Hi all,

Sending another Good News Downtown, a communication to showcase uplifting, interesting, positive stories about activities and people Downtown.

If you have news or events to share, or if you want to talk about the work being done to revitalize Downtown, send me an email.

Weekly digest

Credit: Seattle Times

It wasn’t just shopping that brought people Downtown this weekend; the holiday season officially kicked off with the annual tree-lighting celebration! 🎄🎆 Hundreds of people gathered at Westlake Center for music, fireworks, and community cheer. The event marks the start of the holiday season Downtown and invites locals and visitors alike to enjoy a vibrant and festive atmosphere: Holiday season kicks off with downtown Seattle tree lighting – King 5.

Credit: KOMO

🏃🏼🏃🏼‍️🏃🏼️ Seattle’s annual marathon and half-marathon races debuted a new course this past weekend, ending at Pier 66. The event attracted many locals to come out and cheer on the more than 8,500 runners competing. Between the runners and onlookers, this was one of the largest turnouts in the event’s 55-year history: Fastest runners shine in Seattle Marathon as new course debuts at Lake Union – KOMO News.

🖼️🎭 Allen Family Philanthropies committed nearly $7 million to bolster Seattle’s arts landscape. This funding will direct major support to youth-focused programs at organizations across the Seattle Center campus. The funding will expand opportunities in music, dance, theater, science-art residencies, and creative learning, helping KEXP, the Vera Project, Pacific Science Center, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, and others offer more accessible, all-ages arts experiences. Together, these investments emphasize the Seattle Center as a vibrant cultural hub, and open the door for a new generation of young artists and audiences: Allen Philanthropies awards $7 million to boost Seattle arts landscape – Philanthropy News Digest.

Looking ahead

Join Seattle Restored at Pacific Place on Saturday, December 13 from 12 - 4 p.m. for a Holiday Happening! ☃️🍵 Explore local pop-ups offering tea tastings, yoga, and more. The free event includes a candy cone station, free totes, and a shopping passport for prizes. 

Pick up a new piece of holiday decor, right in the heart of Downtown!🎄🎀 The Seattle Downtown Association opened its very own tree lot, Pines on Pike at First Avenue and Pike Street right next to Pike Place Market. Trees under five feet, garlands and wreaths are available for purchase. Don't forget to stop by the nearby selfie station for a perfect photo op! The lot is open daily,  10 a.m. – 7 p.m. through Sunday, December 14.

Credit: Wing Luke Museum

💌🛍️ Get into the holiday spirit and explore new stores in the Chinatown-International District! The C-ID Holiday Stamp Rally runs through Sunday, December 21. Pick up a stamp rally card at any participating store and then get to shopping. Collect three stamps and head to the Wing Luke Museum to redeem a prize: Holiday stamp rally – Wing Luke Museum.

Each Friday evening through Friday, December 19, the Downtown Seattle Association is hosting a series of free “Holiday Candlelight Concerts” 🕯️🎶 at Pacific Place. These performances offer live string-quartet performances of holiday tunes, pop, and festive classics. The concerts are open to all and are a great way to bring a little family-friendly seasonal joy and community spirit in a warm, intimate setting.