January 2016 local event calendar for the Seattle area:
Puyallup Home and Garden Show
January 8 – 10, 2016
36 miles south
Get help for your home and garden at the Puyallup Home & Garden Show in the Showplex at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. The website includes a coupon.
Drama about comics author
January 8 – 23, 2016
5.2 miles NW
King Kirby tells the story of Jack Kirby (who created Captain America, the Hulk, The Fantastic Four, and Iron Man) and his battles with Marvel Comics at The Ballard Underground. Discount tickets $5 to $11.
Drama of race & religion
January 8 – 31, 2016
1.3 miles NW
Disgraced is a Pulitzer Price winning play “about the stories we tell our friends, the secrets we tell our lovers, and the lies we tell ourselves” at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Discount tickets $17.
My Fair Lady
January 8 – Feb. 7, 2016
28.5 miles north
Lerner & Loewe wrote My Fair Lady, a classic musical with catchy songs about a Cockney woman who takes speech lessons on a bet to see if she can pass as a lady, in Everett. Discount tickets Jan. 17+ $49.
Irish show in Kirkland
January 9, 2016 (3 & 8 p.m.)
11 miles NE
Celtic Nights tells the story of Irish people in search of a better land via music, song, and dance at Kirkland Performance Center. Discount tickets $20.
Lunch cruise
January 9 – April 30, 2016 (Sat. noon)
4 miles north
Seattle Lakes Lunch Cruise includes a lunch buffet, a narrated tour, and views as you cruise Lake Union & Lake Washington. Discount tickets $49, child $25.
Drag show
January 10 – 31, 2016 (Sundays)
1.1 miles NE
Female impersonators in outrageous costumes will wow you at Julia’s Queen of the Brunch Drag Show at Julia’s on Broadway, Capitol Hill. Optional brunch. Discount tickets $10.
Top 3 comedians
January 13, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
10.1 miles east
See the three comedians who won King 5 TV’s readers’ poll at Best of Western Washington’s Top 3 Comics Showcase at Lincoln Square in Bellevue.
Discount tickets $8 (plus 2 menu items).
Wine & chocolate
January 14 & 16, 2016
15 miles SE
Taste 4 premium wines and 4 artisan chocolates at Wine and Chocolate Pairing at Sweet Decadence Wine and Chocolate Bar in Renton. Discount tickets $15.
MLK celebration
January 14, 2016 (12 to 1 p.m.)
0.4 miles NE
You’re welcome to attend the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrationat the Paramount Theatre. Free.
Tango show
January 14 & 17, 2016
0.5 miles south
Forever Tango features a couple from TV’s “Dancing with the Stars,” world-class dancers from Argentina, a traditional Argentine 1930s style vocalist, and an 11-piece orchestra.
- Jan. 14 – Olympia at the Washington Center Discount tickets $26.
- Jan. 17 – Seattle at Benaroya Hall Discount tickets $26.
Nordic films
January 14 – 17, 2016
1.2 miles NW
See contemporary films, both short and long, from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden at Nordic Lights Film Festival at the SIFF Film Center.
Award-winning drama
January 14 – 24, 2016
16.6 miles north
Catherine’s mathematician father dies, leaving behind a mysteriousProof and a student who has romantic intentions in Edmonds. Discount tickets $11.
MLK celebration
January 15, 2016
1.5 miles east
The MLK Celebration at Seattle University includes a keynote speech, gospel music, and a reception at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Free.
Remodeling expo
January 15 – 17, 2016
0.5 mile east
Get ideas for your dream home from speakers, vendors, and remodeling experts at the Northwest Remodeling Expo at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.
Science-fiction convention
January 15 – 17, 2016
15 miles south
Rustycon is a science-fiction and fantasy convention that focuses on literature, science, art, costumes, and gaming at Hilton Seattle Airport.
Monster trucks
January 15 – 17, 2016
33 miles south
Big trucks with big wheels make big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in the Tacoma Dome.
MLK celebration
January 16, 2016 (noon)
1.5 miles east
The annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. includes a keynote speaker and live gospel music at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Free.
Ellensburg beer festival
January 16, 2016 (sold out)
107 miles east
WinterHop BrewFest includes a souvenir glass, five tastings from 20 microbreweries, and music in downtown Ellensburg.
Wedding show
January 16 – 17, 2016
0.5 mile east
Live and breathe weddings at the Seattle Wedding Show in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Expect fashion shows, discount gowns, and 400 vendors.
Leavenworth ice festival
January 16 – 17, 2016
119 miles east
Enjoy invigorating outdoor events like snow sculpture, tug ‘o war, ice-cube scramble, snowshoe racing, dog sledding, and the famous Smooshing Contest at the Bavarian Icefest in Leavenworth.
Model trains – Seattle
January 16 – 18, 2016
1 mile NW
See dozens of model-train displays and layouts, try hands-on activities, and ride the kid-sized train at the Model Railroad Show at the Pacific Science Center.
Cheap basketball
January 16 – Feb. 27, 2016
1.3 miles NW
Watch the Seattle Redhawks of Seattle University play a game at KeyArena.
Discount tickets $4 to $10.
Tacoma brass concert
January 17, 2016 (3 p.m.)
39 miles south
The annual Sounds of Brass Concert is held at Tacoma Community College. Donation.
Free state parks
January 17 – 18, 2016
statewide
State Parks Free Days include Martin Luther King Day, so you can spend Sunday and Monday exploring any of these 140 Washington State Parks for free.
MLK Day breakfast
January 18, 2016 (7 to 8:30 a.m.)
0.2 miles SE
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast includes food, a speaker, and a gospel choir at the Sheraton Hotel.
MLK Day march & rally
January 18, 2016
2 miles east
Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March includes speeches and workshops at Garfield High School, followed by a march at 12:30 p.m. to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building for a rally. Free.
MLK Day in Tacoma
January 18, 2016 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
34 miles south
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration features a keynote speaker plus music, dance, and poetry at Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Free.
Free national parks
January 18, 2016
All national parks
Entry is free at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks. Expect more people and less parking than usual.
Tacoma RV Show
January 21 – 24, 2016
33 miles south
Check out hundreds of recreational vehicles at the Tacoma RV Showin the Tacoma Dome. Repeats Oct.
Children’s Film Festival
January 21 – 31, 2016
1 mile east
See the best and brightest in international cinema for children ages 3 to 12 at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle at Northwest Film Forum.
Chamber music
January 22 – 24 and 29 – 31, 2016
0.5 mile south
Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Winter Festival at Nordstrom Recital Hall in Benaroya Hall has a free recital before each performance. Repeats in July.
Johnny Cash show
January 22 – Feb. 14, 2016
25.7 miles south
Ring of Fire features the story and music of legendary Johnny Cash in Federal Way. Discount tickets $18.
Great classical music
January 23, 2016 (2 p.m.)
0.5 miles south
Seattle Philharmonic plays music by four great composer-conductors (Bernstein, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Doráti) at Benaroya Hall. Discount tickets $15.
Antique and collectibles show
January 23 – 24, 2016
37 miles south
Billed as America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, this event has 400 vendors selling furniture, glassware, slot machines, movie memorabilia, estate jewelry, paintings, mechanical banks, and toys at the Washington State Fair Events Center. Repeats Nov.
Alternative wedding show
January 24, 2016
1.9 miles south
Find vendors of handmade items and innovative services for unique weddings at Lovesick, plus fashion makeovers, neo-burlesque performances, live music, and a bar at Showbox SoDo for ages 21+.
Fishing, hunting, camping
January 27 – 31, 2016
36 miles south
Washington Sportsmen’s Show has seminars and exhibitors at the state fair center in Puyallup.
Tacoma Home and Garden Show
January 28 – 31, 2016
33 miles south
The Tacoma Home & Garden Show fills the Tacoma Dome with home-improvement vendors, seminars, and thousands of plants.
Funny musical
January 28 – Feb. 21, 2016
0.3 miles SE
Follow an ambitious window washer learning how to climb the corporate ladder in the award-winning musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the 5th Avenue.
Discount tickets $42.
Play about Mozart
January 28 – Feb. 21, 2016
6 miles north
Amadeus tells the story of young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, juxtaposing the petty world of human excess with the transcendent achievements of human artistry at the Bathhouse Theatre.
Strange beer festival
January 29 – 30, 2016
54 miles NW via Bainbridge ferry
Enjoy beer in odd flavors from dozens of breweries and watch live music and entertainment at Strange Brewfest at American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.
Leavenworth music concert
January 29 – 30, 2016
117 miles east
Hear 14 acts indoors over two days at Timbrrr! Winter Festival in Leavenworth, counterpart to the Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in July. Most events age 21+.
Boat show
January 29 – Feb. 6, 2016
1.5 miles south
Seattle Boat Show, which promises 1000 boats and watercraft on display plus 200 boating seminars, is located at CenturyLink Field. Boats in the water are at South Lake Union.
Belgian beer festival
January 30, 2016 (12 & 5:30 p.m.)
1.1 miles NW
Buy a ticket to Belgianfest and you can choose 10 beers to taste out of 100 brewed in Washington using Belgian yeast at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center for age 21+.
Frog day
January 30, 2016 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
35 miles north
Enjoy kids’ activities, see Princess Amphibiana and the mayor introduce a frog named Snohomish Slew, dance to music, and meet firefighters on Snohomish Ground Frog Day. Free.
Classical music
January 30 – 31, 2016
Seattle & Kent
Seattle Festival Orchestra plays works by Beethoven, Lalo, and Dvorak at two different venues.
- Jan. 30 – Kent discount tickets $8
- Jan. 31 – Seattle discount tickets $10
Chocolate & drinks
January 31, 2016 (6 to 9 p.m.)
0.3 miles SW
Wine, spirits, cider, and mead pair deliciously with chocolate, artisan cheese, savory food, dessert, and music at Pike Chocofest at Pike Brewing Company.
