Hotels near Seattle Center Winterfest

Winterfest is Seattle Center's free holiday programme, running alongside the Seattle Christmas Market on the same campus. Its best-known attraction is the Winterfest Train and Village, an interactive model railway set in a late 19th-century village, which has delighted Seattle families for decades.

The programme also includes the Winterfest World Bazaar, where international vendors sell holiday gifts, and free entertainment such as comedy, music and dance performances on selected days. Because it is free, Winterfest is a good way to round off a visit for anyone who does not want to buy market tickets for the whole family.

Check the Seattle Center events calendar for 2026 Winterfest dates and show times, which are usually published in the autumn.

Pro Tip: Combine the Seattle Christmas Market with Winterfest in a single visit. Watch the model train first while the market is quieter, then use your timed ticket for the market in the evening.