Halloween is behind us, but don’t put the face paints away just yet! During the first week of November, several organizations will host celebrations for Día de los Muertos (the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead with colorful dress, music, food, and lots of skeletons), including the two below in this month’s guide to free events in and around Seattle. November is a great time to get outdoors in crisp fall weather—head to free-entry days at state and national parks, check out the first winter holiday bazaars, or do some nature journaling with kids. This month, there are also many free indoor play, art, and cultural options. All this proves that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time as a family.
Free admission, good art, great company — First Thursdays at SAM. (Image: Jen Au / Seattle Art Museum)
Week of November 2 to 7
Museum Free First Thursday | Thursday, Nov. 5 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Throughout Puget Sound region | Free | Participating museums have exhibits designed with kids in mind or with obvious appeal to children with certain interests (perhaps your son is interested in paleontology – how about the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture?) For a complete list of participating museums and to learn about those offering other options at no cost, see the Seattle’s Child guide.
Storytime at the Bellevue Botanical Garden | Friday, Nov. 6 | 10-10:45 a.m. | 12400 Main St. | Free | Have a young one who loves plants and trees? Join a free Storytime in the Sharp Cabin at Bellevue Botanical Garden. They will have a reading of a garden-related book and a brief activity. This event is for families with preschool-aged children. Adults must attend with children. Registration is not required.
Día de los Muertos Celebration | Friday, Nov. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Burien Community Center | Free | Customs vary by country, but Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) blends mourning with joy and highlights the enduring connection between families and their ancestors. This celebration will include altars, arts and crafts, music and dance, face painting, loteria (a traditional Mexican game of chance), food trucks and a craft market. Programming is offered in English and Spanish.
Green Seattle Day | Saturday, Nov. 7 | Times and locations vary | Free | Pitch in as a family to help keep the Seattle region gorgeously green! Green Seattle Day is a citywide volunteer event dedicated to planting trees and restoring forests, fostering community and environmental stewardship. Learn more here to choose your event during Seattle Forest Week, which stretches from Green Seattle Day through Nov. 15.
Home Depot Arts & Crafts | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 9 a.m.-Noon | All Home Depots | Free | Do you have a young one who can’t get enough of building? With a parent’s help, kids build a pre-cut wooden “dump truck” and paint it. Kids over 5 learn to hammer and create in less than an hour. Register here.
Winter Clothing and Ski Swap | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Hazel Wolf K-8 School Cafetorium | Free | The Winter Clothing and Ski Swap will feature gently used winter apparel and ski/snowboard equipment. Hazel Wolf’s family-owned Dusty’s Ski Shop will also have new gear available for purchase. Get outfitted for winter and help raise money for the school.
Diwali Celebration | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Bellevue Square | Free | Join the community in a celebration of Diwali. The holiday is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Enjoy colorful displays of rangoli (an Indian art form of intricate patterns), kandil (colorful paper lanterns), and traditional dance performances.
Free Family Movies at Blue Mouse Theatre | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 2611 N Proctor, Tacoma | Free | The Blue Mouse Theatre is a historic community space in the Proctor District of Tacoma. Since opening in 1923, the Blue Mouse has provided entertainment to residents — through multiple changes in ownership and even the threat of closing in the ’90s. Check the website for a list of upcoming showings and movie age ratings, and use parental discretion accordingly.
Polish Fall Bazaar | Saturday, Nov. 7 | Noon to 5 p.m. | Polish Cultural Center, 1714 18th Ave., Seattle | Free | The fall bazaar is organized by the Polish Women’s Club and features booths with amber and jewelry, arts and crafts, Polish crystals, and Boleslawiec pottery. Traditional Polish foods will be available, including borscht, pickle soup, pierogi, and crepes with sweet cheese. A downstairs bar will serve Polish beers and other beverages, and a variety of desserts such as homemade Paczki and poppyseed cake.
Día de los Muertos at Phinney Center | Saturday, Nov. 7 | 2-5 p.m. | Phinney Neighborhood Center | Free | This celebration honors the deceased with an afternoon of traditional foods, Mariachi music, dance, free crafts, and a procession with Indigenous Aztec dancers. The centerpiece of the celebration is the traditional altar for the departed, built this year by poet Raul Sanchez.
Youth Nature Journaling Club | Saturday, Nov. 7 | Noon-1:30 p.m. | Bellevue Botanical Garden | Free | This program introduces kids 6-14 (those 6-11 attend with a chaperone) to nature journaling, inspired by John Muir Laws. The exploration starts indoors with a prompt, then heads out to journal before regrouping to share discoveries. Those interested may attend without registering (though it helps them plan if you do). Please be on time for the noon start, bring a pen and notebook, and dress for the weather.
Saturdays at SAM | Saturday, Nov. 7 | Noon-3 p.m. | Seattle Art Museum | Free | The SAM entry gathering spaces are brought to life with hands-on artmaking, concerts, and community—all inspired by the museum’s permanent collections and exhibitions. If you’re a family of art enthusiasts, curious newcomers, or just looking for a weekend recharge, you can learn about art through interactive activities, meet new friends, or enjoy the atmosphere before exploring the galleries.
Paradise at Mount Rainer National Park. (Image courtesy jb10okie / Flickr)
Week of November 8 to 14
Fiber Arts at Kent Library | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 1-3 p.m. |212 2nd Ave. N, Kent | Free | Families are invited to bring projects and crafts to work on, regardless of skill level. Fiber arts projects may include knitting, sewing, embroidery, felting, weaving, crocheting and more.
State Parks Free Day | Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | All Washington State Parks | Free | Once a month, state parks offer free-to-park (no Discovery Pass required) days. This month’s free day is scheduled on Veterans Day, allowing families to take advantage of a day at the park (day use only). Take the family on an impromptu outing to a park near you, or one further afield that you’re eager to experience.
Free Entrance Day at National Parks | Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. | All National Parks | Free | Aiming to get more people to visit the nation’s many parks, the National Park Service waives entrance fees for all sites within the system. (There are more than 400 national sites, including parks, monuments, and memorials, and around 100 of them typically charge entrance fees.) Check out our guide.
Community Access Skate Night | Friday, Nov. 13 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Angels of the Winds Arena, Everett | Free | Community Access Skate, sponsored by Community Transit, makes skating accessible so everyone can get moving and have fun. Admission and skates are free, and youth aged 18 and younger can take transit for free to get there. Pre-registration is required.
Annual Holiday Bazaar for Seattle Children’s Hospital | November 13-14 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Grace Lutheran Church, Des Moines | Free | Get into the holiday spirit at this bazaar, hosted by the Des Moines Auxiliary Guild. Browse a wide variety of local artisan vendors, indulge in a bake sale of homemade treats, grab a bite of lunch, and join in to win raffle and door prizes. Bring the kids for a magical moment: pictures with Santa! Vendor and Guild proceeds benefit the Uncompensated Care Fund and Pediatric Cancer Research
FIRfest | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 8 a.m.-Noon| Whittier Park, Fircrest | Free | Sign up here | Come get your FREE TREE! We’ll have several varieties of tree saplings available at this event. Come create a “bee buffet”. And the best part? You’ll have the opportunity to join neighbors and friends to make a difference in our parks: Join the work party to preserve our green space at Whittier Park, led by the Pierce Conservation District. Register. (Registration is required to join the work party, but not to come pick up a tree.)
BIMA Mercado | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Winslow | ¡Bienvenidos al segundo BIMA Mercado! Back for its second year, the BIMA Mercado continues its Día de los Muertos celebrations. Shop the market filled with art, crafts, and goods created by Latinx makers from across the Puget Sound region. Connect with artists, find a gift for a friend, discover your new favorite piece of art for your home, and support local artists.
Hmong New Year Celebration at Festal | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Free | Come to the Hmong New Year celebration, back this year. For the Asian highland culture, marking the end of the harvest season and the coming of a new year is deeply rooted. New Year is celebrated with ornate clothing, traditional dances, visual arts, and ball-tossing competitions.
Mount Baker Holiday Arts & Crafts | Nov. 14-15 | Friday, 4-8 p.m. & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Mount Baker Community Club, Seattle | Free | Get into the festive spirit and kick off your holiday shopping: browse unique, handmade gifts from local artisans and vendors. From cozy home decor to one-of-a-kind jewelry, you’ll find the perfect items to give (or keep) this season. On Friday, enjoy a drink with friends while you shop. On Saturday, there’ll be complimentary cookies and cocoa. Bring the whole family.
Sky Nursery Greenhouse Winter Market | Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Sky Nursery, Shoreline | Free | Sky Nursery’s Greenhouse Winter Market community tradition is back for its second year, featuring over 80 hand-picked PNW artists, farmers and makers. Enjoy live music and local food in the cozy winter light of the Sky Nursery Greenhouse. All market fees go to support the non-profit work of Hopelink and the Shoreline Farmers’ Market.
Georgetown Art Attack | Saturday, Nov. 14 | Noon – 9 p.m. | 1225 S Angelo St., Seattle | Free | Georgetown’s Art Attack is a celebration of art and culture, highlighting local artists, makers and retailers. Wander through eclectic community venues to see ink, paint, fabric, photography, and more. Enjoy dinner, coffee, or a drink at one of the great bars and restaurants along the way.
A forest of wonder awaits at the Seattle Festival of Trees (Photo courtesy the festival)
Week of November 15 to 21
Festival of Trees | Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 16-Dec. 1 | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Fairmont Olympic Hotel | Free, donations welcome | Come to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle to see gorgeous designer holiday trees and read the inspiring stories of featured Seattle Children’s patients. The event is free, but donations go to the Seattle Children’s Autism Center and the Uncompensated Care Fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Gingerbread Village Display | Nov. 19, 2026-Jan.1, 2027 | Hours Vary | Sheraton Grand Seattle | Free | All ages | Visit the Sheraton Grand to see the spectacular gingerbread house village made by architects, master builders, and chefs. Displays will be on view throughout November and December. Bring the family to support life-changing research for type 1 diabetes.
Community Access Night at Imagine | Thursday, Nov. 19 | 3-7 p.m. | Imagine Children’s Museum, Everett | Free | This special access night offers families an evening of hands-on, interactive exhibits designed to inspire playful learning. Free access is provided in order to strengthen bonds, promote new friendships, and spark creativity.
Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird | Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 21-22 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday | Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe | Free | Designed for kids 13 and older, Oddmall strives to showcase arts, crafts, and products that are a bit different – perhaps weird, freaky, or bizarre — and range from jewelry and t-shirts to home decorating goods. This month’s fair, Creepsmas 2026, features 170 local artists and performers, tabletop games, door prizes, and food trucks.
November Harvest Market | Saturday, Nov. 21 |10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Queen Anne Farmers Market | Free | Come shop fresh foods just in time for Thanksgiving. Late-fall favorites straight from Washington farms will include winter squash, apples, pears, root vegetables, and greens, plus plenty of locally made foods to fuel your shopping. Kids can experience a farm-to-kitchen holiday meal.
Story Walk Read-Along | Saturday, Nov. 21 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley | Free | Join Librarian Sharon to read the Story Walk book in the great outdoors. Meet at the information booth at 10:25 a.m. and walk to the Story Walk together. Dress for the weather; updates available at 425-432-4620.
Bring on the fun at Kirkland Winterfest (Photo courtesy the festival)
Week of November 22 to 30
Happy Thanksgiving! | Thursday, Nov. 26 |
Check out our article with 15 things to do with kids during the Thanksgiving break.
Kirkland Urban’s Winterfest | Saturday, Nov. 28 | 3-7 p.m. | Kirkland Urban Plaza | Free | Celebrate the magic of the holidays with an afternoon of festive cheer, family-friendly activities, entertainment, and holiday surprises. From memorable photo opportunities with Santa in his Magical Sleigh to hands-on holiday fun, live entertainment and seasonal treats, there’ll be plenty of cheer for the whole family.
Lacey Holiday Lights | Monday, Nov. 30 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Huntamer Park | Free | Bring your family and join this community celebration to kick off the holiday season. This festive evening will include vehicle displays, activity booths, food vendors, a holiday petting zoo, and visits with Santa. At 5:30 p.m., the Candy Cane Switch is flipped to light up the entire park for the season!
