Well, it’s happened. It has finally begun to feel like winter and all of the holiday cheer, family dinners and, yes we’ll say it, Netflix binging that comes with it. As hard as it may be to leave the cozy confines of your home, we encourage you to pull yourself away from your screen, explore new places within the city and create your own adventure this month. Find the best that Seattle has to offer with this quick guide to navigating the Emerald City’s events.
Seattle International Comedy Competition – November 2 – 29
Ever laughed so hard you got a stitch in your side? Prepare yourself for a month of guffaws and hilarious skits as the best comedians from Seattle and abroad compete for the title of “Last Comic Standing.” The 38th annual Seattle International Comedy Competition spans an impressive 18 venues from Vancouver to Bellingham. Tickets for the final few rounds usually sell out quickly, so get yours early!
Seahawks Home Games – November 5 & 20
“SEA!” bellows out one excited fan clad in blue and green. “HAWKS!” comes the roar of everyone within earshot. This isn’t your average football game; this is the Seattle Seahawks. The same formidable team that won the 48th Super Bowl game and are the defending NFC West champions, and they’re playing at their home stadium. Every other Sunday, the entire city breathes with life as the Seahawks take center stage. Join in, and rally along!
Holiday Wine Fest – November 11
Holiday preparations got you tense? Extinguish some of that stress with a bevy of beverages at the Holiday Wine Fest, Seattle’s global celebration of wine, beer and spirits of all kinds. Sip on libations from as nearby as Bainbridge to as far-flung as New Zealand! Plus the drinks you sample are available for purchase on-site, so you can take care of some Christmas gift shopping (or stock up for the holiday season!).
The Northwest Chocolate Festival – November 11 – 12
For the sweet-toothed, the Northwest Chocolate Festival is where you’ll find cocoa nirvana. Boasting the largest instructional program on chocolate in the world with a huge lineup of workshops ranging from various uses for cacao butter to chocolate making at home to forest conservation, the festival is as much an educational experience as an edible one. Exhibitors include San Francisco’s Scharffen Berger, Ballard’s Hot Cakes, and Al Nassma all the way from Dubai.
The Great Junk Hunt Holiday Market – November 17 – 18
With the holidays on the horizon, now’s the time to begin your hunt early for unique housewares and local gifts. Look no further than the The Great Junk Hunt holiday market in Puyallup. With a layout reminiscent of a traditional flea market, the Junk Hunt is a vintage thrifter’s paradise, with over 100 booths from across the country. If you can’t find it here well, you just aren’t gonna find it.
Green Lake Gobble – November 19
Run, walk or trot like a turkey at the Green Lake Gobble. Follow either a 5k or 10k course around Green Lake, while kiddos 12 and under compete in the free Tiny Turkey Trot. Afterward, make your way to the Fremont Brewing beer garden to toast your efforts with refreshing brews, and don’t miss the Mashed Potato Munch Off to see who can eat the most within four minutes!
Magic in the Market Holiday Celebration – November 25
Take part in a uniquely Seattle Christmas tradition at Pike Place’s Magic in the Market Holiday Celebration. Enjoy festive tunes from caroling choirs, pick out your perfect tree or a fragrant holiday wreath from local farmers, meet and take (free) photos with Santa under the market’s iconic clock and a whole lot more. The festivities culminate with a countdown to the lighting of their 20-foot Christmas tree led by Mr. Kringle himself!
The Seattle Collective – November 26
If you’re aiming to shop local this holiday season, there’s no better place to browse Seattle’s regional makers than at The Seattle Collective. Located at the Melrose Market Studios (home of Sitka and Spruce and Rain Shadow Meats) the event occupies a space synonymous with fresh, local goods. Find local makers Apartment on Belmont and Fresh Tangerine in attendance, as well as neighboring Glasswing and a coffee bar courtesy of Slate Coffee.
In the Emerald City, the month of November conjures images of wintry scenes and cheery seasonal storefronts as Seattle is thrust into the holiday season. Carolers appear on street corners when the Macy’s Holiday Parade winds up toward the end of the month. The whole city comes alive with spirit as locals prepare for their chance at some of the best local shopping and dining of the year, and we invite you to join in the celebration!
Clipper Recommends:
- Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill is one of our favorite spots in the city to find fall color, give it a slow stroll-through before or after visiting Coastal Kitchen.
- If you’re interested in Seattle’s Comedy Competition, catch a show at Unexpected Productions, centrally located at the Gum Wall in Pike Place, and explore the market afterward.