Animal events

Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center

SAT-SUN Eagle viewing information, educational displays on eagles, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through January, Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center, 52809 Rockport Park Road, Rockport; free, donations appreciated (360-853-7626 or www.skagiteagle.org).

Woodland Park Zoo Winter Celebration

WED-DEC. 27 Zoo animals get holiday-themed treats, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Dec. 28, zoo open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $8.50-$11.75 (206-548-2500 or www.zoo.org).

Adopt a cat or critter

ONGOING Adoption fees waived on all cats over a year old and small animals including bunnies, hamsters and guinea pigs through December, Seattle Humane Society, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue (425-541-0080 or seattlehumana.org).

Issaquah Reindeer Festival

ONGOING Meet Santa and his reindeer, story times, animal exhibits, gift shop, snack shop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 26-30, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah; $10.50-$12.50 (www.cougarmountainzoo.org).

Biking

Winter Solstice Ride

FRI Cascade Bicycle Club 10-15 mile, easy pace ride to see holiday lights, bike lights required, steady rain cancels, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Gas Works Park, 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle (www.cascade.org).

’Twas the Day Before Christmas

MON Cascade Bicycle Club 20-30 mile, leisurely pace to Redmond for lunch, showers or icy conditions cancel, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Northeast 175th Street and 61st Avenue Northeast, Kenmore (www.cascade.org).

Dance

Skandia dance

FRI Folk dancing with live music, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; $10 kids free (206-784-7470 or www.skandia-folkdance.org).

Festivals

Seattle Center Winterfest

ONGOING Winter Train and Village display, entertainment, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1, Seattle Center Armory, free; indoor ice skating, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 26-27, through Jan. 6; Fisher Pavilion, (Seattle Center, Seattle; $7/adults, $5/ages 6-12, $2/ages 5 and younger, includes skate rental, cash only (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com).

Bellevue Magic Season

ONGOING Snowfall, live toy soldiers and winter characters, music, light show, 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, then as Celebration Lane, 7 p.m. Dec. 26-31, Bellevue Way, Bellevue, free; open-air ice skating rink, food concessions, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday-Jan. 6; Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $10 includes skate rental (www.magicseason.com).

FRI Lutfisk served Swedish or Norwegian style, meatballs, 6 p.m. Friday, Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle; $25, by reservation (206-283-1090 or www.swedishculturalcenter.org).

Grand Finale Dessert Cruise, Steamer Virginia V

SUN Cruise joins up with the Christmas Ships, 8 p.m. Sunday, 860 Terry Ave. N., Suite 223, Seattle; $39-$49 (206-624-9119 or virginiav.org/events).

Hiking/walks

East Shore Singles Coulon Park Walk

SAT Singles ages 45 and older, 3-mile walk along Lake Washington, 11 a.m. Saturday, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, meet in front of Kidd Valley, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton; free (425-226-2015 or www.meetup.com/Eastshore-Singles).

Issaquah Alps Trail Club

SUN May Creek Trail in Newcastle easy, slow pace 3 miles, 9 a.m. Sunday; water, food, daypack, rain gear, hiking shoes/boots required, Issaquah Alps Trail Club clubhouse, First and Bush Streets, Issaquah (www.issaquahalps.org).

Museum events

“Plastics Unwrapped” at the Burke

FRI-SUN Opening weekend of new exhibit that explores how material culture was changed by plastics; holiday activities based on the exhibit, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Dec. 27-30; open to 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, until 8 p.m. on first Thursdays, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $7.50-$10 (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org).

Model Train Festival

FRI-JAN. 1 Elaborate model train layouts throughout the museum, interactive activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1; Santa visits 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday; Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; $7-$9.50 (253-272-3500 or www.washingtonhistory.org).

Snacks with Santa

SAT Santa joins families for snacks and craft time, 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, The Children’s Museum, Seattle Center Armory, Seattle; $7, reservations required (206-576-2322 or www.thechildrensmuseum.org/santa).

EMP Museum

ONGOING Exhibits include “Hear My Train a Comin’: Hendrix Hits London,” “Worn to Be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket,” “Icons of Science Fiction,” “Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film” and “Nirvana: Taking Punk to The Masses;” screenings of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, extended hours, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 26-30; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 31-Jan. 1, EMP Museum, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; $14-$20 (206-770-2700 or empmuseum.org).

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs

THRU JAN. 6 Display of more that 100 objects from King Tut’s tomb and treasures from 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 6, until 10:30 p.m. Dec. 28-29 and Jan. 4-6, exhibit open 90 minutes past closing of entry times, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle; $15.50-$32.50, timed ticket entry, reservations recommended (800-664-8775 or www.pacificsciencecenter.org).

Gates Foundation Visitor Center Family Day: The Give Effect

PLAN AHEAD Family Day to experience the joy of giving through hands-on activities for all ages, interactive exhibits, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 29, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center, 440 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; free (206-709-3100 or facebook.com and search Family Day: The Give Effect).

MOHAI Grand Opening at Lake Union Park

PLAN AHEAD Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) celebrates its new home at restored Naval Reserve Building, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 29-30; MOHAI at Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle; timed ticket available online required, free Dec. 29, regular admission starts Dec. 30, $12-$14, ages 13 and younger free (206-324-1126 or www.seattlehistory.org).

Paddle sports

Experience dragonboating

SAT-SUN Hourlong excursion to experience the team sport, no experience or reservations required, all equipment provided, for ages 18 and older or ages 12 and older with parent; 8 a.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, South Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle; free (206-523-4518 or www.seattleflyingdragons.org).

Park events

Snowflake Funfest

FRI Carnival games, music, crafts, 6 p.m. Friday, Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E., Seattle; $3/person or $10/family (206-684-7534 or www.seattle.gov/parks).

Winter Wonderland Family Saturday

SAT Make nature-inspired holiday arts and crafts, learn about plants, animals and birds in winter, Nature Gift Store, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle; free (206-652-2444 or sewardpark.audubon.org).

Wondering About Wildlife Family Fun Day

DEC. 27 Learn about wildlife through hands-on activities, crafts, wildlife presentations, nature walks in Seattle’s protected watershed, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 27, Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend; free (206-733-9421 or www.seattle.gov/util/crwec).

Volunteer Park Conservatory

ONGOING Holiday display including poinsettias, holiday train, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and Dec. 24 and 31, Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 E. Galer St., Seattle; free, donations suggested (206-322-4112 or www.volunteerparkconservatory.org).

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Winter Recreation

ONGOING Information where to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, guided snowshoe walks, passes and permits in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (206-470-4060 or www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/wintersports.

Sales/Shopping

Daybreak Star Indian Fine Arts Show & Art Mart

SAT-SUN Indian arts and crafts vendors, salmon lunch, Indian tacos, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Daybreak Star Cultural Center, 3801 W. Government Way, Discovery Park, Seattle; free (206-228-1410 or www.unitedindians.org/events003.html).

Bizarre Bazaar

SAT Unique wares, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Erickson Theater Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., Seattle (253-335-0727 or go to www.facebook.com and search Bizarre Bazaar 2012).

Pacific Galleries General Auction

SUN Antiques, vintage items, art, 11 a.m. Sunday, preview Friday and Saturday, Pacific Galleries Antique Mall & Auction House, 241 South Lander, Seattle; free (206-441-9990 or www.PacGal.com).

Seasonal

Gingerbread Village

THRU JAN. 1 Gingerbread fairy-tale castles created by Seattle architecture firms and Sheraton Seattle culinary staff, daily through Jan. 1, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; free, donations for Northwest Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation requested (206-621-9000 or www.sheratonseattle.com/gingerbreadvillage).

Teddy Bear Suite

FRI-MON Holiday teddy bears, festive décor, storybooks, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Seattle; free, donations to Seattle Children’s Hospital suggested (www.holidaysinseattle.com).

WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo

FRI-SUN Light sculptures of wild animals and exotic destinations around the world, carousel, reindeer visits, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec. 26-Jan. 1, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $6.50-$9.50, online advance purchase, night of event sale if space available; ages 2 and younger free (www.zoo.org/wildlights).

Candy Cane Lane

ONGOING Seattle neighborhood Christmas display, lights and music from 4:30-10 p.m. daily, until midnight Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle; free, donations for Northwest Harvest collected.

Garden d’Lights

FRI-MON Winter wonderland of half a million lights in flowers, shrubs, and vines, animal characters, 5-10 p.m., last entry 9:30 p.m., daily through Dec. 31, Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; $5, ages 10 and younger free (425-452-6844 or www.gardendlights.org).

Festival of Poinsettias

FRI-MON Display and sale of 25 varieties of poinsettias, 14-foot high poinsettia tree; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Molbak’s, 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville (425-483-5000 or molbaks.com).

Clam Lights

ONGOING Light display, 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 31, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton (www.ivars.com).

Holiday with Lights

FRI-SUN Rides, light displays, Santa, entertainment, 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Dec. 28-29; 6-10 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 26-27, Wild Waves and Enchanted Village, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S., Federal Way; $12.99-$14.99, ages 3 and younger free; parking $5-$10 (253-661-8000 or wildwaves.com/events-deals/holiday-with-lights).

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

FRI-SUN Lights and light sculptures, South Pacific Aquarium, camel rides, antique carousel, 5-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Tuesday-Jan. 1, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma; $7.25-$15.75 (253-591-5337 or www.pdza.org).

The Lights of Christmas

FRI-SUN Lights displays, entertainment, train rides, pony rides, nativity, petting farm, vendors, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec. 26-29, Warm Beach Christian Camps & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; $9-$15 pay what you can Dec. 29 (www.warmbeach.com/index.php/lights-of-christmas).

Cut your own Christmas tree, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

FRI-MON Permits available to cut a tree in national forest lands in Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, maps, information and permits available at REI, Seattle and Lynnwood; and at Forest Service offices and Ranger Stations in Sedro-Woolley, Glacier, Darrington; Granite Falls; Skykomish; North Bend and Enumclaw, hours vary; $10-$20, credit cards accepted at Alderwood REI only; Sno-Park parking permit required if parking in designated lot (www.fs.usda.gov/mbs).

Special interest

Apollo 13: Mission Control

FRI-SUN Interactive event, audience members seated in ‘Mission Control’ must help bring astronauts home, 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday; also, 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 26; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 27; 7 p.m. Dec. 28; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 29; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 30, Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma; $39.50-$54.50 (800-745-3000 or apollo13live.com).

International films for children

DEC. 27-28 Short films from around the world for children, 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 27-28, Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; free (206-386-4675 or www.spl.org).

Tours

Seattle Holiday Walk

FRI-SUN Guided walk through four downtown districts to see holiday lights, window displays, 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Pacific Place, Seattle; $14-$18, by reservation (206-508-7017 or seattlebyfoot.com/seattle-holiday-walk).