Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival

Various Dates and Times | Depart/Return Kirkland City Dock | 206.622.8687 | Christmas Ship Festival

The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a ship-to-shore holiday celebration and a Northwest tradition since 1949. The official Argosy Christmas Ship™ – the Spirit of Seattle – is decorated with hundreds of twinkling white lights guaranteed to dazzle and delight. The ship sets sail on Lake Washington, embarking from different locations including Kirkland and Seattle. The ship entertains hundreds along the shoreline with onboard choirs, sparkling lights and a liberal dose of holiday cheer.

Kirkland Arts Center presents the Holiday Art Market

November 29 through December 8 | Times Vary | Kirkland Holiday Market

The Holiday Art Market at KAC is a filled with one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists! Proceeds go to artists themselves and to support Kirkland Arts Center, a non-profit organization committed to expanding arts access. From ceramics to jewelry to prints, there are all kinds of gifts at the market! The market is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. KAC is located at 620 Market Street.

The 2019 Holiday Home Tour

December 6 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Holiday Home Tour

The Holiday Home Tour gives guests the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of four beautifully decorated homes in Kirkland. The tour is a fundraiser for the Assistance League of the Eastside, an all-volunteer organization that strives to make a positive difference in the lives of local families and individuals impacted by poverty, homelessness, assault and domestic violence. The Holiday Home Tour has been ongoing for 23 years and is the organization’s signature fundraising event.

Kirkland Urban Winter Festival

December 7, 14 and 21 | 2 to 8 p.m. | 425 Urban Plaza | Kirkland Urban Winter Festival

Kirkland Urban’s inaugural Winter Festival series takes place Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21. Come and enjoy these holiday celebrations, which welcome families, community members and guests! Attractions on December 7 include themed arts and crafts, photo opportunities, live music, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos, visits from Santa and snow machines. From 6:30 to 9 p.m. there will be a 21-and-over beer and wine garden featuring local brewers and wineries, along with live music.

From 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, the Winter Festival offers pet-themed arts and crafts, music, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos and pet photos with Santa Paws. From 5:30 to 8 p.m. a family-friendly holiday themed movie will be screened, along with fresh popcorn. Guests are encouraged to purchase snacks and dinner at Kirkland Urban, and bring blankets or low chairs to enjoy the movie.

Saturday, December 21 marks the return of the beer and wine garden, which goes from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and features live music, local brewers and wineries. Activities offered from 2 to 5 p.m. include themed arts and crafts, photo opportunities, live music, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos, visits from Santa and ornament making. *The beer and wine garden is for guests age 21 and over.

Winterfest

December 7 | 3 to 6 p.m. | Downtown Kirkland Marina Park | Kirkland Downtown Association Winterfest

Brought to you by the Kirkland Downtown Association, Winterfest celebrates the holiday season with an evening of performances, activities for kids, bonfires, a visit from Santa, shopping, seasonal surprises and the annual tree-lighting ceremony. This event features a sledding hill with real snow! Winterfest is free to attend.

Celestial Lights

December 7 and 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Bastyr University Chapel | Celestial Lights  

These beloved holiday concerts feature the final two cantatas of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, plus contemporary choral delights focusing on the guiding light of the sun, moon and stars. Highlights in addition to the spectacular music are our guest artists, including orchestra partner, Philharmonia Northwest and the Lake Washington High School choir. This spectacular showcase of choral and choral-orchestral music is set against the magical backdrop of the Bastyr University Chapel. It is no wonder these holiday concerts have become a favorite annual tradition for so many!

Google Lights

December 13 | 5 to 6:30 p.m. | The Cross Kirkland Corridor at the Google Campus at 747 6th Street S. | Google Lights

Celebrate the holiday season with a light show featuring more than 25,000 lights choreographed to music! This event is sponsored by Google, the Kirkland Downtown Association, SRM Development, LLC and the City of Kirkland. This event features carolers, a photobooth, Blitz from the Seahawks, free cocoa and cookies. Guests are invited to bring unwrapped toys and nonperishable food items to donate to Hopelink and Lifewire! Google Lights is free to attend but donations are encouraged.

Max Amini returns to Seattle

December 1 | 7 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Max Amini is returning to Seattle with a brand-new set of material. Max is best known for his hilarious impressions, storytelling and enthusiastic interactions with the audience. He has made more than 50 appearances in film and on television, ranging from NBC’s Heroes to Comedy Central. Pulling from his Persian upbringing, Max blends social trends, cultural references and side-splitting impressions to keep the audience laughing throughout the entire show. This show is in English. This event is for families with children age 16 and over. Younger kids are allowed at their parents’ discretion.

Studio East Mainstage Productions: ‘Twas the Night

November 30 through December 22 | Times vary | Studio East

Now in its 19th season, Studio East presents the delightfully entertaining Eastside holiday tradition, ‘Twas the Night… where chaos, craziness and cuteness reign. ‘Twas tells the famous poem through the eyes of, not only the humans involved, but the run-away mice, hungry cats, ‘hoofing’ reindeer and the Big Guy himself. ‘Twas is a lively performance that guarantees the whole family will exit the theater with big smiles on their faces and ready for the holidays. Recommended for ages 5 and over.

Storybook Theater presents: Beauty and the Beast

December 15 and 21 | Kirkland Performance Center 

Kirkland's Studio East Training for the Performing Arts is excited to present a StoryBook Theater production of "Beauty & the Beast!" In this adaption of the classic tale, the Prince has been turned into a silly-looking loud-mouthed beast because of his selfish and unruly behavior. To break the spell, he must learn to be well-mannered, sincere, gracious and pure of heart. But most importantly, he must find someone to love him for who he is, both inside and out. Will Beauty fall in love with the Prince or will his comical looks and beastly behavior scare her away?

StoryBook Theater musicals are kid-friendly and sensory-friendly, aimed at children ages three through 10! This custom, 55-minute production of "Beauty & the Beast" takes place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Kirkland Performance Center on Sunday, December 15 and Saturday, December 21.

The Rumba Kings

December 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

For the first time ever, the Rumba Kings will be accompanied by a string quartet on several songs, elevating this concert to a level never experienced before at any of the band’s performances. Whether you’ve seen the band several times or never before, THIS is the show you must see! The band is thrilled to have one of the most respected string quartets, Arcobaleno Strings, accompanying them on six or seven songs. Also, one of the Northwest’s top saxophonists, Peter Daniels, will be joining the band on a couple of songs. Vocalist, Elizabeta, will also be making a special guest appearance. Don’t miss the show!

Mat Kearney

December 9 | 7 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of his breakout album, “City of Black & White,” Mat Kearney decided to revisit some of his favorite songs from the record and re-record them with a new perspective. Similarly, the “City of Black & White Revisited” tour will feature Kearney’s extensive, award-winning catalog in a rare intimate acoustic performance.

A Celtic Christmas with Geoffrey Castle

December 12 and 13 | 7 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center 

Castle’s Celtic Christmas Celebration is a Northwest Holiday Tradition. Now in its 12th year of sold-out shows, legendary electric violinist Geoffrey Castle brings Christmas magic with a dazzling concert, featuring the Seattle Irish Dance Company, the All-Star Celtic Night Band, special guests from the Seattle Opera, and known Irish troublemaker Dan Connolly. With music drawn from his two critically acclaimed holiday releases, and a “jaw dropping” live show, Castle’s Celtic Christmas Celebration is not to be missed.

Bronn Journey presents the Journeys’ Annual Christmas Concert

December 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Come celebrate a traditional Christmas and the sounds of the season with music featuring Bronn Journey and his harp. Bronn brings a folksy style with spontaneity to an instrument commonly thought of as classical. Along with Bronn will be a small ensemble featuring woodwind, strings, percussion and brass and a vocal quintet. The concert of inspired music and lighthearted humor will be enjoyed by all ages in the family. At the close of the evening you will be pleased that you attended this yearly event, humming the sounds Christmas.

Van Goghs: Movie Screening and Discussion

December 19 | 8 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Russian Film Week USA & Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation present a screening of Van Goghs (2018), a much-anticipated film directed by Sergey Livnev, starring Aleksey Serebryakov and Daniel Olbrychski. The film won four Russian National Film Academy Awards (Nika).

The screening will be followed by a question and answer session with director Sergey Livnev and leading actor Aleksey Serebryakov. This event is for individuals and families with children age 16 and older.

This movie is shown with English subtitles.

The Posies

December 20 | 8 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Jon and Ken will perform as they did in their earliest shows, as a duo, simply letting the intricate blend of their guitars and voices carry the evening. Expect familiar favorites and deep cuts from their entire catalogue, plus the occasional “Big Star” cover (Jon and Ken were part of Big Star’s reformed lineup from 1993 until Alex Chilton’s 2010 death). Not to be missed, this is the Posies in their most authentic environment.

Twisted Flicks: Rudolph’s Shiny New Year

December 21 | 8 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Get ready for a Twisted Flicks take on Rudolph’s Shiny New Year! Jet City Improv’s Twisted Flicks is Seattle’s only live movie re-dubbing show that merges improv comedy with classic B movies for a hilarious cinematic experience like none other.

What is Twisted Flicks? As the film plays, the improvisers create all new dialog for the characters, including sound effects and live music – completely improvised using the suggestions provided by the audience!

Amazing Bubble Man

December 28 and 29 | 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for more than 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. An Edinburgh Fringe favorite, he has sold out there for the last 11 years. Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles to rocket bubbles, tornado bubbles to flying saucer bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages. Most shows include live music by Jet Black Pearl.

Lake Washington High School Theater: Newsies

December 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14 | Times Vary | Lake Washington High School Performance Center

Newsies is inspired by the real-life Newsboy’s Strike of 1899, when newsboys Kid Blink and David Simons led a band of orphan and runaway children on a two-week-long action against newspaper publishers Pulitzer and Hearst. Disney's Newsies is a family friendly musical about kids rising up to protect their own rights. Set in the 1890s in New York, everyone will love this high energy show! Lake Washington High School is located at: 12033 N.E. 80th Street in Kirkland.

Jazz Unlimited presents the Bill Anschell Quartet

December 7 | 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Stage 7 Pianos | 12037 124th Ave NE

Pianist Bill Anschell’s concert credits include seven European tours with vocalist Nnenna Freelon and seven South American tours leading his own trio. He has worked and/or recorded with many jazz greats, including bassists Richard Davis and Ron Carter, guitarist Russell Malone, saxophonist Benny Golson and vocalists Tierney Sutton, Norma Winstone and Ernestine Anderson. He is also a prolific composer; his original pieces have been heard on The West Wing, The Wire, NCIS: Los Angeles and many other television shows and movies. Admission to this event is $15.

A Night at the Movies

December 20 | 7 to 9 p.m. | Stage 7 Pianos | 12037 124th Ave NE

A Night at the Movies features Azeem, who began taking piano lessons at the age of six at the Kirkland Academy of Music & Performance. He enjoys many different styles of music from the classics to show tunes to creating his own arrangements. Azeem’s public performances include the October Festival at Cornish College of the Arts, Eight Grands shows, Piano in the Parks and a musical theater production of Little Johnny Jones where he played the Maitre’D and Constable. His interests include Minecraft, chemistry, Lego stop motion and Star Wars. He loves to read and is a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and Keeper of the Lost Cities. Azeem is currently a fifth grader at Woodmoor Elementary in Bothell. This event is free to attend.

Parklane Gallery Winter Show of Small Works National Juried Show

December 3 through January 5 | Parklane Gallery

Parklane Gallery invites the community to attend the fourth annual Winter Show of Small Works, featuring a wide variety of smaller pieces sure to delight, either as a holiday gift or a new treasure for any space. This show presents all 2-D mediums including photography, digital art, oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, colored pencil and mixed media. Guests are invited to attend an artist reception, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 13.

A 1980s Rock Xmas with Iron Dragon

December 7 | 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. | The Lime | 8544 122nd Ave NE

Iron Dragon is Seattle's premier 80s rock tribute band, playing everyone’s favorite 80s rock hits. Dance and sing to the songs of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Iron Maiden, Aldo Nova, Europe, Kixx, Great White, Skid Row, Scorpions and Metallica, plus a few of Iron Dragon’s exclusive 1980s-inspired originals. Iron Dragon has shared the stage with many of the 80s best including Queensrÿche, the Last in Line, Autograph, KIXX, Faster Pussycat, Great White, Lynch Mob and more. Join the Dragon for the ultimate 80s rock experience! Iron Dragon features notable Seattle musicians Chase Culp, Eric Snyder, Jason Starkey and Greg Sebastian.

The Hipsters at the Wilde Rover Irish Pub and Restaurant

December 14 | 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. | The Wilde Rover Irish Pub | 111 Central Way

They’re back! The Hipsters feature a high-energy selection of awesome, modern dance tunes, covering a number of popular bands including the Killers, Tonic, Weezer, Muse, Cage the Elephant, Duran Duran, Blink 182 and many others. Come early and stay late and be prepared to dance the night away!

Juanita Bay Park Interpretive Tours

December 1 and December 17 | Times Vary | Juanita Bay Park | Eastside Audubon Society  

The Eastside Park Rangers, in affiliation with the Eastside Audubon Society, offer interpretive tours at Juanita Bay Park. Every season gives nature lovers a chance to spot something new and wonderful. Sunday, October 6, is the Juanita Bay Wildlife Tour, which begins at 1 p.m. and takes about one hour. Tuesday, October 15, is the Juanita Bay Park Bird Walk, which begins at 8 a.m. and welcomes adults and teens! Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot.

Holiday Lettering Class

December 8 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | The Heathman Hotel Holiday Lettering Class

Join Camille of Robinson Creative House for a two-hour workshop to learn the art of hand lettering. Learn the basics with TomBow Dual Brush pens, then jump into creating your very own holiday wrapping paper. Attendees will get to keep their lettering booklet, pen and all the materials for the wrapping paper project which includes both kraft and white paper, holiday tags and ribbon. Small bites and festive drinks from Hearth will be served while you listen to festive music and letter!

12Ks of Christmas by the Snohomish Running Company

December 15 | 9 a.m. | Marina Park | 12Ks of Christmas

Brought to you by the Snohomish Running Company, the 2019 12Ks of Christmas is an annual Kirkland tradition! Dress in your best holiday-themed garb and come out to Kirkland to run in this beloved holiday run that offers a 12K, a 5K and a kids’ dash. All participants of the 12k and 5k will receive a toboggan beanie, a personalized race bib, a finisher medal and delicious post-race snacks!

January 1 Kirkland Polar Bear Plunge

January 15 Mavis Staples at Kirkland Performance Center

January 25 We Will Rock You: A Benefit for Kirkland Performance Center

January 26 Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra at Kirkland Performance Center