Concerts, Ice Skating, Ice Sculpting and More Set for Seattle Center Winterfest, Now thru 12/31

A wonderland of sparkling lights, child-sized diversions and spirited entertainment brightens the twilight of the year at Seattle Center Winterfest, today, Nov. 29 - Dec. 31. Visit Seattle Center Armory, all dressed for the season, and you'll discover new viewing points for Winter Train & Village, fresh food and drink offered at local Armory merchants and inspiring student showcases. The Winterfest Ice Rink returns, along with Saturday ice sculpting and lively weekend performances.

Following is a full list of Winterfest activities:

Winterfest Student Showcases

Nov. 26 - Dec. 31, varied times

Seattle Center Armory, free

Student Showcases provide public and private schools and youth performance groups the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public.

Winter Train & Village

Nov. 29 - Dec. 31, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

A Winterfest favorite, a magnificent, turn-of-the-century village in miniature size and moving model train. Visit and take a turn controlling the model train between 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, Special hours: closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25.

Coca-Cola Winter Wish Wall

Nov. 29 - Dec. 31

Seattle Center Armory, free

We invite you to share your wish on this interactive winter wall installation

Winterfest Ice Rink

Nov. 29 - Jan. 5, 2014

Sunday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fisher Pavilion

For novice or Olympiad, Winterfest Ice Rink offers fun for all. Admission includes skate rental: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and $2 children ages 5 and under. Cash only. free admission to watch. Special hours: closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed on Dec. 25; closes at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

The Dickens Carolers

Friday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. - 12 noon

Seattle Center Armory, free

A quartet of Victorian costumed carolers sings out the spirit of the season, sharing beloved carols in perfect four-part harmony. Since 1978, The Dickens Carolers have offered traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. www.dickenscarolers.com

The Most Awesome Variety Show Ever

Friday, Nov. 29, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Matt Baker's comedy and variety shows offer a mix of the very best professional stand-up comedy and memorable entertainment. Matt conjers up the whimsy of Cirque du Soleil, with outstanding impressions, slapstick humour and world class magic. mattbakercomedy.com

Keith Highlanders Pipe Band

Friday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

The Keith Highlanders Pipe Band seeks to broaden the popularity of traditional Scottish piping, drumming and dancing. As the official pipe band of the Clan Keith, a rare designation outside Scotland, the band has performed internationally since its beginning in 1952. www.khpb.org

Winterfest Ice Sculpting

Saturdays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 12 p.m.- 2 p.m.

Outside Fisher Pavilion, free

Artistry and ice unite in a glorious and temporal expression of the season. Watch award-winning artists at work as they create seasonal sculptures - or stop by later to see the glistening result. Each Saturday an ice master carves a different design.

Hot Dog USA

Saturday, Nov. 30, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Dedicated to inspiring, motivating and educating people of all ages, the Hot Dog jump rope team, consisting of 50 boys and girls, has performed, competed in and taught jump rope workshops around the country and the world since 1980. www.hotdogusa.org

Pacific Cascade Big Band

Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Created in June 2008, this big band is devoted to performing the great jazz music that became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s to the late 1950s. www.woodinvilleband.org

Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble

Saturday, Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Celebrate the music and culture of Croatia as this vibrantly costumed troupe shares holiday traditions through exuberant dance and song. www.velaluka.org

Klez Kidz

Sunday, Dec. 1, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

This intergenerational group of musicians, singers and dancers presents interactive concerts of world Jewish music and mirth. The wail of clarinets and the rousing sounds of Israeli rhythms and harmony accompany inspiring dancers. www.templebetham.org/music-and-arts/klezkids

Taiko Drumming

Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

One World Taiko's own creative rhythms, arrangements and choreography span the genres of jazz and world music to add a modern spirit to the ancient tradition of taiko. oneworldtaiko.com

Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Sunday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Chabad of Seattle celebrates Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, with a candle lighting ceremony. www.chabadofseattle.org

Seattle Girls' Choir

Saturday, Dec. 7, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

If you haven't heard this amazing ensemble of girls, ages 6-18, then you're missing out on some mighty musicmaking that combines serious musical skills with serious fun. The Winterfest performance features the DolcineChoir, the Allegra Choir (grades 5 and 6) and the Vivissimi Choir (grades 3 and 4). www.SeattleGirlsChoir.org

Cornish Jazz Ensembles

Sunday, Dec. 8, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Jazz forms the foundation of a reputation at Cornish College of the Arts as one of the most respected collegiate improvised music progr ams in the nation. The wealth of student talent and skill spills out into two of the school's most popular groups, Cornish Jazz Ensemble III and Latin Ensemble, performing live on the Seattle Center Armory. www.cornish.edu

Garfield High School Jazz Band

Saturday, Dec. 14, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Enjoy the seasonal sounds of the nationally acclaimed Garfield High School Jazz Band under the direction of Seattle's own jazz great, Clarence Acox. www.garfieldjazz.org

Bailadores de Bronce

Sunday, Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Portraying the most positive aspects of the Mexican culture, the Bailadores break down cultural barriers and build bridges as they teach and perform Mexican folkloric dances throughout the Pacific Northwest. www.bailadoresdebronce.org

SANCA Youth Performance Company

Saturday, Dec. 21, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

SANCA Youth Company creates and performs original acts in aerial arts, juggling, tightwire, clowning, unicycle and acrobatics. www.sancaseattle.org

Winterfest Free Skate Day brought to you by Coca-Cola

Dec. 22, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fisher Pavilion and International Fountain, free

Coca-Cola hosts a day of free skating, pictures with Santa, samples of Honest Tea, Zico and Illy Issimo and more family-friendly activities.

Captain Smartypants and Sensible Shoes

Sunday, Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

The energetic and hilarious Smartypants, a vocal comedy group from Seattle Men's Chorus, has thrilled, delighted and alarmed audiences from Washington, DC to San Francisco. Sensible Shoes, part of Seattle Women's Chorus, performs pop and vocal jazz, balancing great delivery with fun, innovative staging. www.flyinghouse.org

Hot Club Sandwich

Saturday, Dec. 28, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

This ensemble began 10 years ago out of a deep reverence for Gypsy jazz of the 1930s and 1940s, growing to incorporate classic jazz and folkloric influences from around the world into clever arrangements and adventurous improvisations. www.hotclubsandwich.com

Massive Monkees

Sunday, Dec. 29, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

This unsurpassed crew of energetic b-boys/b-girls break dancers, described as percussively-gifted, hip-hop dervishes, has shared the stage with the likes of Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Nas, Public Enemy, Ludacris and 50 Cent among others. www.massivemonkees.com

New Year's Eve Celebration with THE NINES

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.

Seattle Center Armory, free

Winterfest rings in the New Year to the sounds of THE NINES. With world class male and female lead vocals, the five-piece band gets dancers on their feet with its high energy and pure professionalism, sharing hits from the 1970s to today. www.lovethenines.com/9/The_Nines.html

Seattle Center Winterfest, produced by Seattle Center, presents spirited programming for children, families and friends in search of entertaining and enriching activities during this festive time of year. For more information, visit www.seattecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

About Seattle Center Winterfest 2013: Connect to the sights, sounds and spirit of the season at Seattle Center Winterfest, five weeks of free and affordable, fun-filled activities and entertainment, Nov. 29 - Dec.31. Visit the restored Seattle Center Armory, displaying its winter finest, and explore the nostalgic Winter Train & Village. The Winterfest Ice Rink returns, along with ice sculpting, student showcases and more. Seattle Center Winterfest is part of Holidays in Seattle, and is sponsored by Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, Seattle Weekly, Seattle Center Foundation and the City of Seattle.

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