Winterfest, World Bazaar & Holiday Magic: Chelsea Most Breaks Down What’s Coming to Seattle Center
The holiday season is officially underway, and this week on Almost the Weekend! host Besa Gordon sat down with Chelsea Riddick-Most, Director of Programs and Events at Seattle Center, for a deep dive into everything the campus has planned from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Chelsea shared a warm and detailed look into the festivities—and there is truly something for everyone.
A Season for Community: Holidays at the Center
During the interview, Chelsea explained that Holidays at the Center is designed to be welcoming and accessible for families, couples, and visitors of all ages. Its central location, simple transportation options, and variety of activities create an inviting, festive environment across the entire Seattle Center campus.
Winterfest Returns: Free Fun for All Ages
The cornerstone of the season is Winterfest, presented by Symetra. This free program brings food, entertainment, and community excitement to the Armory and the Mural Amphitheatre every week.
Weekend Entertainment & Ice Sculpting
Each Saturday at noon, the Mural Amphitheatre features live performances and weekly ice sculpting, where a new ice figure is carved for guests to enjoy. The activity draws families from across the city.
Indoor Movie Nights
A new Winterfest addition this year is Friday movie nights inside the Armory, beginning with The Polar Express. While children enjoy the film from the Armory floor, adults can grab food or drinks from nearby Armory vendors. Opening night even includes free hot drinks and treats from 6–7 pm, courtesy of Symetra.
The Iconic Train & Village
One of Seattle Center’s most beloved traditions, the Winterfest Train & Village, sits at the heart of the Armory food court. Kids can operate the train, and families can participate in scavenger hunts that run throughout the season.
Winterfest World Bazaar: Supporting Local BIPOC Vendors
Chelsea highlighted her passion for uplifting local entrepreneurs through the Winterfest World Bazaar. This marketplace features small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and POC vendors, giving them access to both local visitors and the steady flow of international guests who pass through the campus. Located inside the Armory, the bazaar is free to access and intentionally designed to support the sustainability and visibility of small vendors.
Seattle Christmas Market: A Holiday Village Experience
Outside on the Fisher Pavilion lawn, the Seattle Christmas Market creates a full holiday village with:
60+ vendors
Live entertainment
Festive food and drink
A Ferris wheel for families
Inspired by the iconic winter market at Bryant Park in New York, Chelsea wanted to create a magical winter experience that reflects Seattle’s unique spirit. Admission is ticketed—but affordable, with prices under $10. This year, a Polar Express-themed monorail wrap adds to the festive journey for visitors traveling in from downtown.
New Year’s Eve at Seattle Center
Chelsea confirmed that all major New Year’s Eve traditions are returning this year:
The laser show
The drone show
The fireworks at the Space Needle
Inside the Armory, guests can enjoy nonstop entertainment throughout the night, including comedians, singers, dancers, and more. Outside, the Fountain of Light projection show and multiple DJs keep the campus energized as the city counts down to midnight.
Chelsea’s Favorite Part of the Season
When asked about her favorite part of Holidays At The Center, Chelsea shared that she loves hearing children laughing, watching families walk together, and feeling the sense of warmth and community that fills the campus during the holiday season. For her, the joy comes from witnessing people connect and create memories in a shared space.
Plan Your Holiday Visit
For event details, Winterfest schedules, marketplace hours, and New Year’s Eve information, visitors can head to seattlecenter.com—the best place to explore everything happening on the Seattle Center campus this season.
Photos by Erik Kalligraphy
