Make It Merry with these Festive U District Events

There’s even more festive fun to discover in the U District this holiday season! From lively concerts and laugh-out-loud comedy and improv sets,  to the magical glow of Candy Cane Lane and inspiring art walks. See below for our lineup of December events in the U District!

 

Seattle Candy Cane Lane

A circular street of 23 houses, Candy Cane Lane residents have been covering their streets in lights each holiday season since 1949. Check out this time-honored Seattle tradition!

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Silent Book Club: White Elephant Holiday Exchange Event

December 10 | 6:00pm
Graduate Hotel Lobby

Silent Book Club Seattle presents White Elephant Holiday Book Exchange 2025!

Gift wrap a book that you determine will bring joy and happiness to someone and bring it to the gift pile at the meetup. 🐘 White Elephant rules apply! Anticipate legalized book theft!

Please note, you can still attend even if you do not want to participate in the exchange.

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Ladd & Lass: Sip & Script Calligraphy Workshop

December 10 | 6:00pm
Ladd & Lass Brewing

Join Sip & Script for a Night of Learning Calligraphy! Ticketed Event. Workshop will cover all the basics and prepare you to add unique lettered details to your snail mail, wedding paper goods, home decor, and more! The perfect crafty night out!

Class includes 1.5 hours of instruction and demonstration, beginner’s calligraphy kit, and all materials to write on. Everything is yours to keep at the end of the workshop!

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Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time is Here

December 11 | 7:30pm
Meany Center for the Performing Arts

Dianne Reeves — one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today — brings her fresh interpretations of Christmas standards to Meany for a night of holiday magic.

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Jingle All the Gay! at The Neptune Theater

December 12-14
Neptune Theatre

Seattle, REJOICE! Your beloved holigay tradition returns to the Pacific Northwest for THREE NIGHTS ONLY! After 15 years at West Hall, Kitten N’ Lou ushered in a bombastic new chapter of this iconic production at the glorious and historic Neptune Theatre last year…and are thrilled to return this December!

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Danaca Design: Okan Fete

December 14 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Danaca Design

Join Okan Arts and Danaca Design for a stitch + shimmer pop-up!

Okan Arts will feature vintage Japanese textiles — including yukata and kasuri cottons, kimono wools, and more.

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Ladd & Lass: Holiday Crafts

December 15 | 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Ladd & Lass Brewing

L&L provides the supplies. You bring the fun and creativity! Stop in to enjoy award-winning brews and tasty seasonal specials as you get crafty at the taproom.

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Burke Book Club | The Serviceberry

December 18 | 6:30pm
Burke Museum of Natural History

The December Burke Book Club book is The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Polly Olsen, Burke Museum Tribal Liaison, will discuss The Serviceberry and illustrate the book’s core concept, the gift economy. After the conversation, explore the museum on your own and see examples of lessons from The Serviceberry in the galleries.

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Glass Terrarium Workshop

December 18 | 6:30pm
Fancy Plants Seattle

Come learn how to make your very own terrarium! All experience welcome. Bring your own glass or purchase one in-store–plants, substrate, and tools provided to create a little plant world, complete with little springtails to help keep the terrarium happy. Workshop is all ages.

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Nook & Cranny: Open Mic Night

December 18 | 7:00pm
Nook & Cranny Books

Join Nook & Cranny Books for its bimonthly open mic! Every 1st and 3rd Thursday meet for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and community. Each session has a loose theme. Use the prompt “Naughty & Nice” as inspiration or don’t!

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Loft on the Ave x Seattle Sewing Club

December 19, 20, 21 | Various times
Loft on the Ave

Introduction to Sewing: Holiday Edition

Learn the basics, master your machine, and sew your first handmade piece—a holiday stocking!

Register for a festive beginner-friendly sewing class designed to give you confidence at the machine while creating something special for the season. In this intimate, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn:

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Jet City Improv: Xmas Family Dinner

December 19 | 7:30pm
The Drama Room @ U Heights Center

Settle in for a holiday meal that goes completely off the rails. One table, one meal, and a chain of flashbacks that reveal the day’s chaos and a lifetime of emotional family baggage.

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U District Art Walk

December 19

Every third Friday, enjoy the U District Art Walk at participating shops!

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Ladd & Lass: Ornament Making

December 20 | 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Ladd & Lass Brewing

L&L provides the supplies. You bring the fun and creativity! Male your own ornaments as you enjoy award-winning brews and tasty seasonal specials

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Seattle Bouldering Project: Holiday Sound Bath

December 20 | 6:00pm
Seattle Bouldering Project, U District

Slow down, restore, and listen. Ease into holiday resting mode with a sound bath. You will be “bathed” (fully clothed) in meditative sounds played live on crystal singing bowls and other instruments.

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Jet City Improv: Hanukkah Family Dinner

December 20 | 7:30pm
The Drama Room @ U Heights Center

A snapshot of one of the eight crazy nights of Hanukkah and a reminder of the mayhem that naturally unfolds when family comes together.

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Ladd & Lass: Santa Paws Photos with Pets

December 21 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Ladd & Lass Brewing

Come get your photo (or your pet’s photo) with Santa! Suggested donation is $20 for your digital photo just in time for Christmas. Benefiting MEOW Cat Rescue!

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Laughs Comedy: Post-Traumatic Stressmas Relief

December 26 | 7:00pm
Laughs Comedy Club

The ultimate adults-only show celebrating the relief that Christmas is over. Doors at 6PM. 2 item menu order minimum.

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Laughs Comedy: Pajama Comedy Jam

December 28 | 7pm
Laughs Comedy Club

Are you three days into wearing Pajamas and slippers? Still in a food coma? Come dressed comfy or give us your cute flannel looks. Doors at 6pm.

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Past Festive Events

Seattle Bouldering Project: Holiday Garland Workshop

December 4 | 6:00pm
Seattle Bouldering Project U District

Come make a holiday garland to take home, stringing oranges, cranberries and more, while sipping some hot cocoa!

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Nook & Cranny: Open Mic Night

December 4 | 7:00pm
Nook & Cranny Books

Join Nook & Cranny Books for its bimonthly open mic! Every 1st and 3rd Thursday meet for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and community. Each session has a loose theme. Use the prompt “The Gift of Giving” as inspiration or don’t!

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Danaca Design: Student Show & Sale

December 5 | 5pm-8pm
Danaca Design

Anniversary Student Show & Sale runs through December 28 — Join Danaca Design Studio on December 5 for the opening reception celebrating a special exhibition featuring jewelry created by students from the studio. This event celebrates the creativity, skill, and dedication of our learning community, giving students the opportunity to showcase and sell their work in the gallery alongside established artists.

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A Very Alaska Christmas Show

December 5 | 8:00pm
Neptune Theatre

It’s beginning to look a lot like… Alaska! Join beloved superstar of stage and screen Alaska as she welcomes in the holiday spirit with an evening song, storytelling, and her unmistakable brand of extraterrestrial glamour.

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Jet City Improv: The Improvised Holiday Songbook

December 6 | 7:30pm
The Drama Room @ U Heights Center

Get ready for a night of laughter, lyrics, and a little holiday harmony! This fast-paced short-form musical improv show features games, songs, and scenes set to music — from heartfelt ballads to ridiculous jingles.

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Matt Rogers: Christmas in December

December 6 | 8:00pm
Neptune Theatre

Matt Rogers is a Los Angeles based actor, comedian, writer, podcaster and television host. Named one of Variety’s Comics To Watch in 2021, he is co-host of the popular podcast “Las Culturistas” alongside SNL’s Bowen Yang. The songs from his 2022 Christmas special were released by Capitol Records for the 2023 holiday season and have surpassed 6 million streams, solidifying his crown as The Prince of Christmas.

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Nook & Cranny Books: Holiday Market

December 7 | 5:00pm
Nook & Cranny Books

Stop in for a Group 7 Mixer Holiday Market and shop with intention with local makers! Do all of your shopping in one place with great books, art, plants, jewelry, & more!

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Christmas with Cantus: Three Tales of Christmas

December 7 | 7:30pm
Meany Center for the Performing Arts

Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program features Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg alongside an abridged romp through Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

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Ladd & Lass: Holiday Card Making

December 8 | 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Ladd & Lass Brewing

L&L provides the supplies. You bring the fun and creativity! Stop in to enjoy award-winning brews and tasty seasonal specials as you decorate and make holiday cards.

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