Thanksgiving Week Events And Activities Around King County

KING COUNTY, WA — A lot more holiday events are planned around Puget Sound over Thanksgiving week this year than in 2020, and there are quite a few ways to get out and enjoy some time outside the house and entertain visiting family and friends.

Patch has assembled a few things to do on Thanksgiving Day and beyond:

Bellevue's Season of Cheer & Snowflake Lane

• Bellevue's newly-named Season of Cheer returned in mid-November, and events are planned throughout the holiday season. Included is one of the Eastside's biggest annual holiday traditions, Snowflake Lane, with nightly parades set to begin the Friday, Nov. 26.
• Other Season of Cheer events include:
  • Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink - Downtown Park (Nov. 19-Jan. 9)
  • Garden d'Lights - Bellevue Botanical Garden (Nov. 27-Dec. 31)
  • Holiday Performances - Meydenbauer Center Theatre (Nov. 21-Dec. 3)
  • Gingerbread Workshop - Hyatt Regency Bellevue (Nov. 26 and 27)
  • Holiday Ships - Meydenbauer Bay Park (Dec. 18, 8-9:30 p.m.)

Issaquah Turkey Trot

• Issaquah's annual Turkey Trot returns in a modified way for Thanksgiving weekend, with six neighborhood routes set up for friends and families to enjoy at their leisure. Registration costs include a free t-shirt and proceeds benefit the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
  • Dates: Nov. 25 - Nov. 28, 2021.
  • More info here.

English Hill Annual Turkey Trot

• Redmond's Thanksgiving morning tradition returns this year to Sunrise Elementary School, offering both 1K and 5K routes. Participating in the English Hill Annual Turkey Trot (EATT) is free, but donations are encouraged to benefit Seattle Children's Hospital.
  • Date: Nov. 25, 2021
  • Times:
    • 1K starts at 9 a.m.
    • 5K starts at 9:15 a.m.
  • Location: 14075 172nd Ave. NE
  • More info here.

Magic in the Market

• Pike Place Market's Magic in the Market returns for its 26th year over Thanksgiving weekend, featuring live music, holiday lights, craft demonstrations and and easy way to get a headstart on holiday shopping while supporting small businesses. The market's lighting ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m.
  • Date: Nov. 27, 2021
  • Location: Pike Place Market
  • More info here.

Seattle Aquarium

• The Seattle Aquarium will be open on Thanksgiving Day and through the holiday weekend, offering reservations for timed tickets between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • More info here.

Christmas tree farms open around the region

• Why not enlist the whole family to help pick out and haul home a Christmas tree? Most Christmas tree farms around King County open for business on the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 26.
• Here are a few to check out:
  • Carpinito Brothers
  • Coates Christmas Trees
  • Carnation Tree Farm
  • Seattle Christmas Tree
  • Enchanted Winds Tree Farm
  • McMurtrey's Red-Wood Christmas Tree Farm
  • Trinity Tree Farm
  • Novelty Hill Farm
  • Serres Farm
  • Johnny's Trees

Have an idea or event to add? Let us know in the comments!