour before the concert.
Bishop’s Wife: A Live Radio Play
Nov. 27 through Dec. 28
Taproot Theatre
204 N 85th St
This traditional holiday film is staged as a broadcast of a radio play in this adaptation, featuring an angel, divine intervention, and the spirit of Christmas.
Jack & the Beanstalk
Dec. 7 through Jan. 5
Hale’s Ales Palladium
4301 Leary Way NW
Seattle, Washington
A panto-style version of this fairy tale, where the audience can cheer on the heroes and boo the villians as the characters take the stage. A live orchestra and lots of laughs makes for a fun evening out with the family.
The Brass: March of the Toys
Friday, Dec. 6 at10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall
Sing and dance along to festive tunes from the trumpet, trombone, horn and tuba in this Seattle Symphony concert experience designed for kids aged 5 and younger. Be sure to come early for activities, including instrument exploration, a percussion play area and crafts.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Nov. 29-Dec. 29
The Center Theatre at the Armory.
305 Harrison St, Seattle Center
You may know “Howl’s Moving Castle” as a magical Hayao Miyazaki film, but the story comes from a book by Diana Wynne Jones. Book-It Repertory Theatre goes back to this source for this fantastical musical. Recommended for ages 10 and older.
A Rogue’s Family Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m.
Town Hall
1119 8th Ave
Expert readers present hilarious and moving holiday stories, and house band Pineola provides back-up music. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Part of Town Hall’s Short Stories Live series.
31st Anniversary Concert of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music
Saturday, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall
1119 8th Ave
The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, singer Nichol Venee Eskridge, and saxophonist and tap dancer Alex Dugdale and the Northwest Chamber Chorus join forces for a joyous and swinging performance of blues, gospel and jazz pieces by Ellington
Caspar Babypants
Saturday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m. Seattle Aquarium Diving Santa (included with admission)
Monday, Dec. 2., Providence O Christmas Trees Family Preview night, 6 p.m., Westin Seattle (free)
Saturday, Dec. 7, Fawcet Hall at Alma Mater Tacoma, 10:30 a.m. ($5)
Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Third Place Commons at Lake Forest Park, 10:30 a.m. (free)
Saturday, Dec. 14, Museum of Flight, 2 p.m. (included with admission)
Saturday, Dec. 14, Easy Street Records, 4559 California Ave. SW, 6 p.m. (free)
Saturday, Dec. 21, Seattle Aquarium Diving Santa (included with admission)
Also known as Chris Ballew, the lead singer and co-founder of the Presidents of the United States of America, Caspar Babypants sings danceable, whimsical songs, and is having a busy holiday season.
Ballard Civic Orchestra: Las Posadas Holiday Fiesta
Sunday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.
Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture 9635 Des Moines Memorial Dr S
Location
Go to the brand new Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture, and see Ballard Civic Orchestra and Seattle World Orchestra present a festive program, including traditional villancicos and other holiday music plus Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G minor.
Jose Gonzales Trio Plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Cornish Playhouse
201 Mercer St
A family concert of Vince Guaraldi’s delightful score for “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide
Tour from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21, including stops in Kingston Dec. 1, Kent Dec. 2, Tacoma, Dec. 13, Seattle Town Hall Dec. 14, Mt. Vernon Dec. 15, Bellevue Theater at Meydenbauer Dec. 17, Portland Dec. 18, and Leavenworth Dec. 20 and 21
Washington Celtic Folk artists Pam and Philip Goulding host and play harp and hammer dulcimer in a concert that includes their children and grandchildren and a variety of musical guests. This is the 41st iteration of a tradition they began in 1978.
Hanukkah Community Concert & Celebration
Sunday Dec. 8 at 11 a.m.
Stroum Jewish Community Center
3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island
It’s a Hanukkah Family Dance Party, featuring Elana Jagoda and Chava Mirel, a duo of young women who will perform an exciting Hannukah repertoire.
Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church
8208 18th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Seattle Festival Orchestra showcases classic holiday favorites, such as Festive Sounds on Hanukkah and Santa’s Reindeer Team. There will be Santa photos, cocoa, cookies and other merriment.
Holiday Hootenanny and Sing-Along
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S
A group of local musicians have a sing-a-long Christmas Party in this Columbia City hotspot. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows promice to be geared for people aged 1-92. There’s also an 8:45 p.m. one that’s age 21 plus.
The Not-Its
Saturday, Dec. 21, 12:30 p.m.
Seattle Center Armory Stage
Everyone’s favorite tutu-clad kindie rockers do a free show at the Seattle Center Armory.
Eli Rosenblatt
Thursday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m., The Commons Mall, Federal Way
Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Deck the Dock dance party, Olympic Room, Pier 66 at Bell Harbor
Eli Rosenblatt brings his up-beat globally inspired music to two free concerts.
The Harmonica Pocket: Snowing Ice Cream
Monday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. Des Moines Library.
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m. Kingsgate Library, Kirkland, 4:30 p.m. Black Diamond Library
Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m. North Bend Library, 2 p.m. Crossroads Community Center, Bellevue
Friday, Dec. 20, 10:15 a.m. Fairwood Library, Renton, 2:30 p.m. Lynnwood Library
Saturday, Dec 21, Mariner Library, Everett.
The Harmonica Project, a duo from Port Townsend, is touring with a new, winter-themed children’s show. Expect stories, ukelele, hula hoops and surprise props.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Nov. 29-Dec. 22
Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St., Edmonds
The Edmonds Driftwood Players present this musical, based on the story that inspired the 1983 movie: the one with the dad who gets a “major award:” a leg lamp.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Dec. 6 through Dec. 15
Bellevue Youth Theatre
16051 NE 10th Street
Bellevue, WA 98008
Bellevue Youth Theatre performs this story about a prince whose kingdom has fallen on hard times, and how the spirit of Christmas brings back prosperity and joy.
Matilda the Musical
Dec. 6 through Dec. 22
200 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge Island, WA
Roald Dahl’s classic story of Matilda comes to life on the stage. Young Matilda, with her sharp mind and special powers, changes her own destiny using wit, music, laughter, and a bit of magic.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Dec. 14 through Dec. 28
Tacoma Little Theatre
210 N "I" St. Tacoma WA 98403
Recommended for all ages, this spin on the classic Christmas poem involves a pair of mice and a little girl who need to solve the mystery of Santa’s missing Naughty & Nice List. This is a family comedy that is suitable for all ages.
Frozen, Jr.
Dec. 6 through Dec. 21
Redmond High School Performing Arts Center
17272 NE 104th St
Redmond WA 98052
Elsa and Anna bring Arendelle to life in front of a live audience, complete with songs from the film and the theme of sibling love.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier, A Story Ballet
Dec. 14 & 15
Shorecrest Performing Arts Center
15343 25th Ave. NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
Adapted from the Hans Christian Anderson tale, this ballet is performed by 50 young dancers between the ages of 7 and 17. Beautiful costumes and an orchestra of high school musicians complete this family-friendly performances.
