Holiday happenings in Phinney Ridge and Greenwood, from Brew Santa to PhinneyWood Phestivus, WildLights, caroling, concerts and plays

So many holiday events happening in Phinney Ridge and Greenwood! Here’s a rundown of what we know of…please let us know in Comments below of anything we missed. Or email us at [email protected].
The Greenwood Senior Center is hosting its annual Costume Jewelry Sale from 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at 525 N. 85th St.
Naked City Brewery & Taphouse, 8564 Greenwood Ave. N., is hosting the real Brew Santa at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, to help light its 20-foot tree and to take photos with customers. The pub also will unveil this season’s Naked City Bing spiced cherry ale. At 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, they’ll show “Frozen” as part of their free Second Saturday Cinema; and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, they’ll be showing that family-friendly favorite, “Elf.”
PhinneyWood Phestivus in conjunction with the monthly Art Up PhinneyWood Artwalk is Friday, Dec. 8, from 5-10 p.m. Between 6-10 p.m., hop on the free Emerald City Trolley at any of a dozen stops between Woodland Park Zoo at North 55th Street and Naked City Brewery at North 87th Street. Hop off any time and check out the holiday LED monkeys, Artwalk venues, and restaurants and pubs offering Ugly Christmas Sweater discounts. New this year is a special Santa Claus Lane in Piper Village (immediately east of the Greenwood Fred Meyer) from 5-9 p.m. with pet photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, live music by School of Rock and the Salvation Army Band, and donation drives for toys by Top Ten Toys, pet adoption at Mud Bay, feminine products at Ladywells, and warm clothing at Title Boxing. Here’s the full list of participating venues and who’s offering discounts, plus a map of trolley stops.
Bluebird Ice Cream, 7400 Greenwood Ave. N., is giving out free scoops of ice cream through next week to anyone who brings in a new, unwrapped toy for their annual Toys for Tots drive. This Friday, Bluebird will host Santa from 7-10 p.m. for free pictures, and if you buy ice cream, you can get free hot fudge.
Green Lake Pathway of Lights is from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Thousands of luminaria will be set all the way around the lake and along the docks. Hear live holiday music at four locations: Green Lake Community Center on the east side; Green Lake Small Craft Center on the south side; Bathhouse Theater on the north side; and the Arch on the east of side of the community center/pool. Folks are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for FamilyWorks, and feel free to bring your own lights.
Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., has two holiday shows: “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration” on the Jewell Mainstage through Dec. 30, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in the Isaac Studio through Dec. 27.
WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. every night through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24-25) with more than 600,000 LED lights throughout the North Meadow and along the paths to Zoomazium, which is now “Snowmazium” and will host storytelling and fake snowball fights. The historical carousel will be running, Santa will be there every Friday through Sunday before Christmas, and the new Winter Warm Up area on the south side of the Rain Forest Food Pavilion will offer winter treats for purchase, including make-your-own s’mores kits, and hot cider and cocoa, plus beer, wine and specialty hot drinks for adults over 21, and fire pits. Most of the zoo’s animals will be off view during WildLights, but guests can visit the Adaptations Building, which houses sloths, Indian flying foxes, Komodo dragons and meerkats. Tuesday, Dec. 12, is “Star Wars” theme night with Galactic Lights, with costumed characters of the 501st Legion, choreographed lightsaber shows performed by the Saber Guild – Jet City Temple every half hour from 6-8 p.m., and “Star Wars” themed crafts at the “Galactic Cantina,” aka the Pacific Blue Chowder House. Costumes are encouraged. Wednesday, Dec. 13 is Harlem Globetrotters Night at Snowmazium, where you can meet and get a photo with one of the Globetrotters, and maybe learn some of the team’s signature moves with a quick pick-up game.
Town Hall presents “Short Stories Live: A Rogue’s Christmas” at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St. Tickets are $10-$15. “Our beloved Short Stories Live series returns this season with A Rogue’s Christmas, an arrangement of cheeky and unconventional holiday tales performed by talented local actors.”
The Norse Home, 5311 Phinney Ave. N., is celebrating the holidays Scandinavian style with an open house from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, with live musical performances, free photos with Santa, Norwegian treats and traditional Scandinavian open-faced sandwiches.
The OK Chorale and Greenwood Senior Center’s All Present Song Circle sing a collection of holiday favorites from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at 525 N. 85th St. Suggested donation of $10 to benefit GSC’s memory loss programs. Bring cookies to share if you can.
Caroling under Gary’s Canopy is from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Gary’s Auto Repair, 7418 Greenwood Ave. N. It’s free, but they’ll pass a hat for donations to The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy.
Spend Christmas Day at the Phinney Neighborhood Association’s annual Christmas Meal at the Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St. Doors open at noon with snacks provided; the meal – turkey, ham and all the trimmings — will be served at 1 p.m. Free, but donations gladly accepted. (Must RSVP by Dec. 15.)