Festival of Trees Sponsor a stunningly decorated tree for $3,000 or buy one for $4,000! Or maybe just stop in and gaze. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., Through Nov. 29

Gingerbread Village To mark its 25th year of delicious design, this Seattle holiday mainstay has themed this year’s festivities as “25 Years of Cheer: A Celebration of Seattle.”The area’s top architectural firms and master buildings will again team up with the Sheraton’s culinary teams to build structures that look good enough to live in … and eat. City Centre, 1420 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Through Jan. 1

Christmas Ship Festival Choose the lead boat or the follow boat, both decked out with lights, and enjoy choral music as you cruise Puget Sound. Various departure points; see argosycruises.com for schedule. $20–$62. Nov. 24–Dec. 23

Winterfest Skating, ice sculpting, music, comedy, and more in Seattle Center’s seasonal celebration. See seattlecenter.com/winterfest for the full lineup. Seattle Center Armory, Nov. 24–Dec. 31

Bellevue Magic Season Ice Arena The region’s largest open-air holiday skating rink features a heated area to view your friends falling down, all-weather skating, concessions, and 9,000 square feet of ice. Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 NE Fourth St. $10–$14. Nov. 24–Jan. 15

My Macy’s Holiday Parade The holiday shopping season kicks off with a merry parade that follows Santa from Seventh and Pine to Macy’s where he’ll open Santaland. 9 a.m. Fri., Nov. 24

Kirkland Winterfest The holiday season will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at Peter Kirk Park (202 3rd St.) and a display of holiday decorations throughout Kirkland, including a lighting display spanning the trees of downtown and a giant wreath that will be displayed between Hector’s and Milagro’s. Food vendors will be on site and shops will be open for Small Business Saturday. Downtown Kirkland, 3-6 p.m. Nov. 25

Tree Lighting Festival The City of Snoqualmie’s tree lighting is, naturally, one of the best, made better with cookies and hot chocolate, carolers, and rides in a horse-drawn wagon. 5-8 p.m. Railroad Park, Snoqualmie. Nov. 25

Snowflake Lane The Bellevue Collection has recently expanded and, as a result, so has one of the area’smost remarkable seasonal attractions: Snowflake Lane.Falling snow, beautiful lights, and holiday music make for a memorable experience, and that even before you see the parade. Bellevue Square, between Northeast Eighth Street and Northeast Fourth Street. Nov. 24-Dec. 24

Santa Train Ride to Snoqualmie and back and meet Santa. Sponsored by the Northwest Railway Museum. Begins at the North Bend Depot, 205 McClellan St. Ages 2 and up. $26. Nov. 25-Dec. 17

O Christmas Trees Christmas Carnival Fourteen glamorous trees will be auctioned to benefit Providence Health & Services. With a performance by Caspar Babypants and free milk and cookies! The Westin, 1900 Fifth Ave., Free, 3-7 p.m., Nov. 27

Very Merry Sammamish This family event includes a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, and more. Sammamish City Hall, 801 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish. 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 1

Ivar’s Clam Lights Start your holiday season off at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, with an evening of entertainment, holiday spirit, and lots of lights. Ivar’s Clam Lights features several dozen trees and shrubs decorated with thousands of the things. A fun, free event for the whole family. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 1

Issaquah Reindeer Festival Where else can you meet Santa and his reindeer, sit in the big sleigh, walk through a Magic Forest, and have an elf tell you a story? Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., Issaquah. Dec. 1-23

Covington Hollydaze The city will overrun with holiday cheer as this 10th annual event takes over the town. Start the day with a brisk run during the Reindeer Dash 5k, then fuel up for a day of shopping at the Craft Bazaar with a pancake breakfast with Santa. Cap it off with the tree lighting ceremony at the Don Henning Roundabout and a “float-in” film festival at the aquatic center. Various locations in Covington, Dec. 2

Bellevue Brunch With Santa Brunch away the winter blahs alongside Mr. Claus himself at this festive event for the entire family. Don’t forget to take an elfie. The Bravern in Bellevue, 11111 NE Eighth St, Bellevue; $39 per adult, $29 per child; 10 a.m.-noon; Dec. 2 & 9

Redmond Lights This event celebrates its host city’s diverse holiday traditions. Starting with a tree-lighting ceremony at 4 p.m., revelers can take a walk down the Redmond Central Connector Luminary Walk and end the night at Town Center. Redmond Municipal Campus, Dec. 2-3

Bothell’s Tree Lighting Festival on Main Street The tree celebrated as the world’s largest living Christmas tree in 1962 by Life magazine will once again be illuminated. Main Street will celebrate with a holiday festival of activities, refreshments and an appearance by Santa and holiday characters. 10100 Main St., Bothell. 4:45-7 p.m. Dec. 3

K9 Candy Cane 5K Holiday revelers looking for a way to burn off that extra helping at Thanksgiving are invited to run or walk along the scenic Cedar River Trail and then maybe win a prize after they cross the finish line. 1715 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton. 9:15 a.m. Dec. 3

Hands on Hanukkah Make an edible dreidel and decorate Hanukkah placemats at this free-for-all community event, featuring giant dreidel spinning and face painting. Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 NE 8th St., Bellevue, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 3

Holiday With Lights Wild Waves transforms into a family-friendly winter wonderland for the month of December, featuring a fantastical light display and laser light shows. Kids can play in the falling snow tent at Toyland and take in two holiday-themed family shows in the evening. And then, of course, there are all those rides. 36201 Enchanted Pkwy S., Federal Way. Select days, Dec. 3-31

Jingle Bell Run The longest-running holiday run in the region, this 5k dash raises money for The Arthritis Foundation. Participants are encouraged to wear holiday costumes. We suggest jingle bells. Lots of jingle bells. Westlake Park, Downtown Seattle. Dec. 10

SAM Lights Luminarias, eats & drinks, kids’ crafts, live entertainment, and more. Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave. Free, but RSVP. 6–9 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 14

SantaCon What was once a pub crawl has turned into an annual invasion of more than 1,500 jolly revelers spreading cheer throughout downtown Seattle. Anyone can take part. Holiday spirit required and cash (cards make for long lines at the bar and grumpy Santas). Downtown Seattle, noon. Dec 16