Plan your holiday fun in Kirkland with our detailed guide. For Kirkland natives and newcomers alike, our guide illuminates the best of the city's holiday offerings.
Popular during the holiday season is the Cavalcade of Lights, where festive lanterns and glowing displays create a magical atmosphere in the heart of the city. With its colorful floats and community spirit, the Santa Claus Parade showcases the joy of the season through lively performances and local participation. And the Google Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its dazzling light displays transforming the cityscape into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Kirkland
- Santa Claus Parade (Toronto)
- Cavalcade of Lights (Toronto)
- The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada (Toronto)
- Christmas at the Castle in Casa Loma (Toronto)
- WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan)
- Toronto Christmas Market (Toronto)
- Christmas Ship™ Festival (Seattle)
- Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
- Google Lights
- Holiday Fair in the Square (Toronto)
See these and even more events listed below!
Kirkland Holiday Light Displays
Google Lights
What to Expect:
Stunning light display synchronized to music.
Description:
Google Lights is a spectacular display of beautiful colored lights choreographed to music, featuring carolers and free cider.
Where: Kirkland | More Info: Google Lights
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display featuring zoo animals.
Description:
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium presents Zoolights, a 36-year holiday tradition featuring colorful lights and illuminated animal displays, including a special nod to the zoo's baby muskox and polar bear sisters. Guests can also enjoy classic figurines, a giant Pacific octopus, and the iconic Flame Tree.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: Zoolights
Cavalcade of Lights
What to Expect:
Live performances and lighting of the official Christmas tree.
Description:
The Cavalcade of Lights is a long-standing winter festival in Toronto, featuring live performances, the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree, and nightly ice skating with festive light installations.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Cavalcade of Lights
Kirkland Holiday Markets and Shopping
Kirkland Winter Market
What to Expect:
Diverse local vendors selling unique crafts and artisanal goods.
Description:
The Kirkland Winter Market at Kirkland Urban offers a diverse array of local artisans, crafters, and farmers showcasing unique crafts and artisanal goods perfect for holiday shopping. This community event provides a great way for families and friends to connect and find the perfect stocking stuffers and holiday gifts.
Where: Kirkland | More Info: Kirkland Winter Market
Toronto Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Holiday market with artisan vendors and live entertainment.
Description:
The Toronto Christmas Market is a festive holiday event held in the Distillery Historic District, featuring a unique selection of handcrafted items, sweets, and treats from artisan vendors. The market offers ongoing entertainment on its main stage, including carolers, choirs, and brass bands.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Toronto Christmas Market
Holiday Fair in the Square
What to Expect:
Artisan marketplace with Santa visits and festive drinks.
Description:
Holiday Fair in the Square is a festive event at Mel Lastman Square in North York, featuring an artisan marketplace, a Fireside Lounge, and visits with Santa. Enjoy hot chocolate and mulled wine while browsing through stalls filled with unique gifts.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Holiday Fair in the Square
Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works
What to Expect:
Community-driven market with diverse local vendors and activities.
Description:
The Winter Market at Evergreen Brick Works is a vibrant event featuring over 60 local vendors, offering a diverse selection of handmade goods, vintage items, and mouth-watering food. Attendees can enjoy interactive workshops, live music, and children's activities amidst a bustling atmosphere that fosters community connection.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Winter Village at Evergreen Brick Works
Kirkland Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday cruise with onboard choir performances.
Description:
The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival is a family-friendly holiday celebration where the Spirit of Seattle, decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights, sails to various Puget Sound waterfront communities. Onboard, guests enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise, a community choir performance, and a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The event also includes a full-service bar with specialty cocktails and local beverages.
Where: Kirkland | More Info: Argosy Christmas Ship Festival
Christmas Ship™ Festival
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday cruise with live choir performances and festive activities.
Description:
The Christmas Ship™ Festival is a cherished Northwest tradition where the Spirit of Seattle, decorated with hundreds of shimmery white lights, sails to various Puget Sound waterfront communities. Guests enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise, community choir performances, and festive activities like "Cookies with Santa" and a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Where: Seattle | More Info: Christmas Ship™ Festival
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with ice-skating and live shows.
Description:
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland features ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, over a dozen live shows, exciting rides, and millions of spectacular lights amidst hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees.
Where: Vaughan | More Info: WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland
Christmas at the Castle in Casa Loma
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic castle setting with live performances and festive decorations.
Description:
Casa Loma's Christmas at the Castle features elegant holiday decorations, including a 40ft tall tree in the Great Hall and eight signature trees by Canadian designers. Guests can visit Santa in his workshop, participate in festive arts and crafts, and enjoy live performances. The event offers a wide range of activities for the whole family.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Christmas at the Castle in Casa Loma
The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada is a spectacular family production set in 19th-century Russia. Siblings Marie and Misha embark on a journey filled with magical creatures, savoury treats, and the glittering land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, all set to Tchaikovsky's famous score and featuring magnificent sets and costumes.
Where: Toronto | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet by the National Ballet of Canada
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Historic parade with over 119 years of tradition.
Description:
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a long-standing tradition that brings hundreds of thousands of people together to celebrate the holiday season. Since 1905, this iconic parade has grown from a small procession to a grand spectacle featuring colorful floats, marching bands, celebrity clowns, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Toronto | More Info: Santa Claus Parade
Kirkland Other Holiday Activities
Winter Train & Village
What to Expect:
Late 19th-century model train and village display.
Description:
Delight in viewing a late 19th-century model train and village display at Winterfest Train & Village inside the Armory building at Seattle Center. This annual tradition has been on display for over 40 years, featuring intricate diorama scenes of the Pacific Northwest. Participants can also take turns controlling the train and join a scavenger hunt to find hidden pieces within the village.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Winter Train & Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Pointe-Claire (2 miles)
- Dollard-Des Ormeaux (4 miles)
- Chateauguay (7 miles)
- Saint-Eustache (8 miles)
- Vaudreuil-Dorion (9 miles)
- Cote-Saint-Luc (10 miles)
- Saint-Laurent (10 miles)
- Boisbriand (12 miles)
- Laval (12 miles)
- Notre-Dame-de-Grace (12 miles)
- Ahuntsic-Cartierville (13 miles)
- Westmount (13 miles)
- Sainte-Therese (13 miles)
- Montreal (14 miles)
- Blainville (15 miles)
- Saint-Constant (16 miles)
- Saint-Leonard (16 miles)
- Mirabel (17 miles)
- La Prairie (18 miles)
- Salaberry-de-Valleyfield (19 miles)
- Brossard (19 miles)
- Longueuil (20 miles)
- Terrebonne (20 miles)
- Boucherville (23 miles)
- Saint-Jerome (24 miles)
- Mascouche (24 miles)
- Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (26 miles)
- Varennes (26 miles)
- Sainte-Julie (27 miles)
- Chambly (28 miles)
- Repentigny (28 miles)
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (31 miles)
- Joliette (45 miles)