January marks the start of a fresh new year, and Puget Sound is brimming with events to help you kick off 2025 in style. From family-friendly activities and cultural celebrations to engaging workshops and thrilling experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to explore local traditions, stay active, or simply try something new, this month’s events promise to inspire and delight. Dive into our curated list of January happenings to make the most of the season!
Fantasy Lights
Date: January 1 – January 5, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Spanaway Park, Spanaway
Details: Experience the magic of the holiday season at Fantasy Lights, a dazzling display featuring over 300 illuminated scenes, digital animations, and thousands of sparkling lights. Drive through the 2-mile route while enjoying festive music on AM 1700. With new large displays added annually, there’s always something fresh to discover in this enchanting tradition.
Ice Lights
Dates: January 1 – January 4, 2025
Location: Sprinker Recreation Center, Tacoma
Details: Celebrate the season with Ice Lights, a festive event filled with activities. Enjoy highlights such as an Ice Skating Exhibition, an Ugly Sweater Skate with a contest, and a Neon Skate. Stay tuned for updates in November about additional interactive experiences.
Candy Cane Hunt
Dates: January 1 – January 5, 2025
Location: Cross Park and Naches Trail Preserve, Tacoma
Details: Help uncover candy canes “sprouting” across the park in this family-friendly scavenger hunt. Pick up a Scavenger Hunt Sheet at the Frederickson Community Center, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mark off candy cane locations as you explore, then return your completed sheet to claim a candy cane treat bag.
Polar Plunge at Lake Sammamish State Park
Date: January 1, 2025
Time: Registration at 10:30 AM; Plunge at 12:00 PM
Location: Lake Sammamish State Park, Sunset Beach
Details: Kick off the new year with the Polar Plunge at Lake Sammamish State Park! Starting at 10:30 AM, enjoy registration, music, and entertainment by Clown Garage. Participants will take the icy dive at noon. The first 300 registrants will receive a SWAG bag featuring a commemorative pin from Pins by Design. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on participants as they brave the chilly waters.
Polar Bear Plunge at Tacoma
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Point Defiance Marina, 5912 Waterfront Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407
Details: Start the new year with a refreshing dive into Puget Sound at the Polar Bear Plunge, presented by Bath Fitter. Open to all ages, participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are encouraged but not required, and wearing shoes or foot protection is highly recommended. Safety measures include lifeguards on-site and life jackets available for participants. Registration begins December 1, with a fee of $10 plus tax.
Puyallup Home & Garden Show
Date: January 3-5, 2025
Time: Varies by day (check event schedule)
Location: Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup
Details: The Puyallup Home & Garden Show is a must-attend event for homeowners at any stage of remodeling, landscaping, or decorating. Featuring hundreds of exhibits and product demonstrations, the show offers expert advice and innovative ideas to improve your home’s comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. Hosted by Trade Shows Northwest, this event is packed with inspiration and practical solutions for your home and garden needs.
Family Saturdays – Me on the Map
Date: January 4, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Washington State History Museum, Tacoma
Details: Join a family-friendly exploration of history during this engaging storytime program for children ages 4 to 10 and their families. This session features Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney, teaching the importance of map skills. Participants will read the story, practice mapping in The Mountain Was Out exhibition, and create personalized maps for others to explore. Included with general admission; free for WSHS members.
Aging Smart Educational Workshops
Date: January 8, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: BECU Workshop Room, 4784 Borgen Blvd. NW, Gig Harbor
Details: Held every second Wednesday of the month, these workshops feature local professionals sharing real-life expertise on various aging-related topics. Attendees can ask questions and gain practical, nationwide-applicable insights in a sales-free environment.
Morning Buzz
Date: January 8, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: Edmonds Yacht Club, 326 Admiral Way, Edmonds
Details: Connect with local business professionals at the Edmonds Chamber’s monthly networking event. Gain valuable business tips and updates while building meaningful connections.
Family Game Night with Girl Scouts
Date: January 10, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Avenue SE, Olympia
Details: Enjoy a free, family-friendly evening creating your own board game with the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Learn about local troops, registration, and available financial assistance.
OrcaCon 2025
Date: January 10-12, 2025
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton
Details: OrcaCon is an inclusive tabletop gaming convention emphasizing diversity, accessibility, and community. The event celebrates marginalized voices in gaming, including people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities. Attendees can enjoy a welcoming environment perfect for both new and experienced players, with a variety of board games, card games, role-playing games, miniatures, and more. Rooms are limited, so book early to secure your stay.
Diving the Great Barrier Reef | National Geographic Live
Date: January 12-14, 2025
Location: S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Benaroya Hall
Details: Explore the wonders and challenges of the Great Barrier Reef in this captivating National Geographic Live event. Marine biologist Dr. Erika Woolsey highlights the reef’s annual coral spawning phenomenon, where millions of coral polyps create a mesmerizing “snow globe” effect. Despite climate change’s devastating impact on the reef, there is still much to discover and preserve. Join Dr. Woolsey to learn about the colorful and unique species inhabiting this extraordinary underwater ecosystem. Doors open one hour before the performance.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Date: January 15-16, 2025
Location: Benaroya Hall, Seattle
Details: Experience the thrill of outdoor adventure and storytelling with the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Showcasing two unique programs over two nights, the event features breathtaking films about mountain culture, adrenaline-pumping action sports, and environmental exploration. Hosted by The Mountaineers, ticket revenue supports their mission to inspire community engagement in exploring and conserving the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty. Mountaineers Members can access discounted tickets using a promo code from recent communications. Reserve your spot and get ready to be inspired by the spirit of adventure!
SAAS Summit: Ascend
Date: January 16, 2025
Location: Seattle Academy
Details: Join the fourth annual SAAS Summit for an inspiring day of stories and insights from successful leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and innovators. This year’s theme, Ascend, emphasizes the value of the journey toward achievement, reflecting on the peaks and challenges along the way. With speakers like legendary mountaineer Conrad Anker, who has summited Mt. Everest three times, the event promises to motivate and empower attendees to embrace their own climbs.
Taste of the Northwest
Date: January 17, 2025, 5:00 PM – January 18, 2025, 6:00 PM
Location: Centennial Ballroom, Campbell’s Resort
Details: Celebrate Winterfest weekend at the Taste of the Northwest, featuring a showcase of over 20 Washington wineries, distilleries, and breweries. Enjoy tastings of premium spirits, fresh shucked oysters, light appetizers, and the option to purchase a full-service dinner buffet. This two-day event offers a delightful culinary and beverage experience in the heart of the Northwest.
Bohemia
Date: January 17-26, 2025 (showtimes vary)
Location: The Triple Door, Seattle
Details: Bohemia, an award-winning musical by Opal Peachey and Mark Siano, returns to the Triple Door this January. This vibrant cabaret blends love, classical music, and art nouveau in a whimsical tale set in 1890s Prague. Featuring music by Dvořák and Chopin, art by Alphonse Mucha, and performances including aerial acts, burlesque, and comedy, the story follows composer Antonin Dvořák as he seeks inspiration through absinthe-fueled encounters with green fairies and the ghost of Chopin. A dazzling mix of history, fantasy, and original music awaits audiences in this critically acclaimed production. Early shows are 17+, and late shows are 21+.
KOOZA
Date: January 19 – March 2, 2025
Location: Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond
Details: Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA follows The Innocent, a charming yet naïve clown, on a journey of self-discovery as he ventures into a strange and exotic world. Guided by a mysterious trickster, this visually stunning performance combines acrobatics, storytelling, and breathtaking artistry in a heated big top tent.
2025 Microsoft Asian Spring Festival Celebration
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Overlake Christian Church, 9900 Willows Road, Redmond
Details: Hosted by the Seattle Chinese Association (SCA) and CHIME, this all-ages Lunar New Year celebration offers a vibrant showcase of Chinese culture. The event features traditional performances, activities, and festivities in honor of the Chinese New Year. Doors open at noon for a full day of entertainment and community spirit.
Ursulmas Medieval Faire
Date: January 25-26, 2025
Time: Site opens at 7:00 AM on January 24, 2025; site closes at 12:00 PM on January 26, 2025
Location: Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272
Details: Hosted by the Barony of Aquaterra, this grand medieval faire is open to all, with events on January 25-26, 2025. The festivities feature exciting tournaments with knights, fencers, archers, and thrown weapon specialists. Guests can explore the bustling Marketplace filled with treasures and engage in youth activities like the Youth Armored Combat program. Entertainers and musicians will add to the experience, and the event culminates with a Royal Court ceremony. Whether a knight or a curious visitor, there’s something for all ages at this immersive historical celebration.
Pacific Northwest Reptile and Exotic Animal Show
Date: January 25-26, 2025
Time: Check event schedule for details
Location: Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup
Details: The Pacific Northwest Reptile and Exotic Animal Show offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures. This event, held at the Washington State Fair Events Center, is perfect for animal lovers and those curious about reptiles. Please note, no pets are allowed at the show.
Olympia Career Fair
Date: January 27, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Olympia, 2101 Henderson Park Lane SE, Olympia
Details: This career fair offers an opportunity to connect with top local employers across industries such as government, healthcare, education, IT, sales, and more. Meet hiring professionals and explore a wide range of career paths.
Eagle Festival 2025
Date: January 31 – February 1, 2025
Location: Arlington, WA
Details: The Eagle Festival celebrates the return of eagles to the Stillaguamish River, where they come to feed on salmon during the winter. This annual event highlights these majestic birds, which also prey on snow geese in the agricultural fields of the floodplain. The festival features a variety of activities and is presented by the City of Arlington and the Arlington Arts Council, with funding from the City of Arlington Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.
Strange Brewfest
Date: January 31 – February 1, 2025
Location: American Legion, 209 Monroe St., Port Townsend, WA
Details: The Strange Brewfest invites beer enthusiasts to explore unique and unusual beer flavors from dozens of breweries. Enjoy live music and entertainment in both indoor and outdoor settings. The festival is open to ages 21+ (ID required), and tickets are valid for both days. No pets allowed.
Olympia Funk Festival – Funk OFF!
Date: January 31 – February 2, 2025
Location: Capitol Theater, Olympia Ballroom, Olympia Center, Olympia, WA
Details: The second annual Olympia Funk Festival – Funk OFF! is a three-day celebration of electrifying funk music, dancing, and joy. Hosted by Ecstatic Sound Collective, this event transforms Olympia’s iconic venues into vibrant funk-filled spaces. Enjoy performances by nationally acclaimed headliners, top musicians from Seattle and Portland, and local funk talent. Outside, Washington Street will feature food trucks, band merchandise, and activities. A weekend pass grants access to all general admission shows, with a special Sunday Soul Brunch featuring surprise guests.
Seattle Boat Show
Date: January 31 – February 8, 2025
Location: Lumen Field, Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA (Shuttle to Bell Harbor Marina)
Details: The Seattle Boat Show is a must-visit for all boating enthusiasts, offering an impressive display of 800 boats and watercraft. With 126 boating seminars available, attendees can dive deep into the world of boats, yachts, and marine technology. The show also provides a free shuttle to boats in the water at Bell Harbor Marina. Children 17 and under can attend for free.
The Sleeping Beauty (World Premiere)
Date: January 31 – February 9, 2025
Location: Pacific Northwest-inspired fairyland at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St.
Details: Experience a brand-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, featuring scenic design by glass artist Preston Singletary and costumes by Paul Tazewell (known for Hamilton, West Side Story, and Swan Lake). This re-imagined, historically-informed ballet takes Princess Aurora through a Pacific Northwest-inspired fairyland, filled with adventure, dreams, and love. It’s a magical journey to fulfill her destiny.
Kids ‘n’ Critters Weekends
Date: January 31 – March 2, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Drive E in Eatonville
Details: Enjoy Kids ‘n’ Critters weekends, where two kids aged 12 or under get free admission with each paid adult ticket. The discount is available only for tickets purchased at the ticket window, and does not apply to Wild Drives or Keeper Adventure Tours. This offer is valid on the listed weekends and Presidents’ Day.
January in Puget Sound offers a vibrant mix of events to brighten your winter days and set the tone for an exciting year ahead. Whether you’ve discovered a new favorite tradition or connected with your community in a meaningful way, these local events are a wonderful way to embrace the spirit of the season. Be sure to mark your calendars and start your 2025 on a high note with all that Puget Sound has to offer!
